It is Human Nature but why……!?!?!?!?!?!?........................................

Two hundred people. Children, teenagers, and adults alike are pushed up against each other in what is supposed to be a nice, orderly line. They are striving (rather ferociously) to get closer to Henry & ACF Team towards the ultimate prize, a simple Christmas gift. It wasn't so much to me but to them it was Christmas LUWOMBO (Read Buffet), just a plastic bag filled with some candy, biscuits (a.k.a. cookies), Clothes, scholastic materials, yet these bags were the reason for the riot.

Ridiculous.

A plastic bag containing sugary treats, clothes and other assorted items.

That's it?!

These people would do anything to receive one (or more) bag. Their desire for this gift burned so strongly that they only thought about themselves. All the pushing, shoving, and meanness because of selfish greed. Even though I can understand the desperation of so many there which fueled the greed, I still found it shocking and saddening.

Back home, in Kampala, such a gift wouldn't have caused such chaotic commotion. If I had their life, though, how would I act? I'd like to think that I would be more civilized and considerate of others by not trampling them over, but, to be honest, I doubt that. My actions would probably be no better than those they had executed.

Whether African, American, or any other nationality, we're all humans. When we desperately need or want something, myself usually comes before others. Selfishness and greediness drive us until we get that something.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

~ Philippians 2:3-4
Since it's human nature to be self-centered, it seems impossible at times to live out this verse. Numerous circumstances have occurred where I acted selfishly. It's impossible for me to look to the interests of others through my own determination and strength. I am weak. So why would Paul have written these words if it's impossible? ...the Spirit helps us in our weakness...

~ Romans 8:26

The Lord says,

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness."

~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
Basically, it's only through Him that I can be transformed and produce good fruit, such as goodness, kindness, patience, etc. He is the answer. Simple as that. Irene

MAMBO SAWA SAWA……………………………….....

"The Lord is compassionate, and when you cry to him for help, he will answer you. The Lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him anymore. If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, ‘Here is the road. Follow it'" (Isaiah 30:19b-21).

I don't know how better to explain my current mindset then this passage. I must admit that this time is whirl wind of redemption and hard lessons learned. I have surrendered the expectation that my time in ACF as a Team Leader will be a "walk in the park". I see the lessons that God is teaching me and I know that in this time I will be completely transformed. I am really starting to understand 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 which says:

"My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak. I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong"

I am content with this time of hardship right now because I know that God is at work and that He is using this time to teach me to live a life of whole- hearted satisfaction of His will. I have found that daily, I cry out to God for guidance and in trusting Him, He has revealed to me some pretty awesome things and He has shown me that He is behind me always ready to guide me back onto the right path. He is a compassionate God and in all my times of hardship I am learning to trust that He is always there and He is always working.

Our ministry here has taken a new turn. God is opening up all these really awesome ministry opportunities for my team. I don't know if you all got my prayer request but if you didn't I can send them to you and you will understand a little bit better of what's going on and how much of a blessing this is to my team. We have been hanging out with some really awesome kids in Kumi throughout the Christmas season; back in Kampala we are going to be doing community outreach ministry with an organization that is sponsored by the Area Member of Parliament that I can't even put into words how amazing it is. It is called LUNDA FOUNDATION and they have a school, they work with widows, they teach women crafts skills. These are just a few things that God has put in our path and I am excited to see our ministry really exploding. Already I am being reminded everyday of the joy of serving and loving God's people and I can only see it getting better and better.

So . . . I guess the point that I want to make is that Mambo Sawa Sawa (Things are better) and they are getting better. They are a little tough right now, but I know that God is working and I have a little more hope and trust in the Him every day. Henry

2009 Mission Experience.................................

Asio Helen is a medium bodied young woman, with a fair complexion; she is one of the beneficiaries of child headed families sponsored by African Christian Fellowship in Kumi district of Uganda.

Asio’s parents died of HIV and she now looks after her four siblings. Her two siblings are HIV positive and so is her nephew. She now has a baby after being defiled at a tender age of 16.

All the six family members live in a tinny grass thatched house measuring to 1X1 metre on a small piece of land that was left by Asio’s deceased parents. On the inside, the walls of this house are lined with newspapers and cut out pictures of musicians, quite typical of teenagers. The house boasts of a small old looking mattress which seems to be their beddings.

As a child mother and a bread winner for six, she had a big family and at times was hard, having two meals a day was luxurious; they had only enough for a meal and that is when they got it.
This compromised her health with the HIV status and that of her siblings, it imperative that one feeds well as a way of boosting their immunity and preventing susceptibility to optimistic infections.
But as luck would have it, African Christian Fellowship adopted the whole family and started educating and providing some basic needs to this whole family.
Asio’s health then changed. She was given a sewing machine by African Christian Fellowship as part of the organization’s strategy to keep people out of poverty by providing small recyclable loans. Asio was enrolled for a tailoring course at Kumi tailoring School and she was given a free sewing machine on completion of her course. She had earlier demonstrated to ACF missions her tailoring skills, and she had her designs, a red and black eye catching out fit she had made for her customer.

