|
Transforming Lives Internationally - in Uganda,
Africa 2001!
Our experience in Uganda, Africa during our June 7-
20, 2001, conference was truly incredible. The trip started
with about 20 people meeting us at the Oklahoma City airport to
say good bye and to pray for us. By the end of our trip, we had
stayed in six places and were on 12 planes in 13 days. We didn’t
miss any flights, didn’t lose any luggage, no one got sick, and
our six-member team really had a great time together. |
|
|
The highlight of the trip was the
conference itself. We had the privilege of teaching them the
truths found in our Be Transformed material. We had over 200
people attend the conference. They traveled by foot, bike or bus
and came from as far away as 300 miles to attend. Attending this
conference was a major commitment and sacrifice for everyone there
since they left their gardens to come. Their gardens are
everything to them as it is their means for food and money.
The African people are very
gracious and loving. They have the sweetest spirits and
have a love for God that surpasses anything we’ve encountered. We
tried to figure out why it’s different. We believe it’s because
they have to depend on Jesus to literally survive. Here are
some of their stories:
|
We met a lady who is a mid-wife and
works for World Vision. Through her job she teaches people to care
for their children. She thanked us for our material, especially on
forgiveness. You see, her daughter, while at boarding school, was
abducted by rebels and has not been seen since. She does not know
if her daughter is alive or dead. She has asked us to pray that
her daughter is alive and will come home.
We met a young lady who shared with
us that a year ago her husband had developed a cough which they
didn’t think twice about. One night they went to bed and he never
woke up. She found out he died from AIDS. She doesn’t know if she
or her children have AIDS because it costs too much money to get
tested. She is destitute because she has no job and has 5 children
to support. She also thanked us for our material, especially the
material on anger and bitterness. She has asked us to pray that
she’ll find a job that can support her family.
During one of the conference talks it was
taught that we should count everything a blessing. A boy
stood up in the conference and shared his story about being
kidnapped by rebels and how he had been tortured. His face
was severely disfigured from being burned. He was telling us
how God had delivered him and that is why he was with us. He
felt very blessed to be at the conference and that he
counted his life a blessing. We had noticed him - not from
his disfigurement - but from his contagious smile. Praise
God! |
There was an incredible harvest
because of your prayers and God’s Spirit moving in
their hearts. The issue of forgiveness was huge for them. Even
though their circumstances are so different than ours, they have
the same spiritual, emotional, and relational needs. We saw that
no matter where we live, we have the same need to renew our
minds with God’s truth. By the last session, it was evident
that they were grasping all that we taught and most important, the
Holy Spirit was applying the lessons to them personally. It was a
major work of the Holy Spirit, which crossed geographic, cultural
and denominational lines. It was so encouraging to us to see how
our material transfers so easily and is so relevant to them. They
were very excited about taking this material and teaching others.
The conference participants shared
with us how this material, through God’s help, touched their
lives. Here are some excerpts from their testimonies:
|
This teaching has helped me to
know how to apply Christian life into my daily living.
I am now transformed and able to
forgive others, something I never used to do. I have learned that
to forgive is truth.
I learned very many things in
this fellowship. It changed my life and given me strength to trust
in our God. I am now able to relate to others. I thank God to take
me from dead to life.
I got a teaching that will help
me lead the Church well. I did not know how to forgive. I now
thank God for bringing this transformation.
Your teaching has given me
strength. I used to fear and now I have boldness to teach others.
|
The conference brought forth
eternal and life changing results. We will forever be grateful for
your prayers and financial support.
VIEW PHOTOS
>
|
