An African Adventure

Some of my favorite days on this planet have been spent in Africa. I have been blessed to share the gospel in places like Sri Lanka, Romania, China and other countries around the world and I truly love it. But, for some reason- I feel right at home in Uganda. When I am there, it's almost like I'm not on a mission trip. 

Part of this is because more than any place I have ever visited, the Spirit of God is moving so powefully to bring people to Jesus. The harvest is so ripe...over ripe- and there's such joy in sharing Jesus with people who already realize their need and are so open to God. 

This past summer we took a team, actually four different teams to plant churches in an area called Bugiri. One morning I shared Jesus in a hut with two women. One of them was a Muslim who was wearing a traditional Muslim head wrap with the word “Allah” inscribed on the front band. They were so receptive and both of them prayed to receive Jesus. Then, led by the Holy Spirit I shared a personal testimony I had never shared on the mission field.  In order to impress upon them that trusting Jesus does not mean that all our problems go away,  I shared that I had experienced much pain since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ and gave as an example the loss of our first child during the pregnancy. For a moment I thought I had offended them deeply because their countenance changed so drastically and they began to converse in Lugandan. I asked the interpreter if I had offended them in some way. She said not at all, in fact they were touched by my testimony because just up the hill from their hut a family had awakened that very morning to find their baby dead. They wanted to know if I would go and share with that family.

We immediately hiked up the long hill to find a beautiful picture of community support. There were over 60 people already gathered consoling this family. They ushered me into the room where the mother was sitting on the floor with her baby's body at her feet. We encircled her and I began to share from God’s Word. I shared about King David and how he had lost a child but declared that He would go to join the baby one day. I shared that this child was with Jesus and that we had the hope of seeing the baby if we were in Christ. I first prayed a prayer of comfort and encouragement over all present and then preached the gospel and 15 people prayed to receive Christ.

In Africa- They are Thirsty and they are drinking living water.