Eastern Skies

I have been home for almost a week and have had time to reflect on my time in Uganda. That, along with a host of inquiries about my experience continues to nurture my reflection on the past 8 weeks.

Reflecting on a "trip of a lifetime" is hard but let me try; or at least let me begin. Perhaps in time I will see it differently. For now these are my thoughts.

First, I noticed that while I was in Uganda I slept better than I normally do - I had dreams more often and could remember them. I left rested! That surprises me in light of the fact that I worked long days while I was there. The work was different then pastoring a church but it was nonetheless a lot of work. I am thinking that the change of pace, the change of demands on me and the change of environment gave my inner core time to be restored. I have never thought of life in ministry as debilitating but perhaps the past 32 years have slowly depleted my inner core and this trip restored me within. I think it did! PTL!

Second, in Kodiak I work with people of all ages and levels of commitment but in Uganda I worked with young men all of whom are committed in ways that sometimes put me to shame. I have taken some time to just think about my level of commitment and am challenged to make some subtle but important changes. I did like working with men; I thoroughly enjoyed working with the staff at the school and I was prepared to just "unload" what I had learned over the last 3 decades in ministry. The effort was tiring but meaningful for me. I think I came away rejuvenated to continue growing and learning so I could perhaps go at it again with more wisdom and effectiveness.

Third, I preached 6 times while I was there; three times to the students and three times in village churches. The students didn't need a translator, the village churches did. The interesting thing is that all 6 messages were about the same length. Lesson: It can be said with less words - it just takes more concentration and effort. One thing that happened after my last effort in a village church was the Pastor opened the floor for questions and answers. That was enlightening and I think I will try that sometime after a message.

Fourth, the West does not have a corner on understanding the Word of God; we certainly have resources to unravel it but making universal application is truly a local effort. I faced questions that never come up in the West and I faced challenges that only a Ugandan bush Pastor could speak to. Thank you men, your questions and insights were valuable and while I was the teacher you taught me.

Fifth, as the Gospel "sun sets" in the West the Eastern skies of Africa are lighting up. God is at work in Africa as people are being saved; churches are being planted and laborers are being trained for a harvest that will stun the world. Thank you for letting me be part of your training; you remain in my thoughts and prayers as you serve the Lord where the Eastern skies announce the coming light.

Loving Life where God planted me . . . .

I have returned from Uganda - the trip/travel was nothing to envy - yet I am caught between "loves". I am blessed to be home with Susan and the family but truly miss the new family that adopted me and the brotherhood of seminarians that attended my lectures, endured my exams and invited me to their churches.

It hardly seems real; passing from the West and its luxurious consumerism into the third world of drought and a lack of essentials; and then to return to an office filled with great books and air free of mosquitoes that could infect me with malaria.

How could I love both and write with such an ambivalent mind? The answer is people; it will always be about people. The environment is thin and in the end meaningless. I prefer cool over steamy; partly cloudy over blinding sun; pavement over rutted clay; white boards over concrete covered in black paint and church buildings with windows and sound systems. Yet the people are what it will always be about.

Elwatu Joseph told me on my last Saturday that Uganda is the friendliest country in Africa. I don't know if he is right but I can't bet against him. Loving the Ugandan people was easy; not to mention the wonderful family I stayed with. I wanted to transport them all to Kodiak; and now that I am home to take my Kodiak family to Uganda.

In the end we, Ugandan "born agains" and Kodiak believers, will have the eternal pleasure of sharing "heaven" together. For that I will always be grateful and for that I will live in anticipation. I am invited back and I would enjoy the opportunity to do it better the second time; to not only see my brothers but to meet their children who will be the new generation of "born agains" carrying the good news of Jesus Christ to the streets and villages of Uganda.

While we are apart you do your part and we, here in the states, will do ours.

You are loved and missed,
Brother Mark in Kodiak

Final Pictures from Uganda

It is 9:30 PM on Sunday and you are likely at Church. This is my last email from Uganda so I am sending a couple of last minute pictures.

John and I are off to Entebbe tomorrow morning at 7:45. We have to call the American Embassy so John can know if he needs to bring Benjamin to have his passport renewed. Once he determines that, we will be off and we are expecting traffic and all the stuff that goes along with road conditions and getting through Campola. It should be another adventure.

Today we attended John's home church, Victoria Baptist Church. I ran into some of the instructors at the seminary as well as a helper that we picked up every day. He assisted me in finding a pair of cuff links like the students wear.

