Challenge, Prayer and Sending January 25th

Members of the Team met at the First Baptist Church in Fairview Sunday morning for introductions, sharing and prayer during their morning Worship Service. Then we moved to the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church for a time of challenging, sending and prayer with their congregation. After the Services we all went to Justin and Jodi's home and gathered around the table for an excellent meal, followed by discussions and updates about the trip and then a devotional and a time of prayer. We finished the afternoon by watching a video about Uganda. Jodi and Dianna passed out a personal copy to everyone of the book "Called" by Lena Wood. It is a devotional and journal for short term mission trips. There are two weeks of devotions and scriptures for us to prepare for the trip. Then another book "Challenged" was provided to us for our devotions and journaling while we are on the trip. There is a third book, "Changed" for us to use when we return. It is so exciting to know that we are on the "same page" as a Mission Team. We all started our devotionals today and have already learned so much about how God is preparing us! Did you know that the Disciples were the first to go on a short term mission trip? Check it out in Matthew 10:1-20. Verses 19 & 20 seem especially appropriate: "Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Betty's Response

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?
I had the privilege of spending a few days last summer and this summer with the Hunters and their friends from Uganda, Jimmie, Abdu and Robert. Through these visits and communications I am intrigued and amazed at what God is doing in Uganda. They are very special friends and I want to see and be a part of what I have heard and read about.
2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?
Plans - what plans? Anything God has for me to do.
3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?
I do not have anything that I am apprehensive about but of course we need prayer
4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip? See #1

Don's Ascertainments

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?
When asked to go,I started to ask God why I should go? Then I decided to ask God why I shouldn't . God did not tell me no.

2.What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?
We plan to build desks and maybe build a water tower, work with the local people and talk with them abought God .I think it will be different then we think.

3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?
It will be the first time out side of north america. There is always fear of the unkown.

4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?
How God will change me and how we can find new ways to bring glory to God by learning to know people from another part of the world.

Dianna's Observations

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?

I don’t know that I ever decide where I am going. God just “sends me.”
Interestingly enough, a friend asked me this last summer if there was any place I hadn’t been that I would still like to visit. My reply was, “I hope God sends me to Africa someday.” That “someday” opportunity came quicker than I expected. It is so exciting for me to see how God works. The verse from a conference I attended this last spring was: John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” I am excited to be sent to Uganda.

Also, all my mission trips overseas have been with people I had never met before the trip. I am excited to be traveling with and working beside some of my close friends for once.


2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?

Relationships are the biggest reason I do mission work, and that includes relationships with the native people we visit and relationships with the Americans in the group going. God encourages us to involve ourselves with believers, and having Christian friends all over the world stimulates my love for and faith in God. I plan to develop relationships as we work side by side.

I am excited to think we may have the opportunity to work in a school, building desks. For me that means spending time and visiting with teachers. I hope I get to spend time with other teachers and see what education in Africa includes.

3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?

I wouldn’t use the word apprehensive, but I ask for prayer for the students at VHS that I am leaving for two weeks. My students are aware of my passion for them and for my teaching, so my prayer is that they will ask why this was important enough for me to leave my classroom for a couple of weeks. Many of you have heard me say my biggest mission field is in my high school. That is where I have the opportunity to share my faith in Christ with young people when they ask about my travels abroad.

4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?

I get very excited to see God’s plan unfold:
-for our team and
-for each of us individually and
-for the people of Uganda.
We will face struggles that will test and in turn strengthen our faith. We will see answers to prayer and we will learn to know other Christians who will encourage us and whom we can encourage.

I am also excited to see the countryside of Africa. I have heard it is breathtaking.

