The church we are part of here, UCFM, has seven churches and each year they try to go on outreach all together. Outreach means going to one of the churches and witnessing to the people in that area (go house to house) and in the evening going to the trading center to have a crusade (singing, preaching and invitation to follow Jesus). Our family has begun to look forward to going on outreach with our church. It is a joy to be with our friends and do ministry together. Our kids have fond memories of sleeping in a tent in Pingeri, witnessing to people in Akisim...and the not so fond memories of the extreme heat and feeling dehydrated and being surrounded by curious kids (or mobbed). Nevertheless, we were all excited to go again this year to a new place, Moruisiru - which means the mountain of mosquitoes. Thankfully there won't be mosquitoes because it is full out dry season now.
The outreach began with prayer - perfect. Each church gathered for a day of fasting and prayer the week before the outreach. I know God answered those prayers.
We were a little unsure how everything would go as the leaders ran around the week before trying to get things organized. We really didn't get answers as far as a plan but they told us it was going to happen. We were excited because it was a new area and had no church for born again Christians for many miles. Thursday a truck went to each one of the seven churches to pick up all the people going on outreach. It arrived in Moruisiru about seven hours later. It took us two hours when we went with our van. It was the furthest I have been beyond Amuria. We realized the next village beyond a huge swamp was Karamoja. My kids thought that was pretty cool. It was a desolate place. Very different than our other outreaches. There was no trading center just a well/borehole where they made a make shift shelter for the teaching and crusade. The kids were much more shy here and we were not surrounded - that was nice. Maybe we were the first white people there!
The outreach and crusade went very well. I love seeing our friends share God's truth with people! One of my favorite parts is seeing some of our people go through the crowd at the crusade talking and sharing with people. They do a great job of sharing Christ. They have a desire for people to be saved - to know the Good News - to be free like they are in Christ. I have to tell you that walking house to house in at least 110 degrees (and so dry your nostrils seem to stick together) is hard. I want to complain but everyone is enduring and the joy seeing people listen to God's Word and some receive is rewarding. The crusade is fun. People gather when they hear the music, everyone dances, Josh gave a great message and people come to Christ. And the awesomeness of the evening is so nice.
We loved being with everyone! Not that we fit in, but to be a part of them is great. We ended up sleeping in our van/motor home for the night so the boys who were sleeping outside could use our tent. It worked well and our kids thought it was great. I love seeing my kids love it. Loving being with their close friends, loving sharing Christ, loving dancing and singing, loving being there. I am so thankful we could go and be a part of what God is doing in our church and in Moruisiru.
In the end over 50 people came to Christ! They now desire a church. Our leaders are meeting this week to discuss how to disciple these people and who could we send. Pray for the new believers in this village. They came out of a religious stronghold. Many at first pushed us away and some would not let people come to their home to share. Slowly they heard that this teaching is different. Many ladies (some very old) would come and said they wanted Jesus but their husbands won't let them or will beat them. Then God's Spirit broke through and even the very ones who drive our people away came and gave their lives to Christ. Alleluia!
It is hard to share what happened and what it was like, so I will do the rest with pictures for a visual. I am always challenged and inspired by my church family here to give up yourself and share Christ boldly. Our family endured less than two days and one night. The rest were there three nights and had to take a truck with way too many people. I praise God for what He is doing - and for using this people. What an encouragement to see Him work so powerfully!
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Nice job Mandy, so proud of you all for participating in these conditions. Not easy! Love the poster! We rejoice in the Lord for each of you and the churches!
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