“I now have a contract with a school in my area, I’m making school uniforms for them with this machine” She says, “I’m very happy that ACF sponsored my tailoring course and provided me with this machine and materials on completion of my course” she added, “I manage to feed my family and I hope to expand my business God willing”
“I teach my siblings and their friends to tailor; many youths in this village come here just to learn that” She does not charge any money though, she gives skills away freely, giving as she was given with the hope that one day her business would flourish and her siblings will have better life, one of not worrying about their school fees or the day’s meals.

We appreciate your partnership that is making so much difference already. You have already changed someone’s life today with that gift of love that you are giving. There is nothing that is small to change a life in Uganda.
There are many people here like Helen who needs our help. Help DONATE so that we can reach and help more.

2009 ACF December Missions........................

Here is the journey for our 2009 ACF December missions. enjoy.

By 6:00 am, we were ready to go.

Sarah and Phiona ready to go.

We made a hot meal to the orphans.

We preached in the market place.

He accepted Christ.

She took Jesus to be her personal Saviour.

Children had Fun during their Break time.

MY THOUGHTS………………………………..

Oh Kumi!!... This place is definitely changing me, but it's so hard to sit down and decide what to write about. Maybe since I haven't written in a while has something to do with the fact that I have no idea what to write about now. I love to tell my stories, but I think for the first time in a while as I look back on our time in Kumi, I have no idea where to begin. It's almost like I feel the need to recap everything, but you guys may just need to wait until I get home to hear all about our time in Kumi (it was a sweet time too), because I want to try something new.

Ezra, Henry and Eddy doing door to door Evangelism.

Often time with blogs, the need to update and tell specific stories overwhelms me. I love to write, but sometimes I just want to open up and rather than tell you my stories of ministry, tell you about where I am...right now. This may be a one-time thing, but I promise, more stories will come.

I've been battling a lot with God about this idea of faith. I understand the definition in Hebrews that says faith is, "the assurance of things hoped for and the certainty of things not yet seen." In Africa it's almost easier to be certain about things not yet seen, because our people rely on the miraculous daily, and often we get to experience that. On the other hand, it's very hard to have faith that God genuinely cares about the things we hope for. God is so big, why would He waste His time providing the little things for me that have little to no effect on anyone else? I keep my fingers crossed that God will allow these things to happen, but have very little faith that He actually cares about them.

It's funny to hear the very words that I spoke to someone else come back to me just a short time later. As I fought with God about how I didn't see Him as caring about the things that I want or long for, I was rocked by the power of His pursuit. Just because things don't work out exactly the way I plan or even the way I feel like God is leading me, doesn't mean He's no longer pursuing me, or that He has taken a day off. I was sitting in Kumi PAG Church one morning during our December missions and was nearly brought to tears as I listened to the women's choir sing praises in a language that I don't even understand. It was at the point that I heard the whisper say, "I'm still here, and I want to show you my love.

God pursues me. He pursues all of His children. I get this picture of a man pursuing his bride with all that he has, caring more for her wants than his, but rather than roses and fancy dates, God pursues me with a purpose and a vision for my life. Even my deepest longings pale in comparison to the plan that He has for me and that blows my mind. Who am I that He would find me worthy to chase after? I do mean "chase after" too because I'm stubborn and often times my ideas sound really good and He can't possibly know me better than I know myself...right? My life would be a lot more boring if that were true.
So this morning I was blindsided by the pursuit of God as He allowed me to pray healing over an entire congregation and some were actually healed physically. There are many more that I know are going through spiritual and emotional healing even now and I cannot wait to celebrate when they walk into complete healing. How can I walk into a church building battling with God and a couple of hours later be used to bring healing to His people? I guess I'm beginning to see how little this thing has to do with me but how much God still longs to use me.

Don't doubt God's pursuit of you. You don't have to be the one that does all the chasing because He's the one running after you. Just be willing to give up your own chase and be overtaken by His, because His is so much more exciting.................   Ezra

Receiving……………………………………….

When it comes to love languages, ‘gifts' are high on my list. I am a giver. It fills me up, gives me joy, and makes others feel loved. But this trip has taught me something about that concept. When you no longer have the resource you are used to, your languages change. And for me, it has not been easy. Sometimes the simple lack of common resource causes some serious emotions to run...

I am the girl who randomly sees something, which makes a person come to mind, and before you know it, that person is getting a random little something-or-other. I am the girl that goes to Target (Ohhh how I miss thee) and stands in the card isle for an hour one random day after work just to find a pick-me-up for a friend who is having a rough week. I am the girl who goes to dinner or coffee with a friend, and before you know it, I've already slipped my card to pay.


At least this is the girl I was up until 223 days ago when I said goodbye to all I knew as me.


