June 6th, 2009
Over the last few months, my knowledge of Uganda has been penetrating closer and closer to the core of who I am. I still haven’t reconciled the fact that in America there is an abundance of opportunity. If you put your mind to something, there is a high probability that you can find a way to pull it off. In Uganda, there is less opportunity. The “opportunity” that I’m speaking of is primarily economic and academic. This poverty I see in Uganda is something that I think about on a regular basis.
But, when the criteria I use is God – things change. The playing field becomes level. When I think about the fact that God created and designed each person, I see that the value for every human being is equal. Then I think of the commands of Jesus – he has commanded all people to love Him and love their neighbor. When God speaks, he speaks to every human being equally. He speaks to the core of who they are – their heart and soul. He addresses humanity based on how he created them.
So how do I address the culture-shock that I feel when I see the poverty in Uganda while I live in the affluence of America? While understanding that the value of every person is the same in whatever nation they live in, I remember what Paul said in 2 Cor. – “…but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.“
Categories: Kingdom Intentions, Uganda |
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March 17th, 2009
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal 1:1
This is a call to intercession for those who are free in Christ…
Ugandan children in the north have suffered 20 plus years of slavery. They have been the target of a demonic war for there souls. First it was the Lords Resistance Army. Recently, children have been the target of the witch doctors.
“Jesus said, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:16-17
In January and February this year, between 50-60 children have been abducted by witch doctors in the Lira district of northern Uganda and sacrificed to demonic spirits. Two weeks ago the Favor of God staff went to a village called Palabec. Two schools had been shut down because of curses put on the children. Favor of God went in to reclaim that village back to the Lord and reclaim the children back to Jesus.
The spiritual warfare was intense. Many children were freed from demonic oppression. Many people came to know the power of Jesus. God showed himself in Palabec, but for Christians, that is one battle in a larger war. Children will still be targeted.
My heart has been going out to these children and it is atrocious to me that the children are persecuted over and over again. I believe that we, as believers, need to stand in the gap for these children for protection. Jesus said let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God needs children in Uganda to freely come to him and i believe that when that happens the power of His Name will be spread over the land and overflow into other nations.
Please pray with me for protection for these children. Please pray with me for freedom. Please pray with me that Christ’s power will show stronger than any demonic power.
Please pray.
Categories: Kingdom Intentions, Uganda |
2 Comments
August 25th, 2008
Since this is the week before I leave for Uganda, I wanted to be reminded of how the war has affected the Acholi people. Tonight, Leah and I watched the documentary, War Dance. I really like this film because it gives you a good feel for the pain caused by the war yet still gives a glimpse of hope for the Acholi people.
I should probably watch Invisible Children again too.
Categories: Uganda |
4 Comments
August 24th, 2008
Malaria pills: chloroquine side effects
Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea, tiredness, weakness or headache may occur….
blurred vision, trouble seeing at night or problems focusing clearly, ringing in the ears, difficulty hearing…
seizures, mental/mood changes.
fainting, irregular heartbeat, persistent sore throat or fever, easy bleeding or bruising…
I took my first pill yesterday!!!
Categories: Uganda |
3 Comments
August 23rd, 2008
Seven days from today, I am going to Gulu, Uganda!!!
I’m almost sure it’s going to be an awesome trip. It’s for sure going to be eye-opening. My emotions are all over the place. Some days I’m scared. Others I’m really excited and can’t wait for it to come. This will be a week full of prep.
One of the coolest things is that I’m going to be meeting in person the people that I am serving as part of Favor of Gods’ staff. I have heard stories. I’ve seen all the info – the facts. But now I will be able to put faces to the stories…to have context for everything…to learn…to experience the emotion of people taking another step closer to God.
There is so much I can’t even start to wonder what this trip is going to be.
So I wait in expectation, conscious of ways in which the west have hurt Uganda and praying that God would open my eyes to see Him there.
Categories: Kingdom Intentions, Uganda |
4 Comments
June 24th, 2008
I’m at a the Saddleback worship conference right now. It started last night and it’s pretty cool so far. Leeland played last night and it was awesome. That group has such an annointing on them…God truly has blessed them.
My cool God-moment came during Leeland’s set. I went to the back of the building and just sat and watched 3 or 4 thousand people unified, worshipping God. It’s a pretty powerful experience. Here’s the scene: there is amazing music being played…amazing lights…everything in the room is pro but more importantly..everybody’s heart was focused on God.
My mind shifted…
I thought about Africa. I thought about Uganda and the staff at Favor of God. I thought of spiritual atmosphere there…a spirit Lies and Confusion are all over the land because Joseph Kony has brought that on the land. I thought and prayed that God would take the praises of the 4,000 people in the room to activate his angels to fight for truth in northern Uganda. It was very clear in my mind. I could picture it. I had a moment of understanding how God uses the prayers of his people to fight the spiritual battle before us. He can do it sovereignly but he wants to use his people.
For the first time I feel like I had an experiential knowledge of intercessory worship. I hope that God continues to teach me what intercession is.
I love the fact that no matter what country your in…we all have the same God.
Worship in America
Worship in northern Uganda
Categories: Kingdom Intentions, Uganda |
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May 7th, 2008
Today was Leah and my 4 year anniversary. We were going to go to Balba Island, but we got “stuck” at Sammy’s Camera. After Sammy’s, we went to The Lab. It was good times eating at the Cuban restaurant Habana and taking some pics.
THE BOYS
THE WIFE
THE WALL
THE ART (Invisible Children)
Categories: Family, Uganda |
4 Comments
April 26th, 2008
This morning and last night were quite relaxing for me. I feel like I haven’t had too many of those nights the last couple of months. Last night, Leah and I just put on Ocean’s 13 and did random stuff on the computer. It was nice.
I finally got NetNewsWire back on my computer. It sure makes life easier for keeping up on people (at least as far as people who blog go. I think I’ve just been getting jealous that my son’s blog is more popular than mine. Blogging is a popularity contest!!!!….right??? Just kidding.
Here’s the latest flyer I made for Favor of God. We are starting a Missions Training Course in Northern Uganda. It’s going to be a “study abroad” style class because it is the same length as a college semester. It’s a 14-week course that will focus on spiritual formation, character development, training to reach the unreached people groups in the 10/40 window, and training to be sent out as servants to raise up indigenous leaders. I think it’s going to be an AMAZING course. If you know any one that would be interested, just let me know.
Here’s the flyer:
Categories: Family, Uganda |
2 Comments
February 20th, 2008
Definition: failure to interpret or understand correctly.
I’ve been hearing many stories from Carole Vezey about how desperate the nothern Ugandans are for God. All they know is war, suffering, and death. My mind can’t comprehend how there is a whole generation of people that know nothing besides war.
They haven’t learned a trade. They don’t own any land so they can’t farm. They don’t have a house. They live and breath IDP Camps. Fear and terror are a constant reality. Water is a luxury.
CONTRAST
I have a comfortable apartment. I could probably eat for a month with just the food in my kitchen right now. I have a car. I have hope and see opportunity. Comfort after comfort. That’s what I know.
I don’t even know how to start processing the difference.
I’ve been confronted with the question of how desperation changes our interactions with God.
Categories: Kingdom Intentions, Uganda |
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