Leon & Karen's Reflections

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?
Leon and I were challenged about two years ago by Paul and Pam Hunter to come to Africa to be an encouragement to the work there. For the past two summers they have come to our church and brought three different native people from Uganda to our church to speak. We have had all three of them in our home: Jimmy, Robert and Abdu along with Paul and Pam. After this past summer, talk became reality as the Team Uganda 2009 wsa formed and we said YES.
2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?
Leon plans on helping build student and teacher desks for the Fountain of Home School. Also, helping with work for the water tower, tanks, and solar pump for the school. There are two orphanages, a bakery, nursery school, and a general and children’s hospital where I’m sure the women will plug in. I’m willing to help Leon wherever I can, and be an encouragement to him. I would be thrilled to be able to use my love for music in some way also.
3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?
I guess what Leon and I are most apprehensive about is that being 65+ we never know from day to day what ache or pain may develop. Please pray that our bodies may remain healthy! Also, the long airplane flights cause some concern and the jet lag that can develop. Maybe the UNKNOWN causes the most apprehension.
4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?
Since the beginning of this venture we have been made aware that this is — first and foremost — about building and encouraging relationships—and then about projects. This was reinforced to me in our church service recently when Wendell Lowen brought our message on “Authentic Ministry”. Christ asked Peter, “Do you love me?” This is our first priority—loving Christ and passing His love to others!

A year ago, I took the Bible study on the Psalms by Beth Moore. Psalms 121 has again become very near and dear to me. My Lord is the Maker of heaven and earth! He never slumbers! He is my keeper! The Lord shall preserve my going out and my coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore!

Randy's Ramblings ;-)

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?
February seemed like a good month to be gone from here.
2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?
Eat, drink, sleep, tan on the beach, tropical fruit…
3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?
Comfort!
4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?
See #2
NOT!!!
1. Paul & Pam Hunter have been good friends since 1970 and long before Next Generation Ministries. He has always begged me to come visit and be a part of what he and Pam were doing in ministry. I have had many good excuses for not going and still do but NOW IS THE TIME. He ask me again last summer after bringing the second group of ministers from Jinja to Fairview. I said “yes” and ask if anyone would like to go along…. And then there were 12!
2. There is a plan, to build desks for the school at Bukeeka. Then an additional plan, to set up a solar pump for the well at the same school. Since then I have been “to school”. We are going to Uganda to reflect Jesus Christ to everyone we meet just like our purpose should be here at home. My job is the avenue God uses to do His business. The desks, the water pump, the orphanages, the schools, are all avenues to connect with God’s business. Paul Hunter cautioned us that task oriented people might have a hard time adjusting to their type of ministry. But we were affirmed last summer when Paul, Abdu, and Robert shared what they did. Our local Dr. Laura’s Uganda friends from OKC remarked this was the best ministry they had heard of for their country. We are going to empower the followers of Jesus Christ in Uganda so they can have a great godly influence on their country. I am confident that the believers in Uganda will also empower us to proclaim a bolder message when we return.
3. Pray that we may ALL (here and there) learn to put relationships before tasks.
4. As Abdu and Robert traveled from Jinja, to Amsterdam, to Oregon, to Oklahoma, they marveled at how big God is. He is even in small town Fairview, Oklahoma! The bond of our team has already been building. We are very different but of one body. We will connect and work with parts of the body in Uganda. I look forward to many more from the Fairview community uniting and becoming a team to Next Generation Ministries.

The Trip According to Elton

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?

There are three main things that helped make my decision to go. 1. Going on a trip like this has been a goal of mine for a long time and God has opened the door so I better not ignore it. I feel that helping others without judging or attaching strings is part of living a christian life. 2. Going with an organization that is not bound by denominational ties. This will give a lot more freedom to allow God to work. 3. This trip will give the 12 of us on the team to build bonds that will be with us for the rest of our lives. With the new respect we will have gained for each other we will be able to build a stronger church at home.

2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?

I want to experience everything Uganda and its people have to offer. I would like to help them build a better infrastructure and to learn all I can about the Ugandan culture and how God works in their lives. As far as the physical projects, we are going to build desks for a school and a water tower for fresh water. When it comes to the relationships, my hope is to gain their respect and be able to share how God has worked in my life.

3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?

I am not really apprehensive about things on this trip but I could really use the prayers. I would ask for prayer to help me have the right attitude about going and doing God's will. Also pray that I will be humble and listen to what God is telling me.

4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?

That I will be giving back and helping others. That this trip will make me a better and stronger christian. The fact that I will get to know the rest of our Team in a deeper and more personal way, and they me. All of our boxes will be stretched and when that happens it never comes back the way it was, I am excited to see how this experience changes us and our church.

from one of those e-mail forwards....

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.'

