Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Hey bloggers...I won't go into the long version of the story...bottom line is that the luggage has finally been picked up and is being brought to the hotel...should be here within the hour...suffice it to say, we couldn't have gotten through another day without it if you know what I mean...

Anyway, I had said yesterday that we would be ministering in Jinja, but I was mistaken. The meetings were actually in the village of Bewenge, about a 2 hr drive from Kampala. It's close to Kimuli where we ministered last year, and where Good Shepherd's Children home is (where we'll be going later in the week). In the morning we held a really wonderful Pastors' conference with the theme of 'Excellence in Leadership'. I used the outline from the series I did years ago called 'The D-Force' (The Power of: Dreams, Desire, Decision, Determination, Diligence, Discipline, and Demonstration)...it was really cool...I had a great interpreter (one of the young Pastors we ordained last year), and the Pastors soaked it up like a sponge, taking copious notes, and showing that they have a great GIF ("get it" factor)...

The only challenging thing from yesterday morning (besides the long drive there, which is actually better than it was when we were here before because they have greatly repaired and improved the road), was the bats! The church is sort of a semi-open air building, and, hanging upside down, right above my head as I ministered, were about fifty of the largest bats I have ever seen. I really had to put it out of my mind and focus on my word because bats sort of creep me out, and these creatures were definitely NOT nocturnal (as I thought all bats were)...all during the teaching they were periodically swarming around and swooping overhead...in my peripheral vision they looked like small pterodactyls...and I wanted to avoid being decorated with guano, which I think might sort of push me over the edge...it was really something, but, at least there were no malaria-carrying mosquitoes around (or any other bugs, for that matter) because those big boys had eaten them all...

Then we drove back up to Jinja, which is on the Nile, and had a very good lunch with Pastor Ben and some of his staff at one of Idi Amin's old haunts...then we went back to Bewenge to meet with the Mayor and some of the City Council, who took us on a tour of one of their health clinics and a very primitive open market, both of which are badly in need of some modernization. I don't know what we can do for them, but I may look into buying the clinic a refrigerator and some bedding...about 35 babies a month are born there, and it's really under furnished...

After that we did a big open-air meeting in the village...very powerful anointing there...I preached (P. Ben interpreted) and did a more conventional type alter call, telling the people that God had made peace with them, but that they needed to make peace with Him...the whole area in front of the staging filled up with people in response, and Holy Spirit gave me an effective way to lead them in a prayer of reconciliation...then I laid hands on hundreds of people for healing...all of that was awesome...

Then we (Pastors Ernie and Avery and Joel) took the long ride back to Kampala to meet the rest of the team for a wonderful dinner...they had ministered at Good Shepherd's, and had had a beautiful day, as well...

The rest of the evening was spent in trying to connect with our luggage...and, as I'm writing this, P. Avery just called my room and said it was going to be another hour before our stuff gets here, so I don't know if we are going to make it back down to Bewenge as planned, or not...

The rest of our meetings for the week will be in Kampala, except for when we take the school supplies we bought to the boys and girls at the childrens' home...then we will ordain about 35 new pastors on Sunday...

Now if I could just have a change of clothes...

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

None of those bats answered to Barnabas Collins did they.Sounds like a mighty work of the Lord is taking place there. Really hope your bags arrive soon . Peace Keith

Erik said...

Hello Everyone,

Tuesday, 01, September, 2009.

Following on Bishop’s post.

A very minimal and subdued way to express Tuesday’s events is EXCELLENT!!!! Truly, that hardly captures the day, but it is a start.

Monday night when we got in, they opened the hotel shop so we could get some clothes and toiletries since the baggage was still enjoying the sightseeing , as it made its way to Kampala, somewhere over Europe

There were some reasonably priced selections, and I got to say, I got the coolest shirt - African style, purple with tribal designs and extremely colorful. True, Bishop got a very stylish , suave orange and black Indian (India) style shirt, but mine prompted our driver this morning to exclaim ‘ You are African American’. Nuff said.

The team was in 2 parts. Bishop, Pastors Ernie and Avery, and Joel went to Bewenge, a town about 40 miles outside Kampala. Pastor Chad & Pastor Lori, Karen, and Your’s Truly went to the church in Kampala. The new church for ‘Good Shepherd’ is about twice as big as their previous church, constructed of wood and tin, very airy and bright.

