How to Pray for Team Uganda

We're feeling the weight of spiritual warfare, and we need you to fight for us!  We feel as though God wants to do a new thing here, and Satan is fighting against that.  Wesley Duewel shares some specific ways to pray in his book, Touch the World Through Prayer:

As you carve out extended times of prayer for Uganda, pray for God to:

• Deepen hunger in the members of our team
• Reveal a new dimension of His holiness and power.  This is always an important preparation for God's mighty working.
• Produce a holy discontent with things as they are
• Quicken and strengthen faith that it is God's will to move and act on our behalf
• Give God's children new sensitivity to His guidance and voice.
• Give God's children an eagerness to be used of God and to obey Him
• Give new awareness to His people of the urgency of our need for revival
• Prepare the key individuals whom He plans to use
• Motivate and coordinate the prayer and faith of large numbers of Christians so they continue in earnest, prevailing prayer.

We long to love one another, to know God more, to serve Him faithfully here in Uganda.  Will you pray for unity among our team, for spiritual victory and deep joy in the Lord?

We Win!!!

So as I seek His face and rely on His strength in this spiritual war- I needed a battle cry. This is it. 

Take heart, fellow warriors!  We've already won!

of warriors and battles

warriors. kingdoms. royalty. armor. weapons.  these

things fill our toy bin.  a little boy's dream.  but the reality is not child's play. 

individually, and as a field, we are facing intense spiritual warfare.  there are many who are sick, some who are emotionally drained, some who are sleepless, others who face interpersonal struggles.  the enemy has set his sights on Kampala.  we are walking targets.  and while that should scare me, it honors me that he thinks so highly of us; that he thinks we are a threat to be reckoned with. 

It's Multitudes on Monday- and even in the face of war- there is much to be grateful for!  Join me as I thank Him for His war-time provisions:

• You have already won! (II Cor 2:14)
• victory through the blood of Jesus (I Cor 15:57)
• our position of power: seated with Christ in the heavenlies
• how Satan can only be in one place at one time
• the cross, where Jesus "disarmed the powers and authorities" (Col. 2:15)
• the cross, where Satan and his unclean spirits were destroyed (Heb. 2:14)
• the whole armor of God
• as I resist the enemy in Jesus' name and power, he will not only back away, he actually flees (James 4:7)
• no temptation has seized us, except what is common to man, and God is faithful, He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, but when we are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that we can stand up under it. (I Cor 10:13)
• though we walk in the flesh, we do not war against the flesh. the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. (II Cor. 10:3-4)
• Your grace that is sufficient for us, for Your strength is made perfect in our weakness! (II Cor. 12:9)
• in due season we will reap, if we do not grow weary of doing good or lose heart (Gal. 6:9)
• we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (II Cor. 4:8-9)
• we have access to Your throne room 24/7 through prayer (Eph. 6:18)
• when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him (Isa. 59:19)
• we have Your Word, which is the Sword of the Spirit, to combat the father of lies (Eph. 6:17)
• You have given us the keys to the kingdom, and whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven (Matt 16:19)
• You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear (Ps 46:1)

Yes!  He has given us all we need!  I am so grateful! Praying you are fully equipped for every good work this week.  take heart- He has overcome the world!  

hoarse hallelujahs

We have been struggling through fevers, colds, sinus infection the past two weeks.  After tons of tissues, lots of water, gallons of hand-washing, mugs of hot tea, piles of patience and countless long nights.  I was done yesterday.  At the end of myself.  At the end of myself- and only just the beginning of Him!  And how grateful I am that He is immense, and enough, and all I could ever need.

gifts from His hand:
#5045. Your good timing- my sinus infection not setting in until Josh came home from retreat!
#5046.  Not being given any more than I can bear.
#5047.  Caleb playing nicely while Seth and I passed out napped on the couch
#5048.  a husband who encourages me to take care of myself
#5049.  healthcare just 5 minutes away
#5050.  resources to pay the lab fees

#5051.  You holding me, while I held Seth to get his blood drawn.

#5052.  no malaria!

#5053.  a knowledgeable, friendly doctor.

#5054.  chicken soup in a packet- easy comfort

#5055.  water for my parched throat after hours of waiting at IHK

#5056.  Josh picking up an antibiotic for me 

#5057.  him sending me to bed at 7:30pm

#5058.  soft tissue, peppermint tea, and a good book from Meg

#5059  12 uninterrupted hours of sleep!

