Posts on Aniku Family

Aniku Family

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 17:25:25 +0000

Pastor Vincent grew up as a refugee and a soldier’s son moving around Uganda. He got saved at a young age and the persecution started immediately. God brought him back to his home in Midigo and called him to the ministry. He since has finished Bible College and married Melissa.

Melissa Aniku grew up in Southern California and felt a calling for missions. She went to Uganda in 2009 and is now a permanent resident for life.

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 17:23:35 +0000

Family in Spirit

“For as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.” Col 2:1b

CC Flower Mound, Texas was amazing! God really showed us how close we are to those who pray for us and we for them, even if we have never met in person! From the moment, we met everyone, it was like seeing a best friend you hadn’t seen in sometime and need to catch up. Like Paul says in Philippians, true companions. Encouraging each other in Christ, sharing the amazing things He has done and is doing. What a beautiful family we have in Christ! Please never cease to pray for those you have not met! We are knit together in God’s Spirit!

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 17:23:35 +0000

God Does Big Things

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 17:23:35 +0000

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

From Vincent: I grew up playing soccer, our balls were made of banana leaves and inflated by hang gloves wrapped in rags and threads. I played for schools and fun. In our time, we did not have real balls, cleats and uniforms. Instead one team would remove their shirts. In 2008, as youth pastor at that time, we started using soccer to evangelize to the 95% Muslim community. Most of the team was talented school drop outs who had become drug addicts. We first started with 8 clubs and it quickly grew to 18. In 2010, we registered in a league and now 2018 we play professionally in the 3rdregional league. I want to thank my beloved wife and all the many people who have supported this ministry! Through God, your support we has recruited players, rented dorms for them, feeds them, carry the traveling costs, they have cleats and uniforms and now many of them have been able to go back to school to finish their educations.

Happy Birthday Jesus

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 19:33:47 +0000

Christmas is such a precious day! Celebrating the birth of Christ and His love for us! This year we were blessed with the finances to do 3 Christmas party/outreaches. Children’s ministry party had over 700 children that attended. The icing, our daughter Gaga was asked to be Marry and put a pillow in her shirt. The children laughed to tears as she sat on her friend who was pretending to be a donkey. All those children will forever remember the birth of Christ! The Football/soccer players, fans and all involved in the ministry had theirs at our house compound. We were blessed reading the scripture about our Savior to the Muslim boys. Lastly, our church Christmas part was colorful and over 1,000 people attended including Muslims. Christmas, a day where no one can deny the love they see, the love that only Christ can bring!

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 19:04:32 +0000

Persecutions

The Lord is moving mightily in our midst through the school, hospital and sports ministry. Therefore, we are experiencing a volume of persecution especially through the hospital ministry. Please pray for our hospital staff facing persecution from the government staff who are almost all Muslim. Las week we received eviction letters from some minority community families who are claiming to own the land were our homes are and the church premises. These evictions letters are influenced by Muslim government officials though we legally own our homes, church and have land titles, you never know. Imagine 10% Christian community against 90%Muslim community. It is only God! The Muslims had organized to come destroy our homes last week. We gathered as to pray and up till now we haven’t seen anything. We believe God will continually protect His ministry and fight for His people.

Push Through

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 17:50:23 +0000

The last teaching of women’s fellowship went a little like this… I was extremely sick with flu/cold. It had rained so I needed to walk to church through the thick slippery mud. Upon arriving at church, the only couple of cars at the church happened to be parked where we have women’s fellowship. This meant we needed to find another place so I had to tape the posters to a tree with wind blowing. I knew this was going to be a challenging teaching because there were already so many attacks before the fellowship even began. As we started worship, a chicken and a rooster came in the middle of us and I had to chase them. Then someone tied very loud goats to the fence behind me. Vincent had taken the boys to Arua so that I could focus on the study during the day. Unfortunately, he had to drop off things purchased for the church. Because we had to move areas for the fellowship, the boys saw me, jumped out of the car and ran to me. Vincent tried to get them back, Sister Annette ended up giving them chairs. All this before half of the first page. In all, we made it through the teaching on the “Holy Spirit.” I know God blessed the women because it was the most distracting teaching ever, but also because women asked me for copies of the teaching after, for themselves and also to share with others. We continue to pray for their Growth in God’s Word.

Everyday Life

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 10:28:39 +0000

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

I’ve said it before and I will say it again. Writing newsletters each month is one of the hardest parts of being a missionary. This month I am late because there was no big story or moment to talk about, it has been a month of small things that we pray, one day could make a big impact.