Today I am not that girl, but I so badly want to be. Instead I am out of resources. In English, this translates to I'm broke.


Being broke means one of three things. You either ask for help, accept generosity, or go without.

To be brutally honest, I'm not good at any of these options. When it comes to asking for help, I feel guilty. I don't want to ask to borrow it, because I don't have it to pay back. I don't want to ask to have it, cause then I feel like I'm using you. I struggle with accepting generosity the most. I don't want to feel like I am a charity case, or incapable on my own. I don't want to feel like secretly there is a tab somewhere. I just don't like it, and I suck at it. And lets be honest, going without, it's not fun. Period. And I don't mean like going without that extra tee shirt, or that ice cream sundae. Those I can do without, no problem. It's the times where you have to really judge, can I afford to go to the Dead Sea today, or will I need that money for shampoo next week? Or what about when meals seem to become optional, because my mission-given food budget of 3,000 Shillings a day just isn't enough. It's the times like these where I sit down and just want to cry


But I'm learning. I'm learning to receive from others. It's almost a daily occurrence, and there has yet to be an instance where it was easy in my heart. So be it the snack that was bought for me at the grocery store today, or the day of sightseeing last weekend, I'm learning to receive.


I think this is a lesson from Him, but really, I'd prefer a few bucks and a lesson, not just the lesson....


To those that have given to me financially, both personally and towards my mission funding, thank you!  Irene

Twenty something………………………………………

There's a gap, and I'm in it. It's called being a twenty-something. I'm "excluded" from the youth because I'm too old, yet I am excluded from certain bible study groups because I am not married. Where do I fit in!? Where is my place in the church – what is there for my generation and I? It's about more than fitting in...it's about bringing the twenty-some things back to church – what is left of the church. It's about BEING church rather than DOING church. It's about rising up and bridging the gap that is in the church. The gap that is keeping MY generation out of the church and a deeper, personal relationship with HIM, whether they know it or not.

Twenty something's are walking away from their beliefs and what they grew up knowing. Men have few men to look up to and women look in all the wrong places because women are too busy to mentor the younger generations. The following passage struck me all year in a new way. What would happen if we started to LIVE this rather than just read it?

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled,

and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live,

not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,

to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind,

and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech

that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed

because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything,

to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them,

but to show that they can be fully trusted,

so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,

and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

while we wait for the blessed hope-

the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness

and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

These, then, are the things you should teach.

 

Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

God wants us to grow and be passionate about HIM. He desires us to be mentored and to mentor. He longs for us to seek Him with all of our heart. He wants everything we have and more...yet I continually feel like I have no place in my church to turn. I have God, and He is everything to me, yet the relationships and discipleship is lacking.


Author Michael Tummillo states "one thing that seems to make the greatest difference in the lives of young people, it's the amount of TIME we are willing to invest in them. To the human mind, love itself may as well be spelled T-I-M-E." I have to agree with this statement. I am a relational person, and I believe that most twentysomethings just want someone, rather than something, to invest in them! Relationships are needed everywhere.

Throughout my journey, I have come to realize I am not alone on this quest. There are Bible-believing Christians my age who are passionate about God and stand firm on the truth! There are Christian twenty-somethings, married or single, who are seeking a place to be real, genuine, deep, vulnerable and passionate. There are twentysomethings who are willing to continue to attend church even though it may appear they are alone!


This has become a passion deep inside of me. To see my generation rise up...not just those that went on the World Race. Not just those from the Western World. I saw it all over the world. In most places, there's a gap in the church. Youth finish High School, youth groups and camp programs and start asking "what is there for me – where do I belong?" They want more, yet feel as though there is nothing offered for them, and if there IS something being offered, it is at a level that doesn't challenge them. I can't speak for all of us, but I want to be challenged and grow in my faith. To dig and dive deeper and fall madly in love with God more and more with each passing day. In order to be a mentor, I would love to have a mentor, someone willing to invest in me the way I long to invest in the needs of others around the world!


Maybe I am just looking in the wrong places. Maybe I just come from a small town and don't have the same options that a big church or city has to offer. But should it matter? Does size make a difference to God!? Regardless of where we come from, what we do or where we attend, we are to walk in faith and make a difference in our world. We are ALL His children. We are getting LOST in this world and most people older than us don't see it or won't do a thing about it. It's MY generation that is leaving church and searching for God knows what because they aren't finding it at church...or because they feel like there is nothing for them so they need to go elsewhere.


This passion and desire to bring my generation back to the church – specifically back to the cross, has become more real with each passing day. Over a year ago, God put on my heart the vision of opening ACF Reach One Campaign Kampala (ACF ROCK). As I traveled around the country last year, my heart broke in each district, yet continued to break for MY people back home who are apathetic and lost, starving for the things of this world rather than being hungry for God.

