The Bush

Day 5 - Tuesday

Today we headed north of Kampala to visit churches out in the bush. I must say there were times I thought we were in Oregon; it is so green and covered with so much vegetation. We saw corn fields, banana orchards, all kinds of fruit-bearing trees. It is a beautiful country; no wonder they call it 'the Pearl of Africa'.

We visited 8 churches in various locations. At each church we were greeted by the Pastor. We met some real heroes of the faith today. Most of the Pastors we met today have small flocks of 40 to 100 people. They endured persecution during the turbulent years of Idi Amin's regime. Quick note: every morning we are awakened by the call to prayer. There is a huge mosque that sits on the highest hill and overlooks the entire city of Kampala. The Kadafi Mosque was built during Amin's regime and was completely funded by Libya's president Omar Kadafi.

Islam grew rapidly as Amin persecuted the church. Thousands upon thousands of Christians were killed at his command, and many people converted to Islam. Many of the Christians went underground, holding Bible studies and prayer meetings in their homes. It is only recently, now years after Amin was driven from power, that churches are being rebuilt because our precious brothers and sisters have been given more freedom. I was humbled as I met a number of pastors today who came through it all and continue on in the work of preaching the gospel.

A few of the churches we visited are in the center of Muslim areas, yet these pastors just shine the love of Christ. Several of them have schools with up to 120 or so children. We were warmly greeted with smiles, songs, and clapping in each of the classrooms we visited. We would introduce ourselves and write our names on the chalkboard (made from plywood or cardboard). One church we visited had all the children outside waiting, and once we pulled up they began singing and dancing. The girls were dressed in grass skirts and some of the boys were playing drums. It was so much fun!!!

A number of the churches we visited were in remote areas in the bush. One church was a 6x20 shelter. These believers are in the middle of fasting and praying as a church. They were worshiping when we arrived and invited us to come join them. There are 35 people in this church --and hard to fit them all in there, so some sit outside. While inside, a storm came; and as the wind blew, the roof started lifting up at one end! I really thought it was going to come off (it may have after we left).

One pastor has been pastoring for 62 years. His flock meets on a rented plot. Recently the plot sold, and the new owner wants him off the land; the owner brings his garbage and piles it up outside the church building in an attempt to drive them off the land. Pastor has located a plot of land nearby that is for sale. It would cost about 2.5 million shekels ($900) to purchase this property. Once purchased he could move his family there and build a new meeting place. He does not have the funds to buy it at this time, but he's believing that the Lord will provide it. We prayed for God's provision and protection.

What was really encouraging is that some of the pastors own the land that their church and school are on. They have small running farms (maybe an acre or two) with chickens, pigs, and goats. They also have fruit-bearing trees such as Jack fruit, papaya, bananas, etc., so they have become self-sufficient to some degree. This is the vision for these small churches - to help them become self-sufficient.

We finished the day meeting at Pastor Isaac's church. It is located right in the heart of the Muslim community. All the pastors we have visited today gathered there plus another 10 or so joined us. We capped off the day with worship and prayer. Pastor Jonah asked me to share a word of encouragement. It was hard for me; who am I to share a word of encouragement with these men? They are in the trenches day after day fighting the good fight. I have been so ENCOURAGED by THEM!!! Yet the Lord is gracious, and it is His heart that we encourage one another. The Lord gave me some simple words to share with them - to not grow weary from doing good, and that He is with them always.

I wish that I personally had the resources to come in and give them what they need to carry on the work of building His Kingdom. Land is not that expensive here, especially in the country (bush). Our prayer is that God will raise up believers, in the USA and elsewhere, who will have a heart to get involved in the great work that is taking place in Uganda. So many of these pastors have visions  to impact the villages they are in by opening schools and orphanages. It makes a tremendous impact, as we have seen with Pastor Jonah's example; and it's not just the children, but also the parents, who are coming to the Lord as these Pastors pour their lives out each day caring for the children. Would you pray about being part of the work here in Uganda? Our US dollars can go a long way in helping these ministers of God's Word do the work that He has planted in their hearts.