Tuesday Soweto

The LORD moved in a mighty way today! Today we visited a very impoverished area known as Soweto. Many of the people living here are refugees from northern Uganda. All of us were praying that the LORD would prepare our hearts for today because none of us have seen anything like it. Those living here were very receptive to God's word. Isn't it funny how brokeness and receptivity go hand in hand? The LORD has begun a small church there, because several have given their lives to him. I was very thankful that the LORD used me today in furthering his kingdom. As we walked about the interior of the area, we were followed by many children chanting "mzungu mzungu!" They were very excited to see foreigners walking among them. After walking for a little while we came to a small clearing between the houses and worshipped the LORD together. We asked God to bless our time of sharing, and that's excatly what he did. We split into small groups that consisted of at least one interpretter and three of us. I got to know a man named George, that lived there. He had been living in Soweto for about eight months after leaving northern Uganda. Dave and I shared the gospel with him and the LORD changed his heart. He received Christ as his Lord and savior, and thanked God in his own words for what the LORD has done for him. After he received Christ I spent some time getting to know him. It turned out that he was my age and also had a young wife! I was so excited to see the LORD's sovereign hand in this! This is only one testimony of many who were born again today. In the span of about an hour and a half, fourteen people became followers of Christ and were redeemed! Our God is strong to deliver and mighty to save! Please be in prayer for all of the new believers as well as those who are reaching and discipling here in Uganda. Afterwards, Dave led a leadership bible study for the leaders in the KIU United Faith Chapel. So far, according to the schedule, today is the last day that we would see the KIU believers, so we had to say our farewells before departing. Eventhough today was very sobering, the LORD has exalted himself among us. He has blessed our group with supernatural unity, the likes of which I've never seen. Please continue to pray for us, tomorrow we wll be sharing the Truth in a predominantly muslim community. Pray that God would empower us with his Spirit, like he has done so far, and pray also for the harvest. Levi Bump

Monday, KIU Evangelism and Bible Study

The morning began with the team splitting into several smaller groups to bring the gospel to KIU students. I (levi) was paired with a KIU student named Isaac. I was very encouraged to spend time with my brother. Because the LORD was gracious to bless the efforts of the entire team, nine people were born again. In the evening, Tyler lead the men's bible study. He shared about the freedom that we have in Christ, not that we are free to live according to the flesh, but the freedom that we are given to walk with Jesus. This was a good time of fellowship and sharpening for all of us. Jaclyn lead the girls bible study and shared about loving by faith. In the evening, Dave spoke and began to prepare the team for Tuesday morning, in which we would be doing door to door evangelism in a very impoverished area.

Sunday Worship-

This morning the group was split up into three groups. Joey, Clay, and Libby went to Nsambya high school, where Clay preached the word and the other two shared their testimonies. Ashley, Candace, Tyler, Jason, and Paul went to UFC. Levi, Chris, and I went back to Everlight College, where Chris and I shared our testimonies and Levi preached the word. The other two groups spoke of great experiences at both of their worship sites. Everlight was a true blessing to be at, they greeted us with great appreciation. It was amazing to see so many kids take initiative towards leading worship in the Sunday service. Many prepared solos, duets, and skits to share the gospel. Levi did a wonderful job preaching the fruits of the spirit and touched on a very important aspect that seemed to be a misconception among many of the ugandans that you can not lose your salvation with one sin. It was truly amazing to see God work in so many hearts and lives of the children.
This afternoon we went to discipleship with the UFC church. We got to play games and get to know the other college student ministry in a very relaxed casual atmosphere. They have welcomed us every day with beautiful smiles, endearing handshakes, and warm embraces. We participated in a Bible Study in small groups with the students after the games concentrating on Psalm139:23-24. The glory of the Lord was surrounding us with a beautiful evening and a cool breeze as we gathered outside. It is truly amazing to meet others who are from small tribes miles outside of Kenya and know that they are worshiping the same God and believe the very same truths that we do all the way back in the states. To come from two different worlds and be united in the everlasting promise of salvation and love is truly a blessing that can't be touched. Please pray that tomorrow will be fruitful as we go to minister to those who do not know the Lord. May we allow us to deny ourselves every step of the way and use us for his glory and honor.
Jaclyn Otten

Saturday - University and College Ministry

Hello everyone! I would like to say that this trip has been basically nothing short of amazing. I can't type everything here but... Yesterday, or Saturday, we held a relationship seminar at Kampala International University or KIU. KIU has students representing 7 different nationalities form the region. Many of the students struggled to find local churches where they could understand the local language. In 2002 students from the campus began meeting together for worship and Bible Study in English (a common language). This group eventually birthed a church, United Faith Chapel (UFC), with upwards 500 studetns. Dave taught three sessions on the Song of Solomon and then our team led small groups after each session. Joey and I led a group and it was very good to communicate with the men in our group about good and bad examples of relationships, negotiables and non-negotiables, and how God wants for us to have the best relationship we can by keeping Him at the center of it. Some other small highlights...we ate our first 'African' food today, it was food from Kenya and it was real good and made me really full. Traffic here is alot worse than Memphis, but I haven't seen any wrecks.(?)