In Kampala, there were about 500-600 and Pastor Chad delivered a message as only he can do about the desires of the heart that God has placed in each person, to manifest that desire as each person’s part of God’s expression. I am doing a very summarized version of it here – Visualize Pastor Chad delivering one of his poems, insert this subject and expand it to cover about an hour.

Of course, it fit exactly in with what another African minister spoke on immediately following about the self responsibility and great riches of Spirit and drive that God has placed in each of us, and in particular the Pastors at the conference. The Praise & Worship with about 50-75 kids singing (really well done) at the end of the morning, and you get a taste for the morning.

The church is a new spot, an area of the city called Banda (check it out online) it is in the northeast part of the city. They were previously about 2-3 miles south of there in another part of the city called Mbuya. If you recall, that church was bulldozed down after a dispute over the land, but it was actually a blessing because the new location is near a University, which they have students and faculty as part of the congregation, plus a good number of the previous congregation.

Kampala is built on 7 hills, and is a modern city. Banda is still in an area though that has only dirt roads and is developing economically. The energy is more vibrant than Mbuya, and there is commerce everywhere, with its own shopping district, and hosts many students and working people.

Erik said...

continued- part 2 --

The afternoon session blossomed from the morning. The Praise and Worship again was excellent, imagine African music, the beat, decent sound system, and 500 + people dancing and singing. Beginning and ending the afternoon. In between, we broke into 4 groups, Women, Men, Children and youth (404 kind of group with the youth, mid teens to mid twenties).

Pastor Lori ministered to the children. She was great with them, of course. They had already got to know her, because during the morning session, she sat with them in the church, which they loved, but we missed her where we were sitting. She very quickly she made a beeline to the kid’s area once we got in. The children were very well taught and were polite, attentive, and had a good grasp on concepts, especially that they can do all things through Christ, which is what Pastor Lori fortified with her message to them.

At one point, much to their delight, Pastor Lori had the kids yell at the top of their lungs, so the words would spread across the country and the continent ‘ I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST’ . It was a tremendously solid shout that drowned out everything else inside, and they were outside! Following that , the children were teaching Pastor Lori traditional dancing (of which some was caught on video), possibly for a price, Pastor Chad may make it available:)

Karen ministered to the women. It was really about speaking strength and energy into their lives. Women carry a disproportionate amount of responsibility here , especially because of a relatively high amount of widows due to aids. The exchange started with a woman who was a single mother, with few employment options and great faith, just needing to know someone understood her, where she could get rest and spiritual sustenance. No one better than Karen for that. She shared her own experiences and how faith has brought her through , how the rest in God provides peace, energy, and opportunity and especially strength. I know women, especially single mothers in the US , have distinct challenges, add into that the socio-economic testing here, -- these are some mighty women, you can see their dedication and peace in their faces.

Erik said...

last part, 3 --

More women shared their faith and in the midst of the natural aspects, they knew beyond understanding the Peace and Joy of God that stitches each moment of their day.

They brought a few children that they prayed over who were ill. One young girl about 9 or 10, whom they thought was possessed, Karen and the other women prayed for. The girl had epilepsy, and very often was in fits, and was in one right then. Get ready, -- for real -- , the girl calmed down, and when the sessions ended, and we began Praise & Worship, the young girl was sitting in the row with us, at peace, smiling, and very in control of her body. When I came to sit down, and saw the young girl, I just saw a great peace on her, content joy, and only knew afterward what had taken place.

Another minister there spoke to the men, focusing on self responsibility , with the strength and love God has instilled in them to see with those eyes, beyond ancestoral curses and history, to take their place in the country and continent that God has so blessed with abundance. It was well received by the expressions of agreement, and claps. I spoke with the minister, Robert, briefly afterwards. His ministry and profession is about investment and using what is currently available, resources and talents for churches and communities to revolutionize traditional paradigms in Africa, and remind the people, especially the men, of the riches (spiritual and natural) they already have.

