I want to share a little story about a new project we are beginning in one area of our churches. We are partnering with Zukuka Bora (the BEST coffee) to help bring small, incremental changes directly to the lives of local coffee farmers in Bududa. Continue reading
Author: Leland Sawyer
DBS Impact Story #3
Another DBS Impact story, this time from a church member at Bwikhonge Church of Christ in Bulambuli district (about 45 minutes northeast of Mbale). John is my co-leader in discipling other leaders and has been using DBS for over a year in his church and community. John talks frequently of the growth he sees in people and in his church, and he credits much of that to the work of the Holy Spirit through DBS groups. Continue reading
Dad Fails!
Not to be outdone by Gina’s post “Mom-Fails”, dad also fails big time! Yeah, that’s right, I know what you’re thinking: “Not you, Leland. You can’t fail. You’re too awesome.” But sadly, I fail. Daily. I too often enter into the social media world while leaving my wife and child sitting at the table in mid-conversation. I frequently read articles on ESPN or Reuters instead of engaging with Adalyn. It’s not uncommon for me to be short and rude with Adalyn (and Gina) after a long day of ministry. I fail, and regularly have to ask forgiveness from my daughter and my wife. Continue reading
DBS Impact Story #2
DBS is re-shaping the way many of our pastors are viewing their roles as shepherds in churches in very healthy ways. It’s opening up the “wild” idea that everyone can read the Word of God and be engaged and formed by it; that people don’t need a pastor to teach them God’s Word but can rather discover it through the power of the Holy Spirit. Continue reading
DBS Impact Story #1
We have told many of you before about the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) tool that we are equipping our churches with. The goal is to engage members of churches and communities directly with the Word of God, which is not the norm here in Uganda. If you need a refresher about DBS, go HERE for an explanation. But now I want to share with you a few stories coming from churches and leaders who are doing DBS in a series of posts. Here is the first story, coming from Peter Wanambwa in the mountain region of Eastern Uganda: Continue reading
“Oh the Thinks You Can Think…”
“Oh the thinks you can think” is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books to read to Adalyn because it teaches her (and me) to dream BIG and wildly. I think that’s the kind of faith our God wants from us: to not be controlled by the circumstances around us but to dream BIG dreams for His Kingdom. And that’s what we’ve been doing at the Mbale Mission. So, please allow me to share with you some of our goals, plans, and dreams for 2018. Continue reading
2017 – Year In Review
Now is the time of year for reflection on what God has done in and through us in the previous year. In 2017, the Mbale team, made up of Dennis Okoth, JP Robinson, Leland Sawyer, and Peace Nanzala, continued the work of discipleship and church visitation, and I want to share with you what we’ve been doing… Continue reading
Discipleship Ministry
In August, our fourth Discipleship Cohort began meeting in Mbale. We call it Discipleship Cohort #3, but that’s a long story. It is made up of me (Leland), my co-leader John Khahuka, and 10 pastors from all across Uganda. One of the men comes from Rakai which is in the far southwest area of Uganda, almost to Tanzania. Three of the men come from an area about an hour north of Mbale. The others come from the area within 30 miles of Mbale, but we have many tribes represented. Continue reading
Discovering the DBS Way
DBS – Discovery Bible Study
If you haven’t heard of it before, take note of it now. It’s a wonderful tool that disciples of Jesus around the world are using to help people of all different languages and cultures encounter the Word of God. It is all about allowing the Spirit of God to work through the Word of God to transform the people of God. Continue reading
Be. Our. Guests.
We recently hosted a short-term mission group from Quaker Avenue Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. Quaker Avenue has a VERY LONG and loving history with the mission work in East Africa, as they began in 1981 and continue supporting the work in Kenya and here in Uganda. The group was made up of high school students, college students, and adults, youth group members and elders, ministers and volunteers, and totaled 22 people. They were here for approximately 2 weeks and it was a joy to have them. Continue reading
Sawyers In Uganda 