Ministry of Apollos

I love Uganda and I love visiting the Source of the Nile River every time I visit. There is something special about a simple, yet obscure, water source that has given life to millions of people down stream for thousands of years. Every time I visit the Source of the Nile River, I’m reminded of the simple and obscure source of life found under the cover of the Bible, that has given spiritual life to millions for thousands of years as well. So I find it so very interesting that the ministry that the Lord has called me to here in Uganda would represent and link both the “water” with the “Word”!

On Tuesday, May 6th, after the team had departed back home, I had the privilege of teaching at a pastor’s conference at which over 600 pastors and church leaders attended. I shared the vision and path of the role of Pastor Teacher found in Ephesians 4:11-15. The following day, Wednesday, May 7th I taught at a marriage conference for over 500 people where I shared the vision and path of marriage and the roles of husbands and wives found in Ephesians 5:22-33. That evening, while resting in preparation for traveling to east Uganda to teach at similar conferences, the Lord brought clarity to my calling. Out of nowhere the Spirit led me to 1 Corinthians 3:5-7:

“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

Those three simple verses set the direction and confirmed the work that the Lord had for me, to bring the living water of the Word of God to the pastors of the churches in Uganda. The churches associated with True Vine Ministries and the National Association of Evangelical Born-again Churches are planting the seeds of the Gospel throughout Uganda, but they need water. The church pastors, many of whom are faithful labors have no bible training or education. Their faith in Christ is contagious and the seeds of the Gospel are being planted with great success, but they cannot raise up enough qualified church leaders to equip, build up and mature the new Christians. They are doing the work of Paul and planting, and I felt called to begin the work of Apollos through watering with the Word. Together, with God’s power and grace, the new Ugandan Christians will be equipped for ministry, built up in unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God and fully mature in the image of Christ Jesus! Could you imagine what a spiritually mature church in Uganda could do for the Great Commission in Africa?

So how can you help? Right now we are currently working with True Vine to finish the construction of their church in Mukono. The vision of this church is to be a place of training to equipping pastors for their work of ministry and a hub for discipleship training for the body of Christ. The church plans include a pastoral library and resource center with a training room for Bible study and instruction. Please continue to pray for the church for the purpose of being an equipping and sending church for the region and ultimately the nation of Uganda and beyond. In addition to prayer, we will need funds to complete the pastoral library and resource center. Stay tuned for more updates on the funds needed to complete this project and together, with your prayers and support, we can be united with Apollos in watering the church in Uganda!

Blessings in Christ Jesus!
John

It's more than a ministry.....

I've had this post mulling around in my head for a while, but I haven't been able to capture the words.  Trying to get what is inside my brain on to paper (or a keyboard) is next to impossible for me.  Even as I write, I am praying for God to give me the right words.

What I want to say is that what is happening in Uganda is more than a ministry.  It's more than a program or a non profit doing work in a foreign country.  It's more than mission trips.  It's a relationship.  Relationships are being built and strengthened.  God is doing something....something magnificent....and I know He is only showing us a very small piece.

When Cathy and I traveled to Uganda in January 2011, we met Lazia....a widow who was incredibly sick and bed ridden.  Through the years, we have watched Lazia come to know Christ, get physically strong, begin making jewelry, learned how to sew, get trained on how to remove jiggers, worked with Sole Hope doing jigger removal clinics and was featured in our HOPE+ sisterhood video.  God has done a mighty work in her life.

January 2011

 

January 2014

  

Recently Lazia fell ill with shingles.  Anyone who has had shingles know how incredibly painful this can be.  Lazia has been blessed to receive free medical care at St. John's  medical clinic.  And as God would have ordained it, Cathy's husband Mark was just about to depart on his first mission trip....to Uganda.  Mark had the opportunity to visit Lazia at the clinic.  He sat with her, held her hand, cried with her and the team prayed over her.  This was not coincidence.  No way.  I will never believe that.