During the evening we broke up into two groups Levi preached and shared the gospel at Muyenga High School and Candice and Ashley shared their testimonies. Paul and Tyler helped lead worship. David preached for a saturday evening service at UFC and Clay shared his testimony. We have found the students very open and receptive to the Word. There is a great need for Biblical foundations and Discipleship. And I guess I can finish with a thought/revelation about life...there is nothing like a cold shower to let you know life is not about you. ( yeah that's right, every morning is a cold shower!) c-ya'll when I get home!
-blessings, paul j. stroud

Everlight College

This afternoon was also very fruitful. We went to Everlight College, which is actually a jr high and high school. In the midst of a school room that had beaten up wooden benches and desks, gravel floors, no air conditioning were beautiful smiles that filled the air with their voices of worship and praise to the same God that created us all. The music and demonstrative worship was truly amazing, surely God was in that place. We had two of our team members share their heart felt testimonies. First, Joey went starting off with a "Praise the Lord" and Libby followed with her genuine passion for what Lord had moved in her life. We had a great message of truth from Dave, preaching from Luke. The children participated eagerly and were very greatful of our presence. Afterwards we opened up the floor for the children to walk around and come tallk to us and ask questions. A 11 year old girl, named Grace dedicated her life to Christ and was born again! Praise the Lord! Another young girl named Marci rededicated her life to Christ. It was such a blessing to see two young girls have a burning desire to love Christ, have their lives changed, and to dwell with Him in eternity. Please pray for us that our spirits will be renewed and ready each morning to share the amazing promises God has to offer those who follow him.
Jaclyn

First ministry day. Friday 7/25

It is a blessing to be here worshiping and sharing Christ with believers halfway around the world. This morning we met up with students from Kampala University (KU) and Kampala International University (KIU). We broke off into groups of three, one from each group, and went to the womens hostels (dormatorys) at KIU. There we went door to door sharing the good news of Christ. I was amazed to see how receptive these students were to invite us in and listen to what we had to say. Some said they were "saved" so that we would leave them alone. Others "accepted" Christ as their Savior. But it seemed to be that they were needing to be somewhere and they thought it was the easiest way to have us leave. There was one girl though that did sincerely give her life to Christ. We learned that her sister, who is a believer, has been talking to her about Christ (she was watering the seed). It was a blessing to be a part in seeing the harvest take place as the Lord comforted this young woman. Be praying for our courage and our safety. In Christ- Jason

update- the flight and arrival

We arrived safely on Wednesday night. We met another believer named Latoya, from Kansas, who was traveling to Uganda to work with a church in Jinja. She was alone and basically stranded at the airport. We took her in for the night and helped her get reconnected with her hosts in the morning, and were able to encourage her spiritually. Kaye also met another young girl from Canada who had recently given her life to Christ. Kaye thought she was with our team but she was with a different team though traveling alone. Her ride was not there at the airport and she also was a bit stranded. Come to find out she was staying down the street from us in Kampala, so we gave her a ride. Sam Bishop "happened" to be on the same flights with us from Memphis to Uganda as he came to work in Uanda with an Orphanage in Jinja. Sam is wheelchair bound and has no use of his legs. We were able to help him in the airport and even with the challenge of getting him and his electric wheelchair onto the van.
It is awesome to witness and be apart of God taking care of, and provision for His children whether from Kansas, Canada, MS, or even Uganda.

On thurday we got some supplies, did some training, planning, shopping, ate Thai-gandan food, and a grilled Nile Perch (head to tail). Its a bit akward eating a fish whose watching you.

Uganda Team Itinerary

Schedule July 23-Aug. 3


July 23
8:15: Arrival at Entebbe Airport

July 24
8: Breakfast at Maranatha Guest House
9-11: Orientation at Carson’s house
11:15-12: Go to Garden City Mall to exchange money, buy water or snacks, etc
12: Lunch at Garden City Mall
2-4: Nsambya Secondary School (need a preacher with evangelistic sermon, 2 testimonies, and a song if possible)
6: Supper out

July 25
8: Breakfast at Maranatha
9:30-11:30: Door to door at KIU hostels
12: Lunch out
2-4: Everlight College (needs are same as above)
6: Grill out at the Carson’s house

July 26
8: Breakfast at Maranatha
10-2:30: Relationship Seminar taught by Dave (Three sessions taught…after each session students break up to discuss. Have your students familiar with material to facilitate small groups)
3:30: Late lunch/supper
7-9: Saturday night service at KIU (preacher and two testimonies…not necessarily salvation testimonies…could be just an encouraging word)

July 27
7: Breakfast at Maranatha
8-10:30: Service at KIU (preacher and two testimonies)
12: Lunch
4-6: Discipleship (if possible you will need to make out some discussion questions to pass out for discussion and then one will wrap up the session)
7: Supper out

July 28
8: Breakfast at Maranatha
9:30-11:30: Door to door at KIU hostels
12: Lunch out
5-6: KIU men and women split up for Bible study (I will get you the topic asap)
7: Supper out

July 29
8: Breakfast at Maranatha
9:30-12: Canvass Soweto (very poor area that we are slowly seeing work start in)
12:15: Quick lunch at Quality Cuts (sandwiches)
1-2: Bible study at KIU (one teacher)
3-4:30: Muyenga High School (needs are same as two schools above)
6: Supper at Carson’s house

July 30
8: Breakfast at Maranatha
9:30-12:30: Door to door at Old Kampala (area we work with that has little or no Christian work…it is predominantly Muslim)
1-2:30: Lunch out
3-5: Kawuku house church (one preacher and a couple of encouraging testimonies)
6: Supper out

July 31-August 2
6:30: Breakfast at Maranatha
7: Depart for Murchison Falls National Park

August 3
8: Breakfast at Maranatha
9-12: Shopping for African arts
12:30: Lunch
2-5:45: Pack for departure
6: Depart for Entebbe Airport

Uganda 08 Mission Team

We are leaving July 22- returning August 4th. Please pray for the team:
David, Jacylin, Paul, Candace, Joey, Ashley, Chris, Libby,
Jason, Levi, Tyler, Clay