Followers of the Way Kampala

God has answered the fervent prayers of the saints!

A beloved brother in the church engage in some major sin last year, and we have not seen him since he ran. Our prayers for his repentance and return have continued for almost a year, and tonight he has returned!

The church was gathered for fellowship and prayer this evening, when a call came in from the night watchman at the bookstore. He informed us that this former brother had showed up, so all the brothers jumped up and headed to the bookstore. Everyone was wondering what would bring him back, especially late at night. Was he intoxicated, was he scheming, or did he want to repent?

When the brothers arrived this man was already in tears, weeping and repenting. He fell on Charlton’s neck begging for forgiveness. He did this with each one of the brothers, and as they embraced they could all feel the Holy Spirit embracing with them. Long conversations were had, as he continued to weep and beg forgiveness. He said his life had been in ruins and he had just been released from prison today. We offered forgiveness and told him that we have not ceased to pray for him. He said at one point that he has had no peace since he left. This had been a very specific prayer request many of us have made this past year. Matthew shared with him the story of the prodigal son from the Bible, and we confessed our love for him.

We counseled him on repentance to salvation, and shared many things from the scriptures. We asked him what his desire was in meeting with us, and he shared that he knows that we are his spiritual family and wants to return back to us. Then he asked to be punished for what he had done– we shared forgiveness.

There are many things to work out and learn, and of course fruits of repentance to discern. But we are amazed at all that transpired tonight, we serve an awesome God. Please continue to pray for his soul and repentance.

 

“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:1-3

Bless the Lord, He has once again answered our prayers in a big way. Jasmine’s medical bill has been covered in full! We are excited to announce that visas have been approved for travel to India, and they have raised the money needed for airfare. Lord willing baby Jasmine and her family will be flying out of Uganda by the end of the week.

Thank you everyone for all the prayers, and support.

 

 

The pain in Gloria’s eyes was deep enough to get lost in, though quickly masked. As she sat across from us, retelling the unfathomable story of tragedy and loss.

In April of this year her three-month old, named Jasmine underwent hepatoportoenterostomy, which is a surgical treatment that helps bile drain from the liver due to a liver disease called Biliary Atresia. During this time her three-year old son, Jeremy, was sent to the village to stay with Grandma. While Gloria was in the hospital with baby Jasmine recovering from surgery, the unthinkable happened. Jeremy got hit by a car, and died.

Sometimes she still calls out his name, momentarily forgetting the magnitude of her loss. Sometimes she imagines he is just at school, but that dream quickly fades. What makes it so hard, was missing the burial of her son. The necessity of caring for her sick baby in the hospital took precedence over everything else.

Unfortunately three weeks after Jasmine’s surgery her symptoms recurred. Now at ten months old, she is fighting for her little life and is in desperate need of a liver transplant. At this time, while Gloria is in need of a miracle, she still holds on to the hope and faith she has in Christ Jesus.

As a church we are asking everyone to please pray for Jasmine and her family, share this post, and considering donating to help save this baby’s life. This surgery can not be done in Uganda, so she will have to travel to India within the next month. About $21,000 is still needed to cover the medical expenses.

We just wanted to start this post out by thanking each and every one of you who have so consistently been keeping all the work in Kampala in your prayers. The support we have received in 2016 was absolutely incredible, and we are beyond thankful that we have had the opportunity to be in Kampala furthering the Kingdom of God. Thank you.

This past year has been a true blessing, there is no other way to describe it! God has brought faithful brothers, and sisters into our life and they are growing everyday in obedience to our King. We have laughed together, and cried together. Served orphans, widows, and physically disabled together. We have sat outside staring up at the evening sky, singing to our Lord in English, Luganda, and Lukiga (-chiga) while sharing deep spiritual truths late into the night. We have learned that unity does not mean that there will never be a storm, or that we will always totally agree on everything. But that we are dedicated to loving each other, no matter what. Dedicated to putting our wants and desires aside, and truly searching the Holy Scriptures like the Beareans in Acts chapter 17.