Be Still

Sun, 25 Aug 2019 15:47:37 +0000

“Be Still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10

Every break from school the children and I climb the mountain. Following tradition, we climbed this week. Because of being sick I stopped halfway while the others continued. This gave me a couple of hours of just sitting, praying, being still. These last few months we have been faced with the most Spiritual Warfare I have ever had in my life. Just sitting there listening to all the birds, insects and monkeys that God takes care of, I knew this moment was a divine appointment. Hearing the wind blow through the leaves of the trees that have withheld many storms, I felt His peace come over me! Be still, I am God! I have this! One of the worship songs that we sing here came in my heart so I sang to God and the monkeys. “Who has the final say? Jehovah has the final say. Jehovah turns my life around, Jehovah turns my life around. He makes a way, when there seems no way! Jehovah has the final say.” Encouragement, strength, trust all swept over me. When there seems no way for us, God has His perfect way! Moses and the Sea, Joseph as a slave and a prisoner. God has His plan and nothing can stand in the way. After these needed reminders from God, the kids came back and we walked the rest of the way down the mountain and through the grass singing the song together.

Always Something to Fear

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 10:43:18 +0000

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

As Ebola spreads in our neighboring country, the Congo. There was a close call nearby us. Praise God He has and continues to protect Uganda from Ebola. I have to confess that on and off for a few days I had fear. As I reflexed at all He has brought us through these past years I had to laugh at myself for having fear. There is always something to fear, but God! When I first came it was swine flu, then malaria, pneumonia, staph, losing a baby, persecution, cancer, poverty, the future of the church, rumors, our loved ones back in America. The list can go on forever. As soon as we get over one fear, another one comes. Some have come to truth and God has seen us through with His perfect peace! But we must be still and know that He is God! Fear not for He is with us! He has our future and He has already triumphed! It is easy to let fear cripple us out of serving or doing what God has called us to do. But, God has not given us a spirit of fear! No! He has given us a spirit of power and love for the lost and His people. The spirit of a sound mind knowing in the midst of the storm He has us! His plan is better than ours! The safest place to be, is in the center of God’s will! To quote Ian’s favorite song, “My fear doesn’t stand a chance when I stand in Your love.” Chase fear, trust God!

First Decade

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:03:04 +0000

“I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13

How can I sum up my first 10 years in Uganda? I came to Midigo as a young single woman excited for a Jesus adventure! Never could I have imagined all the blessings, trials and growing that awaited me! I never wanted to be a pastor’s wife, give birth to children because of pain, I hated needles and had never gone without before. God had to humble me completely, to almost nothing, teaching me lessons the hard way because I’m so stubborn. I started in a grass house that was smaller than most closets in America. No power, water, internet and a few nights no food. So many lessons in that alone! God taught me through His Word and through my husband that nothing that we own is ours! Everything belongs to God and if it’s not used to bless others, then we better not have it at all. 10 years later, God has provided a compound where we can house children, converts, interns and feed everyone that shows up every day. Our vehicle is never empty and there is never lack of visitors. We have had great loss but even greater blessings. We have been betrayed by those who say they love us. Through God we have freedom in love and forgiveness. Seeing Jesus as the example. Knowing Judas would betray Him with a kiss, Jesus still loved and discipled him. I see in my family that we are grateful for every little thing, we know we do not deserve anything. Everything given to us is a blessing and gift from God. We know we rely on God for everything. When someone is hurt or sick, we turn to God first. I have learned to take thoughts and feelings captive, to submit to God and my husband, and to praise God for allowing this wretched woman serve Him. We do everything for Him and not man, for He alone should have all the Glory! I have seen firsthand how God equips those He calls for every type of service, and the way He uses me has changed many times over these years. He has helped me see that all of us or equally important and equally cherished in His body. The beauty in prayer warriors and supporters makes me speechless. We see the gifts of the Spirit working and the need to rely on Him and His leading every moment! Making sure to check everything according to His Word. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years has instore. I am sure it will be much more then I can ever imagine!

