In Tune with God

Right now I am thinking about what it takes to keep in tune with God.  

This afternoon I went downstairs to get on-line.  I was chatting with my daughter when the Sunday guard came up to me and ask about the BMU (Baptist Mission); what’s it all about?  I told him it was made up of missionaries who had come to Uganda to share Jesus Christ with others.  He was interested.   But I said that I was talking to my daughter and I would talk to him in a few minutes.

He stood there a few minutes and I suddenly thought, “He wants to talk now, I can talk to my daughter later.”  So I closed up my computer and invited Gideon to sit down and talk.  I ask him what he knew about Jesus.  He was a Catholic but had learned a lot about Jesus from sermons he had heard and from school (yes, you can talk about the Bible, Jesus, etc here).  In fact, he knew what it meant to be a born-again believer, he just didn’t know how to become one.  So, I led him through the steps and he prayed to accept Christ into his life.

As we continued to talk, Gideon told me he was here at our compound just for today.  He was substituting-- trying to get some ‘over-time’ so that he could pay school fees for his two sisters.  I asked him if he had gone to school.  He had finished S4 (10th grade) but that is when both his parents died.  He is male and the oldest (age 22) so it is his responsibility to take care of the family.  So, he moved to Kampala and found a job as a night guard.  The sisters are in an orphanage in the village because it is easier to go to school there.  He can pay for school “little by little”.

The point of my story, as awesome as it is, is that I almost missed the opportunity.   I don’t get to chat with my daughter very much.  I was busy.  And I almost missed it.  Maybe it was the Lord that nudged me and said, ‘he’s waiting’.  This time I heard, and thankfully I obeyed and  I now have a new brother in Christ.  

But I wonder how many times I do miss the opportunity because I am busy or because I am not listening.  Lord, help me to be intentional every day and “in tune” with you.  Help me hear and obey.

Pure Joy International Ladies Retreat

 At the beginning of March 49 missionary ladies and I  went to the beautiful Speke Hotel for the Pure Joy International Ladies Retreat.  From the moment we arrived I could see that this was something different.  This team of ladies from the States greeted us by name (we had sent them our pictures when we registered), carried our bags to our rooms, and started getting to know us. The next couple of days were amazing.  They showered us with gifts, goodies, cards from prayer supporters, and time to get to know each other.

The participants were from all over Uganda.  Some had been here many years some were relatively new.  Some worked in Bible colleges,  some in orphanages, some did church planting,  some were in schools, some worked with women and/ or children and some with other ministries.  We now have contacts with so many different ministries in all parts of the country (and Kenya).

The worship time led by Patty,  along with Penny and Becky was awesome.  We heard some amazing stories from Sharon from her time as a missionary in Ecuador. Janet talked to us about our marriages and families as she shared about her family.  So practical!!  The founder and  leader, Vickie, gave us valuable nuggets of truth as we talked about husbands, children, marriage, communication, ourselves--our ministries and who we are. We talked, laughed, shared, relaxed, laughed, and felt “narded”. (John 12:3)

Patty, Becky, Penny - our awesome Worship Team

Vickie sharing a "nugget"

 Pure Joy International has 2 to 3 retreats each year that they take to different parts of the world, depending where the Lord shows them.  9 ladies came -- all paying their own way and all brought together by the Father to make each retreat unique.  And behind the scenes were prayer partners and sponsors who shared their resources and talents with the rest of us.  What a blessing they are.  Check out their blog -- Pure Joy International blog.  They are always looking for people to be a part of the team.

                    Thank you,  Penny, Vickie, Becky, Sharon, Colleen, Janet, Kathy, Patty, and Kathy (Boots)not shown

                                            We were all so encouraged and lifted up beyond what we ever dreamed!