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old and outdated and often breaks down.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!