Great is the Lord

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:23:51 +0000

“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.” Psalm 9:3-4

When God gives vision, we can never comprehend all He will do! Around 2 years ago, Vincent was asked to be the manager of the Calvary Football Team. God put it on his heart long ago that sports and friendship is the way to help break through to these Muslim men. Showing them Christ and further the Gospel. Never did we dream what all God was going to do through this ministry. It was a rough beginning especially having a mix of Christians and Muslims on the team. But through reading the Word, praying and training together all the guys are changing and so is the community. We have seen those who use to persecute the church now try to sneak in the vehicles to watch the away games. The strongest of Muslim men say they see God working through this team. Muslims, we have never seen, drove from far to pick up fans and take them for free to the last away match. This is never ever heard of here. So much so that people feared to get in the cars. When they all reached the match, the Arua city team laughed because we are from the village. But what they didn’t know is that God is with us. We can’t believe and are praising God that we won the Reginal League trophy 3-0! We heard on the radio during the sports news, the broadcasters talked about Calvary FC (Football Club). The team we won wanted to petition. The broadcasters said, “I have followed and watched Calvary FC for the last 2 years and I would advise not to waste your time. Calvary is an honest team that we all can trust which is very rare in this sport.” This is all God! God is showing through the testimony and many are opening their eyes and hearts. Please continue to pray for God to be glorified! We have two matches left. One home and one away. The whole community is trying to see how they can go for the away match. If we win these 2 matches we qualify for Uganda Premiere League. Every time Calvary is mentioned, God is glorified because it is only Him! The guys all see what God says that they have a future and a hope both to become something for Him and to have eternity in Him.

Never Destroyed

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 18:36:26 +0000

****Never Destroyed We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corin. 4:8-9

It is that season again, when the valleys become a little deeper. As I shared with my precious friend, Valerie West, we both cried through texts and she prayed for me these scriptures. I know this is a hard season for many and felt it is good to open up and share my heart in hopes it can encourage many of you also. Hard-pressed on every side. Fighting the enemy especially in my mind. This is a busy time for Vincent and I need to encourage, not get frustrated or discourage especially when I am tired. Picking up the towel and doing devotions with kids when he is late and finding ways to bless him. Seeing friends blessed with the same things we pray for is so exciting and yet sometimes honestly difficult. Remembering this is the season of the baby gained to heaven and finding the beauty through it all. Constantly reminding myself I need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit for any teachable moments, to forgive, love, be very flexible, stay humble and giving as Christ does for His church. We can feel hard-pressed but we are not crushed! When I feel hard pressed I meditate on this scripture picturing the strongest arm punching through the thickest spiritual warfare wall with ease. Health issues: the mole on my back, feminine issues that may need surgery and many nights waking up to a swollen throat. Perplexed I ask, “God why won’t you heal me from this? How is this working for Your glory?” These scriptures remind me, I am NOT in despair. He knows exactly what is going on in my body and why, all I need to do is trust in Him. Muslims all around and knowing some of their hearts and the places my husband goes to keep peace for the church and share the gospel, even in threats we know God never abandons us! There are seasons where we can all feel struck down but need to read and remember we are not destroyed! Jesus has already won and we are in His all-knowing, all faithful, all loving, already conquered arms!

A Servants Heart

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 18:29:23 +0000

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Mark 10:45 A lesson so convicting is a servant’s heart. Jesus touched lepers and corpse, beggars, thieves and those demon-possessed. This is His heart beat that He puts in each of us. Reaching home, Midigo, we have had a lot of amazing things to do. But even in the stress, God softly reminds us to have His servant heart. On Easter, we were expecting Vincent’s family but surprised with many kids and lots of boys from the secondary school. The boys at the secondary school (boarding high school) really challenge me and most people around. Most of them unloved and uncared for by adults. The more that came I felt God tell me gently, “Serve them and love them while I multiply.” So that is what we did. God multiplied the food and gave Vincent the opportunity to share with all of them. When we allow God to work on our hearts, others see it and change too. There was also a young boy of 14 caught stealing from our Soccer/Football hall. After 2 days of being in the local police station, they wanted to take him to the juvenile court. Vincent went to the police station and shared a long time with this boy, his father (who is a police man) and the other police. We have asked that the boy be released as long as he comes to be discipled and change his ways to have a future. God’s grace is so amazing! All we need is to believe in Him! He gives us a heart of servanthood, His heart! So beautiful, is Christ!

