upward & inward

Prayer Journal Entry, July 7, 2012: "Thank you for the seats that are filled and the lives that are changed for you!" As we began the transition after our Senior Pastor left, some on the Council did some reading about others' experiences with similar transitions.  The book, "Elephant in the Boardroom" by Crabtree and Weese , offers some insights regarding expectations for churches in transition. One "prediction", in particular, caught my attention: Worship attendance typically drops about 15 percent... The church loses financial support of 15 percent or so... Those are some big numbers. As the summer wore on, our attendance numbers dropped, as they often did this time of year, while our folks took some time off from regular attendance.  The big test was in late August and into September as attendance typically rises as routine schedules return.  In the fall of 2012, the predictions noted above proved to be true.  Both our attendance and our...

Here's an excerpt from   "I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference." by Thom Rainer.  It's a great book to gently remind us of what it means to be a "church member." I Am a Church Member I am a church member. I like the metaphor of membership. It’s not membership as in a civic organization or a country club. It’s the kind of membership given to us in 1 Corinthians 12: “Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it” (1 Cor. 12: 27). Because I am a member of the body of Christ, I must be a functioning member, whether I am an “eye,” an “ear,” or a “hand.” As a functioning member, I will give. I will serve. I will minister. I will evangelize. I will study. I will seek to be a blessing to others. I will remember that “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12: 26). I am a church member. I will seek to be a source of unity in...

Prayer Journal Entries July 3, 2012: "Help us cope with [another] departure." July 5, 2012: "Comfort for the congregation during this time of transition." Like the ripples in a pond after a stone is tossed in, a big change brings other changes. When the Sr. Pastor resigned, I had already scheduled a trip to Africa and a vacation for the month of June. While it was difficult to leave the church during this time, I had to realize that this wasn't my church but Christ's church, His bride.  I remain only a steward. So, on June 30th, our team, the first team to go in 2012, returned safely.  It was great to be back in the fellowship again on that next day, a Sunday, celebrating Christ, and thanking Him for a great trip, another church built, and for so many stories to share with our church family.  It was the day after, a Monday, when the reality of another leadership lesson would shake me (briefly) out of the fog of jet-lag. After 11 years of faithful...

After two-and-a-half weeks of traveling, we are back to Wichita. Saturday evening, we bid our farewells to the Stevensons and all those who work alongside them and make each visit an enjoyable one. Michael, Phillip, Thomas, Godfrey, Sande (pronounced Sunday), Moses, Christine, Beatrice, Lancy, Mary, and so many more.  Why is East Africa, Uganda in particular, so compelling to us?  Why must we go back? Seriously, it's a good question. Why go to Africa, 10,000 miles away, when there is so much to do for those so much closer?  Why endure a trip there of over 30 hours and a trip back - with delays - that lasted 60 hours for two of our team?  Why suffer from the "African Massage" that comes from bouncing along dirt roads that grow potholes like Bermuda grass in Kansas?  Why risk so much and do all of this for a people so far away? Here are some thoughts to consider before your next opportunity to go. Christ has called us to be His "witnesses in J...

Here are some final thoughts from the team as we depart. "My home away  from home. That is what this place has become in my heart." - Isaac Smith "The red dirt can be washed off my hands & and feet...the smell of burning charcoal and exhaust rinsed out of my hair...but the love and joy of the Ugandan people will forever be cherished in my heart."  - sherry L. smith "This was my first time to Africa and entire experience was so much grander than my expectations!  What a blessing!"  -Debbie Rich "Once again I am at the point of heartache.  Departure is always the hardest part of the trip.  But it is also the beginning of next years adventure back.  Already thinking about what God has in store next year.  Uganda you take more and more of my heart every year." Kimberly Toupin "Though this is my first trip to Uganda, it feels like home. Each person I've met has become a part of my heart. The highlight of my journey...

I mentioned in this post about TAPP women in the Bukasa area who make their living, in part, by working in the quarries.  These ladies sit among bigger rocks, breaking them into smaller rocks, and filling wheelbarrows. Their pay? One wheelbarrow full brings about 35 cents. It takes about a day to fill two wheelbarrows. One of the clients in Bukasa, the second we visited on Tuesday, showed us these scrub pads she weaves together. Two were shown to us and we quickly purchased them, promising that if we were able to see her on Thursday, we would purchase more. Yesterday, Prossya came to the TAPP office holding nine of these pads and we were glad to buy them all.  She handcrafted, stitch by stitch, nine of these pads.  She was glad to sell these to us for roughly $2 each. (By the way, the normal approach to buying and selling here in Uganda is to haggle until the selling price drops considerably. We did not deploy that cultural approach in this occasion and paid full p...