When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Pat's Point of View

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?
When the Hunters were here in August with their guests from Uganda, I was busy "doing ministry" and didn't get a chance to interact and learn from them. A few weeks later I heard chatter that there could be a group going to Uganda. Then I saw the sign up sheet that said the trip would possibly be going in April or May. I wrote our names down saying we were interested if it was January or February. I told Elton I put our names on the interested list and his reaction was "I've always wanted to do that!" I have had a desire that we could find a ministry we could work in together and I thought, "if he wants to do it, I'm in!" Next thing I knew, Randy called and said the trip was scheduled for February. I knew then it was God's Plan for us to go. So we jumped in blindly, having no idea what to expect.

2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?
Originally I thought I would find something to do to help with Agriculture in Uganda. When I researched it, I realized they don't grow crops that I know anything about so MY plan wasn't going to work. All along I thought I needed to do something unique to Uganda, something I couldn't do close to home. Otherwise, what's the point in going half way around the world? As time has passed I have learned so much about being open to God's plan and trusting that He knows what he wants me to do and I probably won't know until I get there. That's a difficult thing for me. I'm a planner and organizer. I like to be prepared and make sure I don't miss any details. I sure didn't want to go unprepared and find out later I should have brought something or that after I left I would realize I missed out on an opportunity just because I wasn't prepared. Then God made it clear to me that I should take my leather gloves, wide brimmed hat, sunscreen and bug spray and just go and make myself available.

3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?
That changes frequently. I am concerned about having enough energy to keep up with the daily pace, being able to sleep well, about jet lag and being able to acclimate to the humidity and heat. Primarily I want prayer for me to be open to do whatever God asks me to do, even if it doesn't seem like "mission" work. Prayer is also needed for all of us on the Team that as time gets closer, we recognize satan's attacks and turn our focus back to God whenever we get apprehensive about anything.

4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?
The unknown, the new experience, and the anticipation of spiritual growth in myself in addition to what God will do for the people of Uganda.

Lisa's Response

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?
The minute my sister told me she was going to Uganda my first thought was...I sure wish I could go. The next thing she said was, you're the first person I thought of to go with me. So with a lot of prayer and doors opened, I said yes to God!!!!


2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?
My first plan in Uganda is very simple, SPREAD THE WORD OF GOD!!! and maybe learn more about God myself. and 2nd to spend time building friendships, and getting to learn how they live. I would really like to help them with whatever is needed. There are many things we could do but Im afraid we wont even make a dent.

3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?
My prayer would be for our safety traveling and safety while we are there, I have a husband and 14 year old son that I'm leaving at home. Maybe my prayer should be for there survival without me for 2 weeks!! Ha.


4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?
The most exciting thing to me would be meeting the people. Learning new things, and seeing the beautiful country. Wow what a place to see! My thanks to all who have said will keep us in there prayers while we are gone!

Jodi's Thoughts

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?

I actually had never even considered ever going to Africa, but when Robert and Abdu came with Paul and Pam Hunter and spoke at church that Sunday, I knew within a few minutes after they started talking that God was speaking to my heart and telling me to go. I nudged Justin and whispered, I'm supposed to go to Africa. He looked at me with a confused look on his face like "what in the world are you talking about?" (I get that a lot) Really, I was just as shocked as he was. I never thought I would hear that come out of my mouth. I was determined that I was going one way or another at that time. I had no idea God was stirring others hearts as well. God has affirmed this call to me several times since then, so I have no doubt it was Him speaking to me. I have been on mission trips within the United States before, but I have never been on one outside of the Country. I have been looking forward to this since August.

2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?

We have plans to work along side the people there on a water well and school desks for the school in Bukeeka for one thing. I am looking forward to working at the baby cottage and possibly the Hospital, but more than anything else I am looking forward to developing a relationship with people there and learning about their culture. I am quite sure I will be learning a lot from them. We have all agreed that we will be open to anything that God has for us to do. It may look totally different than what we have planned and we are very OK with that.

3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?

I think I am most apprehensive about the flight and getting all messed up on sleep. The flight is suppose to be somewhere between 26 and 30 hours, I can't remember for sure. Also, making sure we are safe from any harm.

4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?

