Here are a few pictures from the last couple days at the conference. Look at the size of the choir that sings with their worship team. Of course we were also treated to a performance from the Childrens Choir. I never get tired of seeing them perform.

Tags: Add new tag, Watoto Conference

We have been given the opportunity to attend the Watoto Childrens Conference in Kampala, Uganda. We means the awesome group of pastors I have been blessed to hang out with this week, Ps Ben Rogers from HPC Swaziland, Ps Mark Stermer from HPC U.S., Ps Issac Williams from HPC Mozambique, Ps Greg Evans from Life Church in Memphis (and recently relocated to Swaziland) and Ps Dixon Changara from Celebration, Zimbabwe. What a great bunch of Godly men I get to do life with.

Yesterday started with registration (of course) and a tour of the Watoto babies home. These are babies that have been thrown away by society. Many are brought there by law enforcement when they are found on the streets, in garbage cans or just dropped off. There are 84 infants/babies up to the age of 2 and Its so uplifting to see that these children that were once considered “disposable” are now happy, healthy and most importantly LOVED.   

Ps Gary Skinner (he and wife Marilyn are founders of Watoto) opened the conference with a message outlining his thoughts on the role and responsibility of the church. Strong message saying the church is by far the biggest single resource on Earth to deal with the AIDS crisis in Africa and what really matters most to God is that we reach out to hurting people, that God is asking us to use what we have in our hand to begin helping hurting, oppressed people whos’ hearts are crying out. What an honor to be able to partner with God in some small way as we are always looking for more opportunities to minister His love to people.

Worship session this morning was just awesome with Darlene Zschech and Hillsong London team. Marilyn Skinner and Dr Robi Sonderegger talked about ministry to war affected and traumatized children. In addition to the villages in Kampala Watoto has recently launched out in an area called Gulu. This is an area in the northern part of the country where there are thousand upon thousands of child soldiers who have been forcibly removed from their homes and families and been forced to fight in a war in which they do not even understand. Testimonies were given from some former child soldiers of unspeakable horrors in which they were forced to participate. The shining light through all of this is the love of Jesus that has turned so many tragedies into triumph by the willingness of His people to say yes to God.

Tags: Africa, AIDS orphans, Watoto

How blessed am I to be able to hang out here in the capital of “the Pearl of Africa” (although I still like Jacksonville much better) with some mighty men of God for the Watoto Conference. I am given the privlege of sharing a room with our our very own Pastor Dixon Changara from Celebration Zimbabwe. I am so excited over the prospect of eventually moving to Zim to work alongside of him. He is an incredible man of God and I am always able to learn from him. We exchanged notes this morning after each spending some time with the Lord. Its so cool how God speaks to each of us through His Word and through each other.

John 12:24-26
 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.  25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
NKJV

Picture a wagonful of grains of wheat. They are all together, side by side keeping each other company. Everyone is happy to be together with their friends and families, yet nothing new is being produced. They will all remain the same, in the same place doing the same thing. But, as verse 24 says (and this is Jesus saying this, not me) that if one falls to the ground and dies, it produces much fruit.

If we are willing to be “covered up” we will grow and begin to produce fruit. A grain of wheat falling to the ground and being covered with dirt puts it into a dark place where there is no one else around. Our lives need to take on this covering if we are to grow and produce fruit for Him. Yes we are in a dark place, covered up and alone, but He is always right there with us. God always knows exactly where we are, He watches over us, waters us and nurtures us as our loving Father while we “die” to ourselves. Dying to ourselves is a requirement for producing “much fruit”. Only then can we be a true and effective witness to others as they see Christ in us.  Even then, we are still “covered” by Him as we continue to walk with Him and grow in Him. People should not see Mike when they are around me, but rather they should see Jesus. The apostle Paul says it best in his letter to the church at Collosae.

Col 3:3-4
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
NKJV

Being covered by Him is the best, the warmest and the safest place we can be.

Having travelled here a number of times I’ve noticed a few things that were just not like home. Now this IS home so it’s just a fact of life I cannot get away from. I’m not complaining. I love Africa. These are just some things I have observed since I got here that will take a bit of getting used to. I’m sure this list will continue to grow.

10. Cows…. They are everywhere, just hangin out, eatin a little grass. I have seen them outside my window in the morning and even in the median in the middle of a busy highway. Do they know to look both ways before crossing? Who’s cows are these anyways?  Seems like there is a cow revolt here, they are bustin out of the fences. 

9. Driving on the left side of the road. This results in the steering wheel being on the wrong side of the car. Suppose I will get used to this one but I still cannot seem to get into the correct side of the car. You open the door and think someone has stolen the steering wheel.

8. Napkins- Don’t dare ask for one of these in a public place. I have done this once and it was rather embarrassing. The meaning is ENTIRELY different. They are known as serviettes.

7. Gas – is sold by the liter and is about $5.50 a gallon. I had to sit down and calculate this one out. Don’t think I will be doing that again anytime soon. I thought $4 gas was bad!!

6. Waiting in line- Affectionately known as a queue here in Africa. You do this for just about everything. If you are lucky you only need to stand in one line to get something accomplished. Many times you get sent to another line and maybe even a third one. This seems like an area where delegation of tasks could be highly desirable.

5. Ketchup- Known as tomato sauce here. Nothing even remotely resembling Heinz.

4. Internet connections- If they are even available they are slooowwwww. And if it rains, forget it. They are probably not gonna work.

