After waking this morning at the Ebby’s, I had to pinch myself to see if this has all been an amazing dream. It seems surreal that we are actually in Uganda. It is so pleasant: the temperature is about 78 to 80 degrees with no humidity and the landscape is gorgeously green with banana trees, varying-sized lush hills, and gardens scattered along the countryside. After prayer time we loaded our two SUVs and headed to Kagadi. Even though today was mainly a travel day, I have learned much today from my teammates and the people and precious children of Uganda.
This team is comprised of God-seeking, humble-hearted, others-first people. No doubt, God has hand-picked each member of our group to join as one body as we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. For months we have talked and prayed about not complaining. Today I have seen this lived out by our team and Ugandans. First, we put a lot of people in some tight squeezes and no one complained for the grueling six hour drive to Kagadi. (Except for me now by even telling you this.) For example, Jeremy selflessly volunteered to sit in the back and during some hot vehicle moments just sitting contently.
For lunch, we stopped in a town called Hoima, where we met up with Edward (Pastor in Hoima/student of the Ebby’s) and Christine (his wife) and their children who will be joining us as interpreters in Kagadi. He took us to his lovely new church building where we met young men whom he discipled that are helping plant another church nearby. As we were coming out, three children who had seen us arrive from a good distance away had just run all the way to meet us. They were so eager to meet us. This was our first chance to get our arms around Ugandan children. Kendall, Abby, KK and I were so excited to finally touch and hug them. We then proceeded on our journey down a pretty rough road for the next three hours. Let’s just say it’s really only big enough for one car and the county does NOT maintain that road. This road has huge pot holes and a peaked center so at times our SUV had to almost drive on two wheels and lean very close to the shoulder of the road while passing people on motor bikes and regular bicycles. Our driver just continues going at a high speed while honking. Pedestrians do not have the right of way.
Okay, so how did I see contentment in the faces of the Ugandans? Well, water is scarcely available and far, far away from their homes. They walk or bicycle for miles to the nearest creek and scoop up water into a big jug that looks somewhat like a large gas can. Then they proceed to make the return trip home with approximately 20 to 30 pounds of water in each container. Older adults, young adults, little children, all ages helped in carrying water. Ladies carried baskets with vegetables on their head and knapsacks on their back filled with maize flour and sugar cane. There are so many people that live here and lots of children. It is not mandatory for children to go to school so some are walking around the numerous hut-like shops along the roads. There are also lots of schools on the sides of the roads with students dressed in colorful uniforms playing soccer out in the school yards. How do I see contentment in these people of Uganda? They seem to be so complacent in their lot that God has given them. It is obvious they are not caught up, like many of us, in material things like clothes or houses or cars. Kendall and I waved the entire six hours (minus her 30 minute nap) as we passed by these people. And most of the time we received the warmest, refreshing smiles in return. That’s really what made us keep waving; it was their response; especially the children’s. As our vehicles would pass and the children spotted us “muzungos” (means traveler in Lugandan, but usually refers to white people since they are more often the travelers), they would cheerfully wave and sometimes yell, “hey muzungo!” How could we not keep waving after being blessed with such a warm welcomes from the people of Uganda. Would American children welcome foreigners in such a vivacious way? Once arriving in Kagadi we met up with Francis and Topi at their church, New Life Presbyterian Church, where we were again warmly welcomed with hugs and handshakes from other their church members and other Ugandan pastors and wives. The children, oh the children, are so precious. When they greet you they say how glad they are to meet you and bow in honor of you. We are so humbled by their reception. We are staying at a University camp in huts with real thatched roofs and mosquito nets over the beds. Much nicer than camping and yet still the feeling of rural Uganda. After dinner we discussed plans for the upcoming week.
Aaron, Chris and Jeremy have been helping those of us less confident in sharing the Gospel. Tomorrow, we hit the ground walking sharing Christ door-to-door with whoever opens the door. Pray for us that God would not only open doors, but open the hearts of these people that they may repent, receive Him and believe that He is Lord. It is almost twelve o’clock in the evening so I must rest now. We miss you all and so need your prayers: pray for discernment and direction in who exactly to share with, boldness, confidence in Christ alone to do what we are here about, and right words and recall of Scripture. We love you and love being here. We are all well. Love you Owen family and church family. Brenda, KK is doing great.
One other thing, I have personally realized how vain I am. I love leaving the world and it’s vanity behind. Very freeing! You were right David Morrison.
---Beth Owen
Sojourning to Uganda to follow-up on church planting and ministry in Africa; to teach, and to be taught; to cultivate, and to be cultivated; that the beauty of Christ might be seen, known, and loved.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Good, the Bad, and the Nausea
Greetings and salutations. We have arrived in Uganda and are now enjoying the settling in our bellies of breakfast at the Eby estate, or as Flem (Aaron that is) calls it, The Garden of Eden Part 2.
