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…