Uganda, East Africa - April 25

It's been a great week here in Kampala. On Monday, I was able to hang out at Heritage International School with the students and then help out after classes with their volleyball practice. Then Wednesday afternoon, I attended their first scrimmage game where they asked me to fill in as referee. Not my calling, but it was fun.

Wednesday morning, I spoke for the junior high and high school chapels and then was able to fellowship with the students during their lunch break.

Each evening, I've been spending time with the different families working here in Kampala. Tonight (Thursday), we have an all mission dinner to celebrate the ministries of 2 missionary families preparing to leave for their Homeland Ministry Assignments in the States.

This morning I met with Annabel, the school director, and she picked my brain about 'cross-cultural transition' and how they can continue to build that ministry to the students and their families.

Tomorrow will be my last day in Kampala and I'll spend some time at Heritage helping out. In the evening I'll be involved in the first part of a youth all-nighter. Josh Hallahan, the youth leader, asked me to head up group activities. I won't be staying the entire evening as I'll need to get some rest before my early morning departure to Nairobi, Kenya.

Uganda, East Africa - April 17-27

I arrived in Kampala, Uganda on Wednesday, April 17. I've had the opportunity to meet with our missionaries located in the city and have visited ministries at a local university and Heritage International School.

I was able to attend a chapel service at Heritage the other day and then speak for the youth group on Friday afternoon. Then on Friday afternoon, I had the privilege to attend a play put on by the middle school students.

On Sunday morning, I spoke at the United Faith Chapel which meets on the campus of the Kampala International University with more than 150 in attendance.

Then on Sunday evening, I had the privilege of eating out with the WGM junior high and high school MKs. We had a fun evening of fellowship and I appreciated getting to know them a bit better.

Kenya, East Africa - April 9-17 - WGM Kenya Retreat

On April 9, headed to Kenya, East Africa via Columbus, Ohio - Cleveland, Ohio - Washington DC - Zurich, Switzerland and then, 22 hours after leaving Columbus, I landed in Nairobi, Kenya... All the flights went well and I was even able to bring medical supplies for Tenwek Hospital.

I then went to join the World Gospel Mission staff from Kenya, South Sudan and Zambia for their annual retreat. My assignment, which was a total blast, was to work with the youth during the retreat. In addition to our daily activities and sharing times together, we celebrated at the baptism of one of the young men.

On the last evening, the staff celebrate a time for their graduates and they asked me to bring the address for the 4 young people. What an honor!

We have a great staff in Kenya and I can honestly say they have a wonderful group of kids. They were fun to get to know a little better or even meet for the first time.

Bonus - visiting Espajillos one more time!

For one of the student's birthdays, he wanted to invite several of his classmates to spend a Saturday at Espajillos, a waterfall just 40 kilometers outside Santa Cruz.

We had a great time seeing God's incredible creation and jumping into the base of the waterfall.

I was able to borrow my old truck and we only got stuck once while crossing the river on our way home! :)

No worries, I returned the truck in great condition after a short trip to the mechanic to pull off the front right tire, brakes and wheel bearings then clean everything, repack the bearings and put it all back. I feel like it was $20 well spent! It was definitely a fun adventure.

Servant Day - March 20

The Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center sponsors a servant day each year for the youth to get out into the community and serve through various means.

The Freshman class went to the campus of Berea Bible Seminary and painted the outside of the chapel building as well as helped to maintain some of the grounds through clean up and cleaning out the flower beds.

The Sophomores worked to move a community medical consultation office from one neighborhood to another.

The Juniors and Seniors worked together to sand and paint he inside of a community police station.

No matter their assignment, the youth worked with great attitudes conveying their concern for the community and their desire to serve.

 

SCCLC High School Camp - February 25 - March 1

Just 2 days after the junior high camp, 75 high school students headed out for their 5-day camp. The theme of high school camp was 'Not a Fan' based on the Kyle Idleman book by the same name. It was a great time of deepening relationships with the Lord and several students committing their lives to God.

 On Wednesday evening, the Freshman guys allowed God into their cabin devotions in an incredible way. There was reconciliation and forgiveness found within their own relationships and 3 of the young men committed their hearts to Christ! When they shared in the morning devotional time, the Spirit of God moved in other lives and our morning flowed into a great time of fellowship with the Father.

Junior High Camp - WISEGUYS! - February 20-22

Our 3-day camp with the 42 junior high students went really well. Our theme, Wiseguys, focused on encouraging the youth to follow Christ in their own walks. It was a great time of fun and fellowship. God worked in many of the young students' lives and helped to bring more unity within those classes.