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
God’s Love is Better than Life
I don’t know about you, but I would like to stay away from suffering. And I don’t mean, just look the other way, but I mean, I want to run as far away as possible. Even when we talk about it during Bible studies, I don’t like to think about it. Reading about Joseph’s patience and faithfulness during his time as a slave in Egypt, reading letters from Paul from prison about 
how he would like to go to be with Christ but his work isn’t done here on earth. He literally has a captive audience in prison to share Jesus and he DOES! I don’t think my attitude would be very good, nor do I look at opportunities as ways I could share the glory of Jesus. Continue reading
Learning Lessons
Over the last 2-1/2 years, God has taught me, shaped me, and revealed more about me than I have experienced in my entire life.
When we first moved to Uganda, I wrestled with my identity. At first I learned that I had been finding my identity in my work and what I could produce. When my days were filled with a long to-do list but nothing of real substance to show for it, I discovered I felt lost and unsure of my value. After I wrestled with that, God very graciously reminded me that my ministry was serving Him however He needed me to serve Him, no matter how glamorous (or lack there of) it was. And that at first my ministry was my family as we all got adjusted and settled in our new culture. Continue reading
Living Overseas… And Goodbyes…
Sometimes we forget about the challenges of living over seas. The every day life stuff is hard, but you get used to doing things differently to live well. We get excited when we grow something in our garden or find something new at the supermarket. We deal with hand washing all our dishes, cooking all our meals from scratch, crazy drivers and bad roads, always being stared at, and the constant battle against bugs. We even adjust to the heat of dry season and the amount of dirt that’s everywhere. 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
Mom-Fails But God Never Does
A friend of mine and a fellow mom of a 5-year old posts some pretty real and humorous mom-fails that she’s had. And it made me think about how we all have mom fails. Wether it’s when my daughter says “I hate…” and I realize “hate” sounds so much stronger coming out of her mouth than when I said it. Or when I was too busy doing other things that I kept telling her no when she asked me to play and then after she had gone to bed, I realized time with her was more important than marking things off my to-do list. Or when I see my daughter sitting by herself when other kids are playing but she doesn’t want to talk to me about it. I worry that I’m scarring her. I worry that I’ve failed her. Continue reading
Women’s Discipleship
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
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
Whom Shall I Fear?
You hear me when I call; You are my morning song.
Though darkness fills the night, it cannot hide the light.
Whom shall I fear?You crush the enemy underneath my feet.
You are my sword and shield, though troubles linger still.
Whom shall I fear?I know who goes before me; I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.
The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.My strength is in Your name for You alone can save.
You will deliver me; Yours is the victory.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?I know who goes before me; I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.
The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.And nothing formed against me shall stand;
You hold the whole world in Your hands.
I’m holding on to Your promises; You are faithful.
You are faithful.And nothing formed against me shall stand;
You hold the whole world in Your hands.
I’m holding on to Your promises; You are faithful.
You are faithful; You are faithful.I know who goes before me; I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.
The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.The God of angel armies is always by my side.
Sawyers In Uganda 