Anyway this afternoon we headed to the Seminary to see what the students who have stayed behind have accomplished in applying stone to the base of the buildings. It was remarkable what they had gotten done since the close of school on Thursday. Aaron & Benjamin assisted in improving the picture. The final picture is of a flower whose simple but unique beauty reflects the simple but precious beauty of the Ugandan Students at GTS. For and from the two students that we visited with while we were at the seminary: "Thanks for sending your pastor to be our teacher; God will bless you for your gift to us".

Debbie's Kids

We returned to Good Shepherd's Fold last night for a gathering of Global Outreach missionaries. They do it periodically. We had dinner and they asked me to bring devotions. It was nice out there and cooler than it has been. I met little Anna - Debbie's special little girl and saw some of the other kids that I met the first time.

I am including two pictures: first of the kids on the playground jungle gym waving and saying: "Hi Debbie - Hurry Back!" The second picture is of night life in Jinga. I asked John to drive through down town on our way back so I could see the night life that I have heard so much about. It was fascinating.

I leave in less than 24 hours and fly to Nairobi; then Cairo and then off to New York. I will call on my cell once I am in New York and through customs. I have a few things that people are sending with me to the Gardners and a missionary here who asked me to mail a small package to their son in North Carolina.

Love ya - can't wait to get home, I am ready!
Mark in Jinga

It is Saturday morning and the carpenter is coming to work on the project for Johnny's room. I am not doing much of the work - I occasionally go out and hold something for him and maybe even give him a tip on how to do something better but he is used to his methods and they are crude by comparison to the West. Nonetheless they work.

Last night I met a man who is a part time missionary who comes here from time to time to invest in ministries and disciple people. He is a retired postmaster from Georgia but also was the foreman at a large cabinet shop and has a personal shop that is twice the size of my building. We talked about my table saw problems and he gave me some ideas. Funny where you meet the solutions to some of your problems. Roger and I talked a lot last night.

The picture is of a typical moment on a Jinga street. Notice the few cars and the large number of bicycles. This is life here - few cars and a large number of other types of transportation. That is not to say that there are no cars - there are, but they don't own the streets or highways. The thoroughfares of commerce are owned by pedestrians, bicycles and mopeds/motorcycles. Cars slow down and maneuver around the people, the bikes and the mopeds. Very few helmets, and when there is an accident - we have seen at least three very serious ones - there is almost always loss of life; and you can see why. Of course everyone drives on the "other side of the road" and that would not be hard to get used to but the presence of people on the streets is still strange to me.

Tonight John and I will head into town for some night pictures. He tells me: "If you think there are a lot of people on the road during the day, wait until you see it at night". The Ugandans are night people. I will see for myself soon.

Things are well, I am relaxing for the last 48 hours and then travelling and all that stuff.

Woodworking in Uganda

It is Friday and I am woodworking a bit. The carpenter is by and he is showing me how they build things in Uganda. By American standards they are primitive and includes a great deal of handwork. My first picture is of Gilbert planing lumber that we cut with an old skill saw.

The second picture is of a "bodaboda" which is a bike being used as a simple but very common taxi. It costs 25 cents for a ride and they have to work to get up the inclines. It is the bike owners livelihood. People learn to balance riding side-saddle. I have not ridden on one of them; rather I have taken a motorcyle/moped which is faster and costs a bit more (50 cents).

It is warm today; and very slow, but another missionary came by to ask me to take a package back to America and mail it for her. It is being shipped to North Carolina; she was surprised and blessed to know that I would be there for 2 days.

Heading Home

We just arrived home after a happy/sad day. I hugged many and waved goodbye as a large truck of men left without me. John and I and a few others took his van back to town. We saw the truck along the way as men were dropped home and taken to the bus depot. Many of them have long journeys ahead of them and when they arrive home will be facing food shortages and crop failures. Some took food so their families could eat.

The most common comment was; please return. It would be wonderful but right now I cannot see the Lord opening that door for some time. It is not evil to hope so I hope and they earnestly pray.

I made several friends; Paul, Mawa John & Dominic - all are precious and passionate about serving the Lord. Perhaps in God's amazing plans I will see them again; until then we must serve apart.

We are hoping the carpenter will arrive so we can work on the shelving unit that I would like to begin. John believes the man is coming today. We will see.

I am attaching two pictures of closing day - they will be eternal memories!