This vision and passion expands beyond what I can see. Over the last few months, I have heard countless stories and seen many examples of needs here in Uganda and around the world. The World Cup Games are just around the corner, and prostitution is alive and active in South Africa, yet very little is being done about it. It's being promoted and advertised as a "benefit" to the games, attracting people from around the globe. Articles are being written on how to "protect" the prostitutes and Gay People. How this even began to make sense is beyond me. This is MY Country. These are MY people. I saw the hope lost in these girls in Kibera Slum in Kenya – yet we are allowing it to enter our nation and take away our purity.

When are we going to RISE UP and take action to the things around us as they really are? We are paranoid about germs, yet look beyond the needs and diseases taking the lives of thousands around the globe – TB, Aids, HIV, starvation. When will it end!? My heart is broken, and I am crying out for my nation, my peers, fellow believers, to RISE UP and take action. Don't just say there's a problem – do something about it. We need to stop doing church and start being church, and church is wherever we make it. It is a body of believers.



I am tired of hearing the complaints of my church, my town, my country and this world without any hopes or suggestions of doing anything about it. We (ACF Uganda), have a passion to change this world one person at a time, using the voices God gave to us, to spread love, hope, joy and peace. I might be one person. I might be small. I may not be rich. But I have a heart. I have a dream. I have a vision. I have a passion – and that is for Christ. He changed my life. He can change yours too. It starts with ONE...are you it! Henry

Who do you think you are???????????????????

You may be asking, "Who do you think you are?!?! What makes you think you can have an impact like that? You are only a small group." Well, I'm glad you asked me that question! ;D ;D I'll be more than happy to answer it for you!

2006 December ACF missions Team.

Since 2006, ACF Uganda and ACF USA have been angaged in august and December missions. Our first December missions trip in 2005 and 2006 were an eye opener to the rising needs of northeastern child headed families. Up to today we still carry on with the work that the lord has called us to do.

Catherine attending to Kumi children

We've been commissioned by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords as His Ambassadors. We have full diplomatic authority and immunity. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 (AMP)
We have the power of the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwelling within us, and our steps are ordered by God, Himself.

We are the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth. We are like a city set on a hill and the Light of god that shines forth from us cannot be hidden
We are assisted by a host of angels that were given to minister to and for us as heirs of salvation, and they harken to the Word of God that we speak forth to perform it!
The favor of God goes forth before us and surrounds us like a shield, and no weapon formed against us shall prosper.

The enemy that comes in against us one way will have to flee against us in seven different directions!
We are spiritually minded which brings life, not carnally or fleshly minded which brings death.
Our very feet are anointed because we bring the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Faith it is.............................

Wow! The day is quickly approaching that we've (ACF Uganda) been waiting for so long. In few days from the moment that I'm writing this post we'll be on a Bus to Kumi! God is SOOOO FAITHFUL and SOOOO AWESOME! A big thank you to all of you who helped in sorting out the donations last weekend.

It has always been amazing to me as I have watched God work throughout my life. We as Christians, especially those of us who label ourselves "Word of Faith" people, are such a funny group. Let me explain what I mean. We sense a call of God on our lives to do something. We determine to do it. Then we try to "figure out" how God is going to make it happen. We have our own ideas of when finances should come in and how finances should come in. (I know...for you English majors...dangling prepositions...) When it doesn't happen the way we think it should happen we start to get a little nervous...BUT, we're "WORD" people, so we can't say we're nervous :-D. We might even begin to doubt that we heard the Lord clearly when we felt the call to do something--in this case that something would be going on this mission trip.

But the funny thing about doing something by faith is that...well, it requires stepping out in faith! The writer of Hebrews says it like this in Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him..." (AMP) Throughout the Bible we're given examples of people who stepped out in faith and accomplished great things. As we read Hebrews 11 in it's entirety we see what is commonly referred to as the Great Hall of Faith in our Word circle. Starting with Abel we are reminded of those great men and women of God who trusted God even when the circumstances didn't look favorable.

When the Lord gave Joshua the command to cross the Jordan river to "attack" Jericho the river was in its flood stage. Let's look at the story. It's in Joshua 3:

13When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord of all the earth shall rest in the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan coming down from above shall be cut off and they shall stand in one heap.
14So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people,
15And when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were in the brink of the water--for the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest-- (AMP)

I want to point something out that most of you have already seen or been taught, but sometimes we need to be reminded. The Lord didn't promise that He'd part the Jordan BEFORE they stepped foot into it. In fact, He'd told Joshua, "When the soles of the feet of the priests...shall rest in the Jordan, the waters...shall be cut off..." They had to, by faith, step into a FLOOD-SWOLLEN river before they saw the promise of God manifest.

Sometimes when we step out in faith it may feel like we're stepping into flood waters. And sometimes it doesn't look like the waters are parting very quickly...But He is faithful who has promised! Hebrews 6:12 tells us that those who inherit the promises of God only do so "through faith and patience." Verse 11 says that we are to "shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end."

