"Iron Men" of Kisumu Kingdom Builders

The “Iron Men” (Proverbs 27:17) of Kingdom Builders in Kisumu Kenya who completed the course “Doing Business God’s Way” that Mark taught.

Challenged by Scripture, problem-solving activities and team-building exercises, their spiritual growth and skills in solving practical business issues exceeded expectations. All of them are leaders now equipped to be disciples in the marketplace. Four of the men will share what they learned to their congregation, Deliverance Church, when Mark preaches Sunday.

Kabale Pictures at Lake Bunyoni

Yvonne sharing a story and the Gospel with

children in the dance group. Over 40 children came

forward to have Jesus as Lord of their lives. This was another

miracle we experienced unexpectedly on the trip!

Women's Ministry discussion about the importance

of encouraging our husbands.

Children dancing for us by the lake then hearing the Gospel.

Margaret learning the local dance!

Linz Dancing with the ladies from the church.

Linz canoeing on Lake Bunyoni to Bashara Island.

Leaps and Bounds in Kisumu (Mark)

Wow! It has been an amazing week so far with the 12 men chosen for the business discipleship group from Deliverance Church in Kisumu Kenya.

God has blessed the teaching of the Doing Business God’s Way course and I can see the men growing in leaps and bounds as the Word of God is piercing their hearts. These are not immature believers – in fact I would say their spiritual maturity and Bible knowledge is above most men’s groups in which I have participated in the US. In several areas, they have given me new Biblical insights for future teaching.

God is using me to push them to new levels, to search their hearts and to challenge them to be and seek the best God has for them.

I am thrilled that they LOVE the team building activities we are doing, which are modeling how to put what they are learning into practice. They also are relishing some pretty tough riddles I have given them to solve over lunch to sharpen their brains and problem solving skills. They have really solidified into a solid spiritual band of brothers.

We have not been without our challenges, specifically in the area of keeping time, which I have strongly impressed is a reflection of discipline, accountability and respect. They have gotten the point and are holding one another accountable to let their “yes be yes and no be no.”

Thank you for your prayers. I am a witness that they are being effective!

Please Pray for Holy Spirit to Lead Teaching

Below is my (Mark's) training schedule for next Monday through Friday for the men chosen from Deliverance Church in Kisumu Kenya for the Doing Business God's Way course. Please lift it up in prayer that God would speak through me and I would be sensitive to follow the Holy Spirit wherever He wants to take us.

I have no idea how the team building exercises will work out in Africa, but pray they can help bind these men together and make them team-oriented creative problem solvers accountable to one another after the Lord.

Also, I would appreciate your prayers as I will be preaching to both services of the church Sunday on righteousness.

Training Schedule
Kenya Kingdom Builders Development Group
July 24-28

8:00-8:30 Prayer and Journal Sharing (Day 1: Expectations)

8:30-10:00 Bible Study
Day 1 – Examining Your Heart; Righteousness; Spiritual Warfare
Day 2 – James
Day 3 – James
Day 4 – Nehemiah
Day 5 – Nehemiah

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-11:45 Doing Business God’s Way: Attributes of a Disciple
Day 1 – Matthew 7:24, Mission Statement
Day 2 – Truthful, Faithful, Trustworthy, Open, Accountable
Day 3 – Teachable, Just, Hardworking, Diligent, Stewardship
Day 4 – Providers, Church Involvement, Generous, Love
Day 5 – Business by the Book Overview

11:45-1:00 Lunch (Riddlemania – Problem Solving -- Riddles to Be Solved Over Lunch)

1:00-2:30 Student Business Plan Presentations and Group Brainstorming
Day 1 – Antoney and George
Day 2 – Charles and Gordon
Day 3 – Paul and Wilson
Day 4 – Norman and Eric
Day 5 – Daniel M., Charles and Daniel O.

2:30-2:45 Break

2:45-4:30 Team Building and Problem Solving
Day 1 – Lava Pit; All Aboard
Day 2 – Cord of Three Strands; Flag Attack
Day 3 – Helium Stick; Egg Drop
Day 4 – Willow in the Wind; Create Your Own Activity
Day 5 – Perform Activities Created Previous Day

4:30-5:30 Case Studies and Review

Daily Homework: Bible reading and journaling what God is teaching each day.

