Pastor Steven called his wife Jennifer to leave the following report: Team Uganda has arrived safely (all personnel, and all but Jerry's luggage) in Entebbe, Uganda. However, officials there are refusing to allow any evangelistic or medical teams any further toward the intended destination of Pakwach, Uganda. They are all currently being held up in Entebbe awaiting a meeting scheduled for Monday morning (Uganda time) to discuss their concerns and issues. If the decision is unfavorable, they will most likely need to make immediate arrangements to travel back home to the States. It's only 2:15pm on Saturday here in Garland, but is already 10:15pm there in Africa. So a meeting Monday morning there would occur sometime Sunday evening here.
Please pray diligently while we wait to receive further word about the situation. Pray for their safety. Pray for their rest and rejuvenation - they have been traveling for many hours. Pray for the speedy release of Team Uganda to progress toward Pakwach to complete their mission without any further complications or delays. Surely God has tremendous plans for this team since it is evident that evil forces are battling hard against them. Pray that the strongholds that are hindering the advancement of His Kingdom be broken in the name of Jesus Christ!
Click on "Comments" below to write a prayer, then return here to stay posted on developments. We will update this blog as soon as we hear word. Thank you for praying.
Roland Gilbert
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19 comments:
Paul in Ephesians 6:12 said, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
May God's power and glory prevail for the dedicated servants of Team Uganda in the coming days.
"The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."
2 Chronicles 16:9
Dear friends in God’s forever family,
We know you are facing some discouraging times, but be sure that God is in charge. He has not lost control and He has not lost interest.
There is a pattern seen in the book of Acts that has encouraged us many times over the years when we faced oppposition, and we are hoping it will encourage you. Again and again we see that as God sent His people forth, there was always a time of opportunity, followed by opposition, followed by the ministry of the word, often with great results, followed by further opposition.
For instance, look at Acts Chapters 13&14:
• Opportunity for ministry 13:44
• Opposition – an attack on the work of God 13:45
• Ministry 13:46,47
• Great results 13:48,49
• Opposition 13:50
• Ministry (13:51-14:1a)
• Great results (14:1b)
• Opposition (14:2)
• Etc., etc., …
Notice the number of times we see the word “but,” showing a change of course or situation where God, Satan, people, and circumstances stepped in.
The work of God seldom goes smoothly and rarely goes exactly the way we believe it will. Through it all and in spite of it all, and sometimes because of it all God’s work goes forward. Why doesn’t He allow it all to go smoothly? For many reasons, but here are a few possibilities:
• Our faith is strengthened when we deal with an overcome opposition. Remember, God isn’t just building a ministry, but He’s building ministers. Our “faith muscle” must be exercised.
• When success comes, there can be no doubt that God did it, not just His “clever” people.
• Non-believers can see God a work when His people don’t fold or get discouraged.
• God can lead into His areas of ministry which are sometimes different than ours.
Keep the faith, dear friends. He’s doing His best work in your midst and He will
be glorified. We love you all and are holding you up in prayer.
Lee & Karen Carpenter
Dear Uganda Team,
We read about the current situation and are praying for you. May the Lord make a way for the good news to be shared with the people of Uganda.
Don and Jasmine Bayliss
Ps. 5:11-12
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
We are praying for your safe entry to your intended destination and for a hedge of protection to be around each one of you.
Janine
We just got done praying for you since we heard the news. GOD will honor your faithfulness, and desire to serve HIM and bring forth His word. We believe as the recent praise time at FW that there will be a "Break through..." pray it, sing it and believe it!! We love you and know that GOD has a plan. Steve get leading them in song... breakthrough...
Kelly & Mark
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, will be with you wherever you go."
I just spoke to my old home church in Indiana about the opportunities they helped provide for me in Romania (financially and through prayer), and we had a special time of prayer for Team Uganda. God IS in control of this situation. I pray that He will open the doors to this country so that the Gospel Message will be shared in the village - and they will hear the Way, the Truth, and the Life - and be changed forever.
We should be expecting GREAT things to happen. We serve an awesome God!
Bill and Linda
"Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not." 2 Timothy 4:2
"But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you." 2 Timothy 4:5
"The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. The Lord protects his people..." Psalm 28:7-8
Continue to be strong and patient. Although hurdles and attacks from the enemy will come, especially in times when we are working to spread the Good News and expand the Kingdom, have comfort in the Lord, for He will prevail.
sarahleung's praying:
Dear Heavenly Father, Almighty God,
May You be gracious to our Uganda Team Bros and Sis and bless them and make Your face shine upon them, that through them Your ways be known on Uganda, your salvation among all the nations. May the Ugandans praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Righteousness and justice is the foundation of Your throne. You sit on the throne even in the midst the flood of obstruction in the mission-ministry in Uganda. You contend those who contend with your servants. The LORD Almighty is with our Bros and Sis in Uganda; the God of Jacob is their fortress. Your grace is sufficient for them, for Your power is made perfect in weakness. Our Bros and Sis are your blessed children, to receive grace and to have wisdom and favor before the Uganda Officials. Jehovah Jireh is our Teammates’ Provider, will make a way even there seems to be no way. Great are His purposes and mighty are His deeds.
