The Lord's Day

This was our second Sunday in Uganda and this morning 15 of us plus the driver loaded into the Taxi to go to Naminya to the Village Church. Some of the road was a bit rugged, but we finally arrived at the top of the mountain to a beautiful mud structure that is their House of Worship. It appeared that the Worship Team was having a practice when we arrived. We joked that it was a sound check…there is no electricity. Grandma Sarah (Abdu’s mother) was there to greet us along with others. We had our choice of seats and by now we were experienced enough to choose benches by windows and where the sun would not overheat us. Since the villagers had not all arrived, they decided to have those present share their testimonies. The service is presented in both Lugandan and English using an Interpreter. They started church with praise and worship music, then the Children’s Choir sang. The was not the first time we heard this amazing song: “Hello Visitors, We are very happy to see you here, Oh, here today. In the name of the Father, the Lord, Allelu, Alleluia.” The instrument section consisted of three outstanding drummers. One little boy that appeared to be about 2 years old was the center of attention. He was dancing to The Lord, as they all were, but he was especially gifted. The adult choir then sang and the one in English included these words: “The wind is moving again, the Spirit is moving again.” Whenever it is time for the Choir to sing, someone starts a song from their seat in the audience, and then all of the choir members begin to sing and get up from their seats, walk up the center aisle as they sing and take their place on the platform. They have multiple choirs, which we would probably call small ensembles. Whenever they clap for applause, it is unison to a beat. As people sing, others from the audience will go forward to give them a “blessing”, which is a coin or bill as an offering to them. After the choir numbers, they invited Abdu to speak. He had planned to only give his greetings and ended up giving a short sermon. It had been since July that he had been to the Village church as he is the Financial Controller at the church in town and has responsibilities there. He shared that when he visited our church in Oklahoma, our worship is just standing still and in Uganda they dance with Jesus and although our cultures are different, it is not important. The Kingdom Culture is what is important and we all share that because God does not look at our color. He shared about his trip to the United States. He was fearful on the first flight but Got got him there safely. Then on the flight from Amsterdam to the U.S., there were hundreds of passengers and only two of them were black. No he had a different fear. He told how God was showing him His love and calming his fears. Before his trip, He could not imagine a person from this Village going to the U.S. He said it does not matter where you come from and if you are in this Village, do not be discouraged, focus beyond. When Jesus was on earth, his disciples focused only on each day, but Jesus focused beyond today. After Abdu spoke, they asked all of us to go up front. We introduced ourselves and shared a little with the people. Abdu interpreted for all of us. Paul then gave a short sermon and talked about how Abdu and he are brothers because they have the same Father and how all born again Christians are sons of the same Father and are no longer orphans. He told the Villagers that these people who came from Oklahoma will be changed, they will not be the same, because they came to Uganda. Pastor Stephen was not at the church today as he was sitting with someone who is sick, so Paul presented the new Bible to the Associate, Pastor Huntington on his behalf, and then presented an additional Bible to Associate Pastor Huntington for his own use and explained to the people that this is a Bible with study notes to help their Pastors. He invited the Villagers to participate in the upcoming Leadership Institute being held at Next Generation Ministries. A young man shared a testimony about how his attendance at the Leadership Institute had changed his life. We then went up to sing for them (yes all of us, not just those that sing in the choir at home). We made a joyful noise by singing How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, and then Awesome God (we added some actions to that to show that we don’t always stand still when we sing!). They then had another choir come sing. Again, they started singing from their seats and walked forward together to the platform. Abdu was then asked to come back up to interpret for the Pastor. He preached that when we accept Jesus into our hearts, we receive Peace but that does not mean all of our problems go away. He told about how Peter was with Jesus and things were not always easy for him, but he kept beside Jesus. Sometimes when things are tough here, we go to the Pastor and ask him why when he said we would have Peace, God is leading us through a desert. Even through poverty, we must believe in God. He is the God of the impossible. Everytime you welcome God in your life, persecution comes. As a Christian, we must persevere. Don’t get tired. Walk, move forward, believe in God. When things are tough, God is going to do a miracle in you. You never know when things will happen. So you as Christians, lets keep on moving. We are soldiers, proceed in combat. The devil is not sleeping, he will attack. Keep going to reach the promised land. He used scripture from Exodus 17 and Matthew 16:19.
Next was offering, and like the town church, they sang as they went forward to put their offerings in the basket up front. We were then led in singing worship music that was slower paced, followed by everyone praying in their own way. Some standing, some sitting, some kneeling, and all reaching out to God. Then they had a prayer for us to have a safe journey home tomorrow. Next a man wanted to “say a few words”. Tomorrow is his birthday and he will be 83 years old. He sang a song and danced. He said he is retired but not tired, he gets up and keeps going. Then Grandma Sarah went to the front and prayed a prayer for their visitors and again, for our safe journey home. We were asked not to forget them at the Naminya Village Church and to tell those back home that we went to their church. They are all looking forward to our return. This was the close of the service and they all greeted us. Every one of them, greeted every one of us by milling about the church. When they greet, it is either with a three phase handshake, or two phase hug, and the words welcome and how are you are always included. Frequently we exchange names and there were a lot of Praise Gods and Hallelujahs. It is wonderful that those words are universal. It started to rain so we had to quickly board the taxi to get out of the village before the roads were too muddy. Church lasted about 2 ½ hours, but it felt like 45 minutes. It was wonderful. Every one of them wanted to be there. It made us reflect on ourselves.

Upon our arrival back at the Compound, we had homemade milkshakes with bananas and chocolate. Its amazing that you can make such wonderful milkshakes with a hand potato masher and bowl. No blender needed! Its also amazing how well we are doing on water rationing since the municipal water supply has been off for 24 hours. Yes, that means that bathing and toilet facilities are limited, but we have adjusted.
Pam, Paul, Abdu and Betty had an appointment to look at a different Compound for rent this afternoon. Their attorney had searched it out when they received word a few days ago from their current landlord that he is doubling the rent on this place. After our milkshake lunch, we loaded in our taxi and went over to take a look. We could all envision what an excellent facility it can be for them. It is larger, has a beautiful grassy area (they currently only have pavement in their courtyard). The deal has not been made yet. Please pray for them as they seek God’s will regarding their physical location.
The taxi then dropped us in the tourist gift shop section of town and we picked up a few last minute items to take home, and then hopped on the Bodas for a ride back to the Compound for a rest. There is a party planned for our last night. The Team Members of Next Generation Ministries will be attending and sharing their testimonies and visions. Word is that the menu includes fried chicken. It will be exciting to meet them all, but it will also be sad to tell them all goodbye. Although we all miss home, we will also miss this home when we leave.