#5060.  boys sleeping until 8am!

#5061.  all their toys disinfected and drying in the sun

singing hallelujahs with the multitudes even when it's hard

"Staying by the stuff"

It certainly isn't coincidence that I borrowed a book from Beth, and read this passage just last week, and am now having to act on it's advice.

"But why was this frustration of sickness allowed?  One cannot always discern the reason for these things, but two are plain to us: (1) We learned that when one member of the party was thrusting out into Satan's territory, it was also necessary to put a prayer guard over those who stayed at home.  We were all praying for John and his party as they pressed into the demon-plagues territory of Goomoo.  Those prayers cleared the party's way (they were much blessed there) so Satan, in furious spite, struck at the unprotected home base.  Both those who go down to battle and those who stay by the stuff need prayer-coverage.  We have never forgotten this lesson." -Isobel Kuhn, In the Arena

Josh is heading out on the Sr High Retreat tomorrow with Heritage students, and we're praying that this would be a rich time in the Spirit for each student and staff member.  But we are very aware of our own need for prayer-coverage as well.  Caleb has had a fever for 5 days, and it has broken, but he is still coughing and sniffling.  And Seth's nose has been running, but now his own fever has begun.  So I'll be home alone with two sick boys until Saturday evening.  Will you pray?  Pray for Josh and the retreat- but also pray for us.  We are so grateful.

And though these days will be trying, I am excited to see how Jesus will meet us.  Nothing like trials to push us deeper into His heart.  And for that I am grateful.

the grass is greener!

Inspired by Tsh, who reminds us today: The grass is always greener where you water it.  I am watering the lawn of my heart today.  Simple shots.  Daily gifts in Uganda.  This is the place He has called me. 

Excerpts from gifts #4992-5000!

--4992.  beautiful women I get to minister with

--4993.  peace out on the lake.  no rain! Praise Jesus!

--4994.  a house full of life

--4995.  a friend to share this adventure with

--4996.  pumpkin goodies, a taste of autumn here

--4997.  new curtains.  my inspiration becoming reality.  that color speaking peace & joy.

--4998.  this house becoming our home

--4999.  You, the Giver of all good gifts.

--5000.  my cup runneth over, and waters the grass :)

A Day in the Life...

... on a random Friday...

Ever wonder just what we do all day?  Well, here is a glimpse of our day today :)

6:00am- crawl into bed with Seth, hoping to convince him to go back to sleep for just a few more minutes.
6:15am- head downstairs with two boys for breakfast and Bible time
7:00am-get Caleb dressed, packed and out the door for school. 
8:00am- just me and Seth home for the morning- playing, snacking, coloring/working...

9:00am- Josh is at school leading chapel for the elementary students

9:30am- Greet Gloria, and go over the cleaning schedule for the day

9:38am- clean up an adorable mess

10:00am- Josh comes home to plan our talk for tomorrow's session at UFC Camp (university students retreat on an island on Lake Victoria)

11:45am- Pick up Caleb from school

 12:00pm- Make and eat Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches. every. day.

12:30pm- Unwind from school

12:34pm- Josh went to the grocery store for the 4th time this week, and tried for the 3rd time to buy propane only to find "It is finished. They have promised it by evening"

1:00pm- Nap-time/Quiet Hour

2:00pm- Keep napping, playing, reading, coloring, going outside (while I try and get some work done, e-mails written, blog posts up).

2:30pm- Josh has worship practice with Elementary students

3:15pm- Josh has youth group at Heritage

6:00pm- Pizza Dinner- opening our house to a bunch of guys- Friday night hang out

7:44pm hearing goat races... or ghost races... in our living room. interrupted up by Amazing Grace in operatic tone. random. boys.

8:00pm- Bedtime routine for boys-clean up toys, take a bath, brush teeth, read books, pray together, go to bed.

9:00pm- Catch up with Josh

~~~~
Probably doesn't look too different from your life.  We're normal people living out God's calling on our lives.  And there are some days I drive down the road, catch a glimpse of Lake Victoria, swerve out of the way of someone driving in my lane and realize afresh- I.am.in.africa.  And there are other days when it's just life as usual.  I could very likely do the same exact things in New Jersey as I'm doing here- so take heart- your daily life counts. 

We are investing in young lives for eternity:  our boys, the students at Heritage,and the young adults at Kampala International University.  Who are you investing in?  If you pray for us- then you're investing here too!  Don't take that calling lightly.  We need you.