Last Sunday I preached for the Sunday morning services at the tent church here in Kampala. The tent church was packed—not because I was preaching but because the service also included a wedding. In the picture you see Pastor Charles Bemeka translating my sermon into the local language. (Yes, the official language in English, but most are more comfortable in Luganda.)
I really have enjoyed the fresh air setting—until yesterday morning, when we arrived for TEE (Theological Education by Extension) in the heavy rain—and the water was flowing though the church. (Reminded me of the days we used to go tent camping.)
The subject for the TEE session these last two days was “Law and Gospel.” I spent quite a bit of time reworking a class that I taught at Redeemer last year. Most of these men are preaching in their congregations so it is important that they faithfully proclaim God’s word. I did some lecturing and also had them work in small groups identifying law and gospel in upcoming Sunday lessons, with the admonition that you cannot have a real sermon without Gospel!
We will leave at 7 in the morning with the Gillards to drive 3½ hours to the Masindi area to conduct Sunday services. I will be officiating at Holy Communion, and likely doing some baptisms and confirmations at the church in Masindi, while Pastor Gillard will continue on to do the same at a church five miles away. These are things they need an ordained pastor to do. We will stay in that area for the next 3 days. On Monday we will link up with the “Missions Made Possible” group from Minnesota, helping them as we can with their eyeglass clinic and VBS. On Tuesday we will join some of them on safari in Murchison Falls National Park. We will let you know what we see. Then we will return to Kampala on Wednesday. The Gillards will host the group on Wednesday evening. Rumor has it that we will have roast goat! (The goat was a gift to Pastor Gillard and it has been grazing at the LCMU headquarters blissfully unaware of its big day.)
We are thankful that things have been very quiet here in Kampala the last week and we expect that to continue. We did have a chance to call and wish my parents a happy 61st wedding anniversary today. And just to clarify, in case anyone has gotten the wrong idea from Jolene’s last post, she has actually only had one motorcycle ride—and I expect that will be all!
Thanks to all for your continued prayers. We will have lots more to share when we get home.
Hi Jim and Jolene.
They say it’s 22 or 23 days since we last saw any so the count is on. The weather has been warm. We’re getting our summer – low 80s and high 70s but beautiful as our Lord always provides for us.
We have been having wonderful weather here in MN. We could use some of that rain you had!!
Bill saw Pastor Otte yesterday morning. He gave Bill a thumbs up sign as he could not talk yet – he had a trach in as they are taking that out slowly so his throat does not close up as it is prone to do after a breathing tube is extracted. He was in good spirits. The surgery was successful. God is good!
Jolene, Twins are 3 games out of first and we play Tigers next two games and then KC for three games. KC has been a spoiler for the White Sox who are now 6 games out (my bill is sad!). Hope KC doesn’t work it’s magic over the Twins. Twins haven’t lost a game since Justin M got injured and is out for season. Hope all my facts are correct! ha
May the Lord continue to bless your days!