May 2014

I don't know all God has planned but I am choosing to walk in faith.  I don't suspect the road will be easy and likely the world will think we are crazy.  I am ok with that.  The only thing I know for sure is that we are in a relationship with these beautiful people of Uganda.  They have become family to so many of us.  We know their stories and they know ours.  And I look forward to turning each page of the story God is writing.

"so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." 1 Thessalonians 2:8

A day of celebration

Today was truly a day of worship as the team traveled to Mukono for church service in the new church building. The new building is still being built but it is beautiful and big! The church was packed and excited to witness the dedication. After the dedication we were blessed by several worship  songs by colorfully and culturally dressed adults and children. Pastor tom shared the message and Gary, Garrett and Ben were able to bless the church with several American worship songs.

After church we toured the church and received updated on the work yet to complete. We then toured Victor's Christian School and St. John's Medical Clinic. We received updates on the clinic's progress and challenges and came away with a positive view of moving forward towards sustainability.

Before heading home we stopped by and viewed the  proposed property for the Village of Grace and got clarity on the vision and building plans. 

Tonight the team has been discussing all that they have seen and done. Friends were made, hearts were moved but most of all the truth and love of Christ was shared with this beautiful community in Uganda. Pray for safe travels as the team heads home tomorrow! 

From Uganda with love,

John

More photos.....

Dedication prayer of church

Steve Sanchez looking out the window of Bibbo school.  I love this photo!

Steve & Tom Sanchez with Mama Agnes

Breaking ground for the new building 

Amazing group of guys

Jigger removal

A day in Bibbo

Today the team set out for Bibo, a rural community which is undergoing transformation by the Grace of God! The team, along with church leaders and Mama Agnus, participated in two opening dedication ceremonies, one for the newly constructed elementary school and also for the church.

In addition, we all were blessed to be part of the ground breaking ceremony for the 2nd school building. The community was so thrilled to see the active work of The Lord being realized in a town that was once a town of sorrow, but now a town of hope!

After lunch the team got a first hand experience of a jigger removal clinic. Gary was actively removing jiggers like a pro, Ben and myself were assisting, and Garret was right in the mix taking photos. The other men were overseeing and getting a full experience as well.

What a contrast of experiences we all had in one day. The joy of hope in the morning with the realities of a broken world in the afternoon. Overall the men have once again seen the miracles of God at work here in Uganda. The men have bonded to a new depth as a band of brothers, even sharing personal testimonies with each other. We are ending our day singing worship as Gary, Garrett and Ben practice for church tomorrow! 

Blessing to our wives and kids from Uganda!

Days in Nakibole

From John: 

We had an amazing couple days meeting Rose, Gertrude and Joy, along with the other Hope + Sisters in that area. 

As we drove up to Nakabuli we were immediately greeted by Joy who was jumping up and down laughing and waving at us. As we exited the bus, Joy greeted each of us with a huge hug! She sure has a fitting name.   Joy is Gertrude's foster daughter.  Joy is a child who was horribly, horribly neglected and desperately in need of a mothers love.  Gertrude is one of our HOPE+ sisters with Project HOPEFUL who stepped out in faith and was willing to be a mother to Joy.  

We made our way into Rose's house and she introduced herself and her family. Then we headed out back to inspect the grounds and the work project. There were several aspects to the project including: 1) Tearing down the old condemned pit, goat pen and bath station, 2) leveling out the massive mound of dirt that was left from digging a 50' pit for the new latrine, and 3) erect and build brick walls and plaster the sides of the pit latrine. We had a great time learning from the local handymen and having fellowship with each other. After 1 1/2 days, mission complete!  

We also had an opportunity to visit the church where the walls and new roof were installed. We were surprised to find that the entire church was inside and greeted us with applause and joy-filled clapping. After some introductions and prayer, we were able to take a group photo. We then headed over and viewed the old shack, previous church building that the ladies took shelter in during the hail storm (team of ladies from Grace last September) to see the comparison of what they have. It truly was a blessing to see the Lord's work in such a tangible and powerful way! 

The men are continuing to be amazed at the work God is doing here in Uganda and have a new and fuller understanding of this beautiful country, people, and church community. I doubt any of them will ever be the same, in a good way!