Family in Spirit

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 15:14:49 +0000

“For as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.” Col 2:1b

Stateside

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 01:52:40 +0000

By: Vincent Aniku

This month being stateside has been wonderful and fruitful. Spending quality time with my family has been my greatest joy. It has been different from my very busy routine ministry in Midigo but yet a colorful kind of busy here in America. Our heart beat no matter where in the world, is to encourage other believers and share the gospel. Going to the homeless ministry in Pomona to share the Gospel and serve, then seeing one of the homeless at church the following Sunday. Teaching at churches to encourage the body of Christ to step out, then having time with everyone after. Small, deep, one on one fellowship and pastoral meetings, all such a blessing and rejuvenating.

Uganda to America to Uganda, Repeat

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 18:54:11 +0000

By: Vincent Aniku

I don’t know if you have ever felt the struggle of wanting to be in two different places at the same time? This is what happens to my family almost every year. Seeing my family leave for medical reasons while I remain for ministry is always difficult. I am a kind who doesn’t want to talk about situations. I stay busy in ministry but once I have a date to travel and reunite with my family I get too anxious and can’t wait. It is a wonderful experience of seeing God do great things through my wife in the states these months apart. Discipling and raising our children and getting more equipped for the ministry that awaits on the other side of the world.

God Does Big Things

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 19:56:39 +0000

From Vincent: I grew up playing soccer, our balls were made of banana leaves and inflated by hang gloves wrapped in rags and threads. I played for schools and fun. In our time, we did not have real balls, cleats, and uniforms. Instead, one team would remove their shirts. In 2008, as youth pastor at that time, we started using soccer to evangelize to the 95% Muslim community. Most of the team were talented school dropouts who had become drug addicts. We first started with 8 clubs and it quickly grew to 18. In 2010, we registered in a league and now in 2018, we play professionally in the 3rd regional league. I want to thank my beloved wife and all the many people who have supported this ministry! Through God and your support we have recruited players, rented dorms for them, feed them, carry the traveling costs, they have cleats and uniforms and now many of them have been able to go back to school to finish their educations.

He Holds the Future

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 19:11:35 +0000

Fear Not “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Getting the call from the doctor that my test results came back abnormal again and further biopsies are needed the next day was not easy. It was easy however for fear to set in — thoughts of every scenario that might be. My husband’s faith and strength in God through every crazy test usually pushes me out of my thoughts. With him on the other side of the world asleep, God used this time apart for me to find that strength in Him alone without my pastor’s help. Remembering God holds our future and tells us not to worry for tomorrow! Same scriptures, different situations but always the same peace. I put my trust in Him knowing He is in control! Many praying for me, I reached every ounce of faith I could and walked into the appointment strong! Alone and yet not alone.

Hard to Go

Wed, 31 Oct 2018 16:10:32 +0000

Hard to Go

“The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26

I can honestly say I did not feel ready to come stateside with the boys. God is moving so much and I didn’t want to miss a second of it. Being able to help all the Calvary’s unite through the children’s ministry was an amazing blessing! One of my missionary friends was sharing that she hopes it doesn’t all fall apart while I’m gone. That brought me to my knees. As I prayed, God reminded me once again, that He doesn’t need us and His work continues even when we are away. The Holy Spirit does the work and we are just blessed to be part of it. While stateside I get to continue listening to the trainings on the Calvary Curriculum website each week and translate them into Ugandan English. I email the training to the Children’s Ministry leaders and they go over it at their weekly meeting. I look forward to seeing all the Holy Spirit will do through the precious new servants and children of God!

Birth Day

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 10:56:09 +0000

Birth Day “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you.” Jeremiah 1:5

Growing up in America with the amazing birthday parties and many presents, it hard for me to have birthdays in Uganda. This being my 9thbirthday here, I think I finally got it! Remove the selfishness and focus on God’s truth. I thought about how God knew me. All my sins and ugliness but yet He still wanted me. Not even that He alone but gave His only son for me! He had all these amazing plans for my life as he created me in Mommy’s womb! Seeing His love, grace and His knowledge of all things has overwhelmed me. This would have been plenty for me but it didn’t stop there. Many people brought gifts even though we didn’t plan a party. I cried happy tears and had to explain why my eyes watered. Again, feeling so unworthy and extremely blessed! I know how people struggle for money and what it means to work so hard just to try to get school fees. Yet they are bringing me nice thoughtful gifts. Who am I that God could bless me so much? It’s just the unmeasurable amounts of amazing God!