I have to admit, there have been times over the last several months that my faith has been stretched. It's had to go through a growth process...and one day I’m believing that my Father will be able to look at me and say, "you of GREAT FAITH." But in the meantime, I'll endure the "growing pains" that sometimes accompany growth of any kind.

I want to encourage all of my readers, those who are part of our mission team and those who are working on "Faith Projects" of another kind. 2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." God wants to prove himself strong on your behalf!

Now don't get all nervous about the word perfect. It is translated from the Hebrew word shalem (Strong's #8003) which has several definitions. The one that I like is this: "complete (of keeping covenant relation)." Those of you who are Valley Word family know all about covenant relationship, because we are covenant people. What the writer of 2 Chronicles was saying is that the Lord wants to prove himself strong on the behalf of those who have and keep a covenant relationship with him. I know that includes me!

So, all you covenant people...BE ENCOURAGED! God isn't late, broke, or forgetful! "But let patience [Remember Hebrews 6:11?] have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." ~James 1:4 (Perfect here is the Greek word teleios (Strong's #5046), which means "wanting nothing necessary to completeness.") The prophets have declared 2010 to be The Year of the Open Doors. Get ready to walk through it and inherit all of the covenant promises of God!
It may seem to some that I've rambled a bit, but I have to believe that I've written what the Holy Spirit was leading me to write. Grace and Peace to all. May God Bless you abundantly.

Container Cleared in Uganda...................

The community helped us to offload the container. They call us young millionaires and YES WE ARE!!!! We are proud of that. Who are we lord???????????????

What's your passion? How are you gifted for mission? Whether it's business, youth, education, medical work, or media and arts, ACF Uganda has a job for you to do! Join missions today.

Cathy, Grace and Irene help out parking the donations at our offices.

We loaded the garage and our office space to full capacity. Thank you lord for this kind of provision. You never cease to amaze us. You're a wonderful God.

All this is for Africa!!!!! Thank you very much for all of you who contributed financially, material support and prayers. Most of all, thank you EQUITABLE RESOURCES and staff. Africans are happy because of your tangible support.

MORE SUPPORT NEEDED FOR DECEMBER MISSIONS...........................

Can You help?

What happened?

In many areas of the country, the short rainy season from March to May, was poor, causing an insufficient crop harvest. While food prices have come down from last year, they remain well above the long term average, causing pressure on households.

There have been increased rates reported in the admission of malnourished children to therapeutic feeding programs in the first half of this year as families struggle to make ends meet.

Also, the heavy rains which are expected from June to September, were late this year. Seed that was planted when the rains were expected died in the ground. In many cases, there was no new seed to replace the seed that died. It is anticipated that the harvest will be consequentially reduced, so there will be a further increase in the number of people facing severe problems.

Pray

• for God to provide new seed and appropriate amounts of rain needed to make it grow.
• that God will meet these people's physical and spiritual needs.
• for the coordination efforts of NGO's who will be providing emergency food relief.

Give

Please consider joining with us financially to help provide food and water for the northern people. A donation today will begin to alleviate their suffering immediately.

• A gift of $5 provides for one child under 5-years-old, for a month.
• A gift of $10 provides one adult with wheat grain, or flour, and vegetable oil for a month—providing over 2,000 kilocalories per day.
• A gift of $50 provides for a family of five for a month.

Thank you for giving!

Catherine helped me a lot to clear this container up to our door steps of our offices. I just liked her words of encouragement when i was over disturbed by Customs (URA). In set is a truck loading our container.

Answers to Objections to Going into Missions

Hope God has been good to all of you. As I was listening to the radio Last night, my love for missions was renewed and I’m busy preparing for our ACF December mission trip to north eastern Uganda.

I just want to share with you some Answers to Objections to Going into Missions as heard from a very intelligent mission lover preacher. Here are eight objections and a biblical response. enjoy......................


1. “I am not smart enough.”
“Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)
“Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)


2. “My body and my personality are not strong enough.”
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
“[Christ] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)


3. “I am not a good speaker.”
“Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:17)
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (Exodus 4:10-12)


4. “I am afraid of the horrors I read about in the newspapers.”
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore (katartisei—“mend” or “repair” your horribly disfigured body when the lions in the coliseum are through with you), confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:8-10)


5. “I am afraid I won’t be fruitful”
Your responsibility is not to be fruitful but to be faithful.
“And [Jesus] said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29)
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)


6. “There is plenty to do here.”
True, but there is a division of labor and God calls some to MISSIONS, not just evangelism. The difference is seen in Romans 15:19-24:
“So that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I [Paul] have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named. . . Now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions . . . I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain.”
How could Paul say there was no room for work when there were millions in that region to be evangelized? Because evangelism is not missions.


7. “I am not married.”
The best spouse is found on the path of obedience.
“An excellent wife [or husband!] who can find? She [and he!] is far more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 31:10).
The finding is exceedingly hard. It will happen on the road of obedience.


