Three Down...Three to Go!

Typical characteristic about God: He consistently explodes our expectations.

Day four of our conference, and while we are tired, we wake up each morning thrilled and excited to see what God will do today. We are holding three simultaneous conferences: A pastor's conference and a womens conference in the small village of Kakira, and a Peacemakers conference to pastors in the city of Jinja. We thought we knew how many to expect, but God had other plans. The pastor's conference in Kakira, where I'm teaching, for example, is being held in a rather large church building. When I say church building, I mean a big empty room with dirty floors and Scripture on the walls. Upon arrival on Monday I thought to myself, "Big room for a hundred pastors". But God knew what we needed. It's Thursday morning, and roughly 250 pastors will pile in today to be fed and equipped and blow the roof off worshipping Christ. I forgot how hungry these church leaders are.

Our women are dealing with a similar problem. There's no where for them to move, so 150 Ugandan women cram into Cornerstone Baptist Church Kakira. I forgot how hungry these women are.

The Jinja conference, led by my father-in-law, was being held here at our hotel. But yesterday, they had to relocate to a bigger hotel just down the street. A room with a seating capacity for 70 just can't support 130 pastors.

I forgot how hungry our brothers and sisters are.

On top of it all, I am shocked and amazed at how God has unified our teachings. I'm teaching alongside 3 other pastors in the small village of Kakira. Each of us are teaching on different topics, yet what God prepared in our hearts is all centered on the high calling of a pastor and the lifestyle and heart he is to live. We never talked ahead of time...but God prepared it. And it brings me to tears to see the response.

Think of it...leading a church without knowing the Bible. We have pastors being convicted of having multiple affairs. They are convicted, because no one has shown them until now that Christ condemns such actions. We have pastors who take all of the offering money regularly from the congregation, because until now, no one has ever shown them that such actions are detestable to God. And before you jump the gun in judgment, know this: When they hear the truth from the Word of God, there is immediate and radical repentance! It's not that they are careless in ministry...but they do not know the Truth!

I forgot how hungry...

The days are long but fulfilling, tiring but rewarding. I can't walk to the outhouse without being stopped on the way in and on the way out by pastors young and old, seeking prayer and advice. And the issues are so raw. We were bombarded by many questions yesterday concerning Biblical husbands and fathers, mainly because it just so happened that three out of the four of us, were separately led by God to include the issues of leadership of the family in that day's teaching. Isn't God amazing? But for many of these pastors, monogamy was a chosen lifestyle...you can live that way or not, it doesn't matter. But when the Bible clearly denounces polygamy, adultery and fornication, there was conviction and repentance. It's made complete when our women are dealing with the same issues with the Ugandan women, from a different angle. One pastor wanted to know how much he could beat his wife before it is sin...the truth was spoken, don't worry.

God is doing a mighty thing. I love these men so so dearly. I cannot describe the feeling of wanting to stay. One week is too short. These men need true mentors, and so we are trying to connect the mature pastors with the immature.

Please continue to pray. While God is working, the enemy has been working as well. Sickness keeps creeping up with our group. The children, the women and the pastors love us coming to their village, but some are not so happy. Please pray with us that God will speak powerfully and that the materials and teaching we leave with them will bear much fruit. So far, we have been able to purchase a little over 200 Bibles...I'm praying we can scrounge up more. I'm leaving mine with someone.

I am convicted as well...I hope you are too. What do you truly hunger for?

I forgot how hungry these people are...