So Shine

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 09:09:39 +0000

So Shine “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

It’s amazing how every action can change a life. Coming to Uganda 9 years ago, I had to learn that our lives are always being watched like a fish in a bowl. We can easily turn people to Christ or away from Christ by how we live in our every moment. “Let your light so shine!” Men in Uganda spend the day and even night hours with each other playing cards or just sitting around the center. Very few spend real time with their children or help their wives with the never-ending work in their home. Vincent loves taking the boys out running and training. One morning I went to take photos and stopped in my tracks to praised God! The children at the public school, the guys who play football/soccer, people walking to the market, all stopping to watch and wonder. “That they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The community knows how Vincent grew up and the type of dad he had. An abusive soldier who drank, would put a gun to Vincent’s head persecuting him then later abandoning him at one of the army barracks to grow up as an orphan. How did Vincent fight culture and his upbringing to be the man and father he is now? The only answer everyone can see and no one can deny is Christ! Christ is real! Vincent was just loving and training his boys like Christ told him to and the boys were listening and enjoying their daddy but to everyone else it was much more. I see God moving and I can picture the future. An area were people no longer fear their father/husband but come together as loving families. I’ve even started seeing more men out with their children and it’s extremely encouraging! Every moment, just simple examples through everyday life showing God’s love. How is your light shining and changing your community for Christ today?

Our Overflowing Quiver

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 07:19:03 +0000

Our Quiver is Definitely Full “Behold, Children are a heritage from the LORD. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” Ps 127:3,5

This last time in America I was stirred to go to the Children’s Ministry Conference. God provided and it was amazing! As soon as I returned back home to Uganda God opened doors for me to work alongside Teacher Ben to help the children’s ministry, introduce the Calvary Curriculum and every Saturday train the new teachers. I love that God is always moving even when we don’t realize. We now have 5 classes most of them over 100 children still! Our Quiver is definitely full! Most of these children come from the boarding school and from Muslim families which can bring some challenges. The conference gave so much to encourage the teachers. One of the biggest lessons is Love! There is not a person I know that doesn’t want love. What if we are the only chance they get to see God’s true love? Whenever there are children fighting (they really fight even in the overcrowded classroom) or a mischievous one, I remember we have no idea what this child’s life is like. Their dad most likely beats their mom and maybe them also, bringing home more wives and having more children, family members die in front of them, most likely they rarely have food at home, a bed, etc. Stealing and fighting might be all they know of life and have no clue there is anything different. But it’s so amazing there are no limitations to His amazing grace! We get the opportunity to share with all these hundreds of children! Helping people to see Sunday School not as babysitting but as a chance to make disciples! Every time I look out to all of them I see leaders and the future of our nation! They can become bold adults not ashamed of the gospel, changing the hostile hearts around us. I tell them this every Sunday and I hope they see it too. Another big lesson is to notice spiritual gifts in the children and encourage them even now! Acts 2:38-39 Kids do not receive a little Holy Spirit just because they are little. They have the same Holy Spirit as us adults. Imagine what God could do with their precious lives as they start using their spiritual gifts now! We get the opportunity to help them pray, sharing they can talk to God especially in their darkest times when no one else is there for them. God knows every single thought and sees each hidden tear! To hear their prayer requests for food, protection, school fees, healings, provisions, prayers to know that someone loves them (especially the orphans), humbles me and increases my love for them! Not only for children but everyone around! Am I loving them like Christ? Did I remember to stop and talk to the old Muslim lady on the road even though I have so much to do at home? When I meet someone who seems troubled or hard, do I judge and assume or do I remember I might be the only example of Christ’s love they have seen? What about you? What an amazing opportunity God has given to all of us! Share His love to the longing and lonely! As they said in the conference, “It is heart work!”

God Is On The Move

Tue, 29 May 2018 11:38:58 +0000

God is on the move! There are many exciting changes within our ministries. The Lord has opened up a door for our family to partner with Saving Grace World Missions (SGWM), a missionary-sending organization. SGWM helps missionaries to funnel finances, do taxes as well as provide Biblical counseling and ongoing encouragement while on the field. Part of this change means we will have this blog to keep in closer communication with all of you. For future we will no longer be receiving donations through Go Ministries.

