Posts

“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! ...

“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 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! ...

“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! ...

“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! ...

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. ...

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. ...

“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 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. ...

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 “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! ...