Here on my 5th trip to Uganda, I finally agreed to go on a safari.  I struggled to justify it in previous years, but with my bride and my youngest with me, both wanting to go, I gave in.  Seriously, I was not looking forward to going.  Once I arrived, however, I was glad to be there. Our destination on Tuesday morning (early!), leaving the Stevensons behind with Ralph, Carl, and Delbert, the rest of us (Isaac, Sherry, Scott, Kimberly, Ray, Christine, Debbie, and I) left with the Intek Tours guide, Richard.  We wanted to go early in order to get ahead of Kampala traffic and some anticipated construction as we traveled northward for four hours to reach the border of Murchison Park. We spotted a few groups of monkeys as we approached the park.  And, as we entered the park, we were greeted by a family of baboons.  From there on, baboons were a common companion alongside the roads as we continued to travel into the park - another 2 hours before reaching ...

The Tumaini AIDS Prevention Program ( TAPP ) is an important ministry to reach out to those affected by the HIV crisis in Uganda.  Each client of the program is "living positively" with HIV.  And, each visit we make to Uganda gives us the opportunity to visit these clients, offer encouragement and some sustenance, and pray with them and for them. A TAPP client with Scott and her children In the village, we visited clients nearby and down the road.  The first day, Scott, Kimberly, and Sherry visited three homes and were caught in the rain. The next day, Delbert, Carl, and Ralph followed up with other clients that required a little bit of a drive to get there. Each trip is humbling.  Being labeled as HIV+ brings with it a stigma that divides families and a separation from society while also dramatically limiting the ability to make a living.  TAPP offers a client training and other opportunities to make a living by selling handmade items like jewelry, faci...

On Sunday, we were ready for the big day when we culminate our visit with a church dedication service. But, before that we had some other opportunities to build community by sharing in the celebration of baptism. Ralph, along with Pastor Fred (the district overseer), baptized 13 folks in a little area that the people have used to make natural bricks - located near the entrance to the village off the main road.  What a great experience to join into as these souls demonstrated outwardly what had already taken place in their hearts: Let the world know that Jesus Christ is my Savior AND Lord! After this celebration, we went to the village and the new church.  Wow. On Friday, it didn't seem likely that the roof would be complete by Sunday, but there it was!  All that remained was the task of bricking in the front/back and finishing the crown along the peak.  This church was so excited about being in the church that they were mostly inside by the time we got the...

The village of Keleele is about 25 km from Mubende in the Mubende district, 100 km from Kampala to the Northwest. The church building as we arrived This is our 14th church that Central has partnered with in order to finish out a church building.  Our role in the partnership is to put on windows, doors, and a roof atop a brick building finished to the roof ring.  It's a great way to partner in that the church does what it can - making their own bricks, affording a bag of cement here, a bag there, and so on.  It can be a project lasting months and years.  But, once the building is completed to the roof ring, we come with project funding and partner with them. The event itself, believe it or not, can change lives for an eternity.  We hear many stories of how folks living nearby the churches, hearing and seeing the work going on, are curious enough to ask - and end up coming to Christ, along with their whole family.  Wow. Teachers (L to R): Constan...

On Thursday last (Nov.7), we left Kampala for the Mubende district.  It took a while for us to get going as we waited for the arrival of some items we needed to bring along.  Someone once said, "In America you have watches, in Africa we have time."  When we say that we'll leave at 10 in the morning, we should add "ish" to that schedule. So, as we waited, I took pictures ... Before leaving the city, we picked up Annie and her son Adrienne.  Annie is married to Edrin Serwano, the Assistant Director of Children of Promise here in Uganda.  She also works in that office.  Annie was coming along because we were going to her family's district and she would help in the teaching time and other activities.  Annie's father, Pastor Fred, is the district overseer.  Those who have been on trips here before may remember him and Annie's family from our church project in Kasenke, where that family lives. Annie has 6 brothers and 3 sisters - 2 of the brothers, Ti...