Students & Stuff

The first is George my personal gecko. He lives in my room behind the map, or at least I think that is where he lives. He finally came out last night and introduced himself. Now I know who keeps the bug population in check while I am sleeping or away. He has a whole family that enjoys the house and does their job effectively and efficiently.

The second picture is my 2nd & 3rd year students after taking one of my exams. The lighting is natural and the desks are primitive but it all works and they call it my lecture hall. The blackboard is black paint painted on a finished stucko wall and the chalk is used up very fast. It is primitive but it works and we are all happy.

They all send greetings and THANK YOU for sending me to be their teacher - we were brothers on the first day, now we are friends for life!

People at the Global Theological Seminary

These men are excellent students and have wonderful attitudes. The man in the AWANA t-shirt is Matete Fred from Mumbas, Kenya. He is a 4th year student and he has started clubs and trained workers in AWANA in Kenya and is training workers at John & Rebecca's home Church, Victoria Baptist Church. He is the real thing. He is an excellent student and he is a worker. John loves him and tells me that in spite of his hands, he has the best handwriting of any student he has seen in years. He is a friend who loves AWANA.

In the other picture there are two guys with me: Paul Gacheru, 3rd yr., from Kenya and in the yellow shirt, Mawa John Liki from Sudan. Paul has been in ministry 7 years and he is one of my best students and in all 3 of my classes; Mawa John is only in my Biblical Characters class as a 1st yr. but is an excellent student as well. Both are highly motivated. I would love to take them both home with me. They have attitudes that any teacher would love and are eager to learn!

Another Sunday in Uganda

We just returned from Church and lunch. We had lunch at the Triangle Hotel; we all had fish and chips. They have a lake fish here that is good and fries up nicely and is put with fries - which are real potatoes. They have a thing called Top Up that is a replacement for ketchup - the Fulks like it but it is nothing but watered down ketchup.

The church that I was at this morning was the most primitive of the churches that I have been in and the smallest. The pastor is a student and he loves the people. He has 3 or 4 men and 5-6 women and then there are folks who come and go and lots of children; yet a good beginning and the men all help. I sat on a very low chair so I could see their eyes in a very small room that had no lighting except the door and it grew hotter and hotter as we worshipped, prayed, sang and danced.. It went well and when it was over the Pastor invited me to ask them questions to see if they were listening and one woman asked a question about forgiveness which told me that she was listening carefully.

The first young man I met was named Ramadan and he is a converted Muslim. I am sending two pictures: one of the Pastor - Batumbuze Paul on the left and Ramadan on the right and the second picture is of all the folks who came.

This evening we will have Missionary Fellowship at someone's home and they will nearly all be American Missionaries; and a few Europeans. Last month when I went the fellowship was good but the food was strange.

It is hot so we will nap with the fan on - thank God for the fan!

Uganda Beauty

Things happen here and today is an example - we were expecting the carpenters so that we could begin building a shelf unit for John and his son Johnny. We got the lumber yesterday - it was awful by my standards, but it is what they use - I took the kids for lunch at a spot they really like and John & Rebecca headed off to a place that they like for some special coffee and we returned to wait for the carpenters - well - they had problems and can't come. Very disappointing but what happens. I spent the afternoon reading and updating my journal.

We did however have a moment or two to snap a few pictures of Uganda beauty, especially flowers. They are attached - the garden where these were taken was where John and Rebecca were having coffee and snacks.

The first picture is of the Student Council: (L-R) Kadooli Moses; Roman Francis Brown; Were Jackson; Mulumba Julius; Musoto Jonathan.
All of them are students in my classes and wonderful humble souls.
Roman's Dad is a chaplain in the Kenyan Army and an evangelist; Musoto is the President of the student body.

The second picture is the entry to the Seminary and a joy to pass through each morning. We unload the truck of students and often their bikes and head to the office for tea and g-nuts. Great way to start the day. John told me that they purchase g-nuts in huge bags. I will try and bring some home if I can.

Instructors and Dormitory Improvements

The attached pictures are of the instructors: Geoffrey Kadia; Mark Nymeyer; Pagent Kintu' Owillie Moses; Erowaga Dominic; John Fulks - These men teach the 12 class offerings and we are a good team. Dominic and I are becoming good friends; he attends my Ecclesiology class and it makes for some fascinating discussions.