8. “I fear that when I get there it might turn out I made a mistake and will come home with shame.”
Which is worse, shame for having endeavored to follow Christ in missions, or fear to venture? Shame before others for making a mistake will not hurt you; it will humble you and can make you more useful in a new situation. But fear will make you useless everywhere.
Consider Ecclesiastes 11:4 and what it says about risk:
“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”
Meaning: without taking the risk of sowing when the seed might be blown away and reaping when the rain might ruin the harvest, you will starve.

Big Men With Big Hearts for Missions.........!!!

I'm very sory that i have not mentioned anything about these powerful men of God in my previous blogs. They led us throughout the mission trips with wisdom. I liked working with all of them.

"Pr. Ike, Brother Emeka and Dr. Festus Ukwani"

God moved in our midst in powerful ways and we enjoyed learning more about His love and our identity as the Beloved. We ended the everyday with a sweet worship time and a time of commissioning from these men. We're excited, equipped and empowered to go to Kumi after Fort Portal to be God's hands and feet and to encounter Him in a new way!

ACF UGANDA

I was amazed at how alive they are in their faith at such a young age. These courageous youths have answered God's call, stepping outside of their comfort zone and into an experience that will forever change their lives. God has brought us all individually together to do something corporately to advance His Kingdom...and we're diving in!!

"Pastor Ike. After all is done you have to box in the air and say....Praiiiise God!!!!"

Who is God to allow me the opportunity to experience Him work in and through these youths? What an honor it is! I love these guys! They're hungry, they're passionate, they're FUN, and I got the honor of spending the next 336 hours with them!


Thank you guys for covering us in prayer during those 2 weeks we were on missions. You are such a vital part of what God is doing here in Uganda and your love and support is greatly appreciated!

SMALL MIRACLES..................!!!!!

On the second day of our 2006 December mission trip in Kumi, half of us went to this village Ogooma to meet the ACF sponsored kids and while I was there that’s when God opened my eyes to the hurting children. God’s love was shown to me by a little boy named Margal. I don’t know the meaning his name but his name is sweet.

"Margal having meals on our Mission Van"

I saw Margal sitting by a tree alone, soccer ball in hand. I felt I should build a relationship with this little boy. So I went up to him and started talking to him and this little boy and I connected right away. Then we started playing ball and then after awhile he wanted to race me on his locally made bike and beat me and said “You a loser, Henry!” And that’s when we really bonded and I made him my little brother. Then I asked him how old he was and he was all “I am 4 years of age”. After that we had a little bit of time to just sit and talk. It was sad how he just grasped me and needed me to love him since he never had that from his parents who just left him who knows where.

"Margal being helped by Angela to make drawings"

After we had to leave that’s when God really showed me that being a missionary isn’t exactly going around using words to show God’s love, but also just showing it and applying it in our lives and the lives of others. When we came back the second day of our missions, he came up to me and said “Hey, Henry! Let’s play!” It was a really good feeling knowing that the first time I went I actually made an impact in his life because he remembered my name and was super excited to see me. And also that God could use something so small to make this whole trip worth while. Margal is now a good friend to all our mission team members more especially Sister Tarkor and on top of that he is under ACF education sponsorship program.

It has been an amazing experience throughout......Thank you ACF.

"The Children of Africa"

When I learned that I had to write a blog post this week, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to write about my experience with the children in Kumi. Since I have been here I have connected with most of the children that I have encountered.

"Carol playing with the kids"

I have a real heart for children and God has really been guiding me toward talking with the children we have seen. I just love to meet them, at first, shy children and by the end of our time together for the day, have them running and laughing and playing with me.

"Carol and her new found friend"

The feeling that you get when you look in the eyes of a young child, and their eyes light up, and they become overjoyed to see you, is just an indescribable feeling. It’s amazing to see God working through not only me, but everyone on the ACF team. Not only continue to pray for our team, but pray for the children of Kumi/Uganda, they need our prayers the most.

Carol

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE.......!!!!!!!!

Most of the Ugandans think that missionaries are supposed to be whites (Read Mzungu) so was I. During my elementally school I learnt of the missionaries and their works, their contributions problems and their failures while in Africa and never wished to be one of the missionaries not until I joined ACF and started going for mission trips and this helped me changed my attitude towards missionaries and the missionary works.

"People leaving the ACF Food distribution Centre after receiving food relief"

Unlike other mission trips, these mission trips particularly that of Kumi was full of God’s manifestation then other mission trips thus proving to His people that He is the God of impossibilities. In one of the mission trips some years back God healed a mad boy (David Ochom) and now the boy is perfect and attending school and this was good but for this year it was more for over three months the people of Kumi were not experiencing no rain but hey through the prayers of the children of God, He (God) was able to send rain to the area of Kumi.

