Raise The Roof!

Hey Uganda team this is Joshua here and I am glad that you made it back safe to the States and to Germany. I just wanted to let the team know and for everyone else that has been following this blog that Pastor Patricks church roof is on!

For those of you who do not know the team from Blackshear Place Baptist and from Germany donated money to finish the roof on the church for Pastor Patrick last week and God be the Glory, it is almost finished. The roof will be complete tomorrow and we are so excited. Not only did God provide to finish the roof but Sunday God "raised the roof". The Church was packed out! Patrick said, and he told Mike and I that it was because of the team coming and sharing the love of Christ from hut to hut that people came and heard the word of God. Thank you Jesus for allowing us to be your hands and feet and for showing them your love. All that has happened is because of God, He is so good and so faithful.

Today we went to visit Pastor Mike whose church meets under a canopy of trees, a cathedral out in the open. He told us that because of the team, their love, and their faithfulness his church was packed on Sunday as well. He also told us that a women came up to him that was converted, from Muslim to Christianity by one of the team members, and said that she had never been to a church that showed so much love and she was very thankful. God is Awesome! My prayer request is that God would also provide not just a roof but a Church building for Pastor Mike. The church is growing and now that its rainy season a place with a cover would be awesome. Thank you lord for all that you have done and we continue to pray that you will raise more roofs!

Mungu Wa Baraka

Joshua

Amazed, Humbled, and So Richly Blessed

I made the decision to come to Uganda almost 1 year ago. I never expected to see and experience what I have seen, smelled and felt. The Holy Spirit is engulfing my mind and heart each and every day. I am not sure that I can adequately express what all has happened; but I would like to tell you about some of the changes that God is laying on my heart. When we first arrived at the mission compound, we were greeted by Joy, it was a blessing to not only see her, but to be with her here in Uganda. It has been a long journey getting here, not counting the seemingly endless plane ride. We got situated in our rooms and then we met for the first time as a full team; we met up with our 4 new German friends in Amsterdam. We were blessed with little notebooks with our names on them with a special, individualized note inside from Joy. What an amazing woman of God, she inspires me to step out on faith, because once you do that the rest is entirely up to God.

The blessing that I have received from coming here have been innumerable. I know that when I return home on Saturday afternoon that I will not be the same person that I was the day I left to come here. I have been amazed by how the Holy Spirit has filled each of the team members, in very special and very individualistic way. This filling is coming on a daily basis and sometimes an hourly or minute by minute basis. We have played games with some of the most precious children that I have ever seen. The joy that they have comes out of them in every thing that they do. The times that we have gone from hut to hut have been some of the most special times for us. We have been able to immediately reach out and engage them in conversation and they hang on every word we say. The kindness that I have seen has been such a blessing, and at times a struggle.

I woke up Sunday with the phrase "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." I thoroughly believe that this has become my theme for this trip; it has been said everyday by someone, somehow. I have seen worship in a whole new light, and I have experienced prayer in a way that I have never felt before. I have been deeply convicted about many things and in many aspects as to how I live my life. My most consistent prayer is that I must rely on the Holy Spirit to help me take home the changes He is making in my life. I want to make these changes not for myself, but for the glory of God in my actions, thoughts, and attitude. I have learned to look at people differently and be more focused on their eternal well-being than their physical, which is astonishing, considering the living environment here. In the preparations for this trip, I was able to see God provide in amazing ways. Having stepped out on faith, God has showed me that all that was just the beginning. He has provided in so many ways. My first thought is to be amazed at how He has provided in the most basic sense. But the fact is that He has provided in ways that only He can provide, He has left no room for anyone to deny that He has fulfilled His promise to be faithful to us. I regret that I have not lived my life with this kind of understanding.

I want to thank everyone who had a part in helping me make this incredible, life changing journey. You may never know all the things that have happened here, but one day in heaven, you will receive your reward for your obedience. Thank you very much and may God pour out his blessings on your life as He has on mine.

