As you know, I have started a women’s discipleship group made up of Ugandan women from several local villages around Mbale. These women come from churches that have had a pastor or church leader who has either been in a discipleship group or is currently in a discipleship group. And this style of ministry is completely foreign to each of the ladies. Continue reading
Update
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
Send Me, I’ll Go
About a month ago, I was talking with a friend who shared that when she was 16 years old, she prayed the prayer “Send me, I’ll go.” Now, she looks back at her young, naive self and realizes she had no idea what she was getting herself into. She probably would have still said that prayer, but her eyes are open now that she serves in Africa. 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
Adalyn Turns 5!!!
This year Adalyn was lucky to be able to celebrate her birthday over a few days. The expat/missionary community had a Halloween party on Sunday evening, so Adalyn got to dress up with all her friends. We had a family celebration with one of her favorite meals,
ninja turtle cookies, and gifts from family. And then our team fellowship dinner is tomorrow, so Adalyn’s friend Riley is baking her a ninja turtle cake. Let’s just say, Adalyn’s a very happy little girl! Here are a few questions for her to answer, now that she’s a year older… 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
Our Life in Uganda
We have been so blessed to share our life and ministry in Uganda with many people who love us and care for us, and who we love and care for. For those who didn’t get the chance to see videos, here are a couple for your viewing pleasure. Our desire is for you to feel like your part of our life in Uganda. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of so many people in the U.S. and around the world. So as we continue this journey together, please continue to pray with us. Continue reading
Nkya iga Oluganda
Nkya iga Oluganda (sounds like Encha yeega Oluganda) means “I am still learning Luganda.” Luckily, we are not learning how to read or write Luganda at this point, so we only write how it sounds to us, which is different for Leland and me.
Immaculate, our language helper, is a primary school teacher who is not currently working, so she is able to help teach us every Wednesday and Friday afternoon for 1 hour. An hour doesn’t seem like much time but by the end of each lesson, our brain is fried and we are drained from trying to process and learn. She is patient with us, she challenges us, she speaks slowly and repeats herself so we can understand. Continue reading
Castaways on Bugaya Island
No we weren’t castaways, but we were in a world completely new to all of us. Bugaya Island is in the middle of Lake Victoria, a 2-hour boat ride from Kiyendi, very nearly on the equator. Lake Victoria is the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world (behind Lake Superior). When we set off, we could not see our island, but the captain knew the way and set us on course. I couldn’t help but sing in my head the song from Gilligan’s Island the entire trip. Continue reading
Sawyers In Uganda 