God Is Faithful To Those Who Listen

I sit here tonight with my emotions running over and tears in my eyes as it all hits home what has been accomplished this week.  Little did I know when I answered God's call to build a library for Lulwanda, the impact it would have on so many people, including myself.  When God first put this on my heart, I remember saying "you have got to be kidding!"  I had no idea how to even begin such a project.  I responded like Moses and said "not me Lord, I don't know how to do this."  But God provided the resources I needed one morning while watching the news, when they did a report about a school librarian in Round Rock who had an organization called Libraries of Love.  She had been building libraries in Uganda for 5 years and she was just down the road.  God is Awesome!  With her help, I was able to learn how to catalog the books so they would be ready to put on the shelf, how much lumber to order, what supplies I would need, etc.  Since I am not a fundraiser, I was unsure how to raise the funds to pay for supplies and shipping.  But again, God answered my prayers and provided just enough funds.  Now to see the completed project and the joy on the children's faces, I can only praise God and say "Thank You" to everyone who helped make this possible.  I don't want to take the credit, it all belongs to God!  Since shipping the container in March, I have already collected another 3000 books to begin another library at Covenant Primary School here in Mbale.  Hopefully this will take place next year or the next.  You will be hearing more about this later, so don't hang up the phone when I call asking for help.  Pray with me about how you can be involved.  As I have said, God is faithful to those who listen to His voice.  

Our day started with all but Josh going to the children's home.  Josh will share his comments later in this blog entry.  Mary with help from the team, instructed each class in the proper way to use the library.  She explained the different categories, how to look for a book, how to check out the book and fill out the pocket card, and how to return the book.  The children could hardly sit still, the anticipation of looking at a book was too much.  We gave each student a bag to carry their books in with their name on it.  They were told if they did not bring their bag to the library, they would not be able to check out a book.  Hopefully this got their attention, only time will tell.

Marc, who is a real trooper, spent his day teaching computers to the children and staff.  He is such a blessing and patient with the children.  I don't know if I could have the patience he has.  The children swarm the computers when they see them on.  We are trying to teach them how to take care of them so they will continue working properly.  Once the new school block is finished in several weeks, they will be moved into their new computer lab.  This will hopefully better protect them.

Before lunch, Edward wanted to take Leon, J.W. and myself out to see the farmland.  Since I had seen it in March, I knew what to expect.  After a very bumpy ride out into the countryside, we had to hike a short distance to the land.  Edward wanted to show us the entire property, all 10 acres, so we proceeded to walk the land.  You must know it has been raining allot, and the soil was soft and muddy.  J.W. fell a couple of times and it was HOT!!  We saw where they are growing corn and beginning to plant other crops.  Due to the heavy rains they had earlier, most of the crops were flooded.  The plan is to grow as much food as possible to cut down on the food cost.  We can say we got our exercise today!

After lunch, half the team went to Covenant Primary School in Mbale to deliver some books we collected for their school.  This school is connected with Mbale Presbyterian Church, Pastor Morris's church.  Mary and I have been providing teacher training for their teachers for several years.  Since we collected so many books, we decided we would take some to their school.  Since they do not have room for a full library, we chose books to put in each classroom.  Like I said earlier, we hope to find the room to build them a full library.  After we delivered the books, the Head Teacher was talking to us and told us that several years ago all their library books were stolen and they had been praying for them to be replaced.  I had not heard this story before and it was just another answered prayer.

As promised, I asked Josh to share his experiences the last 2 days at the Bible College.  Little did I know he would write a paper, but after reading it, it was worth the wait.  Here is his observation:

For the past few days, I have had the distinct honor of serving as a guest lecturer at the Covenant Bible Institute.   When class began on Monday morning, around forty timid souls gathered in a small room and stood around wooden desks and benches.  I arrived a few minutes after nine o’clock and entered the room as the pastors, ministers, and students were lifting their voices in song and prayer.

 

Without introduction, I began my lecture.  We discussed God’s invitation to people for deepening relationship.  We explored spiritual geography and illustrated the Ugandan landscape as a place of God’s presence and activity.  As eyes began to widen with wonder and enthusiasm, conversation and discussion started to swell.

 

Today, we continued our exploration into the area of spiritual formation.  We considered the numerous spiritual disciplines and formation practices: worship, solitude, silence, hospitality, fasting, prayer, spiritual direction, Sabbath, and sacred reading.  As we explored these topics, hands raised with questions regarding biblical application and how God might work to shape our individual lives, to direct communities of faith, and to transform the nation of Uganda in the power of God.  Periodically, a student would ask a random question seeking to answer a lingering question within their minds or perhaps trying to stump the teacher.

 

For two days, my heart swelled with joy as I gathered with brothers in Christ and fellow pastors to explore the possibilities of life in and with God.  My faith was encouraged by the passion, faith, and commitment of these men.  Each day they step forward in profound faith and extend the light of Christ to the communities and villages they serve.

 

As the my time at the school concluded, the staff and student presented me a gift of rhythmic clapping, thanks, and an invitation to return.  The president of the school asked me to teach on the book of Revelation and spend a week or more offering instruction.  One student asked if I could spend a year with them.

 

My heart has long asked my feet to walk and service God on African soil, and these past few days that God-placed passion has become a reality.  Thank-you to First Baptist for giving me this unforgettable opportunity.  Thank-you to my family for sacrificing  our time together so that I can meet and encourage our African brothers and sisters in Christ.  They are noble people with the light of God burning bright in their hearts.  I have been encouraged to stand with greater boldness and walk with more determine faith.  Finally, glory be to God for opening the door of partnership and fellowship with our team and everyone we have encountered during our trip.  I long to share more, but I have already been accused of being long winded so I will sign-off until I can see you all again and share with you the great things God has done.

 Thank you again for your prayers and support.  Tomorrow we conclude our time here.   We will go out into the country to experience life in the villages.  Pray that our hearts will be filled with compassion as we witness African life.  After lunch we will have the dedication for the library with several dignitaries in attendance.  This will be a very emotional time for me, so pray for me as we dedicate this library to the Lord.

My eyes are having trouble staying open (since Josh took so long) so I will close.  Stay tuned for the rest of the story.