Sunday, March 14, 2010

True Identity

She was known in Kyoya camp as “Number 6”. Family in Jinja called her Sharifa. I knew her as Musa’s new wife. It was the name we had not been told which revealed her true identity.

When we returned to the islands after our Christmas holidays, I was told that Musa’s young wife had a premature baby. Although our relationship with Musa (a muslim leader) has been a bit tense, his wives and children have always welcomed me enthusiastically.

Baby Counsilla was 3 months and not yet 1 kilogram (2.2lbs). She was so tiny that her bony head and unfocused eyes seem disproportionately large. It was obvious she was not nursing very well. In a few days we heard she had malaria. Then she was vomiting. After that came a cough. This tiny baby did not have much chance of survival in a polygamous family on a far-out island.

Meanwhile we were able to build some rapport with Counsilla’s young mother by sending baby formula and meeting some practical needs. Shanna (a 16 yr old gal visiting from Oregon) felt very drawn to the family and began calling the baby, “Miracle”.

It was during a visit to our house that the real miracle began to unfold. Clad in her black muslim veil, “wife number 6” unveiled her identity. “My name is really Lynette (Beautiful One). My family are born-again and I also used to be saved.” Lynette then shared the sad tale of her parent’s death when she was 15, of subsequent abuse and then of her conversion to Islam in order to be given a chance to study. “I miss praise and worship. My young brother had no money for school, but he is a very talented musician and is still serving God.”

A few weeks later, Shanna and I were talking when Lynette came to the door. Within 5 minutes a tremendous rainstorm hit, leaving us completely unable to hear each other for nearly an hour. After drinking tea and smiling at each other hopelessly, I pulled out Max Lucado’s book, “You are Mine”. After reading, Lynette stood at the door as if to leave. Suddenly she turned back inside and whispered softly, “Keeky, I want to talk to you.”

Within moments, the three of us were bowing, praying, crying. The Great Shepherd had sought out and brought back His lamb! After singing a Swahili song, “There Is No God Like You”, Lynette spoke. “My Bible was taken from me, but I love this verse, John 3:16.” After quoting it she began to sing a song she had composed from the verse as a child.

When Shanna visited the next day, Lynette brought out her new Bible. Beaming, she exclaimed, “I found it! I found my favorite chapter, 1 Corinthians 13!” Though her increasing joy was indisguisable, so also was the increasing persecution from the other wives.

I was praying that God would somehow allow Lynette to attend church the next Sunday. Instead she met us as we were leaving and stated, “I am returning to my family in Kenya. Today I am leaving.”

Tuesday evening I answered the phone, “Praise God Keeky! It’s Lynette. I’ve reached home!” She explained how the family was poor and that her brothers had not been able to go to school. “But the good thing is that every one of them has accepted God as their personal Savior….And Keeky,” she concluded with a note of triumph, “My baby is no longer Counsilla. We have named her Hope!”

Since returning to Uganda, we have found the Lord at work in many ways. This last month it seems His attention has been on women. Lynette is not the only muslim woman who has come to us recently to seek medical help for a sick child. We praise God for these openings.

This month we also hosted “Titus 2 Women”. Women’s leaders from about 12 island churches participated eagerly in a seminar designed to equip them to teach younger women. Each day the women brought new testimonies of how the material was changing their understanding of their roles as wives, mothers, and teachers. “This seminar is unique from others we have received. We are learning how to please God in our homes.” One husband (who is a pastor) phoned our boat pilot to thank him for carrying his wife to the meetings which had greatly impacted her life. I was especially thrilled to hear the women learning to love and to memorize the Word of God.

This seminar has been a great beginning for the ministry which Mama O has envisioned. It has been her desire to begin discipling reputable women who would then be able to minister effectively to the women in their villages. Thank you, “Titus 2 Women” leaders for your impact on the islands!

We are thrilled that Ruth Howard and Amanda Taylor have begun a weekly Bible study with the girls at Lingira Living Hope Secondary School. They will be going through Elizabeth George’s book, “A Woman after God’s Own Heart.” After only two weeks, we are already hearing great reports of relationships being built and the girls expressing a serious desire to learn and grow together in the Lord.

Last month we experienced the great joy of graduating both of last year's Discipleship classes. One from our home island of Lingira, which also included every member of the SHIM staff along with several local pastors and church leaders. Then one in eastern Uganda, about which Pastor Samson said, "This is the best class we've ever had!" The 30+ students were so hungry and serious about going deeper with Christ, and they would hardly let Samson leave each night, plying him with questions until sometimes the wee hours of the morning!