In Christ,

Michael Jones

By the way, all of the Blackshear Place team members wanted me to let everyone know that we will all be in the 8:08 service on Sunday, so that means you have no excuse not to join us! :)

Mungu Wu Baraka

Hello friends a family! We have been working hard here in Uganda and the fruit of our labor has been amazing. The Holy Spirit is moving through us and people are coming to Christ. Jesus says that "the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few" so true. The hearts of people are tender to the Spirit and there is only so much that we can do. God has anointed this team and we have been blazing through the villages like a burning torch sharing the Gospel. Revival is happening here in Uganda and it's awesome to be a part of what God is doing.

Today over ten people prayed to receive Christ as we were doing hut to hut evangelism. God is so good! All the time! Why? because it's His nature! This is something that the Uganda believers say all the time, but it's so true, He is good!

We had two church services today that were outstanding! Greg and Joel preached and it was awesome, GO GUYS! I wish all of you were here to experience worshipping with the Uganda people. Oh, do we have a lot to learn from them. Their worship is so beautiful! There is dancing, clapping, singing, jumping and much more. I can't wait to come home and show you all my new dance moves, lol. Their love for Jesus and their passion to make Him known are convicting and powerful. They encourage us greatly in their relentless pursuit of God and love for Him.

Mungu Wu Baraka (God of Blessings). This is a song that is sung here and talks about the blessings of God. We are truly blessed to have Gods approval here and it is so evident in the work that is going on. Many blessings to you and I leave you with this challenge. Go! Be the blazing torch of Jesus in your neighborhood, your work place, your school, and your home, because the harvest is ready, but the workers are few.

Hello everyone! We have had a fantastic couple of days. Yesterday (Saturday) the team was up and ready to go out to the bush first thing in the morning. Chris, Nathan, Connie, Leoni, Stacy, and Jonas went out hut to hut speaking to people close to the church. It went great - several people prayed to receive Christ and lots of seeds were planted. Everyone else stayed at the church and had activities for the kids. They had a blast with the games, songs, and the lesson about Adam and Eve. At two we had a great church service with Pastor Patrick and his church.

This morning we had church at the school in Busia. Everyone helped out with a Sunday School class. It is such a blessing to teach these kids. They are so eager to learn and they love Jesus. We also had baptism in the river after the service. It was incredible - and hot!

This afternoon we had a great soccer match - Americans and Germans against Africans. We had a lot of fun and were able to share Jesus with the crowd that was there to watch.

We are all having a great time - we are learning and growing and looking forward to more good days this week. The weather has been good and the power is on! Thanks for all your continuing prayers.

After two days of flying and a day of driving the first October mission team has arrived safely at the Helping Hands mission house. Everyone made their connections and all of the luggage and ministry supplies arrived. The team has settled in and is ready for their first day of ministry.

Pam and Arafat at the Helping Hands mission house in Uganda. Please pray for Pam as she continues to care for Arafat, and pray for healing for Arafat - above all, that God is glorified in everything.

Pray for Arafat and Pam

From Dr. Brenda:

I am now back in the U.S. – Pam Fox returned to Uganda and I was able to leave Arafat in her capable hands. She is an incredible care-giver, with a dedicated servant’s heart. I have been speaking with her by phone almost daily to get updates on Arafat and it continues to be “touch and go.” Some days it seems he is improving; other days we are sure he is not going to make it. We are learning so much about trusting God, because there is just no other way to get through the days. He has become a part of us and a part of our lives. Yesterday, Pam took him back to the hospital in Kampala, it was for a follow-up visit with the surgeon (even though we know at this point he cannot have another surgery) – but he has been vomiting quite frequently. The surgeon wanted to keep him overnight to get some x-rays and blood work and to replace his central intravenous line, (which we use to give him nutrition and antibiotics.) So he will be in the hospital at least overnight. We are considering the possibility of bringing him to the states, but this is a long-shot, given his fragile condition and all the red tape that would be required. I know God can heal him no matter where he is. So today I ask for prayers for wisdom as we continue to make decisions about his care; I ask for you to pray for Pam, for her continued strength, both physical and spiritual. She is caring for Arafat around the clock, with very little relief. She needs our intercession before our King.