The second photo is the back wall of the men's dormitory - The improvement that the men have been working on is the rock at the bottom of the wall. They work on it in the evenings and weekends. They have made a lot of progress and it makes the buildings look great! their labor defrays the cost of the term for those who want to work.

Classes are winding down and exams are imminent - the students are getting anxious and the married guys are ready to head home - as am I.

I am taking the Fulks family out to eat tonight so I am off.

Dancing in Church

Worship in a typical Ugandan village Church is incomplete without dancing. You can't really see it in the photo but this is a snapshot of the congregation dancing in the middle of a worship song that was very repetitive. The man whose back is to us in the photo is the "lead dancer" and was described by the pastor as "very dynamic". He comes out of the crowd and leads dancing when the time comes. He is very rhythmic and could easily make it as a dancer in America.

The man who translated for me, Kasito, told me that as far as he was concerned Bugembe First Baptist Church has the best dancing anywhere. I had little or nothing to compare it to but they were "enjoying the Lord" while I was going deaf next to the speaker and trying to keep up with the beat.

I suppose their might be dancing in heaven - I hope I can keep up!

Sunday in Bugembe

I am attaching a picture from my trip to First Baptist Church in Bugembe. The Pastor's name is Willie and the translator is Kasito Francis. The pastor is a graduate of the Seminary and has been at the Church for 5 years. Francis is a graduate as well and attends there. He teaches for John in satelite campuses and in 2 week training workshops and seminars. He is wonderful young man and an excellent translator. I would love to have him around. At the Church there is a young man named Andrew who is in Bible School and he leads music at the Church. I visited with him after church and he is another Ugandan that I would love to have around me. Both of these young men are genuine servants of God with gifts and talents that bless the Bugembe Church.

Andrew is the tall young man up front on the right in the picture. Kasito Francis is sitting in the rear of the auditorium.

This week will be busy so pray - thanks.

Open Air Market

Jacob, Fulks second son, and I walked into town so I could go to the open air market and snoop. I got a polo shirt for $2.50 that needed to be washed but looks good and will serve me nicely in this hot weather. I hope to have John put the school logo on it before I leave.

The two pictures are of me in a typical street market store front and the second is in the open-air market where you purchase fresh fruit and vegetables as well as hunt for woven items, sewed clothes, and other "knock off" stuff that people wear in this country. Most of the vendors were women but there were men in the fish market. It had rained early this morning so the place felt "damp" but most of the people were friendly and only one person did not want their picture taken. She looked away as I photographed her weaving a really nice straw thing.

After I was finished we took a "boda-boda" back home. The man agreed to transport both of us for 1500 shillings/.75 cents. When we arrived at the gate of the house and he saw the money I took out to pay him he changed his price to 1500 shillings each. We took a moment to get things square and he left with only 1500 shillings. They tell me that it is standard for drivers to mess with "mzungoes" white people. Jacob knew what to do.

I am spending the day grading papers, preparing for next week and catching up on reading. We are having something Mexican for dinner. I speak in a village church in Jinga tomorrow. I should be home after 2:00 PM.

In Pastoral Epistles I only have 7 more lectures; 8 more in Biblical Characters and 8 more in Ecclesiology. Exams must be written and graded and two full sets of papers that are due before the end of term. Next weekend will be three times more work than today and I am preaching in a new church plant for one of the students. I will not be speaking the last Sunday that I will be here. We may go to Entebbe early - don't know yet.

The Old Truck

The picture is of the old truck that has seen its best days and will be replaced. KBC and another of John's supporting churches gave the money to replace it. A man from the school was in Campala yesterday looking for a good used replacement. He will take a mechanic into Campala next week and hopefully we can purchase it before I leave. If we do I will send a photo and the students will be thrilled. We use the truck to pick up students every morning and take them home at night not to mention a myriad of things it is used for in day to day operations.

This morning I spent the first couple hours grading papers that were hard to read but I finally got done. The power is off because of a rain storm that came in about 5:00 AM and it rained for 1 1/2 hours. It was good because it has been very dry recently and the fields need rain.

Second Half

Things are going well here; we just turned the corner into the second half. Today the team from Memphis left - John is taking them to the airport tonight and will not be back until after classes tomorrow. I will be teaching 4 classes tomorrow and staying after to watch the soccer match amongst the guys. John hopes to return in time to be in the soccer match - I hope so as well.

My work load and prep time has increased with the third class - ecclesiology - which requires new preparations each day. It is material that I have never taught before so it is challenging to keep up. I give my first test on Monday and the students are nervous. I will be glad when tomorrow ends; today was long, tomorrow will be even longer.

