Some of you all have heard us talk about “LIVING THE DREAM!” We got challenged right before leaving for Uganda that we are amongst the most privileged for we were about to begin living the dream God gave us. At the heart of that dream God laid before us was the training pastoral leadership in Africa. This last Saturday, we began a preliminary training program with five Ugandan pastors! We turned to each other on the way home and realized that this is exactly the dream God gave to us and we are indeed living it out in reality! Hallelujah! Praise God Forever! Jesus has been so kind to us and our team to allow so much to happen in such a short amount of time.
You have heard us discuss the pastoral possibilities in Nebbi and many of you have been praying for God’s unfolding of His divine plan and timetable for working with that cluster of churches that have expressed interest in pastoral training. Jesus led our team to begin working with several of the key church leaders, particularly guiding them through our pastoral manual. The purpose is two fold; one to introduce them to a clearer picture of who we are as Africa Gospel Church. It also acts as a natural discipling tool. Thus while we are not calling Nebbi an official training site (as AGC already has in other areas of Uganda), we are taking those initial steps.
Saturday began with an hour drive south down to Nebbi town. There we were welcomed by the senior pastor, Cosmas and several of his staff. We began with a devotional and then jumped into the nature of God; first Jesus followed by the Father. We broke for lunch together and then closed with a session on the Holy Spirit. Sitting around with Cosmas, Benson, Andrew, John Kennedy, and John (the translator) we really believe Jesus himself sat with us. Their questions were real and their hearts were open. We cannot thank Jesus enough for the opportunity. They invited our team to return July 7th so please continue praying.
You have heard us discuss the pastoral possibilities in Nebbi and many of you have been praying for God’s unfolding of His divine plan and timetable for working with that cluster of churches that have expressed interest in pastoral training. Jesus led our team to begin working with several of the key church leaders, particularly guiding them through our pastoral manual. The purpose is two fold; one to introduce them to a clearer picture of who we are as Africa Gospel Church. It also acts as a natural discipling tool. Thus while we are not calling Nebbi an official training site (as AGC already has in other areas of Uganda), we are taking those initial steps.
Saturday began with an hour drive south down to Nebbi town. There we were welcomed by the senior pastor, Cosmas and several of his staff. We began with a devotional and then jumped into the nature of God; first Jesus followed by the Father. We broke for lunch together and then closed with a session on the Holy Spirit. Sitting around with Cosmas, Benson, Andrew, John Kennedy, and John (the translator) we really believe Jesus himself sat with us. Their questions were real and their hearts were open. We cannot thank Jesus enough for the opportunity. They invited our team to return July 7th so please continue praying.
Amidst such joys as teaching, there are always “African experiences. We currently have two volunteers, Angela and Amber staying with us. They have been a blessing and it has been fun having them alongside. Two days ago we had a heavy rain and that night the white ants came out in droves. We don’t know how to relay the experience of catching white ants unless you compare it to kids chasing/catching fireflies after the Sunday school evening picnic. Amber and Angela courageous volunteered to help Dennis 
(our evening guard) capture as many as they could. Amber fried them up last night and honestly we found them best with a little popcorn salt:) Happy Africa!We want you to know that your Prayers are NOT in vain. Thank you so much for your sacrifice and time in prayer – God is at work in northern Uganda and attribute that to your labor. Joanna and baby are doing well – thank you for all your prayers and love. Hallelujah! Praise God Forever!
P.S. When you come to visit, fried ants are optional:)
8 comments:
Bring on the ants! I'm so encouraged to hear the way that God is using you all, it helps me push through with this summer class. You all have been on my heart the past couple of days since we ran into Ben and Catherine Orsborne by chance in Ohio. You're in our thoughts and prayers always.
I miss the days in Kenya when we used catch and eat fried ants.Wish I were there to fry them up with you. :)
Noooooooooo! And the envy continues!
Try them raw...they're really not that bad. Like Mayo says, "bite them before they bite you."
Hey! Seeing your pics of Africa makes us miss it. I thought I saw Brent Duncan in one of your pictures too? Blessings on your ministry there! We are living in Qatar now. David is Network Administrator at an International School and I am home with our 2 sweet girls. It's all an adventure that we are enjoying. Fun finding your blog!
Oh, I wanted to tell you that I have a blog too....www.xanga.com/libbybeaty
Billy,I sent you a note but have not heard from you. Do I have a correct email for you? Dr. Joel Allen is coming to Uganda and wants to contact you. The web site did not show how to contact you. Could that be listed on the web site.
thanks for the journal. A quick one line reminder to read the journal would be helpful to those on your email list.
thanks. Russell Williams
hiiiiiii, joanna and billy! this is sarah (bond) wyche from asbury wgm. found you through cydil's blog. it's so great to see you guys married and missioning!
live the dream baby! that's so great; God is great and God is good; thanks for being living testimonies of obeying God's dream for your lives; one of the old people we studied in seminary said something like, "The glory of God is man fully alive." You guys are fully alive in your calling and it glorifies God. Praise Him. Peace out.
-Jesse "the Juggler" Joyner (aka "The Body")
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