Intense God-Training

I have to unload all of this information out of my brain - all that God is showing me and teaching me is almost impossible to comprehend. Seems as if He has speeded up my training sessions, preparing me for something - but what that is, I am not quite sure of yet. So here goes with my experiences (haven't even covered half of them) over the past 2 weeks:

Monday, April 11, 2011

· Met with contractor to go over supplies/cost to finish classroom – had him check the rocks and sand that had been delivered to us previously, and he said we got a bad deal, the rocks were ‘dirty’ (a lot of dirt mixed in with the rocks so now we have to sift the dirt out) and the sand was not special sand. Ha! I am getting ripped off a lot (being a woman)– but learning.

· Leonard (our newly hired purchasing agent who has already proven himself worthy) is going to 4 different places to check on prices of construction materials

· There is no place around to buy a sewing machine for the tailoring class to begin making uniforms for the children. Maybe check in Kenya?? Nothing is easy around here.

· Met with high school students who still lacked mosquito nets and all received one– told them if they sell them, we will expel them from school and turn them in to the police – I am sad that it is necessary to make this announcement.

· Went with Celestine to check on one of our High School students, Pauline, she lives with her brother, also in our school. Mother died; father abandoned them, they live alone in a small dirt hut, dirt floors, wet, smells bad, damp air – she is weak, hasn’t eaten, diarrhea, chest pain and cough – we walk her slowly back to school and check her, give antibiotics, fluids, something for pain and something to eat. Then she will have to return home.

· The security guard at our mission house told me his 1-year old baby is sick with bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting – they have no money for the doctor; plus he cannot leave work to take the baby or to take the money to the mother so she can take the baby to the doctor –

· Moses told me that he had applied to receive Christmas shoeboxes from Samaritan’s Purse, but the ‘representative’ asked him to pay 50,000 shillings (about $22) for every 50 boxes that he delivered, plus a delivery fee of about $17; plus 2 teachers had to attend a Distribution Training and pay 10,000 shillings each (about $4) – the man is probably not from Samaritan’s purse (we’re checking on this, if he is not, then I am going to report him to somebody)

· Pastor from one of the churches where we held medical clinic recently came to see me – there are 2 children we saw during that clinic who had serious illnesses, one is now in the hospital; I’ll go check on her tomorrow. I think she probably has a chronic parasitic illness which has damaged her liver irreversibly.

· Edith wants to know what I am planning to do about the 7 children who recently lost their guardians – where can they live and who will care for them? No concrete plan yet.

· Arafat is still seriously ill – the doctors don’t want to discharge him, but he is not receiving any nursing care – only what Pam is providing. So we did not bring him back today from Kampala, which means we must send another van back to pick him and Pam up and bring them back to Busia, probably tomorrow – this will be $200. There is still no guarantee that he won’t need another surgery to repair more intestinal tears – not sure if this is from the original accident or from the doctor doing a bad job in surgery.

· One of our nursery school children, 4 years old, was in our school clinic today with a very high temperature, vomiting, and with a positive malaria test. We could not find his guardian (his grandmother – she goes to Kenya to try and find work) – so we have to wait til she returns before we treat him, because of giving quinine, we have to make sure he has not been taking any other malaria medications – so he just stays in clinic, sick – maybe we will find her soon.

· One of our bush pastors came to find me – while he was in church Sunday, his house was broken into, and many things were stolen: his phone, clothes, radio, what little money he had, and even a bag of corn. I won’t be able to give him money to replace all of this – the church should help some, I am going to talk to Pastor Moses

· Planning session with Pastor Moses – this is exciting! We want to take the High school students from the Scripture Union club for ministry – to the bush, maybe to Lake Victoria, maybe to Kenya. Depends on money, since we have to pay transport, which is expensive, and then food if we stay overnight. But this is what we need to be doing – training up these youth to reach their country for Christ.