Final Exam: Take home essay exam due by noon 4-August-2006. Pass/fail after personal review and interview with instructor.

Rukunjiri, Kabale and Spiderwoman!

So here we are, day before I leave. Whew, what a trip. Well, we left off talking about going to our cottage on the lake. We did. It was cottagey and lakey. :) The view was awesome - Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Africa, and it was very clean too! There were only about 4 cottages in the whole compound, so we had great service and it was very peaceful. That night we went home and slept so well.

The next morning we woke and drove back to Rukungiri to do some leaders training for those in the church there. Margaret talked with the main leaders and Yvonne and I talked with the children's leaders. It was well recieved and hopefully helpful to them. We talked about how children learn differently, how to teach a bible story with just the Bible, and how to use the natural resources for reinforcement activites. After recieving a huge basket of avocados (yum!) from that church, we drove the two hours back to Kabale to do the same training with the church there.

We had them come out to the lake where we were staying and met with them outside on this huge deck. Many of them, even though they lived so close, had never seen the lake before! We were glad we could treat them to that. At the end of that meeting, the women danced their traditional dance for us, and we joined in, and I even got some video :) Good Stuff. We then went to eat and come home to some fun critters - 5 huge brown recluse spiders! So spiderwoman (also known as Yvonne) took my shoe and went at it; I got one, but she conquered the rest :) Getting to sleep was a little harder that night, but as exhuasted as we were, we did just fine.

The next morning, Tuesday, we slept in and had Pastor Johnson and his wife Margaret (from the Kabale church) come back out and go for a canoe ride with us. We rode to Bushara, an island in the community that had a great ministry happening – they helped many of the orphans in the surrounding area by providing work and purpose to their lives, while also giving them schooling and a solid Christian base. We ate at a restaurant there and saw many of the crafts. All of the profits from that ministry went back to the community to help the orphans. It was really great.

We canoed back to our cottage and were greeted by the Bufuka Orphan group. This was made up of orphans on the surrounding islands who came together to dance and sing, hoping for donations, rather than just begging for money. They were great! (got video of that too). After they danced, Yvonne read a simple story to them and explained the wordless book to the group. Then Pastor Johnson invited them to accept Christ after explaining that this was a serious decision. They all chose to accept Christ! Now, as children, we realize they might have not been sincere, but if just one of them was, it was worth it! Seeds were planted! :) What an unexpected opportunity!

After all of this, we slept and woke up the next morning bright and early to drive to Mbarara where we meet Matt and Crystal (yes, used to be Crystal Marsh) and had a wonderful lunch with them. If you think of it, please pray that they would have opportunities to learn the language and the culture, have a break from the non-stop teams coming in, and some quality time with each other. It was so great to see them :)

From there, we drove on to Kampala and went to stay in Margaret's old house when she lived here for a year. I know she felt at home, which was a huge blessing to her :) We got to meet Ben, the guy that lived with them and cooked with them and is like their son. He's a great guy with a great heart and has been great company. :) We stayed up and folded laundry, cleaned the kitchen and made waffles to help lighten his load, as he has been overwhelmingly busy these last few days.

This morning, we woke up, and had a lovely breakfast, and headed to house of hope,where Pastor Milton is ministering to over 10 orphans. Margaret spoke to the house parents about good biblical parenting that is different than their culture's standards. From there, we took Yvonne to see our brigade boys again and Margaret and I are shopping for gifts :) yay!

Tonight we will have one last dinner with many of our friends to say goodbye. Our flight leaves around 9 tomorrow morning, and I will be home saturday night! I can't wait to talk with many of you about this trip. It has been amazing! I never thought I would love Uganda so much, but it has sparked so many exciting thoughts and ideas for the future. More on that later :) I might have a chance to email once more in the London airport. Otherwise, I'll see you in America! Thanks so much for your emails! I LOVE them!!!linz :) ps for those of you wondering, the hottest place we have been has only been around 85, and it has gotten VERY cold at night in the mountains. SO much better than texas heat :) what a blessing!! :)