"A Baby Born to us"

The communities of North-Eastern Uganda Kumi in particular were hit by famine and the people more so the children hardly Had no food to eat and many of them were loosing their lives because of famine but still thanks and glory goes to God almighty for that He was able to use His servants(members of ACF) to feed His people and when one of the unborn baby learnt of food distribution which was going on in the area, decided to come out and try to be part of event thus a woman gave birth at the time of food distribution. Whom do you think did this? To it was God the almighty.

Land disputes are prominent in almost all the areas in Uganda but still thanks goes to God that ACF was given a big piece of land for it (ACF) to develop it, this further showed me that God can make away where there is no way.

With and in God we are renewed day by day and given new strength carryon with His work and this were evident in the Kampala team. I saw every one working like never before. Starting with: Sarah; making sure that food was always both in and on time and putting in account that everyone gets to what to eat before the day breaks.

How can forget Sarah’s right hand Phion almost quite all times but working hand in hand with Sarah making sure that everything is just as need especially food. I was drawn to Carol’s works especially the knowledge she had with the trimming of the children’s hair, helping with teaching of the children and not forgetting the very good work of serving food to the hungry with the intention of everyone getting satisfied. Angela a quite lady but hard working making sure that children were in their best moments and bringing to them importance of life. Forgetting not Angela’s roommate Grace bringing out the sweetness of worship and ushering us to the very presence of God. Coming to my remembrance is the good work done by the two ladies Grace and Angela with the sorting and distributing of clothes. What a great teacher we had for the USA team, Esther making efforts to teach luganda and giving others local names like uncle Ogo who was name Ssesanga (Read Strong Ivory) and all this made the USA team to feel at home with such names and this was so beautiful. She further made sure that joy was paramount, also with her session of talking to the girls with how to keep them clean was yet another contribution done by this young lady.

Cathy Mugaga; what can say over the powerful word that you used to give out to the children which built their inner man thus pleasing God for your effort to preached His word just as it’s written that the joy of the Lord is our strength. When the devil saw what you were doing he became unhappy with you and decided to take it away with passing away of the mother, but Cathy note this that when the devil raises the dust the Lord raises the standard so do not be disheartened just take heart and know that God is in control.

This is English and the white man says “Ladies first.” So men I haven’t forgotten the great work that you did for the Lord.. To start with is Pastor prosper Ezra giving the edge in counseling and working hard in the course of food distribution. Sam the soldier man surely bring anew dimension in praising. Lopez providing the funny to avoid boredom during our travels. Enjoying Rajab’s activities of capturing videos in order for ACF to have record for the mission trips and his involvement in the connection of power was awesome. The chief in Commander K.E Henry a person who really gives me the hope to carry on with missions, the sweet and encouraging words from him shows everyone that is important on the team. Joking where need be is yet another issue which relaxes and does the refreshing of our mind on the mission trips, teaching me how to capture some video clips is another experience to me.

But mentioning people like uncle Festus, uncle Raymond, uncle Emeka you spiced up that refreshing moment and made me perhaps think of putting up an ACF football team and my yet to find out the positions of each of the above mentioned in ma team. This doesn’t mean that I have forgotten the unmentioned but you are always on my heart day in day out: uncle Ike always taking the meaning of your name in your personal life thus opening my mind to always give right and perhaps good and meaningful names to my children when the right time comes, uncle Joshua, remembering the type of legumious crop you asked me and am still looking for it. Uncle Ogo, I was impressed with the way and the speed at which you were learning the luganda words, Tarkor, reminds of my young sister how she does not easily give in to lies of people and please keep up that spirit. The driver and his helper were making my travels enjoyable with that good cruising. "Sister Takor with a kid. She was an inspiration to the Team"

In a nut shall therefore mission trips were educative with the words from different preachers in every morning and evening glories, enjoying the Kimere (Read Meals) we used to have.

All of you people were good and you worked to the best of your abilities, effort and knowledge. May God richly bless you for you left your works and served God.

Lubwama Edward Bazira.

BEYOND THE CHURCH DOORS.....!!!!!!

Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts . This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain.

The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready.' His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?' 'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.' Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring rain.' The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?' Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.' Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'

His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.' 'Thanks Dad!'

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract .

After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.

Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.

He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.

Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.

Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch! He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that * JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU * and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.' With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.

She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'

Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit. As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'

Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet........

As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'

I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly............

I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!

The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU .' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.

As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.

You see-- -I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'

There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honour to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated......

He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honour for his son... Except for One.

Jesus is building His church

"…you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."1Timothy 3:15, NIV

"My Friend do you love the body of Christ? Yes i do my good looking friend"

The Church is Christ's body, in which He speaks and acts! The church is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. That is a huge paradigm change for most people. In this light, how should we conduct ourselves as it relates to the church? Esteem the church! Don't ever minimize the church—God doesn't.

He loves the church. We should love His church. The church is truly the hope of the world! The government isn't the hope of the world. Education isn't the hope of the world. Business and money aren't the hope of the world. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ—filled with believers who have His heart—is the hope of this world.