We ate out with the Memphis team before they left at lunch today and the fish was good but the fries were not - too greasy.

The two pictures are from life on campus. The first is of our first year students with their instructor Dominic. The class is Deuteronomy. He is excellent at teaching and preaching and sits in my ecclesiology class after chapel.

The second picture is what happens during lunch every day in the office. We eat family style, serving ourselves and in this picture we had rice and pork with light gravy - it was good. We use the same cups and bowl every meal and the kitchen staff stays busy washing because there are just enough to go around.

Mid Terms Already!

We finished our 11th day out of 25 total - Tomorrow is midterm and then I start teaching my third class - Ecclesiology. It will get busy with 150 papers to read & grade plus 100 exams to grade as well. Nevertheless it is moving quickly and I continue to get to know the students and they interact more and more.

The weather is cooler and good for sleeping and later this week the team from Memphis leaves. Tomorrow I will go with them and do some evangelism in a neighborhood. - it should be exciting.

I took a "bike ride" called a "boda boda" from town back to the house - first time for that - 25 cents! That is the price no matter how far they take you.

The attached picture is of two students painting - it is going well and it really improves parts of the structure. Tonight we have Spanish food to the liking of the team from Memphis.

This picture was taken today in a village where I preached. The man in front of me to my right invited me and these folks are mostly his family. We had quite a trip getting to and from the village however. We had a flat tire getting there and on the way home on the highway the same tire came off the land cruiser causing us to swerve, yet the driver succeeded in keeping us from hitting anyone or going in the ditch on my side of the vehicle. Needless to say it was an exciting day. A man who was part of the local people who helped us retrieve the tire and get back on the road said I was lucky. I told him I have a great God and he walked away saying, no, your god is the god of luck.

We made it home late but we are all safe and very thankful,

Yesterday, Saturday, we went to Good Shepherd's Fold and visited for 5 hours. What a great place for kids to meet the love of God. Now I know why Debbie loves this place. They are hoping for her return.

This evening we will celebrate Jacob's 14th birthday and relax before we head into midterms on Tuesday. From now on there will be papers to grade and exams to write.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Nile River Rapids

Mark and John at the Nile River Rapids

Two Weeks Finished...

Two weeks are finished - classes are going well and I am learning more and more names. Today during lunch one of the men sought my advice on some church issues; this occurs more and more and I suspect it will not let up.

This weekend I will be preaching in a village - one of the teachers will pick me up and take me there. The leader of the village is Muslim but the man who
invited me has the church on his property and he is older so the people will come and the children will follow me around all day. It should be interesting.

Tonight we are eating at a restaurant on the NIle river, and picking up the crew that went rafting. John says there will be good pictures. I will send one.

I have not yet adjusted to this heat but John tells me that I will before I leave - then I will have to readjust when I get back. One last thing, John was expressing his
gratefulness to me for "paying my way". There are those who come and expect him to pay for their meal and other stuff never thinking about the fact that it is
not in his budget.

Painting the School

Please be praying for Mark as he’s been having some stomach flu symptoms. Here is an excerpt from his latest e-mail:

A team showed up yesterday and today they began painting the exterior of the school - They are from Memphis from John & Rebecca's church there. Mid America Baptist Seminary is there and that is where John is getting his Ph.D.

The painting team and the two older boys here are going rafting on the Nile River tomorrow - They asked me if I wanted to go - No thanks!

I like being at the school and with the students - I am remembering their names better every day.

Love to all, miss you,
Mark in Jinga

Journal Excerpts

Here are a few excerpts from Mark's daily journal:


Traveling to the school every morning is an adventure in driving, with huge speed bumps, driving on the wrong side of the road, numerous bicycles and pedestrians and school children walking to school. Houses range from nice to abject poverty. We pick up students on the way and they ride in the back standing up. We pick them up at meeting areas, on the road and on the highway. We always stop to get a paper and if we don’t have enough change we agree to pay the next day – pretty nice.

Every home or compound has an “astari” (guard) who opens the gate as we arrive and there is one at the seminary as well. They are all friendly. Ugandans have big eyes, high cheekbones and huge smiles. The men are all thin – they have very little fat in their diet. Classes are filled with eager hearts and ever increasing questions. I just finished my last class for today – lots of questions from our lectures on Abraham & Joseph – all excellent applicational questions.