Through Love Serve One Another

Tue, 29 May 2018 11:29:16 +0000

****Through Love Serve One Another “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13

It is such a huge blessing that Vincent is teaching and discipling and I’m excitingly serving in Children’s and Women’s ministry again wondering over and over how God uses such a person like me. I could write long stories time and time again. But as I reflect on this busy month what really blesses me to share is the learning of release. It’s amazing and beautiful the ways God wants to use all of us every minute of every day to show His love! When we got our first vehicle, a motorcycle, many years ago Vincent would give it to people and it would always come back broken. I would get so frustrated knowing how long it would take us to get money to repair it. I complained to him pleading to let us have just one nice thing. He shared with me that if we don’t share our blessings with others to minister to them, we better not have it at all. I am almost finally grasping the understanding. Yes, our car always needs work and sometimes it is scary to drive, but it is worth the blessing for the glory of God. In just this week our vehicle has been blessed to bring water, it was an ambulance, and a limo for a wedding party and a hearse to bless a family that could not afford to bring the body for the funeral and then brought the guests. God gives opportunities to make wedding invitations, decorate cakes, give birthday parties celebrating God’s amazing children - even as simple as making little treats for anyone who comes to the gate, or giving the last money to a poor child so she can go to the children’s conference to come and find money you know wasn’t in your book a few days ago. It’s having people feel at home no matter which country they are from because of God’s love! It’s a love that only Christ can give knowing there is nothing good in us and that none of it is ours to begin with! How are we all using our blessings to serve one another today? To God be all glory! Amen!

Back to Where

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 13:07:22 +0000

Back to Where

We are back home! Back to where the daily visitors are almost as many in number as the bugs. Back to where the work is hard but God’s strength proves more. Where there are more children then you can remember names, all full of joy making toys out of anything they can find. Where people welcome you with singing and dancing. Where crying is meant for death alone because every day is blessing no matter what happens. Where you depend on God for every little provision! Where no house seems to ever be completed and everyday tasks can take a month. Where the dirt is red, grass is green and trees are beyond the eyes can see. Where the game of charades is part of normal conversation. Where smiling and generosity say more than a million words. Where God is our physician, healer, teacher, our all, every moment of everyday.

Heart Beat

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 19:38:09 +0000

Heart Beat

This month was full of opportunity to do what we love to do most in America. From Dale’s Thursday Morning Bible Study, CC Golden Springs Leadership, Missions Meetings to CC Saving Grace, CC West Grove and CC Pasadena we have been blessed with opportunities to share. Sharing God’s Word and encouraging the body of Christ. Sharing our testimony which is really “His story” of what He has done and continues to do in these open and willing hearts. From an infant in a refugee camp and persecuted solders son to a pastor, from a selfish girl who hated school to a homeschool and reading teacher mother of many! All we can say is God!

Culture, Heartbreaks and Persecution

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 18:16:37 +0000

Heartbreak and Culture

One of the hardest, funniest, most interesting and sometimes heartbreaking part of missions is learning cultures. Sometimes it can be funny like the never-ending stories many of you know between my husband and I. Even small things such as sharing not to point with his middle finger while teaching in America because in America the middle finger is bad, gassing is offensive in Uganda but humorous in America, etc. I could go on forever but I am keeping myself distracted from the heartbreaks to share. Vicky was one of our first girls we took in and became our own. She dealt and constantly forgave me as I learned the culture. It seemed like every day I did something new to offend the children since I only knew how to raise children in American ways. I nick named her “My Blessing.” Vincent and Juventine baptized her and she is one of the brightest (gets the best grades) in her class. She has been with us for 7 years but the father has come back to take them. Her and her sister’s (Aleru) father abandoned them when they were very little. He then became a soldier in Somalia. He came to collect the girls a couple years back but we fought hard knowing he is Muslim, with other wives and children and very little money to help any of them. He recently came back again and this time Vincent’s family agreed. Through culture and law Aleru has left with her dad already. Vicky, since we have put her in a very good boarding school already, will finish out this year. They will have a ceremony in December to finalize the agreement. We will continue to support them and pray for them. Especially because of their age and moving in with Muslim relatives. Our prayer is that the they will remember the Word that they heard with us all these years. The girls are sponsored through Promise Child so we know they will be ok and continue their education although not the same.

Boiling The Junk

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 01:02:28 +0000

Refiners Fire

These couple of months state side have been different then past. God is doing the deepest refining He has ever done in my walk thus far. As Paul said “Wretched man that I am!” It is hard to see all the junk boiling up from the depths of my heart. Things I thought I was done with years ago. Selfishness, anger, jealousy, and so much more, I just cry to the Lord and thank Him for loving me. Through this refining time I am also hoping to do missions training again through SGWM. I started going on longer term missions 11 years ago and have been in Midigo almost 9 years. I have learned a lot but also lost a lot. It is time for a new refreshed work. A new love for God, the Word and the lost sheep!