Mitoma Village

We are now at the end of the first full week of ministry in Mitoma Village Uganda, Africa.

How I will express the witness of what we have seen God do while here, to say it was… it is… the continuing story begun and chronicled in the book of Acts would not be an exaggeration I can say this however; Jesus has enlarged our faith and vision for the city of Portland and the PDX metro region as well as Seattle and the reach of CFC world wide… we will never be the same.

Upon arriving in the village we were warmly greeted by the children and the host of the house we were staying. Not long after we were taken by van to Mitoma Worship Center to meet Pastor Bagwa and his wife Charity. The children of the church were rehearing songs in preparation for our arrival. The Bagwa’s are a dear couple so dedicated in their passion and mission to reach this village and way beyond. The Bagwa’s hosted a dinner in our honor and it was in the best Ugandan African tradition a feast that was obvious had been in preparation all day. As we sat in their humble home treated to warm hospitality we could sense that something big was happening… and the food…Oh so delicious we are blessed!

The next day at sunrise we were up early for “morning glory” a time of prayer and worship, what a way to kick off a week of powerful ministry (we did this every morning). Church was to follow were the children sang. The worship lifted the ceiling and Pastor Chris Ward of CFC gave the message on “Peace with God and Peace of God” After, we took a tour of the area. We prayed over the plot of land Pastor Bagwa is believing God to use to build a ministry center. (MWC is renting the local community center now) this land was recently purchased in faith by the church in Motoma.

On Monday 10/26/09 the weeklong pastors training begun. We taught on the “7 Walks of the Christian Life” D.E.P.T.H.S. (Developing Empowered, Passionate, Transformed, Humble Servants for Christ). Let me just say a word to Pastor Blaine Yeager of CFC who developed this curriculum, it is changing the lives and ministries of these dedicated pastors. Many stated that as they have not had formal instruction they were finding the mind and ministry vision expanded. They said, “We will be teaching D.E.P.T.H.S. in the churches”. Praise Jesus, Viva The Revolution!

In addition to this week of training we ministered in the community during our off time of teaching.

Some highlights of the week…

• 450 children at the primary Catholic School gave their life for Jesus (born again) after the Gospel was shared and we answered their questions.

• 260 children at the primary public school gave their life for Jesus saying they wanted to be born again.

• One woman was delivered from alcohol abuse and after being prayed for she became born again coming to our teaching sessions each day after. She told us that she no longer wanted to be under the control of the drink as she does bad things during that time I brought some of the MWC women to here to meet and asked them to watch over her, they said they would.

• Several men from the village were born again and will be coming to Motoma Worship Center for discipleship and continued fellowship.

• Another lady, a school, teacher shared she is always having bad dreams. We ask if she is born again, she said yes and I ask her to explain what it means. She did understand, so after better understanding her situation and the anxiety she was feeling (worry over her students) I explained that her dreams were normal and that she is a teacher who deeply cares for here students. I encouraged her in prayer and in faith, told her that “this night you will have good dreams” The next day she came running over to tell us “pastor pastor, I have a good dream last night” I wrote it down…LOOK HERE! She wrote “my children are precious as gold” The joy in here eyes…amazing!

• One orphan boy handed a note which read “please take me to America that I might go to school and come live with you” Both of his parents have died recently. I brought this to the attention of Pastor Bagwa and he said he would see if this boy could become a “feed his lambs” sponsored child. His name is Ivan and I told him that he has a father in heaven that loves him. I explained the gospel and asked him if he would like to be born again he said, “yes very much”, we prayer, he prayed to receive Jesus. I gave him two of my tee shirts (all week he wore the same clothes no shoes). Please be praying for Ivan and his orphan friends.

So much more happened praise be to God. Please be watchful and pray as we are next headed to a new village. There, we will be conducting training and a crusade each night. Our day will begin at 5 am and end around midnight. This is a heavy Muslim region…Pray pray pray!
I will update upon our return. Many blessing to you all…

Beautiful Uganda

Hello again everyone Uganda is such a beautiful country and the people are more beautiful still. Our hearts are swelling as we are becoming more familiar with the culture and the people of Uganda. The church here is refreshing in it’s resilience and passion for Jesus. The worship is endless all around us and it is a good reminder for us that in a country which has seen so much hardship we are still to put God in the first position no matter the circumstances. Given the depth of the of the Body of Christ here in Uganda it is not without its irony the we 3 men have been called here to teach a curriculum called DEPTHs (Developing Empowered, Passionate, Transformed, Humble Servants for Christ) it is very humbling.

Boda Bodas and Prison Ministry

Today we were up at 4am to get out at 5am. While still experiencing jetlag and on very little sleep, we were able to get up at 4am. After 2 and half hours on a rural road ways, trying to avoid the many “Boda Bodas”(Motorbikes) we went west bound toward the Congo. We finally arrived at Mwera Prison. It is a prison for “idling”. There were 24 prisoners, and all 3 of us spoke about Jesus. Then an invitation was given, and 9 accepted Christ. Then we were off to another prison to minister. After about a half hour drive, we arrived at Mityana Prison. We were led into a building for approximately 40 prisoners came in, mostly male with 3 or 4 female. After an awesome time of worship with drums; there were 3 drums and much enthusiasm. We all spoke, and by the Power of God, 14 came forward in the beginning, and another one spoke to Tim, who happened to be a Muslim. He wanted to receive Jesus and renounce Islam, and wanted to know how to be disciple, this man was afraid to make this decision as it could cost him much persecution both in prison and upon his release. Pastor Tim encouraged him in his walk with Christ and assured him that no matter the cost he will always be close to Jesus secure forever.. We finished up with praying for the sick and handing out food. As the inmates were saying their goodbyes with smiles and waves each of us could sense that God was smiling down on us once again. Afterwards we rode home tired but encouraged.

Tudors and Lefty Mini Coopers

Cars cruising on the left side of the roadway can mean only one thing we made it to London for our 9-hour layover at Heathrow. Kudos to British Airways for a very smooth fight and the service was excellent. The team is rummy and everyone wants to sleep but alas we brave three are toughing it out and doing whatever we can to stay awake. On a “Kewl” note we have met others heading to Uganda to serve in missions of their own. It is such a blessing when one can see the heart of God to reach people realized in the diversity of the body of Christ. Well gotta “jet”…Would someone PLEASE get us a triple espresso?

Uganda via Seattle

The “Impact The East” Team Uganda is in Seattle getting ready to soar into the friendly skies, first to London England then after a nine-hour layover off to Uganda. The team will arrive around 7:45 AM local Uganda time on Wed the 21st, which is 10 hours ahead of the PNW. Last evening we gathered with the CFC family for a time of worship and prayer in an "advanced celebration" of Jesus, in anticipation of the good things to come in Uganda. We have now been sent with the laying on of hands, anointed with oil, and prophetic encouragement. Thank you all again for your support and prayers, in doing so you are there with us also. May the Lord bless you richly… – Pastor Tim

"Impact the East" Mission Uganda

Hello friends, it has been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to long since my last blog…a whole year…man this dude is BUSY! Okay Okay just lazy I guess.

Anyway, I am back at it and I wanted to share some exciting news. In just a few days I will be joining two of my fellow pastors on a trip to Uganda Africa. During this short-term time of serving we will be conducting pastors training to a group of 650 pastors in two regions of Uganda we will be partnering with many local churches in nightly Christian outreach gatherings and preaching in local churches. We are expecting God to move mightily.

Please be in prayer for us as we travel through the Ugandan countryside and camp in bush country.

I will be add regular mission updates as time and access allows so please check back from time to time.

The Lord's blessing to you all,

Pastor Tim