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Looking forward on this new year that is upon us, we ask for continued prayers. Please pray for CORNERSTONE COFFEE & BOOKS, that is set to open within the next month or so. Pray that this project can shine like a lamp in the darkness, and many students and facility will be reached with the gospel of the kingdom. Pray for the CAM (Christian Aid Ministries) food parcel distribution. So far we have delivered 50 Helping the Elderly, and 80 Support a Widow parcels to different parts of Uganda. This program is making a huge impact in many different regions. Another program that is gaining some momentum is the SALT (Shared, Accountability, Lending, Teaching) groups. We currently have three very strong groups that are hearing the word of God and working hard, saving money and ultimately  helping each other get out of poverty. We are currently planning on building a perimeter wall at the Disabilities Center in Jinja. This wall will help stop vandalization, and the stealing of sewing machines, that are these people’s livelihood. Please prayerfully consider financially supporting this project, to help disabled elderly. The Buxton family will be making a big move to Kampala next month, so we ask for prayers for a smooth transition with their five children, and safe travels. The Sweazy family will also be starting the adoption process of their five Ugandan children. Due to new laws, they were required to foster the children for one year before legally being able to adopt. Please be praying over this process.

In closing, we are currently studying with several people who are earnestly seeking, one of which is our friend Jane (see previous posts). Please lift these people up, and pray that the Lord will continue to make disciples in this land.

Sojourning in Kampala,

Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Several weeks ago, we shared a story about a women named Jane. We have asked for prayers, and we thank you for faithfully remembering us.

Ever since our first meeting with Jane, she has stopped working on the streets. She has been studying the bible several times a week, and has been joining us on Sunday for fellowship. We hope to continue sharing the gospel with her, and showing her the love of Christ.

Thanks to your support we have been able to pay Jane’s rent, and provide for other miscellaneous needs. She has hopes of starting a small business moving forward, of buying used clothes and selling them at different local markets. We plan on providing business training for her, and showing her the different aspects of the CAM savings group to help her business succeed.

In the book of James we read that if the Lord wills, we will do this or that. Please pray for the Lords will in this situation.

Sojourning in Uganda,

Natasha

She sat there.

Sharing intimate details of her life to a total stranger.

Lost.

Shamed.

Where do we go from here?

Love.

Let’s call this women Jane. She looks no different then you or me, in fact one would not be able to guess the darkness that surrounds her life. Jane works as a prostitute. That is her career by choice, a choice made in desperation. Being a single mother raising five children is not easy, especially without an education in a developing country. No papers, as they call it here, no work. You see, Jane had a really rough home life growing up, and not much changed once she got married. Her life has been marred with physical, and verbal abuse.

Jane shared a story with me about the time she got a job in a bar. It was short-lived. She can’t count money well, and the constant shortages caused her to have to seek work elsewhere. After that a friend found her work as a night shift security guard. She faced many challenges with that job as well, and the street life was never far from her mind, calling her back into its dark snare. She listened, and has been on the streets of Kampala for years.

Objectified.

Degraded.

Low self-image.

It seems like she is wanting to leave the sex industry. Jane has dreams of starting a small business, something that has been on her mind for a long time. She kept telling herself, that she would continue in prostitution just long enough to save the money she needs. But that did not happen, and right now business is slow. The girls she works with are known to steal money from the men they are with. Customers are few. But just handing  money to her and sending her on her way is not the solution. Many women are not capable of recovering on their own, and require rehabilitation and counseling. We want to share the love of Jesus with Jane, so she can experience the healing that comes through regeneration.

Prayer is greatly needed, not only for Jane, but for all the other “Janes” on the streets tonight. This is a big problem, and our friend Stephanie (who came to Uganda for a few months) experienced the industry here first hand. She actually headed out early one morning before dawn when she was here, with Brian, to talk to some of the ladies and bring them breakfast. It was a really good experience for her, and that is how we have come to know Jane, who just recently reached out to Brian.

Tomorrow a dear sister/mother in Christ named Jennifer is going to sit down with Jane. I reached out to Mama Jennifer because she is a native Ugandan who knows the language and culture much more than I do. Plus she has the wisdom that is needed in this situation. We will keep everyone updated on what happens. Thank you for your prayers.

I will close with sharing the story of the women caught in adultery from the book of John, chapter 8. In this story the scribes and Pharisees cruelly haul this women to Jesus to make a public spectacle of her in front of the multitude who came to hear Jesus teach.

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² Now early^[a] in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught^[b] in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded^[c] us that such should be stoned.^[d] But what do You say?”^{[e] 6} This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.^[f]

⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up^[g] and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience,^[h] went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her,^[i] “Woman, where are those accusers of yours?^[j] Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Because of Jesus

Natasha

This is actually brother Finny’s 5th session.