Brigade Boys and Mbarara

So I have realized that these detailed emails take too long and our schedule is too busy, so I will have to write those when i get back to the states. (i'mkeeping you on edge with that thing about the Irish, huh? yeah, i didn't thinkso) but, to update you all breifly, the time with the boys at the brigade was great.they were very entertaining, dangerously so, doing stunts and acts for us. :) we ate with a few of mark and margarets friends and a wonderful chinese restaruant,yum! the next day we woke and departed for Mbarara, where my friend, crystal,has been living with her husband as a full time missionaries for the last 6months. i was so excited to see her! we stopped at the equator and took pictures- i was on both sides at once :) it was so amazing to see crystal and it was awonderful day of relaxation. we visited and saw the home that she worked withand met all of the kids. they sang and danced for us, it was amazing! i stayedthe night with her at her home and we caught up, it was so fun! oh yeah, andthere was a mouse in the house. good times :) the next morning, it was hard toleave, but i will just have to come back to uganda and i will see her then. :)we drove to Kabale and met for lunch with some of the leaders of the churches wewould be visiting. we then drove to Rukungiri and met with some of the leadersthere and encouraged them and prepared them for a future AWANA club. they werevery excited! we stayed there the night and went to church in Rukungiri thatmorning. it was very cool and exciting. we then drove back to kabale and went tochurch there as well (these towns are 2 hours apart. lots of driving). we thenate and got ready for launching the AWANA club at the Kabale church. it wasamazing! the leaders and students were very excited and serious about doing thiswell. there were so many kids, about half of them couldn't join without moremoney. but God provided and the members of the church offered enough money forthose children and a few more right then and there! it was awesome! we thenwalked through the steps of a typical AWANA session. it was great! i played withthe other kids that couldn't be in it yet - language is no barrier for fun! i amnow exhausted and very dirty and we are heading to our cottage on the lake. itshould be much nicer than we deserve and very relaxing.ok, that's all for now! hope to talk to you more soon! i LOVE getting youremails! thanks for writing! linz :)

Greetings from Uganda from Linz!

Greetings from Uganda! (Linz;)
It has been quite a busy week so far, which you can tell by how long it took me to get to a computer! :) So much to say, but I'll give you the short version first.

Our travel was full of opportunities for flexibility. We arrived safely, but with many delays and some difficulties. Sleep was rare, but conversation was good. We started things right away at one of the schools near our house. I did quite a bit of scripture painting in the classrooms with Yvonne while Margaret connected with various people at the church, finalizing details. We traveled across Lake Victoria to another village and painted scripture in one of the orphan homes there.

We visted a boarding school about 2 hours from our house and gave them 3 huge duffle bags full of necessities that were donated to us (THANK YOU!!). We are about to go meet with some boys Yvonne has met through Operation Christmas Shoebox and they are a band and will play for us.

Overall, it has been very exciting and tiring. I LOVE UGANDA! The people are exceedingly welcoming and kind. They are very helpful and wonderful people. It has been nothing but
joy working with them so far!

Now, more detail, but I only have 11 minutes left of computer time, so here I go!

When we got to the airport, we were told the baggage limit was 50 lbs, not 70! Margaret had checked multiple times to confirm 70, but it had apparently changed for British Airways on July 4th! After much talk with British airways, we found out there was a grace period until October. Whew! So, the bags were sent through, and we were even able to unload some of our backpacks that were overflowing because some of the bags were just under 70. :) We then waited for our plane, and waited, and waited. It was delayed about an hour, which was fine with us, because we had a 5 hour layover in Chicago. :) Once we got to OHare, we went at ate at Chilis and meandered over to our next flight. All was going smoothly again. This 8 hour flight was very nice (BA is a wonderful air carrier) although I didn't sleep, only rested my eyes. So, coming off the
plane the next day at 11am, we were all exhausted.

We left our carryon bags at a place in the airport and took the Tube (train) into London. We
walked around Covent Garden and ate a little sandwich place there. Then we walked to a park and just chilled and I people watched for about an hour and a half! It was so refreshing. And I
now love London.

