Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - Short Term Mission in Africa

Uganga Short Term Misson Trip I just got an email from Stewart Orme who did the Perspectives course last year and is currently leading a short term mission team in Uganda .I thought that since you have been following the Russia mission trip you might find this interesting also. Stewart will be remaining in Uganda after the short term team returns to work with Sunrise Children’s Project with Briony Kaczmarek. Briony also did the Perspectives course in 2008. The Sunrise Children’s Project supports the development of a School in Uganda. It is an amazing story in itself. But for now I will leave you with Stewart’s story from last weekend: God is Great Impact ministries, which is a ministry here in east Uganda with 81 churches, have been holding crusades here all week. for those that don't know a crusade (not like the middle ages crusades) consists of music, dancing, some preaching, then a flock of people give there lives to God. Its amazing the response you get from these. anyway as the team was in another area this time we unfortunately missed most of them, but were able to catch there last one. As it got dark, a speaker came up and began preaching. A boy came up to me and my first impression of him was of pity and I smelt petrol on him so suspected that he sniffed glue. For those that don't know glue is a drug that is the combination of shoe repair glue mixed with petrol in a bottle, which doesn't tend to leave the child’s (typically children use it because it is cheap) mouth until it is finished. The effects are that the child can forget that they are hungry, and can wipe away bad memories, or even any memories. You can see why it might be enticing to many children. Over time it seriously destroys brain cells, and turns a child’s brain into mush, making it even more difficult for them to find work in the future. Anyway so this child (i tried twice to get his name but it was a difficult Uganda name that I had to mumble to get it correct and there for forgot it) came up to me and asked if we could be friends and if he could have my contact details, and I said yes to the first bit, but I wasn't going to give my contact details out to everyone that asked. He stood beside me, and I was almost urged to talk to him and keep prodding him with questions. Normally I would refrain from these type of questions, but I felt for some reason it was necessary. I asked him how old he was. he was 12. I asked him if he went to school. He didn't have the money. I asked him if his family lived near by. His father was dead and his mother didn't take care of him and was an alcoholic. I asked him if he knew anything about God and Jesus. He knew nothing about God and knew only that Jesus died for his sins. I told him a bit about God and Jesus, and how God helped me through my hard times, and he listened attentively. I asked him if he went to church. His mother is a Muslim, so he has never been to church before. He said he was a Christian, so I couldn't convince him to make a decision to follow Christ, but we can pray he becomes closer to God. It was about this time that he opened up to the fact that he sniffed glue, and I encouraged him not too, but rather rely on God for strength. I asked him if he could read, and he could, so I gave him my bible. He was so happy with it. Others around got jealous and asked for one too, but they were adults so I told them to save up and buy one for themselves. plus we had no more with us at the time. He treasured this bible close to him, and held it for some time, then decided to put it in his pocket, i think to hide it because others wanted it. I spoke to an older boy that knew him, and knew where he slept and knew about his mother. This boy also wanted a bible, but understood I didn't have anymore. He told me how he has done street preaching in Kenya and that now he is earning a small living driving the church bus on Sundays. I was able to get this boys number, so that I could ring back and check up on the younger boy. I told him to keep an eye out for the boy, and to train him and disciple him into good Christian living. I also asked that he make sure no one stole his bible, as I feared that may be a problem unfortunately. Well this was Saturday night, and the following night I got a message from the older boy, Abraham, saying that he had found the younger boy some accommodation within the church. It was that easy. Of course I prayed for him on Saturday night, but not even in my wildest dreams did I expect him to be adopted the very next day, on probably his first visit into a church. Now this is really not at all typical, because generally Ugandans look out first for there family and themselves and its only a good few that would actually adopt a child, but it is pretty rare. I was just blown away at the fact that God answered this prayer the following day, and not only that, out did any exceptions I had. God is a great God that has no boundaries. We should never underestimate the power of prayer. God bless, Stewart

Monday, July 20, 2009 - Russia Mission Team Update #4

Kids Outreach Russia Short Term Mission Trip Update #2   The team has had an amazing time ministering to the children in Russia. Towards the end of their stay they where able to share the Gospel with the groups and hand out bibles which were received warmly. A number of staff and children said they wanted to follow Jesus and the team are very excited to pray with these people and support them in this decision. How exciting to be partnered in prayer with this team as they make a Kingdom difference in this World. Praise God for His amazing love and compassion for His people across the world.   The team we also able to prayer walk around the camp, praying to for the children currently in camp and those who will come in future. Continue to uphold the team and those they ministered to in your prayers. That through Jesus death on the cross many more might be set free in His love.   The team only had minor challenges throughout their stay in camp. Thanks for all your prayers of support. They were able to overcome these minor things and minister to the children effectively. Their health was generally pretty good with only minor colds and hay fever and some aches and pains.   They have left the camp now and headed back to Finland without incident. They are now travelling in various groups around Europe before heading back to Australia.

Monday, July 13, 2009 - Russia Team Update #3

Kids Outreach Russia Short Term Mission Trip Update #2   Things have been going very well in camp. Activities and games are well recieved and relationships built. Getting near then end now they are beginning to hand out booksto the children. These are normally well recieved, please be praying that their eyes would be opened to God's love for them through the opportunity to read His word. One of the camp councelors read her bible throughout the craft activity so some are certainly keen to soak up His word.    Some specific prayer request: Jenny - She is having a persestant bleeding nose which is annoying. Rick - back is painful Tom - Knee is painful Jordan - Snuffles and hay fever.   They all seem to be going pretty well over all.   Continue to partner with this team through your prayers.

Monday, July 13, 2009 - Russia Team Update #3

Kids Outreach Russia Short Term Mission Trip Update #2   Things have been going very well in camp. Activities and games are well recieved and relationships built. Getting near then end now they are beginning to hand out booksto the children. These are normally well recieved, please be praying that their eyes would be opened to God's love for them through the opportunity to read His word. One of the camp councelors read her bible throughout the craft activity so some are certainly keen to soak up His word.    Some specific prayer request: Jenny - She is having a persestant bleeding nose which is annoying. Rick - back is painful Tom - Knee is painful Jordan - Snuffles and hay fever.   They all seem to be going pretty well over all.   Continue to partner with this team through your prayers.

Monday, July 13, 2009 - Russia Team Update #3

Kids Outreach Russia Short Term Mission Trip Update #2   Things have been going very well in camp. Activities and games are well recieved and relationships built. Getting near then end now they are beginning to hand out booksto the children. These are normally well recieved, please be praying that their eyes would be opened to God's love for them through the opportunity to read His word. One of the camp councelors read her bible throughout the craft activity so some are certainly keen to soak up His word.    Some specific prayer request: Jenny - She is having a persestant bleeding nose which is annoying. Rick - back is painful Tom - Knee is painful Jordan - Snuffles and hay fever.   They all seem to be going pretty well over all.   Continue to partner with this team through your prayers.