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All Things New

"And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Rev 21:5

 
Small children begin to line up near the gate, each holding a plastic cup and bowl and their own metal utensils. Not far from the gate, twenty high school “gringos” stand, sweating in the Nicaraguan heat listening to a pastor share about his community and how it has grown and changed over the last few years since starting a feeding center. The church feeds a nutritious lunch to fifty children daily with donations from international hunger relief agencies. The pastor credits the relief agencies but praises God for how he has brought revival to the refugee families through this program. Listing a few of the changes like improved public education, decreased teen pregnancy rates, lightened burdens on families, fewer orphans, and a higher church attendance, it hits me that the pastor is doing more than just spelling out the humanitarian advancements in his community. He, knowingly or not, is recounting God’s goodness and faithfulness to the people of this earth, no matter their skin color or socioeconomic status.  These changes are clear evidence of God’s grace and mercy as He makes all things new in His perfect timing. 
That was ten years ago. Our only job that day was to help facilitate the meal and hang out with kids, but this moment snagged my attention. God used this time and others like it to plant a desire in our hearts to work in international ministry. We have felt and learned firsthand how the geography of a child’s birth should not be a barrier to hearing the gospel, especially through the care of their physical needs. The Son of Man came to Earth to serve, not to be served, and He often did this by meeting the people’s physical needs --  making them new both inside and out. 

Why Uganda? 
Through talking with a coworker in Harrisonburg we caught wind of Serge and the work they are doing in the remote district of Bundibugyo, Uganda. Serge, formally known as World Harvest Mission, was born after Ugandan refugees asked the Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia for help rebuilding after the devastation of Idi Amin’s rule. Serge missionaries lived in Bundibugyo to evangelize, help plant churches, train local pastors and eventually give attention to community development, which included the start of the BundiNutrition Program. 
After learning of this opportunity, we felt God leading us to apply for a missionary apprenticeship in Bundibugyo where a dietitian is currently working with malnourished children and her husband works in construction/maintenance in the community.  Sound familiar? In July, Serge appointed us to work alongside this couple to grow, explore, and lean into what the Lord has for us in full-time international ministry as God uses us as His hands and feet in Bundibugyo. 



 
Why Us and Why Serge? 
Through growing up around the metal fabrication industry, Ike has acquired a keen ability to work with his hands through welding and carpentry.  He plans to use his skills to serve the mission team and community and hopes to build relationships with men in Bundibugyo through the sharing of construction skills. Jessie has been identifying and treating malnutrition in adult populations and providing nutrition education in clinical practice in the United States and hopes to utilize and grow these skills in Bundibugyo through the malnutrition clinic and in the local hospital. Please pray that we would be open to how the Lord can grow us and use our skills in this future endeavor.
Serge’s mission to serve the Kingdom through establishing churches and transforming communities resonates with us as we feel God calling us to use our specific trades for the good of the Kingdom. Two of Serge’s core values that we are especially drawn to are ministry from weakness and love for people. The Lord gifted us both with a heart of service, but often this leads to attempts at self sufficiency or to the other extreme of feeling inadequate or that we fall short. We are thankful that God’s sovereignty and power, not the adequacy of our work, accomplishes His purposes.  We anticipate that God will continue to refine and sanctify us in Uganda as we aim to show God’s love and grace to others through the use of our skills while meeting the physical needs of those around us. 

Why You?
Would you partner with us? We are in need of prayer during this journey. As we seek to be the hands and feet of God’s process of making all things new through the life changing power of the gospel in Uganda, we would be delighted to have you as a ministry partner. We will be updating this blog as time allows, with specific ways that you can pray. Right now, praise the Lord with us that we are fully funded and will be leaving for Uganda in January. Pray for our team, the ones in country already and our teammate, Lauren, who will be travelling with us. Pray for health and safety while we travel and once we arrive and begin to adjust to life in a new place.


Some of you may have read the above before (from our vision letter) so forgive us for repeating ourselves. Please ask questions and reach out if you desire!


If you are interested in seeing more of Serge's vision and mission please visit here.
Also - our words and opinions on this blog are just that - our own words and opinions - and in no way are we speaking for Serge.

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