VIRTUAL MISSIONARY - EIM

Home again

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:57:05 -0700

It’s always strange to return to “normal life” after a missions trip, but particularly so, after a trip like this. At first it seemed all people asked about and all I talked about was the accident, but as that “novelty” fades, I am glad to be able to push it to the back of my mind and allow the incredible experiences that made up the rest of the trip, to come to the forefront. For the EIM team this trip was packed with learning, growing, and stretching resulting from a lot of “firsts”. Partnering with an organization like Teen Mania, going up into Gulu to work with Village of Hope, hosting a group of 70 young people- they were all fantastic learning experiences, and ones we will draw on to change and expand how we do ministry in East Africa.
I am sure we each have our own favorite moments from the trip, probably all widely varied,but mine was being immersed in the IDP (indigenous displaced people) camps in Gulu. Nothing excites me more than when incredible ministry happens amidst the simplicity of just “existing together”. When there are no fancy banners or books, or stages with lights. Just people and God, interacting, dancing, laughing, playing. When we stop pushing so hard to achieve a goal and just let God poor His love through us, there is simply nothing better. And that is exactly what happened in Gulu. I will never forget it.
It is wonderful to be home, with family and familiar things. But, God willing, we will soon begin preparing for another trip and more amazing ministry. Thank you to everyone who helped make this trip possible, you are a true blessing!

-Sarah

last day in Uganda

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:05:13 -0700

Saturday night- 10:30pm, and we’re dancing and singing with the students of Uganda Christian University(UCU)...carefully of course- given our bruises and hurt muscles from the accident. Sadly, we have to be up at 2am to leave Kampala for the airport and this is our last opportunity to share time with our beloved Ugandan students rejoicing in the goodness of God. This celebration is called “Megafest 08” and is put on by Ggaba Community Church, one of our partners in ministry. It’s the first time UCU has allowed a festival of this type, as it is an anglican university with very strict limits on the type of events it allows. The lord has paved the way for sure, and we are there to praise Him for that. Garrett and I bounce around the room with the media team from UCU, sharing photo spots and video footage. We do not even need to talk, it just takes the wave of a hand and a smile to communicate “this is a great spot, come share it with me, we are a team”. And the smiles tell us they agree. John speaks to the group of nearly 2,000, giving his famous “soccer ball” sermon, my personal favorite. The “amens” and “halleluias” tell us that the students are really getting it and the response to the alter call confirms it further. I could not have asked for a better end to our trip, this is what ministry is all about, a message of TRUTH, a deep UNDERSTANDING, a joyous CELEBRATION, and a changed LIFE.
Amen
-Sarah

A message from John

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:26:46 -0700

Shaken, but not defeated!
As you can see by the pictures, we have been spending a lot of time praising the Lord for His protection, His mercy and His provision. The fact that I can write to you today with all my limbs in tact is a gift from God.
On Thursday, we where heading back to Kampala down a narrow gravel road just outside the town of Musindi. Our driver put on His brakes to slow down for a guard crossing and began to slide. In an effort to miss a culvert, he over-steered and our van rolled.
Dave got many cuts from the glass on his left arm and Sarah and I are pretty sore from the experience, but all things considered, we feel very fortunate. We were treated and released at the local medical clinic, but will each need to get “check-out” more completely when we get home.
An event like this can “shake you up” and if the Enemy had his way, would instill fear and discouragement into the lives of the team and those who support them. But as we face circumstances of such intensity, we are not defeated, but strengthened by the knowledge that God has more work for us to do here in Uganda and at home.
Finally brothers & sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. -Philippians 4:8
Thank you for standing in the gap with us as we move ahead in service to our King!
-John

Safari

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:42:37 -0700

The safari is best described in pictures- check out the “Photo Blog”

Van trouble

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:09:04 -0700

Traveling from Gulu to Paraa Lodge turned from a simple three hour drive into quite an adventure (as often happens in Uganda). Our van began having trouble only about 40 minutes outside of Gulu. We managed to pull off at a wildlife station (remember this is Uganda, this was no American wildlife station) and Garrett and John went to work on the engine while Lance and I played soccer with a young girl who lives there, and Dave and Alfred (our Ugandan friend) chatted with the men. With the problem not solved but determination getting the better of us, we decided to try to drive to the entrance of the game park and radio for a jeep from the lodge to come pick us up. Only about 10 minutes down the road, the van quit completely. Thankfully, a group of truck drivers stopped to help. They decided it was a blocked fuel pump, flushed it out, and after about an hour, sent us on our way. The van quit again about 100 meters from the front entrance to the game park. More mechanics trying to figure out the problem, but no luck. Sooooo... a group of rangers graciously gave Lance, John, Garrett, and I a ride to the lodge, in the back of their truck while Dave and Alfred stayed with the van. On the way, we had our own mini safari including giraffes! When we arrived at the lodge we were checking in and here come Dave and Alfred! They managed to drive the van the 45 kilometers from the gate to the lodge, with a damaged transmission and a broken fuel pump- NOT an easy task. So needless to say, we are hoping that the van is fixed by this afternoon so we can drive back down to Kampala. But if we get stuck and have to spend another night at the lodge, I don’t think anyone would complain!
-Sarah