My biggest need is to figure out how to test these men. Please pray for wisdom as I design the tests.

We are waiting for lunch before we leave – yesterday it was rice and pork – it was good. We always stay for lunch, which is late (2:00 PM) and then head home. John likes to stop by the post office on the way home.

Wednesday I was asked to come and speak in a village on Sunday about 35 KM from Jinga. John & I will talk about it and decide. Thursday afternoon after class Rebecca & the children came to pick us up at school and take us to a very large sports complex to play badminton. The Fulks know the people who own the place and they have invited us.

Wednesday, July 15 – John headed to Entebbe to pick up a team of 4 people from their Memphis Church. They are coming to paint the seminary – we will all help them for the week that they are here. After they leave there will be some stone work done and they will pay the students to assist in that project. John will be gone for a day this week and a day next week and I will be covering his Algebra class while he is out.

Today we visited our second day on Moses and talked about rebellion. The students had questions about multiple wives – it took some time to get them back on point. Multiple wives is a problem in Uganda. There is a further problem with Pastors who are not accountable and that is revealed in the Pastoral Epistles class. We have lots of discussions about issues and the rest of the questions go to how to interpret Scripture.

The ecclesiology class is in the throws of preaching for the first 2½ weeks, so John, Dominic and I are evaluating the students and making constructive comments on each sermon. Dominic preached in Chapel and did a great job with Ephesians 6:10-17. He did not complete the sermon but did a great job none the less – he is gifted at preaching. The students are all different and take comments very well. Each has an interesting style and so far each message is good for the students to hear as well as good for me to evaluate and make suggestions. Their sermons all raise important issues about preaching that either John or I unravel. It is fun but still challenging to do. Thank God that the students are gracious and willing learners.

Designing the tests remains the most important issue before me – this will take wisdom.

Trip Down the Nile

The attached picture is me on the wood boot that we took down the Nile River on Saturday last week. John, Aaron, his son and some short term missionaries with the Church of Christ were with me. The skipper was Joseph who told us about a place very near the boat I am standing in that used to be much lower and there was a short waterfall exposed where Ugandan would come and worship a god who live in the waterfalls. However, when they built the dam upstream and the area rose covering up the waterfall they moved the island in the middle of the Nile and now go there hoping that their god will reappear. It has been going on since the 70's.

Joseph is a Catholic who thinks the local worshippers are full of nonsense.

It was on this river trip that I saw numerous birds and monkeys. Interesting stuff.

It rained today and is therefore cooler.

Class Picture

Here's the class picture.
The picture is only of the students (and myself), I will hopefully get a picture of the teachers later. Of the men in the picture I teach all but 10 who are 4th year students. John teaches them mostly; although I will be their teacher tomorrow for Algebra 1. John teaches algebra to teach them logic and I made the mistake of telling John that I used to teach it. He is off to Entebbe tonight to pick up a team of 4 people who are coming with money to paint the school. They will lead the effort while the students volunteer after classes. I will likely help some after classes and on the weekend. They are only here for a week. I will get some pictures if I can.

It rained for the second time and the men all show up with coats when the weather cools and it rains. I just laugh but when the afternoon sun comes out we kid about the day starting "in heaven" and ending "in hell". That is not how they see it but we laugh just the same.

I came home from school early today because John had to leave for Entebbe so I have time to prepare for Algebra and write a few emails to supporters. For some reason the internet has been better the last couple of days. Also today with a light breeze the power went out for about 2 hours or more. It guess it happens a lot in the rainy season.

Love to all for now,
Mark in Jinga

Sunday in Uganda

Mark tried to send a picture yesterday in a separate e-mail, but it didn’t come. Here is an excerpt from his latest e-mail.

We are off to church in a bit - I may go elsewhere than with John & his
family - we will see.

We took a boat ride on the Nile river yesterday and saw numerous birds and
monkeys - very relaxing and interesting. We ate at our second restaurant -
it will take some time to get used to the way they cook here. The flavors
are different and unique.

Hope you have a good day - I will be praying for Matt as he speaks.

Tell the kids hi and I send my love to all -

Excerpts from Mark's e-mail:

The first week only got better as it moved along - with students coming for
questions more and more and even two men who want all my notes who are not
in any of my classes. All the classes are fun and we have lots of
interaction. I sat in on a meeting of the student council and heard about
all sorts of simple needs so I gave John some of the extra money early to
assist the students. It will be a great blessing to see their smiles when
some needed things come.(Fire extinguishers, a good used computer, more
mattresses so that each man can have a good used one). Their equipment is
old and outdated and often breaks down.