We wrapped up our third day at Kasubi, a Church of God school here in Kampala.  Ralph and I gathered with the church leaders present and taught the leadership issues regarding delegation of authority, worship and service, and faith.  They were so attentive these last 3 days and I wish that we could keep going and build the mentoring processes and relationships that help keep leaders moving forward.  The good news is that, at Ralph's suggestion, we gave them all our notes on these topics and they will, hopefully, be able to pour into others in their churches, ministry areas, and departments - leaders building more leaders. Yes! The JaJa party went really well.  I had not participated in these before so I wasn't sure what to expect. We introduced ourselves. A few JaJas (grandmothers, grandfathers) gave testimonies as a few of our own JaJas (Delbert and Debbie). Then, we all served them the food that was prepared - they were soooo blessed.  But, I believe that ...

When we arrive here, our days tend to meld together. "I thought it was Tuesday. Are you sure it's Wednesday?" Today IS Wednesday when we'll wrap up our third day at Kasubi. More teaching, building, visiting, and encouraging each other in the LORD. Yesterday (Tuesday), we heard from Pastor David from the Congo.  Congo is one of the countries that the Stevensons support.  It was heartbreaking to hear the human catastrophe happening there.  Rival factions are terrorizing the people - rape, murder, mutilation, and so much more. We felt helpless to know what to do other than to pray over him for protection for him and his family along with wisdom. We'll have to learn more as we consider the enormity of what they're suffering there and how we might help. Today, we are having a Jaja party at Kasubi. This is a special time of fellowship including Manicures, Pedicures, Hair, Food, Games and affirmation for these grandmothers - who they are, how they have given so...

Yesterday, we went back to Kasubi for teaching, construction work, JaJa visits, and some admin work in the Children of Promise office. On this team, we have 2 folks who are enjoying their first journey here - Debbie and Christine. They, along with Carl, had the privilege of visiting JaJas. These are Grandmothers, sometimes Grandfathers, who often are raising their grandchildren because their children have died. Or, they're in such dire economic straits that they simply need a helping hand. One who was visited yesterday works nearly a month handcrafting a floor mat that she hopes to sell for a few pennies. While the poverty is abject, the joy of our visits is equally stunning as they, with great joy, welcome us into the humblest of homes. We could take a few lessons home from them on how to welcome guests into our homes and into our services! On top of this, our new team members and Carl had the thrill of riding boda-bodas to accomplish their visits. Boda-bodas are little scoote...

After 33 hours of flight, 11 team members arrived here at the Stevensons' compound with 22 pieces of checked luggage and all our carry-on luggage. We made it!  Looking back at that description doesn't really capture the trip because it's long, boring, and uncomfortable.  But once we arrive, all that doesn't matter because it's good to be back. After arriving at 1:30 in the morning (yes, there are two times of the day for a time called "1:30"), we greeted the Stevensons and those who work with them here, got settled in our rooms, and tried to get some sleep before breakfast.  Solid sleep came with difficulty, especially with all the sounds of Uganda - birds, birds, birds! And, because we're right on the equator, the sun gets them all up at 6am sharp! After breakfast, we all piled into three vehicles to go to Kasubi for church services. For the first time in my experience, we are overlapping with another church project team. The folks from Lima, Ohio...

A fellow Christ-follower wrote me recently: I don't feel blessed. So many things in my life are not the way I envisioned them. Am I hurt? Angry? Envious? Feeling like God has abandoned me? That I'm not good enough? That I'm not a good enough person? That I'm not blessed? When I became a Christ follower, my life changed for the better. But I fail so often to be the person I think God wants me to be. I've failed so often to do the right thing. I thought I knew that God loves us unconditionally, but I don't think I know that now. I look at all the things I think are wrong with my life and I feel like I'm being punished and that I deserve that. I don't see that my life is much different than others I know who have family, friends, jobs, etc and aren't Christians. So why do I do this "Christian thing"? What am I missing here? Perhaps you've felt the same way - you look around you and see the outside of folks' liv...

Prayer Journal Entry: May 22, 2012. [Please give us] Unity on Council in tonight's meeting - effective, God-honoring! As the Executive Pastor, my role is all-encompassing.  The Senior Pastor was to lead the church and I was to run the church. He is visionary while I'm operational.  He identifies the target on the map - and I get us there.  When I arrived at the church over four years before (2007), my job description was: "If you see it, it's yours."  Which I discovered to mean later: lead everything but the vision, strategy, and the preaching. Not satisfied with that ambiguity, I adapted a more detailed job description and sent it to the Senior Pastor soon after I arrived.  I don't remember ever discussing it in much detail - only following it as I progressed into the job.  However, the key portion of the job description in a time like this is: [The Executive Pastor] ensures that the church's goals, systems, practices, and policies responsibly, st...