Mud Huts in Mpumudde

This morning we dressed up, piled into Jawale's van, and rattled up a deeply rutted track  to the bush village of Mpumudde, where Pastor Ken and I were privileged to speak at an "All Believers Conference." About 60 people were already dancing and singing praise songs when we arrived at the dirt floored, mud walled, thatch roofed shelter, the men in dress shirts and slacks, a few in suits and ties, the women in beautiful dresses, some with traditional pinched up shoulders, and many children, also in their best clothes.

The gathering was organized by Pastor Mike, who is Pastor Robert's physical father but spiritual son, since Robert came to faith first and oversees the congregation, and by Rebbecca, Pastor Mike's new wife, who first started the congregation. Mike explained that they had started in a coffee factory in Kisega, but built the shelter on Rebecca's property in Mpumudde when the factory needed the room. They are hoping to buy a one acre property nearby and build a more permanent structure, since the congregation is growing and the thatched structure leaks when it rains. They are also hoping to acquire musical instruments for worship, and transportation for the pastors, who live 25km away.

I got to speak first, with Pastor Robert translating for the enthusiastic group. I shared about Jesus' determination to accomplish our salvation despite King Herod's threats and noted that Jesus was not afraid of sickness, demons, death, rejection, judgment, or waiting for our repentance. When Pastor Robert emphasized that Jesus is not afraid of demons, a man in the back--whom we later learned was a witch doctor--quickly left the gathering! Pastor Ken preached from Ecclesiastes and the story of Jesus healing Jairus' daughter, emphasizing that "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases," a message that seemed to really resonate with those present.

The conference ended with praise, prayer, and lunch for all those present. We were treated to a delicious meal in the mud walled home of another local pastor, also called Pastor Robert, which included matooke (cooked plantains), red beans, rice, some kind of meat broth, sweet potatoes, cassava, and a paste of ground nuts that tasted somewhat like peanut butter. After lunch we prayed for our host, as his wife had left him after he became a believer.

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to bless the families of five widows who lived nearby in the bush with prayers and packages we had prepared of rice, beans, flour, sugar, and soap. Truly, though, we were the ones blessed by the opportunity to share with these gentle women. It was a beautiful warm, sunny day, and even amidst human poverty we found wealth in joy of the children, the greenery of the fields, and the growth of God's kingdom around us.

Since returning to our home base, we have been preparing for upcoming outreach activities and tomorrow's worship events. Thanks for checking in, and please continue to remember us in prayer!

Kirk (Or as most Ugandans pronounce it, "Pastor Kook")