The lengths a man will go to in his search for internet service
I just returned to Kitale this evening after 5 days in Uganda. My time in Uganda was amazing and the Western side of this country is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We entered into Uganda after crossing the Suam river. The pavement on the Kenya side stops 30-40 KM prior to the Ugandan border. This is also the rainy season in Eastern Africa, and so our drive into Uganda was more like a mud run…I was really yearning for my pickup. Not to worry though, my driver John is the best wheel man in East Africa if not the world. John is very patient and very good with his vehicle, even in the most unusual places we continued to find ourselves. Not only is John a great driver, but he is also an amazing believer in Christ and one of the greatest encouragements I have had on this trip.
Ugandan children and John Juma my driver
As we arrived in Uganda last Tuesday evening, it was raining heavily, so our arrival in Kapsechoy was delayed. When we got to the church in Kapsechoy, the church was still about half full of people worshipping, singing and dancing. The amazing part of this whole scene was the fact that they were doing this in the dark. Eventually we hooked up a light bulb to a generator and I spoke for a few moments of introduction. We then returned to our guest house located in a national forest along the Uganda/Kenya border. Interestingly enough this is also a military outpost, so I always had park rangers and soldiers stationed around the premises.
Wednesday we began our first full day of services with the church in Kapchesoy. The Spirit of God was moving so strongly, that Pastor Adams asked me to preach again immediately after the invitation. During this service many came forward for prayer. In the coming days, we would hear of many miracles that had happened as God touched the lives in that service.
The other highlight of Wednesday was the great “Marathon Chicken” incident. Pastor Adams had prepared me that the chicken I would be eating in Uganda was known long distance running, just like their people. He had prepared me that the chicken is some of the toughest you could ever eat. On Wednesday, he saw a young man carrying a rooster, so we stopped and Pastor Adams offered to buy it. When we got into Suam, he went to pay the young man for the chicken. The door to the van was opened and when I looked over the backseat, I could see the chicken still walking around. As soon as Pastor Adams returned to the van, the chicken made a run for it and the great chicken chase was on. Pastor Adams was outwitted many times by the chicken and none of the locals would help, because they were too busy looking at the white man. Fortunately for Pastor Adams, the chicken ran into a store and was finally captured. We both are certain we heard the chicken yelling….”The muzungu won’t eat me…the muzungu won’t eat me.”
Pastor Adams recovers the runaway marathon chicken
On Thursday I was taken on a tour of Bukwo District. A couple of things really stand out as you tour the country. Again the beauty of the land is breathtaking. Also you begin to see the fear that has dominated the lives of many of these people. Bukwo District is home to the Sebei tribe of people. Across the Kenyan border is a rival tribe call the Poikot. The Poikot are known for walking around completely naked. In 2003, a Poikot raiding party violated a peace agreement between the two tribes and entered into Bukwo District. They ended up burning down many homes and killing 25 people. It was because of this action that Bukwo District was formed and the military outpost was established. Even with these measures may of the Sebei refuse to build permenant housing for themselves fearing another raid. On a lighter note, is the fascination that Ugandan people have with a white man. As we would drive down the road you would repeatedly hear kids yelling “muzungu, muzungu.” I was so humored by it that I wrote the “Muzungu Song” for those riding in the van with me.
Kapsechoy Church
Thursday afternoon, I preached again at the church in Kapchesoy and also enjoyed a meal in the home of the pastor David and his wife Violet. During the afternoon service, a young man stepped forward to give his life to Christ. The church erupted in celebration. The pastor informed me that this young man was the most notorious troublemaker in his village, known for drunkeness and violence. In the evening I preached our first service in Suam. Suam is the border town at the Kenya/Uganda border. It is known primarily for the cooking of alcohol and rampant drunkneness. During this service two women came forward to give their lives to Christ. I later learned that one of the women was the most well known prostitute in the village. I found Suam to be very spiritually oppressive when I preached and actually have come to recognize it spiritually as the most difficult place in the world that I have ever spoken.
Friday we toured some additional areas of Bukwo and had lunch with Robert, one of the Bible College students in his home. Friday afternoon we once again returned to the church in Kapsechoy. Before I began preaching I asked for testimonies. Immediately two men came up to give their lives to Christ, their decision influenced by their friend the day before. Once again the church erupted into celebration. As I gave the invitation that afternoon, another woman came and fell on her face weeping, seeking to know the saving love of Jesus. That evening I preached again in Suam. No one responded to the invitation and one came seeking prayer…a hardened place indeeed.
Saturday was the day I had come to be a part of. It was time for our Bible College graduates to be recognized. The principal of the college had borrowed gowns from a college in Kitale, mine of course was about 2 sizes two small…what do you expect, I’m 2 sizes too big. There was great excitement with this event. Government officials came, leaders of denominations came and many friends and family. The Bible College is the first institution of higher learning of any kind to ever come to Bukwo District. One government official said he never thought he would see the garments of graduates in this district. He also pledged to become a student in the next year’s session. In all 30 students graduated. The class had originally started with 72, so this was indeed a tremendous milestone.
Graduates of Redeemer Bible College
The other highlight for me Saturday was the arrival of my friend Kibunga Stephen from Kalege Baptist Church on the other side of Uganda. Stephen and I have been communicating back and forth online for about 5 years now. I told him, I was going to be in Uganda, and so he made a very sacrificial effort to join me. We have had a wonderful time talking face to face for the first time.
Kibunga Steven and I at Bukwo PCM
I was finally able to get cell phone service on Saturday and talked to Carol for the first time in 4 days and Collin and Caitlyn for the first time since I had left the US.
Sunday was another busy day. I started the morning by preaching the early service at the Suam PCM Church. The Lord gave me a deeply moving word for the church and when the invitation was given, nearly 20 people came forward weeping, seeking to return to their first love. This was the first time I had felt any type of true spiritual breakthrough in this village. We left Suam and returned to Bukwo, where I preached at the Bukwo PCM church. The pastor commented that he never in his life would have imagined a white man visiting their church. This church has a giving spirit that is evidenced in their willingness to host the Bible College. The service was full and the presence of God was once again overwhelming. When I began praying for those coming forward, the whole front of the church was full. As I was praying I laid hands on a woman, who immediately began to writhe and scream as I anointed her head with oil. She began rolling around on the floor violently, at which time Pastor Adams rebuked the demon within her to leave. By the time she sat up she was calm and in her right mind. This time of prayer lasted nearly 45 minutes, because so many were coming forward. In the afternoon, I spent my time with the local pastors. The graduation of the Bible College had been the first time they had come together, this was the second.
The Kenya/Uganda border
I am now once again in Kitale, Kenya and reflecting on the past 12 days. I see that my role here has been two-fold. God has used me to bring revival to places that desperately needed a fresh touch from the Lord. More importantly the Lord has allowed me to be the catalyst to join the servants of God together for the common work of the Kingdom.
Today I will be travelling to Nairobi with Pastor Adams and John. John made us a remarkable offer to take me to Nairobi, so he could spend a little more time with me. We will spend our time today fellowshipping and tomorrow we will strategize for the future. Tomorrow evening I catch a plane bound for Amsterdam and began counting the moments until I am reunited with my loved ones.