Today it rained so hard that we had to move out of the chapel (tin roof)
into the library so I could be heard, What a great class - eager men -
wonderful hearts to understand God's word and ready to obey God. Yesterday
we talked about suffering from Joseph's life and a first year student came
and talked to me about suffering in his life - he has suffered - his eyes
were filled with tears as he thanked me for the teaching which helped him
understand the ways of God in suffering. I was humbled by his grace.

This weekend I hope to help Johnny, their oldest son, find some lumber and
make a shelf for his room - nice diversion from lectures and bad lighting.

After my last class today a man asked for all the notes I have ever made on
the synoptic gospels - I told him that I only had stuff on Matthew and part
way into Luke - he insisted on getting all of it. He asked me to consider
coming permanently and working at the school - he was sweet, and very
passionate. Many are like him but much more shy. All of them are thin to
the bone, have high cheekbones, very large eyes and huge friendly smiles.
They love to greet each other and make the environment so pleasant.

Leaving here will be very difficult. Before our Biblical Characters class I
had one of the men lead in a song and it was so glorious to see this brother
shout with pure joy, move with grace and lead the men in traditional African
ballad praising God. A few men play homemade drums and they always clap and
move with rhythm that is a joy to watch. They love that I love it!

Anyway - let the church know that these men are truly grateful to them for
sending me and for the funds that we have given for the improved truck,
which we hope to get before I leave, and for the added funds
for scholarships and much needed things in the dormitories. You would love
the way they communicate gratefulness and joy - it is contagious and makes
me ashamed of myself every time I see it or hear anyone express thanks.

It is Friday and the lady who helps with the house is making homemade wheat
thins - time to go.

Love to all,
Mark

Badminton at the Sugar Cane Factory

Susan's note: Mark has been having e-mail issues. John and Rebecca are on dial-up and we're pretty sure that Mark's little computer doesn't have an internal modem. As of a couple of days ago, he can't access his GCI account online (the same thing happened to Aaron in Greece - they were able to get to it for a short time, then not any longer), so I've set up his GCI account to forward his e-mails to a gmail account. The risky thing about that is that I've set his GCI account to not save any e-mails after they're forwarded and I don't entirely trust technology!

Here's an excerpt from Mark's e-mail this morning:

We took a group picture today and I will attempt to sent it this weekend so you can post it.

Hopefully this weekend I can get at my gci account and read the emails and drop you a long note about what is going on. Tomorrow is Friday and that means that 20% of the term is over. Unbelievable! One last thing: we played badminton today at a huge sugar cane factory. The owners are Indians and there was a Hindu temple on the grounds - interesting but weird. We went inside but had to take our shoes off. The owners are friends with the Fulks and let them use the on campus gym for recreation. An old facility but still nice to use. We had fun.

First Day of Classes

Today was the first day of classes. I taught Pastoral Epistles (28 students) and Biblical Characters (57 students) There are 27 in Ecclesiology but John led the class today. I will speak briefly tomorrow but most of it will be sermon evaluations until the mid-term when I take over. I am speaking in chapel for the next two days.

We go to the school each day in a truck that has no springs - we load up with students we pick up on the way and drive over the biggest speed bumps you have ever seen. It is fun because the students are truly excited about heading off to the school. Part of the drive is on the highway - which is crowded with bicycles and pedestrians. Anyway the students are genuine saints who farm and pastor in rural areas.

Sunday night we had a missionary fellowship at a Nazarene Pastor's home - nice place, awesome view of the Nile River and for the most part older missionaries most of whom are involved in training nationals.

We will see if we can get my computer back in order - for now I will use John's and see how things work out. I am taking pictures here and there and tomorrow John will take some pictures of me teaching. Perhaps this weekend we'll send one so you can post it on the blogspot.

Sunday in Uganda

I had my first night here in Jinja - slept okay - the weather is very compatible for sleeping right now although John tells me that this is unusual. The trip from Dubai was long and with the delay still did not make me late. It was a rude awakening to arrive in Entebbe to see health workers all wearing face masks and everyone on the plane had to fill out a form and give forwarding information. I immediately realized that swine flue and influenza are a real threat her and that health matters are important.