· Blessing for the day: I had given the Scripture Union club a challenge for prayer recently – I wanted them to pray about a missionary and/or pastor calling. I told them I could not call them to be missionaries or pastors, but they could pray and see what God called them to be and to do. We are looking for 12 young men and women who feel the passion to go out into the world – specifically the countries of Africa- and reach the lost. Today I heard from 2 young ladies, Elizabeth and Rose - who have been praying, one said she fasted – and they both say they have been called to serve as missionaries. Praise God because He is calling workers into the harvest fields. One young man has already shared his calling with us, and now we continue praying for others.

This was just today – over the past 2 weeks, the days have been just as full dealing with so many many things that my head is crammed full. The only way I make it through without feeling completely overwhelmed is through the power of the Holy Spirit. Here are some more encounters:

· Need textbooks for many of the grades, but not enough money and not enough space to store the books if we have them. Children can’t take them home, as they have not much home… (no storage, it is damp, mud floors, etc.)

· Grades 6 and 7 are boarding at school so they can study more and prepare for high school entrance exams; they have classes each night from 7-10 – teachers take turns staying for these extra classes. Church is helping to buy food for them at night; some still need mattresses and mosquito nets, yesterday they were out of food, someone from church brought bananas.

· 9:45 a.m. Wednesday March 30- Went with Edith to visit home of Rogers, 8^th grade student; he has 3 brothers and sisters, and their grandfather, who was their guardian, died about 2 weeks ago, leaving them alone. An aunt came to stay with them, but has 4 children of her own, and is planning to go back to her home in a few more days – what to do with these 4 kids who now have no guardian? They have a pretty nice home, block with 4 rooms that belonged to the grandfather but now belongs to Rogers as the oldest child. Talked to the aunt about moving to Busia with her 4 chldren and taking care of her nieces and nephews – she is also a widow, and I think she might agree – planning to return and visit again. We would need to help with food each month. How much more can we commit to?

· March 31, Thursday afternoon 4:50 p.m. A tremendous feeling of the physical presence of the Holy Spirit – I talked to the high school students – there’s about 100 of them, and they have formed “Scripture Union” which is kind of a Bible/Christian club, they do ministry, learn skits/dramas, worship, etc. I explained to them the vision God has given me about 12 students being called and trained and sent out as missionaries. Told them it was not a job but a calling; they would not get rich; could not go to America; and may face danger. I don’t know who God will call and who will respond, but I know God has a plan for these kids

· April 1, Friday morning: Received call even before leaving for work at the school – it was headmaster, said that a child belonging to one of our primary teachers had died. He’s not sure of the cause, or details; I arrive at school and they tell me that the father (our teacher) needs help with burial, they can call him and tell him to come to school for the money – but he lives “far.” I tell them I will go and see him myself – but it’s more complicated than I thought. They arrange for me to go on a motorcycle – a car won’t make it down the little bush trails; but then need a 2^nd motorcycle because there’s only one student who knows where the teacher lives, so 4 of us set off on 2 motorcycles, going I don’t know where. It is about 25 minutes on the motorcycle, down tiny cow trails, very muddy, and slippery, after almost tipping over twice, I get off the motorbike and walk the remaining way. This is the one moment in time, and one incident I will remember forever. The baby is named Ben, and he died 24 hours ago. He was 4 weeks old. They have him lying on a mat on the dirt floor in a hut, he is wrapped in clean baby blanket, with a tiny cap on his head. He looks very peaceful and is beautiful, but on touching his forehead, he is very cold and still. No life. His grandmother sits nearby, quiet and greets me in her language. The mother kneels by the child, and is only able to say “Ben, Ben, Ben,” as she rocks in grief. There is nothing I can say. I hug her and she squeezes me tightly, as if she doesn’t want to let go, but then I leave to allow her to grieve in private.

On talking to the father, George, he said the baby became ill 3 days ago, and they took him to the hospital – they were told the baby was very sick, and “too sick” for them to help, but they gave him some pills. (I can’t imagine why they would give a 4-week old baby pills, but that is what I was told.) Ben did not improve, so they took him back to the hospital the following day, but he was sent home again. The next day (Thursday) he was worse, the mother started back to the hospital, but Ben died in her arms.