We went back to the airport and showered, yes, showered. They have showers at Heathrow and it was so nice to be clean before going on an airplane again. We then went to our gate to get on our plane and meets some Irish people going to the same place as we were! We boarded our plane (which was very hot and stuffy) and sat on that plane for 2 and half hours. No, we weren't flying, just sitting. One of the engines was not working properly, so they had to replace that along with a few other things. But we were thankful we wouldn't be falling out of the sky half way through. We ended up talking to those Irish people and found out some very interesting things! But more on that in the next email, I have to go now, time's up! :)

Thank you for your prayers, they are so important! Love you and miss you!
linz :)

God; Not Man

Margaret, Yvonne and Lindsay arrived safely back in Kampala Wednesday after a successful journey to Western Uganda where they launched an AWANA Club and did leadership training. They will be ministering to children, helping train orphanage house parents and visiting The Brigade (a boys group Yvonne came to know through Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Ministry) on Thursday before Yvonne and Lindsay depart for home on Friday.

Margaret will be joining me (Mark) in Kisumu Kenya next Monday. When we are apart for several days, I am reminded of God’s perfect plan in making husband and wife one. I feel incomplete without her.

It has been a busy week for me in Kisumu meeting people and forming relationships to lay the foundation for the discipleship/loan program in Kenya. Pastor Paul Oselu of Deliverance Church here and I have been meeting with the lawyer and bankers. We are finalizing our LLC here to administer the program. Also, we are seeking a bank partner which will give priority consideration and favorable loan rates to the men who complete our basic business training and Doing Business God’s Way course. Some of the discussions are promising. Please pray God will give us a bank partner that catches our vision and provides favorable terms for the men who successfully complete our program.

We continue to seek US donations for the loan program, but also need the flexibility of working with African banks and serving as an equipper and advocate for the men to receive traditional financing for their businesses.

One challenge I have faced this week was expected, but it has been even more intense than I anticipated. Africans assume all Americans are rich and have unlimited funds to provide if only we will. I realized I have done a poor job of managing expectations in the program so far. Even though we have emphasized to the men in our training program that they have no guaranty of getting a loan and that the loan amounts are limited, it seems many expect their participation means whatever they ask will be forthcoming.

On Wednesday this issue came to a head as the pastor and I were speaking with a banker. I told the banker some of the proposals we have seen so far from the men will not be funded. The reason is that at present we are not funding start up businesses. We want to build on existing businesses to provide a positive track record in the initial stages of the program. Some of the men who have existing businesses are asking for funds to start an entirely new business in which they have no experience.

The pastor expressed his strong concern after the bank meeting that I had said not all men he had chosen for the program would qualify for loans. I was encouraged because it is unusual for an African to address issues even when they feel strongly about something. After a heart-to-heart talk, we came to an understanding that each man who completes the training would have to show a good likelihood of making a profit in their business plan to be considered for a loan. I explained to the pastor the worst thing for a man would not be to fail to get a loan, but rather to get a loan and then fail in his business.

I also burst the bubble that we have unlimited funds to provide. I said we are entirely dependent upon God to touch the hearts of people in the US to give and to open doors at banks in Africa where we can help facilitate credit for the men. And I told him that our program is like a start up business in that it is very difficult to raise capital (donations) until we can show positive financial as well as discipleship results. I told him I was broke and running a negative cash flow personally.

When the pastor understood, he said he would call the men into regular prayer and fasting and depend on God to meet our needs. He said after the meeting with the banker, he was thinking of abandoning the program, but now sees that God is putting us all through a process to make us totally dependent on Him and give Him all the glory for what He will accomplish.

Please pray that as I begin to teach the men on Monday that they will have the same understanding as their pastor.

Wild About AWANA

I (Mark), still in Kenya, spoke briefly by telephone with Margaret, who still is in Uganda starting an AWANA children's club with the team and teaching church leaders through the Book of Nehemiah.

She reported the AWANA kickoff in Kibale exceeded expectations. Prestonwood Church in Dallas had provided funding to start a club of 50 children. When David, the Uganda AWANA coordinator, offered the church members in Kabale the opportunity to sponsor additional children at a reduced cost (underwritten by AWANA International), the congregation responded by sponsoring an additional 60 children!

So the first AWANA meeting in Kibale was for 110 children. Praise God. Margaret also said David commented that the leadership in Kabale is the strongest he has worked with in launching a new AWANA club.