So, let's love, respect, esteem, grow and serve the church—the Body of Christ—with the same integrity and passion He does. Once we do, we are on the road to His very best.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)

Cathy Mugaga

BE STRENGTHENED!

A friend sent me this wonderful material and i thought it would bless you through this blog spot. Thank you so much for those of you who have been able to call us for comments on our missions blog. Please just know that we are in the process of uploading our mission pictures on this blog. A big thank you to those of you who turned up for our weekend fellowship.

TEARS ARE FOR BABIES.......... WORRIES ARE FOR FOOLS...........

When a man lifts you up, it's definitely to the height of his hands, but when GOD lifts you up it's limitless, seek HIM now and forsake all else and be uplifted forever!!!
Tell me about the law of gravity that states anything that goes up must come down and I will introduce you to the law of aerodynamics that states that it is possible that something can go up and remain there.
Before this year runs out, u and me shall find ourselves somewhere that u can't even bring ourselves down.

Your blessings shall never come down, u shall never fail, the law of gravity will never work in your finances, business, family, all area of your life, etc.

The devil is a liar. You may be going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can... Keep the faith.
The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginning, but not its end...

Henry

From Peter Charles

For those of you who don't know Peter Charles. He is the simple man in charge our child sponsorship and co-ordinator in our Kumi chapter. Please find his report bellow.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire ACF team and family for their contributions and support to the work of the lord in Kumi district.

In a more special way my gratitude goes to the ACF mission team for 2009. This year the lord has done wonderful things in the hands of his servants in all activities exhibited in kumi.
God proved his presence with signs wherever we went with you. There was order in all activities carried out in Kumi district right from the beginning of the implementation of the mission activities up the last day.

My heart felt appreciation goes directly to the president of ACF (Emmanuel Emeka) for the financial assistance and the lap top computer I received. May the almighty God bless your efforts and family!
I would like to thank Pastor Emmanuel Ike for his parental and friendly loving attitude towards me. You gave me drugs during the mission trip. I saw the concern you had for my life. You were able to offer prayers for my knee to get healed. God has done a miracle I can now walk and run freely for some good distance. Our God has done good to me.

Medical out reach:
Medical treatment was done in Ogooma primary school at the church premises. A large group of the people crowded the place but God was in control. We had 5 clinical officers and 5 medical nurses. The medical team demonstrated their commitment in serving the people to the extent that everybody who came with sickness received attention from them.

Salvation;
32 people gave their lives to the lord during counseling sessions at the medical out reach.. While at the same time across section of people around the medical out reach received the saving gospel of Christ where a majority of them got revival, restoration of their hope and deliverance from oppressing problems and evils.

Food distribution:
During the second day, food worth 30 bags (1500Kilograms) of Maize/corn flour and 5 bags (500kilograms) of beans were distributed among those affected directly by famine/ food shortage in Malera Sub County, Kokwech village in Kachonga parish. On our arrival to the food distribution site, the community was over whelmed with joy to receive the ACF team. People praised the Lord; made ululations of happiness and joy this excited us very much. The community expressed that they had never received any visitor in their community since. list of elderly people, people living with aids, orphans, widows, widowers, the lame and weak were the first priority bin the distribution of the food stuffs. Large crowd had actually gathered as every family in that place had experienced food shortage or famine due to prolong drought that had lasted for three months and had affected the food yields resulting to poor harvest.

When Pastor Emmanuel preached the gospel of Christ on the book of Mathew 11:28 Come to me…………. I will give you rest……, one prominent person in the village gave his life to Jesus and a total of 13 others. This is a miracle to us and the community.

During food distribution when the name of one lady (Aduke Christine) was mentioned , immediately she delivered a baby boy. He has been given a name Emmanuel Oceen. This implies that the lord is with the ACF mission activities in KUMI.

The president (Emmanuel Ezeonu Emeka) ACF USA INC. asked the community to join him in prayer for the land to be blessed with rain as it had not rained for three months but God graced the land with Water. The rains started with great thunder sounds and ended with calm rainfall down pour. Since 13th to date it has been raining with very good showers. People are now busy in their fields trying to compensate the lost crops by planting sorghum, sweet potatoes and cowpeas. Everybody in the village now says the God of this people is true and is able to answer prayers because it has given us rain.

The same day 12th aug, 2009, We were able to go an assess the land that has been allocated to the project. The Kamenya community expressed their willingness to support the construction work when it begins. The village committee gave an assurance that if ACF needs more land; they were willing to add more to what they have already offered to the project.

3rd and 4th Aug 2009 we had children’s fellowship and counseling sessions, praise and worship. Many of the un supported orphans joined in the fellowship where some of them gave their lives to Christ. All mission activities ended successfully with distribution of clothes to the supported orphans.

God has done great work in the hands of ACF team in Uganda, Kumi in particular.
Bravo ACF Team and Bravo ACF family we shall continue praying for you that the lord does greater exploits than what we are able to see now!