There was nothing I could say – should I protest the poor care the baby received, that would do no good, only make the parents feel bad that maybe they could have done more. Should I have reminded them that they could have asked my advice and help for the child, maybe they did not know I was in Busia. Should they have taken him to another hospital? Here in Uganda, it usually doesn’t matter, most of the care is the same no matter where you go – except sometimes people with money get faster care, better care, more medicines, and sometimes (as sad and unfair as it seems – a white face opens doors faster) - the possibility to put the child in the hospital. But none of those things matter now, because they have lost another child. In walking around their little compound where their hut is located, I see a small marked grave – Patrick – who died the same year he was born.

Where is God in all of this? He is here, and when I ask Him why – I don’t have a good answer. I know God though, that His ways are perfect and good, and that I trust Him no matter what happens. The parents are Christians, and I can assure them that they will see Ben again in heaven. I told them he was in heaven with Jesus, and with Richard.

· Today is Saturday, April 2, and a very exciting day because we have the first class of a new 2-year pastor training, that we have on DVDs from a local Bible college in Georgia; they provided free DVDs and materials to us, and what a blessing, so I am hearing the sound of the teaching, as about 30 pastors soak up this knowledge. We have to limit the pastors but hope to start more classes, and have native pastors trained to teach – need more facilitators and teachers… God, are you sending them?

· Monday, April 4 – I am mad, mad, mad. Yet I realize what I have just encountered is every day life for people in Uganda. I wanted to buy 1000 mosquito nets, and in searching for the best price, I found a good price, and agreed on the kind I wanted to buy, then when I checked on the nets as they were being delivered, I found some which were labeled “Not For Sale” meaning that some of the nets had been donated by other countries to be distributed free of charge. I was told these came from the “black market” – I just as quickly told the man to return them to the black market. It is frustrating and depressing and sad and it makes me want to do something, but I’m not sure what that is. I am learning more every day though about life in Uganda, and asking God to show me what it is I am supposed to be doing. I am encountering so many new things, that I know are not “new” things here in Uganda. But I feel I am being called to take a stand. Help me Lord to know exactly how to do that.

· I keep hearing the words “facilitation fee” – which is really just a nice word for bribery. Paying a fee to make things go smoother, quicker, get your paperwork to the top of the pile, get an official to handle your business first and without delay (and delays can mean several months just to get a signature). Lord, give me wisdom to know what to do. Sometimes there are legal fees, and I want to pay what is legally and rightfully due, but please don’t let me become a part of the system that seems so pervasive here, and almost expected.

As I have continued to pray to God, He continues to call me to this place – I will be here.

Dr. Brenda

Church in Busia, Uganda

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Comfort for Esther

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

My time in Uganda has been a mountain top experience. Each day brought new challenges that stretched me beyond my comfort zone. Each day ended with undeserving blessings beyond my comprehension.
I came to Uganda in an attempt to follow the example of Jesus by crossing the road to help someone in need. Here is a lesson I learned and will tattoo on my heart:
It is easy to cross the road but it is difficult to stay there unless you are totally dependent on God as your guide.
How many swollen little bellies did I exam this week? How many dirty little hands reached out for mine this week? How many precious heartbeats did I listen to this week? God created them all and the abundant love they are so eager to share is evident in their eyes and smile. Crossing the road enabled me to experience the sheer joy of little children who are content in all things. Oh to see the world through the eyes of a child….that is a renewed prayer of mine.