Pastor Chad and I ministered to the youth, men and women. Some were training as pastors, others just wanted to be at the conference. There were about 150. ( we all did not coordinate our messages in the natural, but they all flowed, even with what Bishop was ministering in Bewenge ) These are bright, hopeful young men and women who know their future is in their hands. Pastor Chad expanded on what he spoke about earlier, and it was especially intense because the group is so aware of their opportunities and dreams. They are eager to apply them and break any perceived chains on their potential. Pastor Chad was perfect for them. We talked about trusting God first and foremost, and from there all wisdom, creativity, influence and power come. We reminded them, but they did not need it, they know for sure there is no limit to what they can accomplish seeking The Kingdom first. We each shared our experiences of overcoming obstacles to manifest what we see in our hearts. Both of us have had different but formidable challenges, that the young men and women identified with. I did remind them even though I am 44, I still look like I am in my 20s :).

I loved most that we communed with the women and men who are taking the reins of the near future in this community , focused on the vision of faith, reconciliation, peace, joy, and abundance. They have the solid foundation of faith and the determination to manifest . Really, we were there to water and give what spiritual nutrition we had to aid in their blooming. They drew deep from us, for everything they could get, confident we had something to give and that they knew what to do with it. We serve The King of Kings, and today we also served the aspiring queens and kings, The King brought us before.

We all met up in the evening at the hotel for dinner. In sharing everything that happened, it was clear that HS weaved all of our words together to distinct groups in different areas for one message –

-- What the people see and hope in their hearts is true, they are approved of and well provisioned with faith and energy to manifest it.

Oh yeah, this is just day one.

Izumi/JOY said...

GOD is good!!

Northern Light said...

PRAISE GOD !

Erik,
Thank you so much for your emotion-filled, excited (like always ha) way of describing the goings on there. You really drew me in and I was visualizing it, as if I'd been there before ! Cool

It sounds like day #1 was as much as you could have hoped for and HE has much more in store.

Keep us posted, literally, and be the blessings you all are to the people there!

Peace,
Northern Light

Lisa said...

Wow what a 1st day of what is your best trip ever!!!!!! The HS is indeed moving and this is just the begining of an explosion of things that have never ever happened before.
I would love to help with bedding Bishop for the babies when you get logistics worked out. I don't have much but as you know my heart is with the children and I feel I have to be a part in any way I can!!!!!
Looking forward to hearing even greater things!!!

karl cobos said...

Really glad to hear the updates on things going on, you guys are in my prayers...I believe great works are being done, and still to come. With you in spirit.
Love, Karl

Anonymous said...

Ted Winn...

He may not come when u want him, but he's always on time. lol

Anonymous said...

Joseph Emanuel Idlett...

Happy for you have a bless day BISHOP be safe in Uganda.

Anonymous said...

Brenda Bevelle Yarbrough...

Happy it got there on time. (smile) Give the team there my love and thanks for the caring spirit.

Anonymous said...

Lisa Smith Pomeroy...

So glad you're being reunited with your luggage! Sounds like an amazing trip so far. Kudos for not allowing the bats to get you off task ;O eeewwwww... creepy

Anonymous said...

Machion Garrison III...

When you get back, you and I will have to discuss in detail how you made it through the bat episode. You're like Ace Ventura of the pulpit.

Anonymous said...

Darlene Swilley...

I GUESS IT ALL PERFECTS PATIENCE,,,,BUT STILL DONT LIKE IT,,,GETTING READY FOR DAD TO SPEAK TONIGHT....XO

Anonymous said...

Sonia Dean...

Thanx for sharing pics on the blog. So excited about my African voyage next year.....ur mom is gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

Erik...thanks for the update...fill your spirit and whats going on there and here...Missed all of you at B/B today ...P.Lou was out of this world...P.Jim Jaros needs to write a book and P. John Alexander...WOW!
It good to know that where ever you are the same SPIRIT is Everywhere...PEACE to all
P.Deb

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the updates, I'm so excited with the work you are doing. I don't know about the bats, make me think of Dark Shadows.

Donald said...

That's good stuff team.
Makes us a bit envious for you.

Anonymous said...

John Brumlow...

These are beautiful reports from the Lord here.

I will say the obvious, everything that is happening is ordered and your trust in the One that directs your footsteps is obvious to me.

Each Are Christ's Holiness on earth and you are all an extension of one another as well as everyone who loves the good news of a Holy God that places no condition upon Love.

I kiss your beautiful feet in Jesus name.