Have you ever waited for something for so long that sometimes you doubted your sanity? We have been talking about, praying about, thinking about, (add any other verb you can think of) and dreaming about becoming long term global workers in Uganda for at least 3 years. The idea started small; like one of those thoughts that crosses your mind but you're not sure that it's really serious. As time passed, the idea grew until it had taken a huge place in our lives. We just felt that someday it would happen, but we still had no idea when or how. Of course, we knew of ministries that needed people and were told about opportunities that would eventually be available, but we never sensed God telling us "this is the one."
Since 2010 we knew that our home church, Christ Fellowship, and our partner church in Uganda, Victory Living Word, had a big vision to develop something new in Uganda. The vision is big! I don't even know how long Pastor Makumbi Johnson has had it in his mind, but it's been a long while.
Let me describe it a little:
On a large property of vacant land (pictured below), we'll develop homes for orphans, a home for young unwed mothers to live and learn to support themselves and care for their child, a trade school, a primary school, a secondary school, a Bible school, a mill for processing crops, a juicing factory, land for crop cultivation, and some other agriculture pieces. To the right is a picture that gives a visual for the vision (of course, the end result on land may be different, but this is a good proposed draft).
In 2010, Floyd got to visit the land while he was in Uganda on his first short term trip. Pastor Johnson's vision was introduced to us at that time.We got to visit the land as a family this past summer. Over the years since, we continued to think that maybe God intended for us to join that project. Of course, we didn't feel that we had anything to offer to such a project. Who are we? Thinking about ourselves, I guess I could help in the school or with the unwed moms, I mean, I am a mom at least. But really, realistically speaking, we have no special talents or skills to add to such a project.
The great news is that God doesn't need us to have any special skills or talents. He just needs us to be willing and obedient. In fact, our lack of skills and talent is probably a benefit. He'll have us right where we need to be: totally relying on Him. Over the last few years, God has continued to show us that it is our willingness that He seeks. He'll provide everything else.
So, as we continued to say yes and pray for His direction, we are at a new place. This new place is what has us so excited. We are officially approved as candidates with Catalysts International (our church's sending agency)!!! We have our list of training and preparation tasks to complete and we're approved to begin raising funds!! You can even click here to see our introduction as global workers on the church website (of course, you'll need to scroll down a ways because Stanley is pretty far down the alphabet)!
Needless to say, we are bubbling over with excitement!!! What we have prayed about and dreamed about for 4 years is starting to really come to fruition!
The plan is to start with opening the home for orphans and the primary school (grades k-3 only) in January, 2015. We'd really prefer to be on the ground in Uganda at least a few months before that. We are trusting God to reveal His perfect timing and to provide for all of ours needs accordingly. Some think it's a bit crazy, but we are not ruling out the option of going in June. We realize that is really fast, being only 8 months from now, but there are many little details that just work out nicely for June. Of course, if it is God's will, it will work out and if not, we definitely prefer to be on His timing than ours.
Please join us in praying as we continue this adventure, but also join us in celebrating and praising God for this newest development in the adventure!
Over the next few days, we'll be participating in the World Cultures Weekend, which gives us the opportunity to share about the vision with all who attend. I will update with prayer request very soon!
Since 2010 we knew that our home church, Christ Fellowship, and our partner church in Uganda, Victory Living Word, had a big vision to develop something new in Uganda. The vision is big! I don't even know how long Pastor Makumbi Johnson has had it in his mind, but it's been a long while.
Let me describe it a little:On a large property of vacant land (pictured below), we'll develop homes for orphans, a home for young unwed mothers to live and learn to support themselves and care for their child, a trade school, a primary school, a secondary school, a Bible school, a mill for processing crops, a juicing factory, land for crop cultivation, and some other agriculture pieces. To the right is a picture that gives a visual for the vision (of course, the end result on land may be different, but this is a good proposed draft).
In 2010, Floyd got to visit the land while he was in Uganda on his first short term trip. Pastor Johnson's vision was introduced to us at that time.We got to visit the land as a family this past summer. Over the years since, we continued to think that maybe God intended for us to join that project. Of course, we didn't feel that we had anything to offer to such a project. Who are we? Thinking about ourselves, I guess I could help in the school or with the unwed moms, I mean, I am a mom at least. But really, realistically speaking, we have no special talents or skills to add to such a project.
The great news is that God doesn't need us to have any special skills or talents. He just needs us to be willing and obedient. In fact, our lack of skills and talent is probably a benefit. He'll have us right where we need to be: totally relying on Him. Over the last few years, God has continued to show us that it is our willingness that He seeks. He'll provide everything else.
So, as we continued to say yes and pray for His direction, we are at a new place. This new place is what has us so excited. We are officially approved as candidates with Catalysts International (our church's sending agency)!!! We have our list of training and preparation tasks to complete and we're approved to begin raising funds!! You can even click here to see our introduction as global workers on the church website (of course, you'll need to scroll down a ways because Stanley is pretty far down the alphabet)!
Needless to say, we are bubbling over with excitement!!! What we have prayed about and dreamed about for 4 years is starting to really come to fruition!
The plan is to start with opening the home for orphans and the primary school (grades k-3 only) in January, 2015. We'd really prefer to be on the ground in Uganda at least a few months before that. We are trusting God to reveal His perfect timing and to provide for all of ours needs accordingly. Some think it's a bit crazy, but we are not ruling out the option of going in June. We realize that is really fast, being only 8 months from now, but there are many little details that just work out nicely for June. Of course, if it is God's will, it will work out and if not, we definitely prefer to be on His timing than ours.
Please join us in praying as we continue this adventure, but also join us in celebrating and praising God for this newest development in the adventure!
Over the next few days, we'll be participating in the World Cultures Weekend, which gives us the opportunity to share about the vision with all who attend. I will update with prayer request very soon!
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