Tuesday, March 15
Everywhere we go in Uganda, we hear “Muzungu, Muzungu!” (white people). The children flock to see us and the adults crane their necks to look. In some cases it is because we are an oddity; in others cases, it is because we are rock stars! (or both!) But nowhere were we bigger celebrities than at the Mawero Calvary Baptist Church, sponsored by my extended Scroggs family! Two years ago, my family members all contributed to a fund to sponsor the first Helping Hands Foreign Missions church plant near Busia, Uganda, and my son Reed and I finally got to visit it ourselves! Pastor Douglas, his family and church leaders welcomed us warmly and expressed sincere gratitude all day long today!
We set up a medical clinic inside the church and treated about 130 people. After the clinic, we had a worship service led by Pastor Moses ,director of the Grace Baptist Association, Pastor Douglas of Mawero and Pastor Loren Hildebrant of Flat Creek Baptist church, my home church. After we left, the Ugandan pastors showed “ The Jesus Film” and had revival services. Throughout this wonderful day, dozens of Ugandans received salvation. Praise God!
The low point of the day was when a little boy, maybe 4 or 5, wandered up to the crowd with his baby brother on his back. Dr. Brenda thought he was an HIV baby, severely malnourished and dehydrated. We washed his eyes and put eye drops in them. Then she handed him to me to hold & try to rehydrate. I got a Nutri-grain bar & trail mix out of my backpack, mixed a bottle of Pedialyte & fed small bites & sips to the boys. After an hour or so, the baby was revived and both boys even sat up & smiled for me! What a blessing that was! Dr. Brenda and Pam stayed after we left and walked the Mawero neighborhood with some of the church men until they found the boys’ family and home. Dr. Brenda made provisions to make sure the boys would receive proper care.
What a day of blessings this certainly was!

Submitted by: Beth P. Suggs

God is so evident in the beauty of His creation.

Today I had the privilege to travel into Kenya with Joy Breedlove and pastor Moses. We visited and worshiped with the wonderful people at Nabwino Baptist Church. Pastor Rogers and his congregation were so gracious and accommodating. There were several pastors from neighboring churches there, and we just had fantastic time of fellowship. I had the honor of presenting the church with a brand new Honda generator from their sponsor family. They were overjoyed to receive this new ministry tool in an area far from electricity. In return the pastor's wife presented me with a live chicken! It was a little funny when she walked up to the van as we were about to leave and handed it in the window to me. It was calm until I got it. Apparently there is a correct way to hold a live chicken, I don't know. The whole community got a kick out of me and that chicken, wings flapping and feathers flying. It was a great day.

The drive into Kenya was beautiful. We drove through rolling hills planted in sugar cane, with mountains off in the distance. It was the picture I had imagined before ever visiting Africa. I just can't understand how people can be so blind to what is so evidently God. Please pray for the people of Kenya and Uganda and the many churches and pastors who give so much of themselves for the cause of Christ. God is working and Muslims are receiving Christ! Praise the Lord!!

Stan Bell

After the events of 3/14.

This is a record of my journal entry for this day. It is entitled "The beginning of the end".

Day 6 of the trip marked the beginning of the end. For me, it was day 7 of a week's worth of sleeplessness. Last night I didn't sleep at all. I got out of bed completely exhausted and not wanting to be here. In addition, I had become bitter and angry inside. The night before, I had ended my journal with the question, "God, what on earth am I doing here?" I had come to Uganda because I wanted to commune with God in a much deeper and more profound way. Thus far, I had only worked myself to the point of exhaustion and had yet to experience God in this place. Except on a few rare and brief occasions had I felt the Holy Spirit. I was becoming very angry on the inside, and most if not all of my anger was directed towards God. He had asked me to come to Uganda. I just assumed that He would be here, but as the days passed, it appeared that He wasn't going to show up. Even worse, He was allowing the devil to make my life a living hell. It was the beginning of the end.

Before we left this morning, my wife said a prayer over me asking God to give me strength. To be honest, I didn't even close my eyes in reverence. In my mind, I thought to myself, "Why bother? He isn't listening." Yet, deep down in the recesses of my being, there was still a faint glimmer of hope that God wasn't quite done with me. I had to believe that God was only preparing me for what He had planned since the beginning of time. It was the beginning of the end.

Truly, I had reached the end of myself. All that was left was the debased nature of my true self. All of the ugliness inside was beginning to bubble out. Up to this point, I had been operating under my own strength, and I was failing miserably. Once I had reached the end of myself, all that was left was a faint, fleeting glimmer of hope in God. Many times, I have heard my best friend say that when hope in man ends hope in God can finally begin. It was the beginning of the end.