I went to church this morning - under the trees - John was the preacher
- and I met a number of people with YWAM as well as missionaries that work with Global Outreach (John's organization).

Last night friends came over who lead an orphanage of 41 children from 7 mons. to 15 yrs. old all of whom have HIV-AIDS. They were heading to the states to meet her parents - he is a national who has not met his in-laws yet. Neat young people!

This evening we have missionary fellowship at someone's house so I will meet some more people and enjoy local scenery.

Tomorrow we begin by leaving at 6:45 and pick up a number of people on our way to the seminary. Things will get busy fast. For now a brief break.

Anyway - that's life for now - time for an afternoon nap and then off to missionary fellowship.

Arrival in Entebbe

Mark called just after midnight (Entebbe time - just after 1 p.m. our time) and said he'd arrived in Entebbe and was in route with John to the hotel. Joan's Rubbermaid Tote for the Fulks made it just fine. I could hear him very clearly, but he couldn't understand anything I was saying. He'll e-mail tomorrow from Jinja.

Travel Update

Note from Susan:

I received an e-mail this morning from Pastor Mark, saying that he was delayed 2 hours in Dubai. He was hoping he wouldn't miss his flight from Nairobi to Entebbe. I e-mailed John and Rebecca to let them know that there might be a delay and they e-mailed us back saying:

"It is 8:30 PM here in Entebbe. We are here and checked into the hotel. We have your key to your room also so you can slip in easy and quickly.

We have called Kenya Airways and we will be able to know if you are on the flight from Nairobi to Entebbe, but not until about 1 hour before you are scheduled to arrive in Entebbe.

If you do not make it on that flight, there is another flight scheduled to arrive at 9:40 AM on Saturday morning. We will be at the airport to get you either way.

If there is a problem/confusion on the airlines information, and we are not there to pick you up, call me on any phone from the airport.

We should be standing and waiting for you just as all the other people will be doing waiting on other passengers. We are only 10-15 minutes away." (John)


What a relief to know that they've already thought of everything! We'll let you know when he arrives!

Anxious & Ready

I gave my last sermon yesterday (6/28/), was prayed over by our English and Filipino Church families and am ready to depart for Uganda. At this point final packing looms; getting my laptop ready is nearly complete and getting one more good night sleep should finish final preparations. I have a 15 hour layover in Atlanta before I head to Dubai and a college friend is picking me up for a visit. He is a mechanical engineer but gave it up and some years ago bought a Cabinet shop and is in business for himself - go figure! I am sure we will have fun visiting, catching up and talking about my hobby and his livelihood.

Please pray for Matt Jensen, my Associate Pastor, as he will be standing in my place while I minister in Uganda; his plate is as full as my heart. I am ready to be spent and am trusting God for "praying and fasting partners" as I go to Africa to meet men I will be in heaven with and serve them as their teacher.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. AMEN!

From the beginning . . .

Last year I was invited to teach at Global Theological Seminary in Jinga, Uganda. It took some time to pray and acquire permission but the Lord opened doors and the moment is upon me to leave Kodiak, Alaska and head east as far as I have ever traveled.

Lord willing I leave on June 30 and arrive in Entebbe, Uganda on July 3. I will travel through Atlanta, Dubai and Nairobi before I get there. I hope to see an old friend in Atlanta and will likely get out in Dubai (I am over-nighting) and take a few snapshots of the Middle East's play city. Thank God I won't be there on the weekend; they tell me it is a crush of weekenders who come to spend money and enjoy Western stuff.

All my notes for the three classes I am teaching are at the Seminary and they are having them prepared for the students. I am teaching Ecclesiolgy, Pastoral Epistles and a Biblical Character Study. So far I know about 90 students for two of the classes - I was afraid to ask about the third class. I have to grade all these students!

One looming challenge may be the climate change. I am going from Kodiak, Alaska to the Equator where it is the dry season - 90+ degrees and no moisture. I grew up around Chicago, it should be like going home for 6 weeks but I doubt it.

What to take has dominated my mind the last few weeks. My host has stuff I am tasked with bringing and I have to pack for heat and sun which are at times rare where I live. Nonetheless, I will need things to read and notes from which to preach. I am told that I better be ready for preaching opportunities.

All this to say - I will be busy with academics and regional pastors; completely submerged in ministry with people who love it. It should be thrilling and tiring at the same time. Therefore, please pray for strength and wisdom as I impart the precious truth of God's Word to hungry souls.