Goodie and Flem were able to share the gospel on the trip, while KK and Spencer worked on fleshing out how to convey the gospel within their own testimonies. Kendall slept a lot, and was very nauseated with motion sickness and airline food. Short beat me soundly in a game of Reversi, and I watched Alvin and the Chipmunks and thought a lot. Kendall told me, as I sat next to her on the plane, that I drool when I sleep; I thought: "Well, you sleep with your mouth wide open." But I didn't tell her that...
It was good to be in Europe again, as we spent a layover in Amsterdam. It's very familiar to me; I lived in Germany for a number of years and traveled abroad while residing there. It seems some things never change... Goodie and I were walking through an electronics store within the Airport to find a plug adapter for the laptop, and there, in the movie section, first row and spanning the entire rack, were all adult movies... To give you an idea, it was eye level with a 10 year-old's height. There was even a casino in the airport, and a multi-faith meditation room... This has been flashing through my mind and mixing in with the scene from CS Lewis' "Last Battle" where the dwarves are stuck in the same room with Eustace and Jill. The dwarves see only a black hole and keep thinking the human kids are going to hurt them or take things from them. But Eustace and Jill find themselves at a feast, a banquet table... Someone tries to give one of the dwarves some food from the table, but the dwarf is unable to taste the succulent meal. And it is revealed that they are simply unable to taste the goodness of the feast because they refuse to see beyond themselves... I was saddened at the airport.
I am set upon by a more intentional and purposeful mentality, at least call it thus because 1) I have two weeks in Uganda and need to make the most of it, 2) for what other purpose do I serve as one being sent, and 3) the end conclusion of all my ponderings still are God... Piper wrote: "evangelism means depicting the beauty of Christ and his saving work with a heartfelt urgency of love that labors to help people find their satisfaction in him."
I wonder if as we grow, part of our growth is our weaning off of "good" things into a single-mindedness of the reality that we really are satisfied in Christ, and Christ alone. As babes we dance with shadows, but when we are grown up we pass from the fanciful shadows to dance instead with the Shadow-Caster Himself.
That day of rest and knowing just as we are known will come soon, just not today. And today, there is much work to be done.
I woke up this morning at 3:30 or so Uganda time. I lay in bed till about 5 am, then got up and read and watched the sunrise over Kampala. I read this morning: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law of righteousness for everyone who believes." (Romans 10:1-4)
May we all reveal this reality of God's mercy and grace, in deed and in action, in life and in death. Whatever part of the body of Christ that we may be, may we be it, and may we rejoice in the work of God at hand; laboring as ambassadors, God making His appeal through us, and through you, to reconcile all who will receive His Word...
Continue to pray for us, and we will do the same for you. Living, laboring, and loving with you all; for the King.
-Matt
Goodie and Flem were able to share the gospel on the trip, while KK and Spencer worked on fleshing out how to convey the gospel within their own testimonies. Kendall slept a lot, and was very nauseated with motion sickness and airline food. Short beat me soundly in a game of Reversi, and I watched Alvin and the Chipmunks and thought a lot. Kendall told me, as I sat next to her on the plane, that I drool when I sleep; I thought: "Well, you sleep with your mouth wide open." But I didn't tell her that...
It was good to be in Europe again, as we spent a layover in Amsterdam. It's very familiar to me; I lived in Germany for a number of years and traveled abroad while residing there. It seems some things never change... Goodie and I were walking through an electronics store within the Airport to find a plug adapter for the laptop, and there, in the movie section, first row and spanning the entire rack, were all adult movies... To give you an idea, it was eye level with a 10 year-old's height. There was even a casino in the airport, and a multi-faith meditation room... This has been flashing through my mind and mixing in with the scene from CS Lewis' "Last Battle" where the dwarves are stuck in the same room with Eustace and Jill. The dwarves see only a black hole and keep thinking the human kids are going to hurt them or take things from them. But Eustace and Jill find themselves at a feast, a banquet table... Someone tries to give one of the dwarves some food from the table, but the dwarf is unable to taste the succulent meal. And it is revealed that they are simply unable to taste the goodness of the feast because they refuse to see beyond themselves... I was saddened at the airport.
I am set upon by a more intentional and purposeful mentality, at least call it thus because 1) I have two weeks in Uganda and need to make the most of it, 2) for what other purpose do I serve as one being sent, and 3) the end conclusion of all my ponderings still are God... Piper wrote: "evangelism means depicting the beauty of Christ and his saving work with a heartfelt urgency of love that labors to help people find their satisfaction in him."
I wonder if as we grow, part of our growth is our weaning off of "good" things into a single-mindedness of the reality that we really are satisfied in Christ, and Christ alone. As babes we dance with shadows, but when we are grown up we pass from the fanciful shadows to dance instead with the Shadow-Caster Himself.
That day of rest and knowing just as we are known will come soon, just not today. And today, there is much work to be done.
