October 30th, 2011
Hello everyone,
We are writing this from Kampala, we made it here safely!! I think riding in a vehicle is the biggest test of my peace in the Lord so far. Between trucks loaded way above their limit with heavy bags of charcoal, to motorcycles (boda's) zooming in and out, bicycles doing the same, cows, and goats, children on the streets and highways, and autos passing in your lane going the other way while you are headed at them!!! OH my.
God has so orchestrated our time and it is a comfort to get this affirmation. Before I left Frenchtown, God had prompted me through Kevin Fitts first and then through Joseph Mambo, to bring bibles. I had tried to find ones in Luganda a language spoken in this area and they were $80/bible so I didn't get any of them, but went to the Christian bookstore in Missoula and Josh McNeal helped me get 10/$20. I was still hesitating because they were English and Josh said to me "who knows who you will meet." Well Josh you were so correct. I was leaving my room to go to breakfast yesterday and the cleaning lady was sweeping the floor in the hallway. I greeted her and she responded with asking me where I was from. So I stopped to talk to her, she asked why I was in Uganda and I explained why. She responded by telling me two pastors died in car crashed the day before going from Jinja to Kampala. I said that is sad but what matters is where we go after we die. She agreed and said "yes, if we do many good works, we will go to heaven, if we don't we won't." I replied, “Well actually God says that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ His Son." She then said, "Oh maybe but if a thief knows Jesus, but is a thief he won't go to heaven." I said, "If a person knows Jesus, he won't be a thief." She looked at me and said, do you have a bible? OH MY!!! I joyfully said "yes I do, would you like one in English or Luganda (I bought two after getting here), she said in English!!! So I went back to my room and got one for her and after giving it to her asked if I could pray for her to come to know Jesus and she was very willing for this. Her name is Betty; please pray that God's word would be living in her and that she will receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
After breakfast we left the Lodge to catch the ferry across the Nile to come back to Kampala, it was suppose to be on our side before 10:00. We got there and the ranger, George, who seemed in charge told us that it wouldn't come till 11. It was 9:30, very hot and sticky, but we just praised God for hurrying up and waiting. Not too long after a group of baboons strolled into the ferry area, probably 10 or so, one with a little baby. We kind of kept away from them but were taking pictures. We had left our van doors open and one of them grabbed the sack I had given U. Dan for his children. I had put 3 rubber balls, and candy in this sack along wit a note to Dan, I felt was from God. U. Dan yelled at this baboon and started after him to get the sack back. One of the other men stopped U. Dan from the chase. Our escort from NH was a precious young woman named Mallari, she also was going after the sack which had been ripped apart and dropped for the candy I had put inside. I told her to let it go and we would trust God. After eating all the candy, they moved away and I was able to retrieve the balls (which the baby baboon wanted but his mama didn't want him to have :) and the sack with my note to U. Dan, the only thing intact on this sack. George, the ranger then came up to me and asked if I had any more balls as his grandchildren had no toys. I had one sack of them left and when I opened my suitcase (with him standing guard so the baboons didn't grab it) he saw the bibles and asked me if he could have one. I asked if he wanted two and he was so very grateful. So he got not only toys, candy but the precious Word of God as well, which wouldn't have happened if the ferry had been on time and the baboons had not stolen U. Dan's sack.
Then, another young man approached me and asked me if I was a believer in Jesus. I said yes I was born again, and he shyly said he was as well. I smiled and said well that makes us brother and sister. He grinned and we hugged!!! HE then asked if I had any bibles, he wanted one in English. (Josh you were so right) So I was able to give him one as well, and he got my email address, so we can exchange prayer requests. Then the ferry came and we were on our way. Please pray for both of the Georges. What a wonderful way to start the day. I will give this to Lyle to continue as he hasn't shared this journey through his eyes.
I (Lyle) have really noticed the contrasts of beauty and splendor with that of poverty and hopelessness. The natural beauty in Uganda is incredible. The colors of the birds, flowers, and the variety of plants are amazing. The food on the trees as well as the bugs in the air provided ample food for the birds to eat (although we did not appreciate the bugs as much as the birds and lizards). The soil is rich and it seems anything can grow in it. Yet, as I look around, I see hopelessness and vacancy in people’s eyes; people looking and searching for fulfillment in life. While at New Hope Uganda the contrast was so much different. Even though the people did not have much (by American standards) there was a light in their eyes and joy in their hearts. As I saw this contrast I thought about the scripture in the Bible that tells us not to worry about tomorrow. It tells us how God clothes the lilies of the fields in splendor and gives the birds food to eat. It tells us that if our Lord pays attention to such small details as flowers and birds, how much more will He care for us! What a difference the Lord makes in our lives. It reminds me that the greatest thing we can bring to anybody is the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Ingrid talked about Uncle Dan and others that we met while at New Hope. It was as if they were family, which of course they are. They are our brothers and sisters. It is amazing how we can be in an entirely different culture with people we have never met, yet there is an instant connection and bond that is only possible in Christ.