From Kisumu to Kabale God Is With Us

I (Mark) arrived in Kisumu Kenya from Kampala Uganda yesterday (Saturday) after a six-hour bus ride. Pastor Paul Oselu met me at the station and took me to Deliverance Church, where the 10 men in the discipleship program for businessmen were concluding a 32-hour basic business accounting course which also taught them how to draft their first business plans.

The men were eager to take their final exam to qualify for the Doing Business God's Way course I will begin teaching Monday July 24. All of the men have devoted that entire week from 8 a.m. - 5:30 pm Monday-Friday for the course. Please pray the Lord will speak through me.

Today (Sunday) Pastor Paul invited me to preach at both services. I spoke on mercy, grace, forgiveness and faith. Tomorrow I will meet with a lawyer helping us establish a loan fund in Kenya. I also will be meeting during the coming week with the men in the program individually, as well as shopping for a banking partner and interviewing prospective board members for our new organization.

Margaret has been away from internet access in western Uganda but reports by cell phone and text message to me that things are going great in setting up an AWANA children's club in Kabale. She will join me July 24 in Kisumu. Please pray for protection and favor for her, team members Yvonne and Lindsay, and our trusted Ugandan friend Charles who is driving them and assisting in the ministry.

Boda Bodas in the Bush Across Lake Victoria

Wednesday was great fun using public transportation by boat to Bulee, then on to Bethany Village by boda boda (motor scooter) to visit the homes for orphans at Bethany Village. As we buzzed through the bush on a narrow dirt path we passed mud block schools, thatched roof homes and caught a great view of the lake at the top of a hill.

When we arrived at Bethany most of the children were at school so we went to work painting scripture on the wall in Granny’s house, the home built last June by the People for Missions team. Edith the house mom was thrilled to receive the children’s clothes that many of you donated. Jonathan, the dad of the house picked the scripture and Lindsay and Yvonne quickly went to work while Margaret met with Willie the manager of the village project about the clinic, and determined more projects for the upcoming teams. By next summer they will be ready to build the clinic. The gardens are doing well and the children are learning more and more about farming.

After the visit to Bethany we hopped on our scooters, rode back through the villages and crawled into the wooden boat for our trip back to Gaba. Upon our arrival we regrouped, changed, loaded the items for the orphans at Mt. Carmel Boarding School and headed out with Charles to visit the children. Due to construction and “jams” as they call bad traffic in Uganda, we arrived two hours later. The children were happy to see us and we had such fun passing out the items they requested. How amazing it was to see children excited about deodorant, pencils, paper, mosquito nets, calculators, toothbrushes, toothpaste, clothes, flashlights and art supplies. The boys commented “now we can have a football uniform for the boys from Gaba.” Trinity Christian Academy booster club donated blue shorts and shirts and the boys thought they were great. Many of you provided the items we delivered and you were a tremendous blessing to these children.

Thursday we slept in a bit and prepared to meet with David Echau from AWANA International, Samson Sempasa, Pastor Frederick and Lataaya Abdul about the upcoming ministry activities. It was remarkable to see all the faces around the table that we didn’t know we would be working with us only a few weeks ago. The AWANA club is in order and ready for the kickoff in Kabale. In the afternoon we visited the Boys Brigade that Yvonne had connected with earlier and got to know Lataaya the leader. Mark shared a message with the boys about “what Jesus was like as a boy” (Luke 2:52) and they asked several questions and we were all impressed by the depth of the discipleship training taking place. The boys blessed us with a surprise performance complete with acrobatic stunts, singing and music. The end of July Margaret visits Pastor Frederick’s church to present a donation for their construction project at the church. Friday morning we head for Mbarara and Kabale to minister in the Rwenzori Mountains.

God Turns Adversity to Good (Mark)

Sometimes we hate adversity until the light comes on in our heads and we realize that God is pushing us to a new way of doing things.

Last month, I learned that Barclay’s Bank in Uganda had mistakenly closed our bank account for the discipleship/loan program. Frustrated by inability to get things straightened out from overseas, I was sure I could get things done when we arrived in Uganda. Wrong. The bank was particularly unhelpful and could not even tell me why the account was closed or what I needed to do to open it again.