I woke up this morning at 3:30 or so Uganda time. I lay in bed till about 5 am, then got up and read and watched the sunrise over Kampala. I read this morning: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law of righteousness for everyone who believes." (Romans 10:1-4)
May we all reveal this reality of God's mercy and grace, in deed and in action, in life and in death. Whatever part of the body of Christ that we may be, may we be it, and may we rejoice in the work of God at hand; laboring as ambassadors, God making His appeal through us, and through you, to reconcile all who will receive His Word...
Continue to pray for us, and we will do the same for you. Living, laboring, and loving with you all; for the King.
-Matt
Friday, June 13, 2008
Team 2008 Line-Up
"All lasting joy is on the Calvary road of love and suffering...all the riches of the glory of God in Christ are on that road. All the sweetest fellowship with Jesus is there. All the treasures of assurance. All the ecstasies of joy. All the clearest sightings of eternity. All the noblest camaraderie. All the humblest affections. All the most tender acts of forgiving kindness. All the deepest discoveries of God's Word. All the most earnest prayers. They are on the Calvary road where Jesus walks with his people. Take up your cross and follow Jesus." - John Piper
We are eager to meet Jesus on the dusty roads of Uganda. Oh the joy... truly this is no sacrifice!
I wanted to profile our team so you can get to know them. Over the next two weeks we will be blogging every day of our adventure and each member will give their stories.
KK Payne (15) has talked more about loving orphans than anyone on our team. Don't let her cute and innocent look fool you, she is very determined, tough, and full of zeal to serve Christ. Spencer Owen (15) is shaping up to be a mans man in a Godly way. He could physically out walk, run, and serve anyone on the team and has as a goal for the trip to become confident and capable in evangelism. Matt Wolfe can take anything and make it better. He'll be snapping pics like crazy and has a gift to make people feel loved. Beth Owen is married, the mother of four, and has a heart the size of Texas, seriously. She will head up childrens ministry and the church office staff are expecting her to bring back at least 3-4 orphans. Kendall Yates just finished her masters in teaching English as a second language and loves missions. She is very wise for her age and is joyfully faithful to every task. Jeremy and I have anxiously awaited the day to labor overseas with her. Platt Boyd is married, the father of three young girls, and an architect. He has a kindness, patience, and gentleness that exudes Christ. Don't let that fool you though, he is an adventure junky. Abby McIlvaine hails from D.C. and teaches third grade. To give you a picture of her loving heart, she hugs every third grade student in her class, everyday, as they walk in the door. She could bring home 2 or 3 orphans if no one is watching. If Jeremy Short was around back in the day, he could have been an apostle. He is as genuine as they come and will go sun up to sun down telling people about Jesus. Pastor Aaron Fleming has shaped all of us to have a passion for Christ and His Kingdom. He will be mentoring Pastors, evangelizing, preaching, and a busted fire hydrant of Christ, I don't know how he does it. I (Chris Goodman) am like the locker boy trainer who washes the clothes and takes out the trash, someone has to do it. Stay posted.
Chris
We are eager to meet Jesus on the dusty roads of Uganda. Oh the joy... truly this is no sacrifice!
I wanted to profile our team so you can get to know them. Over the next two weeks we will be blogging every day of our adventure and each member will give their stories.
KK Payne (15) has talked more about loving orphans than anyone on our team. Don't let her cute and innocent look fool you, she is very determined, tough, and full of zeal to serve Christ. Spencer Owen (15) is shaping up to be a mans man in a Godly way. He could physically out walk, run, and serve anyone on the team and has as a goal for the trip to become confident and capable in evangelism. Matt Wolfe can take anything and make it better. He'll be snapping pics like crazy and has a gift to make people feel loved. Beth Owen is married, the mother of four, and has a heart the size of Texas, seriously. She will head up childrens ministry and the church office staff are expecting her to bring back at least 3-4 orphans. Kendall Yates just finished her masters in teaching English as a second language and loves missions. She is very wise for her age and is joyfully faithful to every task. Jeremy and I have anxiously awaited the day to labor overseas with her. Platt Boyd is married, the father of three young girls, and an architect. He has a kindness, patience, and gentleness that exudes Christ. Don't let that fool you though, he is an adventure junky. Abby McIlvaine hails from D.C. and teaches third grade. To give you a picture of her loving heart, she hugs every third grade student in her class, everyday, as they walk in the door. She could bring home 2 or 3 orphans if no one is watching. If Jeremy Short was around back in the day, he could have been an apostle. He is as genuine as they come and will go sun up to sun down telling people about Jesus. Pastor Aaron Fleming has shaped all of us to have a passion for Christ and His Kingdom. He will be mentoring Pastors, evangelizing, preaching, and a busted fire hydrant of Christ, I don't know how he does it. I (Chris Goodman) am like the locker boy trainer who washes the clothes and takes out the trash, someone has to do it. Stay posted.
Chris
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