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.