MISSION TO THE USA

Jennifer arrived in California with Mama Phoebe Orombi, wife of Archbishop Henry Orombi, and Rev. Hellen Oneka. They have been asked to speak at the Regional Anglican Woman's Conference in California with the theme "Set Free Indeed --- for God's Purposes."  Mama Phoebe and Jennifer will also travel to Arizona where Mama Phoebe will speak to several Anglican churches in Phoenix.  Jennifer also has the delight of connecting with a friend and neighbor from 15 years ago when we lived in Virginia.  Rev. Hellen Oneka will visit Covenant College where Owen attends and she will preach at their chapel service and speak to the students about micro-finance and development issues.

Jennifer has been invited to participate in the Southeastern Convocation of the Anglican Communion in Georgia where she will share about our mission in Uganda.  Since she will be close to Tennessee, she will visit close friends in Nashville who she helped adopt a little Ugandan girl.  She will also spend time with Owen at Covenant College.

We would appreciate if you keep all of these missions in your prayers.  Pray for safe travels, timely connections, jet lag to be minimized, unity in all our relationships and with the team, abundant blessings for all the coordinators and the hosts, who are graciously opening their homes, that our talks will inspire the women and that the Holy Spirit will set them free from any burden or obstacle that needs to be laid at the feet of Jesus, and that we would make new friendships that will connect hearts across the ocean.

BISHOP WIVES' RETREAT

Mama Phoebe Orombi once again hosted a retreat for the Bishops’ wives of the Church of Uganda in January.  Jennifer was blessed to be invited to give the daily exposition of the Word every morning.  The theme this year was "Fulfilling the Call".  As Jennifer was praying before the retreat she felt God spoke to her heart and said, "Tell them they are bridges and builders."  She challenged the Bishops' wives to build a strong spiritual foundation in their own lives and then to minister to the women in their Dioceses so that they have a strong relationship with Christ.  As bridges, she encouraged them to connect people to Christ, and to those who need to reconcile. Jennifer encouraged them that as part of "Fulfilling their Call" they are Ambassadors of Reconciliation and that their influence in their Dioceses can make a significant impact for Christ.  

This year Meg Guernsey, wife of the newly elected Bishop in the Church of Uganda for the USA, came from America to join the other Bishops' wives for the retreat.  She connected with old friends and new relationships were forged as well.

AURA PASTORS' WIVES RETREAT

The Bishop's wife, Rev. Joy Obetia, invited Jennifer to attend the Pastors' Wives Retreat and teach the daily devotion each morning.  It was a privilege to open up the Word for these women whose influence stretches across the Diocese.  

KITGUM DIOCESAN CONVENTION

The suffering of the people in northern Uganda continues to burn in our hearts.  We were both invited to speak at the Diocesan mission in February. Phil spoke on the healing that Jesus brings to us through our worship, and Jennifer, for the first time since we have lived in Uganda, preached on witchcraft and exhorted the people to cleanse themselves and the land through prayer.

 

PADER, NORTHERN UGANDA

Jennifer was invited to lead a workshop on trauma counseling to about fifty women from surrounding IDP camps.  The women were very hungry to learn how to cope with the overwhelming number of people who have endured the impact of the twenty-year rebel conflict in Northern Uganda. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phil had a chance to visit the construction site of the secondary school in Pader, and is pleased to report wonderful progress toward completion of two classroom blocks, water collection systems and latrines.   

 

RWENZORI DIOCESE YOUTH CONFERENCE

Phil spoke on the power of the Holy Spirit in worship for several days at the Diocesan Youth Conference.  Over 1000 young people were very responsive when Phil sang and prayed healing prayers over them.

KAMPALA WORSHIP TRAINING

Several churches in Kampala have invited Phil to teach the Biblical Foundations of Worship series, and he is planning additional in-depth work at Makerere University, Ntinda, All Saints Cathedral and Kyamboga University. 

MISSION TO KENYA

A planned two-week mission to Kenya with students from Kyamboga University had to be cancelled due to the political unrest following controversial election results.  The intense tribal conflict spilled over in anger towards Ugandans because they felt that President Museveni had endorsed the Kenya President-elect prematurely.

 

OUR NEW HOME

After 1-1/2 years of tearing down walls, repairing the leaking roof multiple times, setting up a sophisticated rat patrol system – like rat traps, redoing the plumbing system so the house now has running water, painting the walls that had about 40 years of dirt and grime, and completely renovating the uninhabitable kitchen we are now living in our "new house!"  It has been very stressful and exhausting to do a complete overhaul in another culture, but we are very grateful for the nice clean home we now have and know it will be a great place of ministry.

 

SAMS/SOMA MISSIONARY RETREAT

We were blessed and refreshed to spend several days at Paraa Lodge, in Murchison Falls Park, as the SAMS/SOMA team led us in a retreat of rest and encouragement.  It was truly a time to reflect on God’s provision and plan for us as we serve Him in the mission field.  We were very grateful for the care and generosity of our mission agency to provide this much-needed break from the stress of daily life in Uganda.

We thank God for each and every one of you.  Your prayers and support are appreciated more than you will ever know.  May God bless you for your faithfulness to us and His mission to the people of Uganda.