Back from Uganda.

I had no idea about much of Uganda. It seemed like Idaho,"You only go there if you have to" - but when you get there - you discover amazing eye opening revelations!

When people approach my property or even my door in California and now in TN, my first inclination is to grab a sharp object or bee bee gun. And come up with the quickest excuse why I do not want to talk to them so they will just GO AWAY!
Not Ugandans... They respectfully shake hands, and carry from their huts chairs for you, while they sit on the floor.

As overall 'stats' let me just lay them out there:
Firstly - GET THIS - we worked with FIVE denominations - that in unity worked TOGETHER - it was kinda odd, ya know, biblical and all. Unity, etc....

Our team of 18 split up with the leaders of what will become new cell/"small" church plants - so that those who have to walk to church, (about 99%) can go to church. Those who have money have a bike. Anyway, so that's the strategy start a cell group in closer proximity to more groups of people.

We (our teams) shared the HIV/AIDS Hope Cube - to well over 5,000 people - in one instance we were invited into a school, in another, invited into a hospice.

With using the EvangeCube sharing the Gospel we shared with about 5,000 and over 1,000 said they wanted to trust that Jesus had died for them, and begin coming to one of the five new churches that were born.

Most of the kids did not own shoes, and sleep on the floor in their family huts.
When we had 'children's church' we had over 200 kids - each one got ONE Crayon - not a pack, ONE and they LOVED it they colored for about a half hour and shared their colors to get the job done.

There is something about sharing and unity and getting the job done.
I'm still wrestling with building my kingdom vs building The Kingdom but this 9 days took me a long ways.

If you ask those we served and worked alongside they would say, 'it was great that you came and thank you.'
But it was transformational for me, and pretty difficult to return to business as usual.

*** Thank YOU for sending Ethan & I ***

Community was beautifully displayed in sending us. Because you helped we went. I hope that you never felt pressured to give and that your gift was well used. And when you are ready to GO! Please ask, and enjoy the benefits of seeing community surround you. I highly encourage you to do it.

We have a lot more stories, photos and videos. A couple stories that I will post in the days ahead are:
Vincent, buried his mother.
Nancy, buried her son
Widow, carrying her 3
Peace, Linus & the Children's Leader Warriors