Traveling with people I'm not very familiar with and getting to know them better. We are all so different and I'm really excited to work with each of them. To see things I've never seen before and get to see how another culture lives. I really can't wait to experience church African style!

Justin's Perspective

1. What made you decide to go to Uganda in February?
My wife made me, no not really. I remember when Paul and Pam were here and listening to them i thought that yea i might want to do that sometime but the more Jodi talked about it the more i felt like you need to go not so much for them but for me. Not in a selfish way but to see how God would use me.

2. What do you plan on doing while you are in Uganda?
Just what i told Jodi, whatever God wants me to do i'm ready and willing.

3. Is there something about the trip that you are apprehensive about that you would like us to pray for?
Just that i would be available to do whatever God wants me to do, i've never done anything like this before and it's going to stretch me a lot.

4. What excites you the most about the Uganda trip?
I think getting to know the members of the team in a more personal way and gaining new friends in Uganda, but mainly just to see God at work.

When elephants dance: Thoughts on short-term missions

A story illustrating the problems which arise when over-exuberant, lets-get-it-done Americans interact with Christians of other cultures:

by Miriam Adeney

"Would you like to know what it is like to do mission with Americans? Let me tell you a story," said David Coulibaly, a ministry leader in Mali, West Africa.

Elephant and Mouse were best friends. One day Elephant said, "Mouse, let's have a party!" Animals gathered from far and near. They ate, and drank, and sang, and danced. And nobody celebrated more exuberantly than the Elephant.

After it was over, Elephant exclaimed, "Mouse, did you ever go to a better party? What a blast!" But Mouse didn't answer. "Where are you?" Elephant called. Then he shrank back in horror. There at his feet lay the Mouse, his body ground into the dirt -- smashed by the exuberance of his friend, the Elephant.

"Sometimes that is what it is like to do mission with you Americans," the African storyteller concluded. "It is like dancing with an Elephant."

"If short termers can learn the importance of being rather than doing, great good can be accomplished."

(Shared by Team Member, Jodi Hurst)

Fundraising Brunch

Ten Members of Team Uganda 09 were joined by 14 guests for a time of fellowship, sharing and giving on Saturday morning, January 10th. Every time we get together to talk, we learn something new! Randy shared that Paul Hunter was his Youth Pastor when he was in High School and he has kept in touch with Paul and Pam through the years. Fairview holds a special place in the heart of the Hunters as this was Paul's first ministry position. We are going to Uganda to work with the Hunter's ministry New Generation Ministries. Lisa shared the meaning of the bracelets she and Jodi have been making. They symbolize the song "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world". Lisa and Jodi have been making the beaded bracelets to give as gifts in the schools and through any other ministry opportunities. We discussed the different cultural aspects of Uganda and the importance of building inter-cultural relationships. We will be working with the local people to support them and not to just "do it" and then leave. We watched a video which can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWjKsGp1OAw Donations received by the close of the meeting totaled $1,460 to add to the $9,500 which had previously been received. At the close of the discussion time, many gathered around the computer to look at the Google Earth satellite shots of the area. Excitement is building! One Team Member was heard to say "this is all I think about, every day!" The realization has set in that in one very short month from today, we will be en route to Uganda.

Share and Support BRUNCH!

You are invited to attend a Share and Support Brunch for Team Uganda '09. Purposes: 1. We want to share what's happening. 2. We want your support in any of these ways: Prayer; Financial contributions for supplies for projects; Consider participating as a member of a future Team Uganda.

Brunch is at Elton and Pat Regier's Home, Saturday, January 10th, 10:30 AM.

Please let us know by Thursday, January 9th, if you will be attending so that we can plan the food.

Preparations

We are preparing for this exciting ministry opportunity. We anticipate working in some or all of the following areas: Fountain of Hope School; Amani Baby Cottage (orphanage); Our Own Home (HIV Children); Rock of Ages Nursery School; Ebenezzer Baker; General and Children's Hospital.

All travel expenses have been covered and we are currently raising funds for the materials for our projects. Total goal is $26,000 of which we have $9,500. Contact any Team Member to make your donation. Tax deductible donations should be made payable to "Serving Christ Outreach Center" and noted "Team Uganda '09".