Central Mission Team

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Uganda - Time to Return to America

Here are some final thoughts from the team as we depart.

"My home away from home. That is what this place has become in my heart." - Isaac Smith

"The red dirt can be washed off my hands & and feet...the smell of burning charcoal and exhaust rinsed out of my hair...but the love and joy of the Ugandan people will forever be cherished in my heart." - sherry L. smith

"This was my first time to Africa and entire experience was so much grander than my expectations! What a blessing!" -Debbie Rich

"Once again I am at the point of heartache. Departure is always the hardest part of the trip. But it is also the beginning of next years adventure back. Already thinking about what God has in store next year. Uganda you take more and more of my heart every year." Kimberly Toupin

"Though this is my first trip to Uganda, it feels like home. Each person I've met has become a part of my heart. The highlight of my journey has been visiting the jajas (grand mothers) and TAPP women (women living with HIV) and hearing their stories, their struggles, and seeing their courage. The family of Christ has welcomed me to Uganda, and I cannot wait to return for my next visit." -Christine Stittsworth

"I thought that when I came to Uganda again this year that things would somehow be different. Well things were not different. My feelings and the need have not changed. What I see in the faces of the pastors is the same thing I saw last year - "NEED". They are so hungry for anything that will help them serve their churches better. The leadership lessons that I taught were soaked up like a sponge. The look on their faces and the many questions that they asked us were evidence of pastors that were seeking knowledge. I am glad to have been here and to have shared with these good people of God." - Ralph Barclay

"Many trips does not change the facts of life here in Uganda. Hard by our standards, life is handled with grace by people who are lovely in every way. A part of me always stays behind every time I leave to return home. This has been a blessed experience!" - Carl Gordon

"It has been seven years since we first came to Uganda to do mission work. The first year we started by building the church at Matungu. We visited the church this week and saw such a great improvement not only in the building but in the growth of the church and TAPP office and school. I was extremely touched and some what emotional about the experience. I could see my very dear friend, Larry Clark, looking down from heaven and grinning from ear to ear....I knew his heart was here.

I was extremely blessed to be allowed to preach the very first message at our latest church build with CCC, at Kaleelee. I was a little under the weather and stayed at the hotel for 2 days and without knowing I would preach, God laid on my heart to prepare a sermon. Very appropriate, the first message, salvation, how and why to receive it. We then had the first wedding at the church with Pastor Greg participating along with many baptisms that Ralph performed. This was a very special day that God blessed so many and I will long remember. The Stevensons are doing such great work here and God is continuing to bless their mission. Continue to keep them, their staff and this country in your prayers...God is listening and answering. Sad to leave but happy to return to our CCC family...God Bless." -Ray Toupin

"This year my project to work on was to design a two story stair way on the front outside of a church with a clear span of 23 feet and be built out of concrete. Most of the forming is done and ready to pour the concrete. Quite a challenge and I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. I was blessed to be able to work with the local contractor on this project and although they speak english it is borken and with an english accent mixed with their tribal language flair and that makes it very interesting." Delbert Goertz

"This was my 3rd trip to Uganda. Each time it is a real blessing. Met so many nice people. I really enjoy listening to the children singing. Worked with Delbert a lot on the stairs. Also helped to install windows and doors at our new Church in Kaleele. Working with and listening to the Stevensons is awesome. They have so many great stories of how God is working in Africa. I feel so blessed and privileged to be able to come to Uganda and serve." Scott Coon

Thanks, LORD, for the opportunity to come visit my friends and family in Uganda. Watch over them, guide them, and strengthen them in their ministry to this great people. - greg smith

Thursday, November 14, 2013

The Village- Time to Celebrate

On Sunday, we were ready for the big day when we culminate our visit with a church dedication service. But, before that we had some other opportunities to build community by sharing in the celebration of baptism.
Ralph, along with Pastor Fred (the district overseer), baptized 13 folks in a little area that the people have used to make natural bricks - located near... the entrance to the village off the main road. What a great experience to join into as these souls demonstrated outwardly what had already taken place in their hearts:
Let the world know that Jesus Christ is my Savior AND Lord!
After this celebration, we went to the village and the new church. Wow. On Friday, it didn't seem likely that the roof would be complete by Sunday, but there it was! All that remained was the task of bricking in the front/back and finishing the crown along the peak. This church was so excited about being in the church that they were mostly inside by the time we got there. Our typical process of ceremony includes the unveiling of the plaque and the ribbon cutting before we all enter. So, everyone had to exit the church and gather outside to wait. Ralph had already washed up and changed clothes from the baptism but we still had to wait for Pastor Fred, too.
Once he arrived, we unveiled the plaque and cut the ribbon, releasing the flow of all who wanted inside.
We were introduced, Ray delivered the message, gifts were exchanged, testimonies were spoken, and songs were sung. We had fun singing for them as we tried to make it as interactive as possible - including the old Christian Camp song, "Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah! Praise Ye the Lord!" where we had the whole church standing up, sitting down, back and forth. It was a lot of fun as we celebrated Jesus.
The gifts included: goats, pigs, bananas, VBS shirts, an American flag, a bike for the pastor, 12 Bibles in two native tongues (Lugandan and Luchica), chairs for the new church building, crayons, the colorful parachute, balls, and so much more.
Before all was done, we also joined in the dedication of 17 babies. Sherry and Kimberly assisted Colleen as the babies were anointed and the congregation and the parents declared their intent to join together to raise these children in the way of the LORD to be shaped into His likeness as they mature.
After lunch, we returned for the most solemn wedding I've witnessed. Both the bride and the groom did not appear to be happy about being there - but discovered later that this was cultural. In fact, the couple had been together for some time in the African tradition as a couple, but wanted to come forward as Christians to be joined in the sight of God and the witnesses there. After I delivered the wedding message, Rev. Tim led them through the vows.
Our time with the village, having come to a close, was upon us. Pictures were taken, hugs were exchanged, and we were on our way home. This is my 6th such departure and it is a bittersweet time as we reflect on what we've done and how we dislike leaving our new-found family. Because of our connection to this congregation, even in these short few days, we can say with some certainty that it's not goodbye - only, farewell.