My second patient of the day was a women and her seven year old daughter. They were both Muslim. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I was able to share the gospel message and lead them to Christ. About halfway through the morning clinic, I realized that I was not tired. At that very moment, it was as if God whispered into my ear, "My grace is sufficient for you." I fought back tears as I realized God's goodness and His love for me. After lunch, the pharmacy got backed up which was undoubtedly a God thing. Earlier in the morning, I had shared with Mike and Brenda that I thought that it would be great if one of the local pastors could present the gospel message to the crowd before clinic started and then again during lunch. It just seemed to me that this is what Jesus would do. I have subsequently learned that you don't recommend anything to Mike unless you are willing to do it yourself. During the lull, Mike came over and asked if I would speak to the crowd. Instantly, my heart began to pound in my chest, and my initial instinct was to say no. However, I knew deep down that this is not what Jesus would have done. Thus, I said yes. With the aid of an interpreter and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I shared the gospel message with those who were waiting to be seen. During the reciting of the Sinner's Prayer, many heads were bowed and lips moving. I do not know if anyone receive Christ during that occasion, but I do know that I was obedient to the call and that is all that really matters. Compared to the previous day, the clinic went very smoothly, that is until the very end. It was the beginning of the end.

My last patient of the day was a 4 yr old boy named Peter. I am not sure what is wrong with Peter, but whatever it is, it is really bad. I doubt that Peter will be in the world much longer. Peter had the most beautiful eyes and the most precious face. From the chest up, nothing appeared amiss. However, it was hard not to notice his abdomen which was massively distended with ascitic fluid. Instantly, my heart broke for this boy who seemed to be nearing the end of his life at the tender age of 4. It was only by the grace of God that I didn't completely lose it. We were able to arrange for some basic tests at one of the local hospitals, and hopefully, he will be back to clinic tomorrow. I would like to make sure that his eternal salvation is fixed for I would very much like to see him again on the other side. For him, I pray that this world will be the closest to hell that he ever gets. It was the beginning of the end.

I had reached the end of myself, and in that place I finally found God. It turns out that He had been waiting for me all along. If any good was done by me on this day, then all the glory has to go to God because it wasn't me but He that lives within me that was in control today. And I believe that this was the whole purpose of bringing me to the end of myself in the first place.

Brad Pierce, MD
Gainesville, GA

A Woman Named Ester

It has been an interesting but wonderful three days. I will share the highlights of each one with you.

On Saturday we had our first medical clinic in the bush. We arrived at the school around 9:00 am to find over 200 waiting to be seen. Many had the normal aches and pains resulting from the hard life they live here. There was a little girl who came to us with an abscessed cyst. Dr. Brenda and Mike drained it and put a dressing on it. She returned to our compound yesterday for a follow-up. Dr. Brenda found that it really wasn't that much better and it was too large for us to remove and she was sent to the hospital. The saddest case was a 67 year old woman named Ester. She was 67 years old, blind and had a prolapsed bladder. There was nothing we could do medically. One of our team members named Gabby couldn't just let her leave without trying to make her feel comfortable. As we watched Gabby and Pam wash her eyes, face, and her feet, it was amazing to see the expressions on her face. She had no shoes and her feet were in much need of attention. As it tells us in Matthew 25:40 "Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you have done to one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me." Well I can only say that Gabby and Pam washed the feet of Jesus.

During the clinic a few of the team members went out to evangelize in the community and more than 7 souls were saved. That ended a great day of work for the Lord.

Saturday, March 5, 2011: Food -or lack thereof-

Food –or lack thereof- was my stretch on our final day of clinic in the pygmy village of Nkwenda – we had finished seeing our last patient and had bought corn to distribute to the people of the village. As the pastor of the church began dipping out the corn, the people became more and more agitated, fearful that they would not receive their small portion of corn. As the tensions increased, we had the pastor take the bags of corn inside the small church building in order to better control the situation. But the people continued to push and shove, trying to get to the front of the crowd. I watched as women and small children stooped to pick up kernels of corn that had fallen to the ground. I had to ask God “why?” as I held back tears – tears for mothers who would put their children to bed hungry; tears for the pregnant women, who are bringing children into a world where they will not have enough food.

God has not answered me yet, at least not fully. He only tells me that I must continue taking His message to these people. The message of hope through Jesus Christ. It is hard to pray for the people and then drive away, knowing that we will eat a good supper, while these people whom I treated with various medicines today, will lie down with empty stomachs.

