GOD IS MOVING...

God is moving and the ride seems to be getting faster and faster.  We have certainly had our challenges with many more to come, but when God decides to move, He moves, and nothing can stop His amazing will.  In just over two and a half months, God has blessed us with not only a house, but now He has decided to bless us once again with a Base Camp for Friday Night Church!  I'll have to admit, with the budget we were starting with, I really thought we were only going to be able to afford a small rehearsal room or office, and for that I would have been most satisfied.  But when God moves, He not only moves, He provides!

Bethel Christian Academy is a small, but growing school of 65-70 students strong.  So strong they are having to move into a larger facility.  Reba Rwothumio, Micah Rwothumio's daughter, (my long time friend and Pastor of UCF) had been attending this school for more than a year.  Emma, Annie and Lucy were invited to come and visit the school the last few days of the term back in December.  The last day they were there, the school performed their annual Christmas play/musical with all the parents in attendance.  It was a blast, and for the first time since we left the states, I sensed a small slice of normal.  During the play I leaned over to Micah and asked how much this place would cost to lease, all the time thinking the property would be way over our meager budget, not to mention it probably not being available.  Micah said, "Probably around a million shillings or so per month", which is around $400.  I'm not sure if Micah saw my eyes, but they for sure got bigger.

Two days went by before I got up the nerve to go and meet with Miss Esta, the principal and director of Bethel Christian Academy.  She was happy to talk with me and even called the landlord of the property before we were finished.  I wasn't shocked to hear that 7 other people had called regarding the compound, but something still told me not to give up.  Then Miss Esta revealed to me what they were paying in rent...one million shillings!  I just about hit the floor, the exact number that Micah had guessed.  Honestly, this property is worth three times that, and maybe more...but we were a long way off, or it least I thought, from getting this compound.  Miss Esta gave us the landlords number and told us to call him, that he was waiting for our call.

Godwin's has been my friend and right hand man since we arrived.  Our relationship began up country back in April of this year, when Micah decided I needed to see the "REAL UGANDA".  We had discussed going to see the wild kingdom many times over the years, but I guess this time Micah ran out of patience.  Godwin's or Gody, was a last minute addition to the trip, and boy I'm glad that he joined us.  Gody is coming to 30 years and was recently married to a wonderful Kenyan lady named Nancy...we love Nancy and we love her smile...Gody certainly married UP!

So I asked Gody to call and set up a meeting with the Landlord.  Gody is the one that found and negotiated the deal for our home.  After meeting with the owner, Gody not only got us the property, but negotiated the rate at 1.1 million shillings!  Just 35 dollars over what the school was paying!  The Landlord knows Jesus, and he knows that Jesus will be shared in his property.  Though he didn't say it, I think that's why he chose us over the rest.  God bless this man.

So that's the story of how God gave us this compound...honestly, words or even pictures can't describe how amazing this new campus is.  It's HUGE, with way more space than we ever imagined having at this point in the ministry, and the location couldn't be more perfect.  Just a 12 minute drive from my home and just 15 minutes from UCF (our home church).  But God is helping us plan well.  The first thing we are doing is painting the place inside and out.  We have already hired 4 people to help us facilitate the property.  First, a Care-taker, his name is Alfred.  Second, a night guard, his name is Sam.  Third, an administrator, her name is Nancy, and fourth, a foot soldier or property manager of the compound, and his name is Godwin's!  All four are sold out to Jesus and can't wait to see what God is going to accomplish here at FNC Base Camp.

WE NEED YOUR HELP...if you've taken the time to read this story of how God is moving amongst the ministry of Friday Night Church, would you please take a moment and ask yourself if you could help us with not only your prayers but a financial gift?  Now is the time. For most of you, I've not up to this point asked you point blank to help support this ministry, but God is moving, and we need your help.  One time gifts are great, but what we really need are monthly commitments...commitments that will not only support FNC, but families that are employed by FNC.  God has provided, He is providing and He will provide.

Entering the compound from the main gate...

Main house and Welcome center/ Admin Offices...

Green space...

Outside of BLUE ROOM or Recording Studio...

Housing for Alfred and Sam...

Entering main house, welcome center...

Inside BLUE ROOM or recording studio...

Hallway from the welcome center to the offices...

Kitchen area...

Inside classroom for The School of Creative Arts...