Another thing I have thought about is what John Piper said, "Humanitarianism without the Gospel is condemnation in disguise." For me, my mind races about all the things that could be done, but without Christ, what would that mean? It would mean nothing. As Ingrid and I are asking the Lord when He wants us to move, where in Uganda He wants us to move, and in what capacity He wants us to serve, please pray that I keep in my heart the reason behind this. That is, the gospel of Christ.
As far as other prayer requests I can't think of anything right now that Ingrid has not already mentioned. The relationships we have made are wonderful and how we have seen our Lord work is amazing. What satan intends as evil, God uses for good!! Ingrid talked about the baboons stealing the bag with candy, balls, and the note to Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan was so disappointed, yet God not only restored what was lost, but he multiplied what was given!!! I really do believe that as we (not just Ingrid and I, but all of us) choose to die to our own desires and let Christ rule in our lives, that He will restore what is lost and multiply beyond anything we can imagine what He alone can give.
Spending time with Uncle Dan was such a blessing. I saw depth of faith and trust in what God is doing and will be doing in his life. What I did not see was a reflection of how this benefited him. What he talked about was how his life could be used to bless others. Uncle Dan is testing to become a nationally certified auto mechanic. This will open many doors for him, such as being able to work for the government or get better jobs, but it seemed what he was most excited about was being able to go back to New Hope's vocational institute and teach others. Do I reflect that kind of attitude in my life? Do I view the blessings God has given me as a means to give to others, or are they simply MY blessings. Too often they are my blessings. What Uncle Dan as well as others at New Hope have shown me is that this life is not about what God is doing in my life. Yes, He does work in my life and does give me blessings following blessings, following blessings, but if I stop there I have missed it all. I am to seek first the Kingdom and God and His Righteousness and then all these things will be added to me. Too often we (me foremost) seek the blessings instead of His Kingdom and His Righteousness. Please pray that I seek first and foremost His Kingdom and Righteousness.
We look forward to what the Lord will be doing during the remainder of this trip and how we will see Him manifest and glorified!!
Many blessings and with love,
Lyle and Ingrid
Hello everyone,
We are writing this from Kampala, we made it here safely!! I think riding in a vehicle is the biggest test of my peace in the Lord so far. Between trucks loaded way above their limit with heavy bags of charcoal, to motorcycles (boda's) zooming in and out, bicycles doing the same, cows, and goats, children on the streets and highways, and autos passing in your lane going the other way while you are headed at them!!! OH my.
God has so orchestrated our time and it is a comfort to get this affirmation. Before I left Frenchtown, God had prompted me through Kevin Fitts first and then through Joseph Mambo, to bring bibles. I had tried to find ones in Luganda a language spoken in this area and they were $80/bible so I didn't get any of them, but went to the Christian bookstore in Missoula and Josh McNeal helped me get 10/$20. I was still hesitating because they were English and Josh said to me "who knows who you will meet." Well Josh you were so correct. I was leaving my room to go to breakfast yesterday and the cleaning lady was sweeping the floor in the hallway. I greeted her and she responded with asking me where I was from. So I stopped to talk to her, she asked why I was in Uganda and I explained why. She responded by telling me two pastors died in car crashed the day before going from Jinja to Kampala. I said that is sad but what matters is where we go after we die. She agreed and said "yes, if we do many good works, we will go to heaven, if we don't we won't." I replied, “Well actually God says that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ His Son." She then said, "Oh maybe but if a thief knows Jesus, but is a thief he won't go to heaven." I said, "If a person knows Jesus, he won't be a thief." She looked at me and said, do you have a bible? OH MY!!! I joyfully said "yes I do, would you like one in English or Luganda (I bought two after getting here), she said in English!!! So I went back to my room and got one for her and after giving it to her asked if I could pray for her to come to know Jesus and she was very willing for this. Her name is Betty; please pray that God's word would be living in her and that she will receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
After breakfast we left the Lodge to catch the ferry across the Nile to come back to Kampala, it was suppose to be on our side before 10:00. We got there and the ranger, George, who seemed in charge told us that it wouldn't come till 11. It was 9:30, very hot and sticky, but we just praised God for hurrying up and waiting. Not too long after a group of baboons strolled into the ferry area, probably 10 or so, one with a little baby. We kind of kept away from them but were taking pictures. We had left our van doors open and one of them grabbed the sack I had given U. Dan for his children. I had put 3 rubber balls, and candy in this sack along wit a note to Dan, I felt was from God. U. Dan yelled at this baboon and started after him to get the sack back. One of the other men stopped U. Dan from the chase. Our escort from NH was a precious young woman named Mallari, she also was going after the sack which had been ripped apart and dropped for the candy I had put inside. I told her to let it go and we would trust God. After eating all the candy, they moved away and I was able to retrieve the balls (which the baby baboon wanted but his mama didn't want him to have :) and the sack with my note to U. Dan, the only thing intact on this sack. George, the ranger then came up to me and asked if I had any more balls as his grandchildren had no toys. I had one sack of them left and when I opened my suitcase (with him standing guard so the baboons didn't grab it) he saw the bibles and asked me if he could have one. I asked if he wanted two and he was so very grateful. So he got not only toys, candy but the precious Word of God as well, which wouldn't have happened if the ferry had been on time and the baboons had not stolen U. Dan's sack.