As I fretted and fought anger, I began to think maybe we should open an account at another bank. It occurred to me we might be able to work out a business partnership with a bank to provide preferred financing to men who complete our business training and Doing Business God’s Way courses. I called some key contacts (both nationally known and respected men in Uganda) who both thought the idea was great and suggested a business-friendly bank which is 60 percent owned by the British government.

Tuesday I had a great meeting with the bank and I have another meeting on Friday with their director of corporate lending, who also is leading an initiative to win more church accounts at the bank. We are discussing how we can refer men trained through our organization, The Rock Kingdom Capital Outreach, to the bank. The bank would give them preferred consideration as we would partner with them in the training and business proposal process.

If we are able to complete this arrangement, it would address two major challenges we have. First, it would increase the total number of men we could serve by making more money available. Also, it would allow us to work with men as their businesses grow and their needs extend beyond the amount of funds The Rock is able to provide.

So now I’m praising God for my problems at Barclay’s Bank. It may be the solution He is providing will take our business discipleship efforts to a whole new level.

Flexibility and Fingerprints the First Few Days

After sitting on the runway in London, while the engineers replaced an engine on our British Airways plane we learned more about flexibility and God’s timing. During the two hour delay on the plane we began to visit with other passengers including a group from Northern Ireland. Turns out they are staying at the same guest house group and work with the ministry the manager is affiliated with Fields of Life. As we talked to them we discovered they had some boarding schools with spots for orphans. Yvonne had mentioned early on that she hoped we might be able to research schools for the nine orphans she has been helping as a result of the Christmas box she sent. It seems the organization is very open to helping in this area and there are other organizations that one of the men recommended to consider for the boys. When we finally arrived in Entebbe after Mark had waited four hours at the airport, four of our bags were delayed. Fortunately we had mixed the materials so we had a little of several things and all our clothes were not checked.

Monday we unpacked and rested then headed for Gaba to appraise our painting project. We determined the best times to visit the classrooms with the puppets, along with buying paint at a local paint store and shopping for supplies that were too heavy to bring. By evening we were ready to hit the sack.

After a wonderful nighttime rainstorm, Tuesday morning we ate breakfast and headed for Gaba with cool weather and a full schedule. Yvonne and Lindsay started the day with puppet ministry to the pre-school and primary school children. By noon they had worked their way through nine different classrooms. As they entered each classroom they were greeted by the teachers and children. In Uganda it is customary for the children to stand up and say “we welcome you dear visitors.” What a wonderful blessing the children have been to us. Ritah the principal enjoyed explaining the different levels of education and continued to thank us for wanting the help the school by encouraging the teachers and painting scripture verses in each classroom. By 7:30 p.m. the last two classrooms were painted by kerosene lantern!

Margaret had an exciting day seeing old friends, coordinating more ministry opportunities with the new superintendent of all the ARM area schools, setting up final plans for the clinic at Bethany and teaching a women’s ministry class from 5-7 p.m.

The men’s ministry had a time of healing as Mark taught about God’s perspective on righteousness and the men shared testimonies of what had happened in the past year. The faithful men who received loans were recognized and honored for their commitment, the other men shared principles they had learned that had helped them get jobs or improve their businesses. God answered our prayers for healing and also opened more doors to further help the men be strong spiritual leaders and providers for their families.

Tuesday evening we dropped by our old house to see Ben and met a wonderful man from Toronto in radio ministry. The interesting thing about it was that Margaret and Beth McKee (our friend who has come to Uganda twice) had just been to Hope for the Heart to share at the devotional time about Uganda and Margaret had mentioned to June Hunt something about the possibility of broadcasting in Uganda. Could God be connecting the dots? We are always alert for open doors and opportunities where God may be doing something to gain more glory. Hope for the Heart Biblical Counseling is building a presence in Uganda in Kampala, Busia, Rukunjiri and soon there will be training in Kabale. How exciting to see Him at work! We pray this is an open door for Hope for the Heart and possibly Telling the Truth ministry the Briscoes do as well. Ugandans need these radio ministries with sound doctrine and application to face the many challenges they have in life. Wednesday we cross Lake Victoria to visit the homes for orphans along with a visit to the boarding school at Mt. Carmel.