Office #1

Outside of the compound/base camp

Office #2

   

OUR FIRST AFRICAN CHRISTMAS

The day has finally come...we shift our belongings to our much anticipated house.  It's been almost 5 months since all of us have slept in our own beds, and tonight, Lord willing, we will do just that!  For the past two months, the girls have shared a room, and for the most part have done rather well.  In fact, I over heard Annie mention she wasn't sure about sleeping in a room all by her lonesome, but I think she'll get over that idea rather quickly.  Wendy is ready to use her own kitchen utensils, and to unpack all of her home decor.  For me, I'm just ready to make new memories in a new home...seems like we've been waiting to do this for quite a long time.  I think we're all ready for a place we can hang our hats for years to come.

I want to take just a moment to thank a few people here that have been instrumental in our home endeavor...to Michael, our contractor...brother you hit the mark and got us in before Christmas, thank you for that...to Godwins, for finding this house in the first place, and so much more my friend, you and Nancy are truly family to us...to Micah,Grace and Reba for all their support, especially keeping us for the first few weeks AND allowing us to store our belongings at your home...to Ruth, for watching our girls while Wendy and I planned and worked on the house, you are now Auntie Ruth...and to all who have prayed here and back in the states, you have given us the encouragement to keep on, THANK YOU!

Christmas is here and will be gone in just 6 days.  It's the first Christmas I can remember that I haven't thought much about gifts, but in all fairness, finishing a house can be a pretty large distraction.  Wendy and I have purchased a few gifts here, but nothing like we would have back home.  Not that we are now somehow against buying gifts for our girls; we are not above spoiling them.  But it just seems things are different this year for us.  I'm not sure how to put it into words only to say, we have each other, and right now in this present moment that is truly sufficient.


     

PASSION/CHRISTMAS WORSHIP NIGHT PICS

Back in September, UCF (The church that we are partnering with) hosted PASSION 2012, with Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockles.  Over 35,000 people attended, the largest crowd ever recorded for a PASSION event!  This was the second time UCF had hosted a PASSION event, the last one being in 2008.  Since then, UCF has regularly hosted local PASSION WORSHIP nights, having one per semester of school.  I have had the opportunity to help lead these events in the years past.  But this one was a bit different, mixing Christmas songs with current worship songs.  We called it PASSION CHRISTMAS WORSHIP.  It was a hit, and God was truly glorified that evening. Below are some of the pics Wendy and I took during the event.  Enjoy!!!  

The Girls having their pre-Christmas/Passion dinner

Choir/Band prayer circle prior to the event

Todd, trying to get creative

Hope, leading O Holy Night

Passion/Christmas crowd

Patrick leading a super fun Africa Christmas song!

Grace and Ruth, loving it...

The BAND

Ivan leading WHITE FLAG

Todd leading HOW HE LOVES

Pastor Micah giving us the message for the evening

More worship...

CONTAINER UNLOADING PICS

It was August the 3rd when we last saw our container and all of it's contents roll away from our home in Mt Sterling, IL.  Honestly, my hopes weren't to high of it even making the journey successfully, let a lone arriving with almost everything completely intact!  You should have seen our faces when that ugly red container showed up...  Unfortunately, Wendy, Annie and Lucy couldn't be there for the unloading.  With lots of help from Micah's family and friends from the church, the unloading was a real success. As promised, here are several pics revealing the much anticipated arrival of the container.  Oh, and thank you Micah for allowing us to disturb THREE rooms in your home!  I'm still in shock...

SMALL TALK MAKES ME NERVOUS...

Why is it so hard for real people to talk about real things?  I’ve never been very good at small talk, at least I don’t think so.  Small talk makes me nervous.  What I mean is, I always feel pressure to contribute to a conversation that virtually is meaningless.  But in order to get to the “real stuff” I’ve found that small talk is very necessary for breaking the proverbial ice.  So I’m working on my small talk skills!  It seems though, people, especially many churched people, rarely get past the small talk.  Oh, they’ll converse about other peoples quote on quote problems or concerns, but getting them to turn the corner on themselves becomes more of a challenge. 

Was Jesus good at small talk?  I’m not sure if He was or wasn’t, not everything he said or did is completely recorded.  When I read the gospels, it seems like Jesus is always trying to make a point, constantly in a state of teaching even amongst His small talk, especially with his disciples.   And what about all the encounters with not yet believers, John 4 (woman at the well), Luke 19 (story of Zacchaeus), John 3 (Nicodemus, ok so Jesus was probably a bit tired for small talk in this one), and the list goes on and on…  Point being, Jesus went straight for the jugular, He wasted no time talking about the weather or the latest Soccer or NFL standings.  In every encounter He ever had with a not yet believer, Jesus’ one desire was to set them free from their burdens and chains. 

