So Excited

I remain so excited about the ministry reports that keep coming in from Uganda, although we are excited to be with family while here on furlough.  So, for those who don't get the reports, as I do, from Uganda, here is a brief summary of what is happening.

The two new classrooms at Kyahi Independent Baptist Primary school are finished, so, beginning tomorrow they will be filled with students.  Thanks to all who have prayed and given to this incredible ministry; the potential is awesome, because the potential is God.

Einstein's theory of relativity, E=MC^2, gives insight into the potential energy of mass.  We experience the energy of mass in many ways, but we barely scratch the surface of the potential energy, the energy that is inherent in that object.  For example:  The potential energy in one gram is 25 million kilowatt Hours or 21.5 kilotons of TNT.  Or, for those in the Northwest, one gram of mass, if fully harnessed, is equivalent to the energy produced by the Grand Coulee Dam's turbines every 3.7 hours!  God packed each gram or matter with this potential energy.

So, how much potential, spiritual potential, does the child of God have?  It's beyond our imagination.  Now multiply this by the 400 students (and this numbers will greatly increase) and you can clearly see why I say that the potential is awesome.

The Blaises are now fully engaged in all the ministries and God is greatly using them and a number of the Ugandans who regularly join them.  All of the fields have been fruitful, including the market places where Brent can oft be found preaching the gospel.  The Blaises have been sent; they have faithfully preached Christ; many have thus heard; therefore, many have believed and called upon the name of the Lord.  This is God's recipe for man's salvation, and God's ways always work.

On the home front, less exciting, but needful things are being accomplished.  We are getting the needed medical attention.  My assigned doctor has changed my restless leg medication, which isn't totally effective, but I have been able to eliminate the codeine altogether.  My PSA count has jumped (not good news), so we'll see what this portends.  Cheri has been seen and consults have been given, so she should soon receive the attention she needs.  The cost and the rapidity of being seen has been such a blessing.  Praise God for His gracious care.  We have already had some encouraging news from churches we have visited, and beginning this Sunday we will get very busy with weekly meetings.  Please pray that God will use us to encourage others to be witnesses for Him in their Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the world.

 

Team Work Works

Great reports continue to come in from Uganda as the Blaises are now fully immersed in all the ministries.  This last week has seen a number of professions of faith as God uses the witness of His children to reconcile souls back to Himself.  In addition, the two new classrooms are nearing completion.  Thanks to all who donated to this incredible ministry.  Finally, we need your prayers that our container, currently being held hostage in Kampala, will be released for delivery to Mbarara.  This container is filled with precious scripture that can be used to release souls from Satan's clutches.

Back here in the good old USA we had a great week.  I'll not bore you with great detail, but, for those interested, I'll give you a brief recap.

Cheri and I flew to Pensacola where we met up with Garrett and Katie at Pensacola Christian Collage.  The sight of these two did much for our hearts -- What a blessing these two are!  We attended Katie's graduation where she received her Masters in English Education.  She was one of two Masters students that completed their studies with a 4.0 GPA.  She is one incredible scholar!

We, minus Katie, then drove to John and Kerri's home in Jacksonville Florida.  After a nice visit with the family, where we met Trish, Jason's wife, for the first time, and a good night sleep, we headed for Ohio (John, Kerri, Garrett, and Cheri).  In Milford Ohio we met up with Adam, Lauren and Riley for an all too brief visit with this very special family.  How encouraging it was to see how God is using and blessing this family, and what a great future they have if they continue to walk with Him.

John and Kerri remained in Milford while we continued on to Dayton Ohio where we visited with friends from the past who remain friends today, and, Lord willing, will remain friends for life.  The Carters, Easters, Swafords, and many others.  What a great reunion; one I wish had no end, but I thank God that we will be together for all eternity.

Monday arrived, so it was time to work on the duplex that I own in Fairborn Ohio.  Our plan was to roof the house and do something about the Canadian pine in the midst of the front yard.  In 1985, the year I bought the property, I put a roof on the house and now 27 years later I would do it again, but this time Garrett would do most of the work.  The Canadian pine was our Christmas tree 25 years ago.  The 5 foot pine was now close to 30 feet.

As we examined the unit we decided we would put in new vinyl tiles, paint the fascia and overhang, and make a few additional minor repairs.  Thank God for a brother who is an expert at these sort of things.

As we began the roof I quickly felt my age.  My legs quickly became wobbly and my shoulders weakened.  In my younger days I would have roofed this house in one day, but those days are long gone.  So tag-team roofing it was, with Garrett taking the long rounds.  That boy has become a blessing in so many ways.

Cheri was busily painting while John was making rapid progress on installing the sub-floor.  John was being blessed by our tenants Bluegrass music, which undoubtedly helped him finish the job quicker.  One song, Colorado Kool Aid by Johnny Paycheck, had the opposite affect, as we found John rolling on the floor laughing to this country classic.

By mid-day Wednesday we were done with all the scheduled work and so much more.  As a team we accomplished so much and the camaraderie made each day go pleasantly and quickly.  We thrilled not only in our accomplishments, but in the accomplishments of the team.  This is how the Christian life is to be; not lived alone; not lived for self; but, lived as a church -- a body of believers sharing their individual talents for the cause of Christ; the greatest cause in this universe.  What a privilege and life is before us if we will just live it as God instructed us in His word.  O how much we miss when life is about us and not Him.