But…that is not the end of the story. God also told me not to focus on the physical condition of the people. There will always be poverty and hunger and death and illness and atrocities that occur and violence and abuse. Here on this earth, as long as Satan reigns, there will be sin and death. I cannot be overwhelmed by the physical suffering, or I will stop there, and try to fulfill all of those needs, while neglecting the reason we are here. The spiritual poverty must be our first priority.

That is why at every place we visited, every day of ministry, with every person we treated – we shared the story of Jesus. God has not forgotten the pygmies or all the people in these tiny remote villages, where witchcraft and voodoo hold sway. He has not forgotten them. He has sent us to proclaim the Good News; as we do this daily, we are reminded that you, as one of our supporters, are here with us and that you have made the way for us to assure the people of Africa that indeed – God loves them and is calling them into His Kingdom.

Tomorrow we leave early to return to Busia, Uganda, where we will have a few days of rest before welcoming our mission team of more than 20 people who are coming to serve the Lord with us. Goodbye for now from the fields that are white….

from Dr. Brenda in the Congo

Friday, March 4, 2011: No, we will not give you money (translation-corruption in Congo)

On the home stretch now, and we head toward 2 pygmy camps about 3 hours from Goma – with only 2 more ministry days, we are expecting these days to be the toughest. Along the way, we stop to buy some roasted corn on the cob, which was delicious (even as I swept aside thoughts of how it was prepared and that I could possibly get some dire stomach ailment from eating roadside food.)

Sitting in the back seat of the van, I watched with interest as our African brothers and sisters ate their corn – very slowly, one row at a time, making sure that each kernel of every row was eaten before starting on the next row. I don’t think it was so much them savoring the flavor of the corn as it was, that they are careful not to waste any bit of food that they are provided.

Just before entering the first pygmy village, we encounter another check-point – this time, all of the pastors who accompanied us (4 in all) got out of the van and went into the little security office. After about 30 minutes, everyone emerged and we continued on our way – the men had demanded money for us to proceed, our team refused and after some heated discussion, we were allowed to continue.

This simply astounds me despite the fact that it is not uncommon for us to encounter bribery situations. I cannot fathom how officials, who can personally see the poverty and devastation in their country, can demand money from people who are only coming to serve the people freely. I am continually reminded that wherever God’s work is taking place, Satan is working just as hard to destroy the work and to destroy lives. Satan is hard at work in the Congo but I am assured, and I know whom I have believed – God is greater.

Arriving at the first village of Burayi, we quickly set up clinic and get started – the people have been waiting for us for months (since last October when we promised them we would return.)

The pygmies are one of the shunned people groups of the world – in the DRC, they are huddled into small villages (called ‘camps’) where they are almost cut off from the outside world. In Burayi, the majority of the children do not attend school (located several kilometers away)- they are "chased away" due to lack of school fees. So they end up working in the fields to get food. I am surprised that the camp is so clean – there is no clean water, little food, no electricity or running water – but the camp is very neat and orderly – no huge piles of trash that I am accustomed to seeing in Uganda and other countries where we work.

The church that was begun in October 2010 is struggling but going on. The pastor is faithful, and travels on foot 13 kilometers several times weekly to have church services and to minister to the people. One problem is that the “officials” (people who decide they are leaders of the camp) want to be in charge. The church has service in a small building that was loaned by the pygmies and thus these self-appointed leaders feel they have the right to dictate what goes on. We are praying for land very near to the camp where we can build our own building and where the church can operate without pressure from the officials. We are also praying that the church body can begin a school for the pygmy children.

There are still larger numbers of pygmies who live even further out in the bush – a few of them have come to the clinic today, but the majority of them are born, live, and die in the bush. Those are the people we need to go and see. We will have to return another day.

From Dr. Brenda in the Congo

Receiving a portion of maize (corn) that we distributed at the camp


We saw many, many large swollen stomachs - the effects of malnutrition and parasitic infections


Beautiful pygmy children





Happiness is sharing Jesus with the world!