Greg Stierle

Baptism Announcement and Prayer Requests

Greetings!

It has certainly been a busy month here in Kampala, and we would love to share some exciting news, as well as prayer requests. First let us praise God for the new addition to our church body, Janet. Last month Janet received the Word with great eagerness, and earnest repentance. What joy it was for us to see her reborn! Janet is actually Brian’s (see post) younger sister, who is finishing out school this month and then moving on to a nursing program, Lord willing. Brian was instrumental in Janet’s conversion. He is a passionate, and natural evangelist. What a joy it is to call these two our brother and sister. Amen.

We are also very excited to announce that we are embarking on opening a small bookstore and coffee shop, near Makerere University. When looking at a map and deciding where and how to minister to Kampala we chose to begin by finding a location within walking distance from the University and the Kalerwe Slum. Our vision for this storefront is to give access to Kingdom focused books and audio resources while allowing us to engage the student population for evangelism. Please pray for God to facilitate this endeavor.

Another area in which we are ministering is the Kalerwe Slum. The slum is home to more than 10,000 impoverished Ugandans, and others. We have had a hard time figuring out the best way to help meet their diverse needs and glorify God. Please pray for us to magnify him there, as well as in our immediate community. That the Lord will continue growing His church, and that we would be of one heart, and one mind. Unified together in love and understanding.

We would also like to share that our dear brother and sister, Steve and Kristen Buxton, had their 5th child this past month in the States. This is such a beautiful time, we just ask for God’s continued strength, encouragement, and healing as Kristen continues to recover. May the Lord guide their steps.

We appreciate you remembering us in prayer, thank you.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:7-9

Our Brother Hassan

There are moments in our Christian walks when we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that every sacrifice is worth it. Today was such a day. Hassan was baptized into Christ.

I don’t think any of us will forget the day we met Hassan. He came to our house looking for work, and as we have shared with many of you, there was an earnestness and humility in his demeanor that cause us to find work for him. When he came, a six foot six inch 19 year old from the DRC, he poured himself into his work. He shared also his life as a refugee in Kampala, and we shared about the hope that we have in Christ.

Hassan felt like a part of the family from the beginning – celebrating his 20th birthday with the fellowship that Sunday evening, and beginning Bible study right away. The brothers struggled to share the gospel in a patchwork of broken English, French and Swahili. Sometimes the deep truths of scripture seemed impossible to communicate with no one strong language in common. But, little by little, understanding was gained and the Holy Spirit worked.

Having watched Hassan seek the Lord earnestly, struggle to understand, strive after courage, choose to follow, comprehend the sacrifice of Christ and grow heavy under the weight of sin, there is no greater joy than to see his face resolute in repentance and to watch him be washed clean in the waters of baptism. Praise to our King!

Three of Hassan’s 12 siblings were able to join us for the baptism and following celebration lunch. His younger sister, Angel, has already began to study the scriptures, and his twin brother Hussein, expressed his desire to begin studying the Scriptures daily as Hassan has done. They all replied with an emphatic “yes” when asked if they had seen Hassan change over the last few weeks. I am reminded of Cornelius, Lydia and the Phillipian Jailer who came to the Lord bringing entire households with them. May the Spirit and the word continue to work powerfully and effectively in the hearts of men.

Too Hot to Sleep

Last night the power was out. It isn’t unusual for the power to go out but usually after a little while it kicks back on again. Last night was different. The power went out in the afternoon and is still off today. Yesterday was also the hottest day we’ve had so far. I don’t know what the temperature was but this time last week I was experiencing a New England winter. I suspect the heat feels hotter to me than it would if I’d had a gradual spring to get used to it. So last night it was very hot. We have slept each night with fans blowing on us so last night was our first really hot night. I don’t know how you are, but I have trouble sleeping when I’m hot. At the firehouse we would keep the bedroom COLD. No matter the temperature outside, you’d need to get all the way under the covers to sleep well. That’s what I’d prefer. But last night we lay awake on top of our covers, under our mosquito nets with sweat dripping off our faces.

I can only remember one other time in my life where I was that hot sleeping. Two summers ago we drove cross-country as a family to go to Lorna’s friend Holly’s wedding in New Mexico. I had the bright idea of camping most nights to have some family togetherness and save on hotels. Well, one night in Oklahoma we pulled into a state park and pitched our tents. It was pretty hot but I figured it would cool off when the sun went down. I don’t know if it did or not but it was too hot to sleep. I remember that same feeling of laying there with sweat pouring off my face. That night in Oklahoma I wasn’t taking it very well. I was irritable and I felt trapped. I wanted to go get in the car and drive around all night with the A/C on (but I didn’t think that would be fair to my family that I’d stuffed in these oven bags to save a few bucks). After about an hour the heavens opened up and rain poured forth. The temperature dropped 20 degrees and we had a pleasant night. But that hour still lingers in my mind.

Last night I had a really good attitude about things. Laying there with sweat pouring off my face and my eyes closed, there was really no difference between the two situations externally, but this time I was at peace. The one and only difference was my perspective.

What should our perspective be towards hardship?

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
– James 1:2-4

James tells us to “count it all joy”. That can be really hard. Trials are at best annoying and at worst debilitating. But we are to count it ALL joy to bring us to completion. What a challenge. I’m grateful that my “trial” was merely being warm. But striving to maintain the right attitude and perspective during even the little trials will help us when we face life’s greater challenges. We serve a savior who was perfected through suffering (Heb 2:10). Yet he never wavered from His desire to do God’s will even when it was hard. Luke 9:51 teaches “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” What was in Jerusalem? Rejection. Betrayal. Torture. Humiliation. But he went forth steadfastly. Because it was God’s will. In Luke 22:44 our Lord, praying at Gethsemane, had sweat fall to the ground as great drops of blood. He was in anguish. Why? He was going forward to his death. He was asking for the cup of suffering to be removed from Him but only if it was God’s will. Praise God that He willingly submitted to be our propitiation that we might have life.

How about you? What does it take to set you off? What causes you to stress and get all bent out of shape? Traffic? (inconvenience) Weariness? Pain?

For further study see:
Jeremiah 12:5, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 1:6-9, Isaiah 48:10, 2 Cor 4:16-18 Romans 5:3-5