3. Door locks- EVERYTHING is a skeleton key. I have yet to see a “normal” set of tumblers in a door. I wonder how many different skeleton keys there are? They all have an alphanumeric code on them. Seems like you could “collect them all”

2. Coffee- Starbucks…? No such thing. Brewed coffee…? Not a chance. Instant Nescafe is the order of the day. There oughta be a law against this.

AND THE NUMBER ONE IS……….

Urination in public- This is quite acceptable with no attempt in the least to be discrete. Not sure I will ever get used to this one.  Although it is quite convenient for the men I seriously doubt I will be joining in this practice anytime soon. I hope I am spared the experience of seeing anyone but the men practicing this. Instead of “No loitering” signs they have “No urination” signs here. 

Stay tuned for the next installment.

OK  Here’s some fun for the day. We bought 20 live chickens on Wednesday (yes, LIVE chickens) for the Care Point kids. The chickens were delivered in a kombi (a mini van type vehicle) and not a one of them was wearing a seat belt. Needless to say a little clean up was in order after unloading the hens. The preparation of our fine feathered friends was quite an eye opening experience for some of the missions team members. One of them even asked me which ones were the boys and which ones were the girls!! The Care Point kids were quite excited to join in the plucking and were able to teach us all a thing or two in this fine art.

Anyway, here’s the challenge. Take a look at the picture and see if you know what the soup is made from. This is a special dish the cooks from the Care Point prepared and it is one of their favorites. Here’s a hint, I really thought they were joking when they told me the name of this dish but they were serious!!  Walky-Talky Soup is what this fine African delicacy is called. The first one to identify the 3 main ingredients gets a free bowl when they come to Africa!!! Carrots don’t count, that’s too easy.

Loving beyond ourselves is the only real love. If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves it probably isn’t really love at all. If we think of love as being wise, cautious, sensible and never taken to extremes we may have missed the meaning of what love really is. I have had the pleasure of watching simple love at work these past few days, people doing things for these children not because they felt it was their duty, not because something was in it for them, but just because they love God. The members of this missions team ,the Care Point cooks, the Cup staff have all shown that we CAN give God something of value. Ordinary, simple human things that are evidence of total surrender to Him.

Matt 26:10

10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.
NKJV

We will never really be of any use to God, but we can surely be of great value to Him once we are totally surrendered to Him. What a great goal to set for each and every day. Once we are surrendered to Him God will work in and through us in so many ways.

I spent an unreasonable amount of time this week to get started on the process for a cell phone in Africa. First off I think I had better modify my definition of what a “reasonable” amount of time will be to do just about anything here. Otherwise I am going to be very frustrated most of the time! As an American I have become quite accustomed to our “microwave society” that says we can do everything, faster, easier, and better so we can have more time to get other things done. What a vicious circle.

Anyway, in the midst of this “process” (I like the word grueling torture better) I saw something that made me shudder. The man behind the counter actually pulled out 4 rather well used pieces of….Yes, it was carbon paper!!  I didn’t even think they still made that stuff. For those of you who have no idea what i am talking about go ask someone who is older than say 35 or 40.  

Since i have resolved to redefine “reasonable amount of time”, I remind myself of Phillipians 4:8, which has been a lifesaver for me lately. (Thank you Pastor Chris for letting me read “The 4:8 Principle)

Phil 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things .
NKJV

I am reminded that the Holy Spirit is the “carbon paper” that impints the Word on our hearts as we take the time to study and meditate on the Bible. We are after all “Gods love letters” written to others through His word as it is imprinted on our hearts.

 2 Cor 3:3
3 They can see that you are a letter from Christ, written by us. It is not a letter written with pen and ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not one carved on stone, but in human hearts.
TLB

So all in all it wasn’t such a bad experience. Maybe I need to slow down a little sometimes and let God finish writing His love letter for the day. Thank you Holy Spirit for reminding me what’s really important. 

Beth Young-Another of God's Love Letters to the Care Point kids

Matt 10:39
39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
NKJV
Its just incredible to watch all of the teachers at the Care Points here in Swaziland. Seems like they have all found their lives. They truly have the revelation of serving as an act unto God rather than an obligation. The litmus test for a true act of service is serving someone who can do nothing for you in return. What a blessing it is to watch these ladies as they pour their lives and hearts into serving these precious children who have nothing tangible to give back. I believe that servanthood= leadership in its most natural form. That being the case these ladies are surely leaders in their respective communities. I think we can learn some valuable lessons from these precious servants of God.   

“God is more concerned with our “I will” than our IQ.”  www.kentcrockett.com

Phil 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
NKJV
The God of peace will be with you. This promise from God has been such a comfort to me these last few days as the realization continues to sink in that this is not another short term trip for me but rather an incredible new challenge in my walk with Jesus. Every where i turn, every thing i do I can see God in the details, working things out just right. We (at least me anyways) always try to take over to make sure everything in our lives is done “just so” What I am finding is that God is going before me, tweaking the small details because He knows just what will drive my silly self crazy sometimes. Yes i know He is surely in control but what an amazing testimony to His boundless love and grace for each and every one of us when we can so clearly see His hand working out the details. What more could I ask for? 

Tags: childrens cup, details, Philipians 4:8, Swaziland