Finishing the Week

Friday rolled around and I had the chance to share with the woman…it was a super neat time! I had the chance to tell them how much I loved my children but at the same time how often they could frustrate me and how I always needed to be careful how I disciplined, reminding myself that these are not my children but the Lords. That they have been entrusted to me for a time but I am responsible with how I care for them. I encouraged them to be careful in their discipline and to make sure it is never done in sin. How in their culture, children are extra hands around the house and will soon bring the family money as they sell their daughter off in marriage but in Gods eyes they are a blessing, a treasure, His bride. At the end I shared Mark 10:13…How Jesus rebuked the disciples and had the children come to him. He took them in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. At that time the children came down to sing songs before their God and we had the chance to pray over them. It was a truly sweet time!



little ones practicing earlier that week!

I was so grateful that God had given me a chance to share. I had many conversations afterwards with women who struggled with the issue of discipline! I was encouraged that God chose to use me to speak to His women.

The team we had this week was unbelievable! The women who taught were such a blessing. They made God's word so relatable and applicable. God truly spoke through each one to the point that every time I had a chance to listen I was being fed as well:) Their hearts were so pure and their love for these women were so evident. Each of us had a chance to speak to the women at some point and each one that spoke God used in a mighty way. Each of us had women coming and thanking us for the message we had...that it was something they were going through or struggling with. God had something to tell His women of Uganda and we had the chance to be a part of that!



That last day was a beautiful time of celebration, we danced, we sang, we danced some more, so we worshipped some more! I was truly blown away by the hearts of these women. That I had the chance to hear each and everyone’s hearts through their prayer requests and despite every trial there was a smile on every face and a song on every tongue. They know their God, they have heard Him speak, He walks with them, they talk with Him, they can’t get enough teaching, they want more of his word. Their God is far bigger and than mine. Their Faith is far bigger than mine. And I want what they are having. Cause they have life in Christ!!! They have true Faith!





Then it was goodbye to the women and little ones in the village. Many needed to head home so they could not attend our Saturday session. So we gave our last hugs and goodbyes...until next time:)




Friday night we met with the women leaders of the church who hosted us that week. They had dinner with us and we shared about the week, shared ideas for next year, and how we could encourage them in their women’s ministry!
These women are opening an account, contributing what they can so that they can start a business of making cakes, and selling them so that they can raise money to purchase flour, sugar, food for the orphans and widows that they go evangelize to. Not just giving them the word of God but giving them an act of love. They are the living breathing ACTS church.

Saturday was a great closing day to pass out bookmarks, bibles, our men had time to answer questions that man of the pastors had... and give one last goodbye to all the beautiful faces and shared one last meal! We combined the pastors and the women together, so there were close to 400 people on Saturday, as some had to head back to their homes on friday! They thanked God for those who gave so that we could come. They thanked God for those who prayed over this trip! We were so blessed!












They had a time of Praise to God for those who gave and those who prayed for this conference! They knew it could not have been done if it were not for those who supported us getting to Uganda!!

BEST DAY EVER!

Sunday was unbelievable! Each pastor was invited to a different church to preach so John, Shannon and I headed to church together. We were picked up by a pastor and his associate pastor and taken to a church an hour out of the city. WHAT A DRIVE!!! We pulled up to a church of sticks and a tin roof but I have to say one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. We made a grand entrance as he pulled his car all the way up to the back of the church…everyone was already worshipping as they have probably already been there for the last two hours! We came in from the back and greeted people as we walked up to the front! So many smiles so many hugs!




We sat in the front as they gave John an African style Drum INTRO….



John came up and spoke. He again spoke on the woman at the well, taking a different approach and speaking of “What fills you?” Is it the things of this world or is it the word of God?
After his message they asked if John and I would come up and pray for those who needed prayer! We said sure. There had to have been over a hundred people in this room and over 80% got up and came forward.
For the next hour the worship team sang as we prayed over each one individually, over demon possession and sickness, wisdom in school and healing for tumors, headaches and stomach pain, convulsions and bad dreams. John and I became so overheated and began to feel sick as we felt the burden of these prayers.
After the service the pastor asked if we would like to join them at the prison to minister there. We said “SURE”! Not knowing what to expect….as we pulled up it became evident that this was no ordinary prison. These prisons were 12x12 round metal tins with grass roofing. I cannot imagine the heat of these huts in the Uganda summer as well as how many men are crammed in there at a time. I got out of the car and immediately made eye contact with a prisoner who was glancing at us through the chicken wire of his prison cell. I gave a smile and a wave and as he waved I turned my back to him and began to cry, I told John that I was unsure if I could go through with this. That it may be too much.



I asked him to pray…I took a deep breath and followed the church group into the clay hut where they met with the prisoners. We sat on a bench and waited….I prayed. Asking the Lord for protection, for peace, and most importantly that I would not immediately burst into tears once I made eye contact with them. I was burdened by their circumstance…not knowing their story but not caring. My heart went out to each one. Life in Uganda is hard and without the saving grace of Christ people are capable of the most horrific things. As the men entered I was relieved that there were so few and grateful that they all looked older then 20. They each sat down, some would curl up into a ball so they did not need to make eye contact, some would hide their faces behind a pillar, and some looked you directly in the eye and smiled. I prayed blessings over these men.



We did a short time of worship and then John gave the same message he gave to the church that morning….”What fills you?” and reminded them that only God can fill that void, not sex, drugs, or alcohol. That he doesn’t care what you have done, that all that can be forgiven. He cares about your heart. The pastor followed up with a story of Joseph….a man in prison who was not forgotten but instead was meant for great things!! He encouraged the men and prayed over them. Two came to accept Christ that day and I was truly blessed to be present as the heavens received two more brothers who we will get the chance party with someday!

Following that time they took us to an old widow’s home. A woman of their church that they care for. She welcomed us in, laid lace and doilies on the couches for us to sit. Served us a meal fit for a KING and left the room to eat with the other women on the floor of the kitchen. I was truly humbled! It is the custom of Ugandans that when guests come you wait on them hand and foot! The food was amazing and we were full! We prayed over her home, left her with a small financial gift and thanked her for her hospitality.




After they put a few chickens in the trunk, we loaded up into the car only to find out that the tire had a flat. So we hiked through town in search of a van to borrow. It was an amazing experience to literally walk through the backyards of these people’s homes, seeing the shops, feeling like a native.










We were able to get a van and head back, a trip that got us back about 6:30pm. WHAT A DAY!