The land of the free and the home of the brave
July 4, 2010. Independence Day. Happy 4th to you all! The team celebrated with a rousing round of ‘Star Spangled Banner’ while driving over bumpy red dirt roads. No physical fireworks today, but God has made up for it spiritually.
We met at 8:30 a.m. for the English speaking service at Gulu Bible Community Church. The church was mostly filled and the team all sat together at the front. It was sprinkling just enough to keep the dust and the temperature down which was pretty sweet. It can get awfully toasty come church time on Sundays. Worship began and was led by one worship leader, Mark, and 6 choir members.
The RH team was welcomed by Pastor Chris and the congregation and then Mindy shared her testimony for us all. She shared about the fact that though she is enduring a very difficult last few months, the love and hope of Christ never changes. There was a genuineness in how and what she shared that left many in the room with tears of understanding. She spoke truth and it was very, very good. Pastor Martin taught the rest of the service about the call of God on our lives. It was a great message and many people came forward for prayer afterwards.
Following this service, the Acholi Luo/English service began at 10:30. Most of the team was outside preparing the children for VBS while the insanely awesome worship was happening inside. They dance and sing unto the Lord the way I picture David dancing before the Lord in the Old Testament. So good! Bryan Johnson shared his testimony before Pastor Martin taught the same message and, yes, again it was incredibly powerful. He was not only well spoken but his testimony encompassed so much of God’s grace, forgiveness, redemption etc… and it was a great encouragement to everyone.
The VBS crew was outside teaching with puppets about God’s promises through the story of Moses. Tristin played the part of Moses while Mary, Janelle, and Tammi played the others and taught through the story. Larsh was entrenched in the middle of the kids passing out stickers while Joy found a month old baby that she could snuggle with. The worship wands were passed out and it was precious to look out and see kids with arms raised, wands waving and eyes closed as they praised the name of Jesus. Sometimes you just have to stop, focus on what is before you and take it all in. This was one of these moments when you breath in the goodness of God and wonder how on earth you got to be so fortunate to participate in His ever unfolding plan.
Soon after VBS ended, we headed straight to the Acholi Inn to grab some lunch before we had to return to GBCC. Since Joy was sharing her testimony at the third (Kiswahili) service, she, Ralph, the Taber girls and Janelle took the bus back to GBCC and the rest of the team took Boda Bodas (moped/motorcycles) from the Acholi Inn to the church. The third service is in Kiswahili and is mainly made of of Congolese who are living in Gulu. This is a group of people who are near to our hearts as it was a RH team in Jan. 2009 that lead many of them to the Lord which was the catalyst for the third service starting.
Joy was amazing. Genuine and honest. She spoke the truth about pain in her life, but how her faith and trust in Christ brought her through it. After she spoke the Congolese women prayed for Joy and thanked God for her testimony.
From there we headed to the prison. For many on the team, this was a highlight. The women went to the women’s side and the men to the men’s side. The RH women said the felt life they were walking into a life group. The female prisoners were full of the joy of the Lord and were spirit filled. Most of the women were Christians, but some accepted the Lord after testimonies were given.
On the men’s side, a prisoner named Steven lead the men in worship and encouragement. It is a surreal experience to be in front of 500 prisoners who are worshipping God. Brian Larsh served as a host and introduced Carvalho and Johnson to give their testimonies. They spoke on giving and receiving forgiveness. Afterwards, Larsh invited men up to the front to accept Jesus, and about 25 came forward.
Larsh challenged the prisoners who were already saved to disciple their new “brothers and sisters” in Christ. That is when Tim told him “bro, it’s only brothers.” With a look of horror on his face, Larsh tried desperately to correct himself before the interpreter communicated that Larsh had called them sisters. But the interpreter had has back and corrected him before telling the crowd what Larsh said. All the guys on the RH team were trying to contain their laughter, and failing. Good times.
Ralph has an interesting experience with shaking hand and a water balloon.
Tracy is sick and did not get to go to Guru Guru yesterday. A few others on the team are feeling sick as well. Please pray for health as we head into the last few days of the trip.
Afoyo - Tracy and Tim