Now, we all are wired differently, some more bold or timid than others, and for that I am grateful.  But God never intended for His creation to just be a bunch of small talkers, never getting into the lives of those around us.  Small groups or community groups are fine and well, but why have we stopped there?  Whether it’s here in Uganda or back in the States, one thing seems to be scary for us to do, and that is to find that special individual and develop a one on one relationship, sharing in what God is doing in our lives and also the challenges that we are up against.   Proverbs 27 says it best when it says “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  Jesus chose twelve, and from the twelve he intentionally spent one on one time with three.  The twelve were His small group. The three were His inner circle.  You and I are here today because Jesus decided come down from Heaven to live life with twelve guys, and pour intimately into three of them, and one of the three Jesus built His church upon.  Jesus kept it simple. 

Spiritual adoption seems to be the latest buzz-word for making disciples.  I’m not against the phrase, but I do think it leaves a lot of life out of the equation of making disciples.   Years ago, I ministered at a church that taught me the phrase, “Doing life together”.  Wendy and I long for that once again, to do life together with a group of believers, to share life, the good and bad and everything in between.  But even more, we desire intimacy with a few, to be able to share the deepest parts of our being with a friend that will listen and will love us for who we are, not for who we should be.  Yes, I believe deep down, every single person desires to be loved as they are.  Have you found that someone to do life together, and I mean really do life?  If so, you know how exhilarating it is.  If you haven’t, what are you waiting for?       

PICS!!!

OK, so we have gotten several requests for pictures.  Here are a few that we have taken through out the past several weeks...Enjoy & more to come!

Bon Voyage!

Girls, posing on the balcony of our very first apartment in Africa

Yes, home schooling is going well!

Our family van...w/ Emma and Lucy acting tough!

Baptism Sunday...23 total!

Our neighborhood...

IT'S ALL IN WHO YOU KNOW

Searching for a house in Kampala has been a bit more challenging than anticipated.  We are now beginning week 3.  Seems we have been looking at houses for 2 months, but it has only been 2 weeks.  Exhaustion has begun to set it, but somehow we manage to push onward.  Location is now at the top of our priority list.  Please be in prayer that God continues to give us wisdom.

We made our first major purchase, we bought a van!  Now buying a vehicle in Kampala isn't exactly the same as buying one in the States.  In fact, it is very different.  First, you need to know someone, actually it seems you need to know someone for just about anything you do here.  Second, buying a "new car" from Kampala, isn't really buying a new car.  Most cars that are in Kampala come from Japan or Europe, and all of them are used, at least the ones the average joe can afford.  Third, you go to "the bond" to find the car you desire, then negotiate on the price...this is a bit tricky, but again, if you know someone, the transaction is much smoother.  My "someone", his name is Godwins...and he lives up to his name.  After you've negotiated, you literally pull out your cash, and ONE piece of paper is signed, and you are driving.  Now there are a few other minor steps, but as long as you have cash and a passport, you can drive...that's it.  License and insurance are included in the deal.  And so we decided on a 99 Toyota van...I am the first time driver on it here in Uganda, which makes the van a lot more valuable. The next paragraph tells you why...  

The roads here are brutal, and most damaging to your vehicle.  Potholes are the size of  VW Beetles, and the homemade speed bumps created on the dirt roads seem to grow daily.  And the traffic!  My goodness for those in the states that think they have experienced crazy traffic, I would challenge you to drive in Kampala!  If you want a small taste of it, go to YouTube and type in Kampala traffic.  I've heard some say it's like driving in a real life video game.  I'm no gamer, but maybe that's true.

An update on our Visa status.  For a fee (of course), the internal affairs office extended our visas for 2 months, which gives us time to work on our permanent work visas.  We've met with an attorney regarding this issue and he seems to think he can take care of this for us.  But, nothing is done yet, and for that I would ask you all to continue praying that God would make at least this visa process smooth and seamless.

I met with the gentleman in charge of getting our container out of customs, and into our hands once again.  His name is Jimmy, a friend of Godwins.  Jimmy asked me all of the customary questions like, what was in the container and how long we were planning on staying in the country, pretty easy stuff.  We are meeting again tomorrow to discuss more details and so I can give him my passport and of course a fee.  Jimmy's hoping because we work underneath a missions organization that our tariffs will be waived. PLEASE, pray that God softens the hearts of those in charge of this decision.