For our Uganda Teammates who fear Him, the Lord has raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. May our Team Bros and Sis be blessed to have the Lord’s banner, and to fear Him.
Immanuel, God is with each one of the Team.
I pray in the matchless name of Your Son Jesus. Amen!
Isaiah 14:24 says, "The Lord Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be; and as I have purposed, so it will stand."
Isaiah 14:27 says, "For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him?"
May the Almighty God grant the servants of Team Uganda, His peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that comes from trusting in Him, for this is His plan, His work. It is His battle, for the battle is not yours, but God's (2 Chron 20:15).
May the Lord replace the fear and uncertainty in the hearts of the Ugandan officials, with goodness and peace, when they meet on Monday.
Windsor
Don't get discouraged, remember just to share your story. Remember the words to the Mark Roach song, "and along You comfort me and a sense of peace comes over me and You show me how to rest and trust in You. Let the walls around me crumble, let the wind and rain come through. I can face it all as long as I have You. Let the earth beneath me tremble, let the enemy pursue. I can face it all as long as I have You."
We love you all and we're praying for you. Many people from many churches are uniting in praying for you. God is awesome and does amazing things! I can't wait to see how God will be glorified by your trip. - Amanda R.
My prayers are that God's door will be opened for your mission in His name. Blessings on you all and the work you are doing.
Dear Bro.Jerry, Bro. Steven, Scott and Lisa,
We heard of the news yesterday. Have you all in our prayers.
Was great to have the church all praying for you all and the situation there this morning in service!!! We all know that God has wonderful plans in store for this mission trip. Even if it means in a different area than was originally planned!
We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Karl, Cami, Jon and Matthew Frasier
Dear Team Uganda,
We were in the air enroute home when we got a message from Pastor David that the team needed prayer. Not knowing the circumstances until now, we prayed that the PRESENSE, THE POWER AND THE PROTECTION OF THE LORD would be with each of you. May the annointing of His Spirit be mighty in your midst and make His way plain and clear before you. We are praying for favor and victory in this present circumstance. May He glorify Himself and show the mighty working of His hand in your lives and the lives of those for whom you have come to share the gospel.
Alex,Fred,Ellie,Grace,Diane,Chris,Hoonmo & Peter,
We love you, Dear.
Irene and I prayed for you and the whole TeamUganda last night. We remembered you all in prayer meeting before service and b/n services, and during both services. I just concerned how you all're doing. Be encouraged, keep declaring the attributes of the Lord and praise His name.
"Take courage! I Am." God revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3 as I Am, reminding Moses that he heard the cry of the Israelites and had seen their hardship and was now coming down to help them. Jesus does the same for us!
Lov ya,
sarah
Jerry - Steven - Scott - Natalie - Lisa! We miss you all but can't wait to hear what God is doing in Africa through you. I woke up in the middle of the night, with such a peace...knowing you were all doing well, and worshiping our almighty God!
The youth band did an awesome job this morning - David asked everyone to the altar to pray for Team Uganda - and Afshine had a powerful message on endurance - keeping our eyes on Jesus (finishing the race -and not quitting)! Thought of you all the whole time!
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)
Something non-related to your trip - Barry Bonds hit #755.
Praying for you.
Bill and Linda
Isaiah 58:8 says:
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear, then your rightousness will go before you, and the Glory of the Lord will be your rear guard
And Isaiah 52:12 says:
But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Proverbs 16:9 says:
We make our plans but the Lord orders our steps
May the Spirit of our Living God protect each of you, and may all of Team Uganda experience a Manifest Presence of God during this situation.
Love in Christ and Saved by Grace,
Lisa Brown
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
I pray you find peace, strength and courage in knowing you are right where God wants you!!! He is using you every step of the way and I know you are using this time of waiting to share the love of Christ with the other team members as well as being a light in the darkness to all you come in contact with. I KNOW the team is having a positive impact on the officials, regardless of where they let you go! What an adventure you are having and what a testimony to bring home, how I wish I were there sharing it with you!! No matter what the outcome of the meeting Monday morning it is no surprise to God and you can claim HIS VICTORY! GOD IS SOVEREIGN and HIS Kingdom IS BEING ADVANCED, no matter what the circumstances are!
I love you all!
Joan P.
Dear God's warriors,
Listen to God and wait patiently. God will lead and provide.
You all are in my prayers,
Mary S.
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