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
Tips for Short Term Mission Trips & Travelers
As someone who has led short term mission trips to several different cultures, I have had the pleasure to watch students and adults witness powerful testaments to the nature of God. I’ve been part of some amazing moments and memories that last a lifetime. I’ve also made more than my share of mistakes in coaching trip members on how to connect and communicate with people that we are ministering to during our travel. Continue reading
Third Culture Family
As we are preparing for our first trip back to the US, we have had some processing we’ve had to do and will continue to do. Even the word for it is hard to encompass everything it entails…”Furlough” is not accurate because it is NOT a restful vacation, but instead a whirlwind of travel to see as many people as possible. “Home assignment” isn’t best because while Leland and I grew up in America, we have lived in Uganda for a year and a half and it’s our home now, plus Adalyn doesn’t remember it as home. Continue reading
Mission Expansion in Soroti
The Mbale Mission Team is ecstatic about the work for 2017. A major area of emphasis is the development of the Soroti Discipleship Center. One challenge that we have is our location in Mbale as compared to the churches we work with throughout Uganda. For most of our churches (about 60%) in Eastern Uganda, we are located within an hour. But for many of our churches the distance is much further, some as far as 9 hours away. So, as we seek to DISCIPLE the pastors and leaders of the churches of Christ in Uganda, distance can become a real hurdle. One such area is north of us. Creating the Soroti Discipleship Center will make an additional 25 churches within 2 hours, making it reasonable to bring people to one central location for discipleship groups. Continue reading
Boda Fun
Throughout Uganda, there are bodas everywhere. Bodas range from bicycles to motorcycles. It’s a way of transportation for people and stuff. It’s always interesting to see what bodas are carrying. For your viewing pleasure, here are lots of different bodas carrying a variety of items. Continue reading
I Choose Joy
A couple weeks ago, I woke up with a cold turned into a sinus infection, ants invading my pantry and ruining 
some food, spending over an hour clearing out my pantry and trying to kill the ants, having to explain the day of expectations to my house worker, dealing with questions and needs from my day guards, Adalyn seemingly asking a million questions or calling my name for something… all while trying to take care of an increasing to-do list that seemed to continually get pushed to the side. Continue reading
Servant. Leader.
Our team has been working on revamping our discipleship book that we use with the pastors/leaders as we work in small groups (cohorts). JP Robinson adapted the current book from some work that his pastor had done. JP coordinated with Dennis Okoth to fit the context here in Uganda. It has been a good book that has guided many of conversations with the pastors, but, as with anything, changes, tweaks and improvements are needed. So, in December JP set out to revamp the book as we prepare to start new discipleship cohorts in 2017. He recently asked me to write the chapter on servant leadership. And it got me thinking… Continue reading
Reflecting on My Purpose
Wow, it’s crazy to think it’s been 1 YEAR since we packed up everything we own and moved across the ocean to Uganda. God has continued to be faithful through everything, but that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. What a journey it’s been! Continue reading
Year in Review – 2016
What a fantastic year of learning our new culture, building relationships and joining in the ministry God has been doing here in Uganda.
Here are a few highlights and photos:
* The mission team here has been discipling a total of 15 pastors from around the Mbale area to help them grow spiritually. One of these groups will be concluding in March 2017 and we will begin 2 more groups. We are praying that God leads us to 8-9 guys for each group.
* We have significantly partnered with 10 churches in their work of development and visited over 50 churches all over the country to encourage them and equip them with Bible study tools. Continue reading
Discipleship and Bwikhonge
We want you to know what it is that we do here in Uganda. My #1 priority is the discipleship of Ugandan pastors and leaders. This means small group meetings, life-on-life discipleship, and a lot of prayer. This video introduces you to one of the pastors from Discipleship Cohort 1, which has been meeting for about 2 years. Hear from John Kahuka what discipleship means for him, his church (Bwikhonge Church of Christ), and his community…(click image) Continue reading
Sawyers In Uganda 