This week our staff have begun visiting island communities to check up on their use of sanitation and clean water. They plan to visit 20 different communities in the next few weeks. Interestingly, the day after they visited one village, a young man was bitten by a snake while he went to relieve himself in the bushes. A pastor called to give us the news and stated, “Our community has to start doing something about sanitation. At least the church must begin to do something in our community.”

Thank you all for your continuous prayers for us.

Love,

Andy, Keeky, baby David, and the whole SHIM staff

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Treasures in Earthen Vessels

2 Corinthians 4:7

Treasures in a shipping container!
We are very excited and grateful to you all and to the Lord that the shipping container was filled and sent out! Kinda like our “earthen vessels”, the container is not too beautiful on the outside but contains a wealth of goodies for about 6 different Jinja-area missionaries. Half of the container was filled by Pr. Bob Peterson’s family. This is very exciting as it puts Pr. Bob & Michelle (Andy’s senior pastor from Dufur, OR) one step closer to joining us in ministry in Uganda!

Heavenly Treasures vs earthly treasure!
Below is a report from Robert Wafula, Vice-President of Shepherd’s Heart International Ministry regarding a special outreach in the southern islands. (Namiti and Kirewe Islands are about 20 miles or 2 hours deeper into Lake Victoria.)

Beloved of the Lord! I thank God for his everlasting Love. On the 28th of December eight of us left for ministry in the upper Islands (Namiiti and Kirewe). We held a 3 day seminar on Revival, Reconciliation and Restoration. And on the 31st we had a mega overnight in Kirewe. For sure it was my best overnight so far.But the devil is a liar. On the night of the 28th, thieves broke into our house in Mbiiko and carried most of our stuff, but thank God they did not take the Laptop and the MTN internet modem, that is why am able to write to you at this moment. As if that was not enough for him to try me, on the 31st, the day when we were to hold the overnight, my only pair of shoe I had on the mission was stolen from Namiiti. However, The Lord was so good to me, He gave me complete joy and peace throughout the mission. I was able to teach, sing and dance for my Lord into 2010. And Pastor Samson and his wife were such a great blessing to us. Wish all the best for 2010.Happy New Year my beloved.
Robert

Treasures in Earthen Vessels!
Sometimes we are again reminded of the frailty of our “earthen” treasures and of God’s excellent power which kindly preserves them for us. Near the beginning of December we were excited to learn we were expecting. Yeah! David would have another playmate or two just 14 months younger! Then, thinking we had miscarried, we went to the doctor. After a few days of testing, we were assured we had a “viable intrauterine pregnancy”.
From the time we learned that God had blessed us with new life, we began praying. Andy kept repeating two words: Shalom (Peace that is firm even in the midst of turmoil) and Trust in the greatness and goodness of God. All month I read and reread Psalm 91 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him…”
Before leaving for Uganda (scheduled Jan 9th) we asked for an ultrasound to be sure of dates and of whether we had one or two little ones. That was New Year’s Eve. After 4 different ultrasounds and much discussion, the doctor let us know that we seemed to have a molar pregnancy. This would mean that the little one had died, but that placental tissue continued to grow, making my body think I was still pregnant. A molar pregnancy carries several hazards, among which are hemorrhage and uterine cancer. Because I seemed to be stable, we were sent home to await a D&C the following week.
New Years Day was also our 2nd wedding anniversary. As I read Psalm 91 again that morning, I sensed that we were headed for a scare, but that “No evil will befall you”. By noon excruciating pain drove us to the emergency room. On the way I spoke candidly with God. “I know it would be wonderful to be with Jesus, but I don’t think this is the time.” The emergency D&C did not solve all the problems, so Andy requested the surgeon to proceed with exploratory surgery. In so doing, they found a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and had to remove a fallopian tube. In itself, a ruptured ectopic pregnancy carries a 50% mortality rate.
The good news we have received is that we did not have a molar pregnancy. No one is sure whether we had one or two little ones. Our surgeon told us, “It’s bizarre. We’ve never seen anything like this before.”
For us, we are enjoying the “peace that surpasses all understanding” as we place our Trust in our God who is both great and good- for He has proven His sovereign care for us once again. Truly, “God is our refuge and fortress!”“An ever-present help in times of trouble.” (Phil. 4:7, Ps. 91:2, Ps. 46:1)
We are now back home resting to regain strength before we fly to Uganda on January 30th, thankful to God who takes care of us earthen vessels.

Andrew, Karina, and baby David