If this portion of the trip (travel from Denver to Amsterdam) is any sign of things to come, this is going to be a trip of a life time. I feel God's presence at every step.  He certainly is my ever present help in time of need. Even when I make stupid mistakes he's got my back. He even had a baggage cart just waiting for me when I got off the plane in Chicago and every step has been just that way.  What a fiend we have in Jesus!

Uganda is only 8 hours away, well actually 10 if you count the waiting and walking. But who's counting?
Amsterdam airport is so lovely and this layover has been a wonderful time to ponder God's love for all humanity.  So many people.

The Vision is to Glorify the LORD JESUS by showing His Love

The count down has begun!  Only 2 weeks and the trip will begin again.  This trip has a different focus than the previous one.  But of course loving the Orphans is the over-arching goal while spreading the love of Jesus our Savior.

Child Sponsorship with a vision to disciple and encourage.  In Zziba, we are sponsoring 36 kids...and a community. But the REAL GOAL is to raise awareness.  Here’s a link to LIA’s video (Life in Abundance LIAINT.ORG)  http://vimeo.com/16181404

This video could easily have been shot in any of Africa's many slums. People need to broaden their perspective, to realize that we are all responsible for everyone.

Why go to Uganda Again?

This is an update on my trip to Uganda. It is kind of interesting how it worked out and I thought you might also like to hear about it.  The decision for me to go alone at this time is not a decision that we take lightly, I am actually following my calling to serve God’s children, the orphans and widows that have fallen through the cracks.  My calling is to assist in supplying resource and opportunity to the children of Africa.  I am not totally sure of my work for the long haul but I am sure of the task at hand right now. 

Since 2005, we have been intimately involved with Olive Branch Ministries, here in Colorado. As you know the children being cared for at Joseph’s House love the Lord Jesus. And you know that they have some knowledge of the Bible, but I think you would agree that there is tremendous room for growth and maturity. It is so wonderful that they WANT to learn more of God’s Word!  They and the people of the community are hungry spiritually and are also eager to know God better!

Since 2005 plan of support has been being built and now God is growing it quite rapidly. God’s hand of provision can be seen at every turn.  The Medical Clinic will hopefully, and Lord willing, open in December 2012.  The vision for the clinic is that it will be a place where people can be healed physically and find the healing hand of God; a center in the community for healing in the name of Jesus.

One of the latest pieces that God is putting together for the clinic and for Joseph’s House is a solar electric light project.  The people from Solar Light for Africa have stepped up and are planning to supply the materials and labor to get the job done.  (http://www.solarlightforafrica.org/Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.html) Pastor Gary heard from the people at Solar light for Africa last week. They have a trip to Uganda planned and will be installing the solar on the clinic and the house, June 28-29. We were hoping to go back then, but we found out that the kids would be in school at that time. Since my main calling is working with the kids, we decided that I should not go at that time.  After talking and praying it was felt that it would be more productive if I went when the kids are on a break from school. And the sooner the better.  One of the big tasks on my plate right now  is coordinating the child sponsorship program.  We have 14 of the 36 kids set up on a monthly donor program. But we have 22 other kids that are not being supported.  God has placed this part of the project on my heart. I have been trying to work with Rhona since December to get a proper listing of each child. This is a big job and impossible to do from here in Colorado.  I now realize that it will be best to speak directly with each child to know more about each one and to get a clear idea of their goals and aspirations.  I want to pray with each child for their future and give them pictures of the families here in Colorado who support them.  The longer I put this off, the farther away the result. 

As you would expect this all took a great deal of consideration. The next school break is upon us;  April 19 - May 20. But I also found out that the airfares are lower in the spring. So after much prayer and discussion, I finally went ahead on Saturday with plans to visit Uganda this month. I needed to coordinate both of my jobs and all of the church work as well as take into consideration the children’s school schedule and of course we needed to speak with Papa Gary and Mama Judee.  When I received an invitation from the Rhona in Uganda and a green light from Gary and Judee, it was a clear confirmation that this was God’s best plan.  

I plan to spend about a week at Joseph’s House.  I hope to meet with each individual student. Also I would like to hold a Bible Study for the children, each day for 1 hour if possible. I was thinking that I should spend approximately a week in the village and a week in Kampala.  I hope to connect with the BSF Area Administrator in Kampala to find out when their classes are held for Leader’s Meetings and whether they will be in session while I am there. And last but not least I am also hoping to spend time with Christopher and Jeremiah while in Kampala as well. While in the village I will be staying with Mama Edith and the children at Joseph’s house.  

Although this aspect of the work with Olive Branch Ministries is not necessarily a long term commitment for us, the children and widows in Africa are on our hearts for the Long Term.  It is unclear what will happen once the Joseph’s House model is complete.  But our hearts are open to where ever God leads, absolutely.  

God has blessed me to have the funds to go. I personally am going for the purpose of solidifying the Sponsorship of the Orphans and getting the details about each one "nailed down" so that I can tell interested people more about the kids.  But this leads me to the answer to your question.  I am not accepting donations for me or my trip but I am asking people to think about sponsoring a child. 

Finally I would ask that you pray for me, the trip, and the children.  Pray that I would meet the goals set before me and for supernatural protection.  Thanks so much for your support, it means more than you will ever know.

Patience...has its rewards :)

The way that we plan our own steps makes God dizzy.  His word specifically tells us

• Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand. Proverbs 19:21
• Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24
• The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Psalms 37:23
• 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

So then what can I take away from this? My plans seem great at the time, but I need to stop, wait and then pray for God to guide my way and clear the path.  Often times I barge ahead of God making my own plans  - waiving my hand for God to come along and catch up with me.  Who's journey is this anyway?

When I examined my own heart I saw that my motive might be right, serving God and His people, but my method was backwards.  I set up the plan then invite God to join me.

Now, my prayer is that God will include me in His plan, and then I can be sure I am on the right path.  God is calling us to join His battle plan. So we need to simply ask God to show us His plan and He is faithful to reveal each step as we need to know them.

The Bible says that "if any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5). When we ask God for wisdom, His desires will become the focus of our prayers. "Let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him" (Romans 12:2). 

The rewards? Peace and victory.  It is not always what I want and usually looks vastly different from my original idea.  But the reward is that I know I am on the right path!  Praise God.