Homecoming

After more than a year on furlough, we are finally back "home". David has decided to take a semester off from the University of Virginia and he returned with Owen to Kenya for a semester of mission work. He is working at Rift Valley Academy assisting with the music program and then will work about three months at the Bible College developing a Kenyan worship team. He feels he has come "home" and is filled with a deep sense of God's purpose. It has been a God-appointed time for David and Owen to be together as Owen makes the adjustment to boarding school at Rift Valley Academy. David has given Owen strong "big brother" encouragement and support and it has helped bridge the gap Owen has felt as he adjusts to his new school and environment. Of course, Owen has already made fast friends with many of the guys in his dorm. Please pray that Owen will not be too homesick, he will connect with his teachers and study hard, adjust to the slower pace of life back in Africa and that this will be a time of spiritual growth as they have various worship groups and Bible studies he can attend.

David and Owen's departure for Kenya has left a big hole in our hearts. We have found ourselves in an empty nest for the first time and the quietness is deafening. Jennifer has cried many nights as the emptiness she feels with life without the boys is compounded by adjusting, once again, to life in Africa. Please pray for us as we adjust to this new season of life. On the other hand, this is a time of new beginnings for us as we embark on the next chapter of our Mission to East Africa. For the first time, we will be able to minister together in the villages of rural Uganda. This will open the door to greater effectiveness in teaching, prayer and discipleship. Almost always, when I go out to a village they ask, "When will we see your wife?" So, now we are praying for God's direction for us as a team.

The Church of the Province of Uganda has unambiguously aligned itself with the historic biblical faith of the Anglican Communion. The Church has made very strong statements rejecting the apostate stand of the church in the West regarding homosexuality and the truth of Scripture. There have been many questions from our Ugandan friends about the disintegrating church in the West. We are humbled to find that we are so welcomed back as trusted friends, but our heart grieves for those we left behind in the U.S. who must deal daily with the spiritual crisis in the Episcopal Church. Please pray that the orthodox leaders in America will take bold and decisive action in standing for righteousness. Pray for us also, as we are seeking God's guidance about our future relationship with the church in the U.S.

Enthronement

Our homecoming has been very joyous and full of activity, as visitors began to arrive for the enthronement of the new Archbishop only days after we returned from the U.S. The seventh Archbishop of Uganda, Most Revd. Henry Luke Orombi, was enthroned at St Paul's Cathedral, Namirembe on 25 January. The five hour service, attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of Uganda, was a joyful, moving and uplifting act of worship. Rev. Sandy Millar, rector of Holy Trinity Brompton, England preached the sermon and gave a clear call for people to walk in righteousness and ended with the salvation message and prayed for people to accept Christ as their Savior!

The clear affirmation of biblical teaching was accompanied by an equally clear challenge to affirm Africa's cultural identity. Particularly challenging was the enthusiastic commitment to mission and evangelism throughout Africa and the world. Archbishop Henry emphasized the importance of holding fast to the faith once delivered by the church in the West, and Archbishop Livingstone's stand in breaking the link with ECUSA was repeatedly congratulated by loud applause.

The afternoon before the ethronement service we joined a throng of overseas visitors in attending a gathering at the Uganda Christian University, previously Bishop Tucker Theological College, at Mukono. Again the vision was infectious as we heard of plans for future development at the University. The afternoon culminated in a vibrant celebration of thanksgiving for Archbishop Livingstone's ministry. In his response Archbishop Livingstone spoke of the crucial role of intercessors in removing insurmountable obstacles to the Lord's work in Uganda. Phil gave a word of thanks on behalf of the many missionaries who have worked under Nkoyoyo's leadership. He emphasized the love and appreciation that the missionary community has for Nkoyoyo's kindness, and the respect we have for his bold stand for righteousness.

The following Sunday Archbishop Henry was enthroned as the Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala The joyful celebration was held at All Saints Cathedral, punctuated with exuberant praise, led by The Flames, and the beautiful sounds of traditional adungu (harps) filled the cathedral. Over two thousand people gathered inside and also outside in huge tents where the service was projected on a big screen using equipment brought by a friend of ours ,Jay Bartol. Several times during the morning service the congregation broke into spontaneous dancing and shouts of joy as the mantel of leadership was passed on to Archbishop Henry. It was a picture of new beginnings in the normally reserved Church of Uganda. We rejoice with the people of Uganda in their enthusiasm for the move of God's Spirit within the church. Bishop Elisha Kyamugambi preached a fiery sermon in true Uganda style. His sermon stirred the crowd to cheers when he talked about not bowing to the money from the church in the West and that the Church of Uganda will continue to stand on Biblical truth.

"I desire to see prayer becoming central in the life of our Church.
The more we pray, the humbler we become. When we humble
ourselves, God will exalt us and heal our land."
Archbishop Henry Orombi - 1/25/2004

Renewal

Outgoing Archbishop Livingstone and his successor, Henry Orombi, have both acknowledged that Uganda is currently experiencing an amazing move of God that has brought about national transformation. Birthed from deep fervent prayers among the Ugandan people during the devastating days of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, this current move of the Holy Spirit has created a greater dependence upon the Lord and thirst for a deeper relationship with Him. Because the people of Uganda have cried to God with desperate prayers they have been drawn deeper and deeper into His presence. Now, God is bringing about dramatic changes in their lives. We believe this is the foundation God will use to send many as missionaries to the rest of the world.

This anointing of prayer has remained on the country. It is this spiritual environment of renewal that makes Uganda an important place at this moment in history. Many people who visit Uganda confess that they experience God in a fresh way that leaves a lasting impact on their lives and further equips them to influence their own community back home.

Since our arrival here five and a half years ago, we have spent much our time listening and learning, and we still have more to understand. At least now, we know what questions to ask! Gradually, we have moved into a greater awareness of how God intends to most effectively use our specific gifts and talents to build His Kingdom among the people of Uganda. The new Archbishop enthusiastically supports our ministry of teaching about the power of the Holy Spirit in the worship of the church, and the importance of prayer and discipleship in bringing about lasting impacts on the people. We have a great sense of anticipation that God will make himself known in powerful ways during the years ahead, and that Uganda will be used mightily for the healing of the nations.

We would appreciate you standing with us in prayer. God has called us to Uganda to teach leaders the Biblical foundations of worship and bring renewal to the Church of Uganda through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jennifer has a heart for discipling young women who will be future leaders of Uganda, and she has a vital ministry to orphans and street girls. Please pray with us that God will continue to provide for our mission to Uganda, and that He will clearly direct our ministry as we embark on the next stage of our lives. Join us as we walk alongside the people of Uganda, who receive the blessing of your faithful support and prayers.†