Then, another young man approached me and asked me if I was a believer in Jesus. I said yes I was born again, and he shyly said he was as well. I smiled and said well that makes us brother and sister. He grinned and we hugged!!! HE then asked if I had any bibles, he wanted one in English. (Josh you were so right) So I was able to give him one as well, and he got my email address, so we can exchange prayer requests. Then the ferry came and we were on our way. Please pray for both of the Georges. What a wonderful way to start the day. I will give this to Lyle to continue as he hasn't shared this journey through his eyes.
I (Lyle) have really noticed the contrasts of beauty and splendor with that of poverty and hopelessness. The natural beauty in Uganda is incredible. The colors of the birds, flowers, and the variety of plants are amazing. The food on the trees as well as the bugs in the air provided ample food for the birds to eat (although we did not appreciate the bugs as much as the birds and lizards). The soil is rich and it seems anything can grow in it. Yet, as I look around, I see hopelessness and vacancy in people’s eyes; people looking and searching for fulfillment in life. While at New Hope Uganda the contrast was so much different. Even though the people did not have much (by American standards) there was a light in their eyes and joy in their hearts. As I saw this contrast I thought about the scripture in the Bible that tells us not to worry about tomorrow. It tells us how God clothes the lilies of the fields in splendor and gives the birds food to eat. It tells us that if our Lord pays attention to such small details as flowers and birds, how much more will He care for us! What a difference the Lord makes in our lives. It reminds me that the greatest thing we can bring to anybody is the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Ingrid talked about Uncle Dan and others that we met while at New Hope. It was as if they were family, which of course they are. They are our brothers and sisters. It is amazing how we can be in an entirely different culture with people we have never met, yet there is an instant connection and bond that is only possible in Christ.
Another thing I have thought about is what John Piper said, "Humanitarianism without the Gospel is condemnation in disguise." For me, my mind races about all the things that could be done, but without Christ, what would that mean? It would mean nothing. As Ingrid and I are asking the Lord when He wants us to move, where in Uganda He wants us to move, and in what capacity He wants us to serve, please pray that I keep in my heart the reason behind this. That is, the gospel of Christ.
As far as other prayer requests I can't think of anything right now that Ingrid has not already mentioned. The relationships we have made are wonderful and how we have seen our Lord work is amazing. What satan intends as evil, God uses for good!! Ingrid talked about the baboons stealing the bag with candy, balls, and the note to Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan was so disappointed, yet God not only restored what was lost, but he multiplied what was given!!! I really do believe that as we (not just Ingrid and I, but all of us) choose to die to our own desires and let Christ rule in our lives, that He will restore what is lost and multiply beyond anything we can imagine what He alone can give.
Spending time with Uncle Dan was such a blessing. I saw depth of faith and trust in what God is doing and will be doing in his life. What I did not see was a reflection of how this benefited him. What he talked about was how his life could be used to bless others. Uncle Dan is testing to become a nationally certified auto mechanic. This will open many doors for him, such as being able to work for the government or get better jobs, but it seemed what he was most excited about was being able to go back to New Hope's vocational institute and teach others. Do I reflect that kind of attitude in my life? Do I view the blessings God has given me as a means to give to others, or are they simply MY blessings. Too often they are my blessings. What Uncle Dan as well as others at New Hope have shown me is that this life is not about what God is doing in my life. Yes, He does work in my life and does give me blessings following blessings, following blessings, but if I stop there I have missed it all. I am to seek first the Kingdom and God and His Righteousness and then all these things will be added to me. Too often we (me foremost) seek the blessings instead of His Kingdom and His Righteousness. Please pray that I seek first and foremost His Kingdom and Righteousness.
We look forward to what the Lord will be doing during the remainder of this trip and how we will see Him manifest and glorified!!
Many blessings and with love,
Lyle and Ingrid
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