Tumwezabe

We had the wonderful priviledge of hearing Pastor Fred Tumwezabe speak to us this last week on two occasions. Hailing from Uganda, he is in the States bringing God's word to us, and raising awareness and support for his outreach program in Uganda. Burdened for the millions of children left homeless by the AIDS epidemic, he has set up a broad program that includes schooling, orphanage, fostering services, and vocational assistance. Several of his American supporters who have visited him in Uganda have come back inspired at the work the Lord is doing through him. As to him being missional, well, I was inspired by the story of a well that was funded by American contributions and dug on church property to provide clean water. The villagers thought the well was only for the church people, but Pastor Fred has opened it up to the whole community. It has made a big impact for the work of the Lord!

Last Saturday, we held an outdoor church get-together/service at Mather Lake. Hauling out around 20 kayaks, we had a good time paddling around the lake, with teens, kids, and even some retiree's with us. Then the bbq started with our hamburger flipper Corey braising up a feast of burgers and hot dogs for us. After eating we gathered everyone together, had three worship songs impomptu, but done wonderfully by Carol, Mary, & Dave, and then Pastor Fred got up to speak to us. The breeze kicked up, but it was though the Holy Spirit was clearing out the junk in our heads and hearts so we could hear the good word the Lord spoke through Pastor Fred. I personally got convicted and am so thankful to the Lord for speaking to me through Pastor Fred!

How important it is for all of us American Christians to get out of our small, ethnocentric view of our faith and hear what God is doing in His WORLDWIDE church. How wonderful to be taught by a man from a far away land who loves Jesus and brings many valuable insights to us.