Off and Running (Mark)

KAMPALA, UGANDA -- I was greatly encouraged today in meeting the man assigned by the leader of the National Fellowship of Born Again Churches in Uganda to oversee the launching of our new men’s business discipleship program here.

Dr. Abed Bwanika is a veterinarian, accomplished businessman and pastor who volunteers as head of professional development of the church organization, which represents 10,000 congregations in Uganda. Abed also was an independent presidential candidate in the recent Uganda elections. Although he received only 1 percent of the vote, he said he was able to increase awareness of the need of Christians to speak out against political and societal corruption.

Abed shares the passion to create Godly businessmen who can be a light for Jesus and impact the nation. Our businessmen’s discipleship program includes potential loan availability for those wishing to expand their Kingdom businesses. Abed already has experience in implementing loan programs. As head of the professional veterinarian organization in Uganda, he oversees a government-funded loan program to assist veterinarians in opening new clinics.

Abed will be preparing a memorandum of understanding based on our talks which will be submitted to the Uganda church organization and our US nonprofit organization, The Rock Kingdom Capital Outreach, for board approval. Abed will be visiting the US in September.

God has blessed us with a like-minded partner who is willing to lead in accomplishing the vision of making prosperous disciples to uplift the nations.

Here We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder

I (Mark) am preparing as I write this to leave for DFW Airport for another tour of duty in Africa. I am leaving three days ahead of Margaret and her team to make sure everything is in place for them when they arrive.

I am filled with anticipation of what God is going to do, keenly aware of Proverbs 16:19, which says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

Missions are always an adventure. We never know what the Lord has in store. On Saturday, I will be meeting in Kampala with a representative of an organization of 10,000 Bible-believing churches in Uganda to work out details of implementing a businessmen’s discipleship program. Please pray for unity and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The program includes the potential of low interest business loans for worthy men. Please pray the money aspect does not overshadow nor pollute the discipleship aspect.

Tuesday I will be reconnecting with the men of Gaba Community Church. A few of these men who had their loans foreclosed because of unfaithfulness have failed to grasp the meaning of forgiveness and grace. They believe forgiveness and grace frees them from consequences and they cannot understand why their loans cannot be renewed. Please pray I will be able to show the love of Jesus to these men; that the Lord will use me to speak His word in a way that opens their hearts to the truth; and that these men will grow in their faith and love of the Lord as a result of their experiences. I feel the Lord is leading me to speak on righteousness. Please pray He will point me to just the right Scriptures.

I am finalizing preparations to teach 10 men in Kisumu Kenya on “Doing Business God’s Way.” The course begins July 23 and runs 9.5 hours per day for five days. Please pray the Lord will prepare their hearts and that He will give me discernment and a love for each individual man. Their names are:

PAUL OKECH
GEORGE MAKUNDA
DANIEL MWANGI
WILSON ASUMA
GORDON MANGICHO
DANIEL OMONDI
CHARLES KAMAU
ERICK OMONDI
ANTONEY MAKADINA
NORMAN NYABWANDA

It was interesting as Margaret and I spent our daily time in the Word and prayer this morning that today’s reading was from the Book of Jonah. I don’t feel the reluctance that Jonah did in completing his assignment, but I must admit the obstacles to teaching Godly business principles in Africa sometimes seem daunting. Our one year Bible includes daily devotions from Oswald Chambers. This is what he wrote that spoke to my heart today:

“Arguers against obeying the call of God will arise in the shape of country and kindred, and if you listen to them you will soon dull your ears to God’s call and become the dullest, most commonplace Christian imaginable, because you will have no courage in your faith; you have seen and heard, but have not gone on. If you accept sympathy from those who have not heard the call of God, it will so blunt your own sense of His call that you become useless to Him.”

Living Water in Uganda...the Nile River

The Nile River Near Jinja...It always reminds
me of the verse about living
water in John 7:38 and
the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers us.

Please keep us in your prayers in the next couple of months in particular.

Below is the team prayer guide:


Saturday July 8th Travel-Leave Dallas

Please pray for safe travel, flexibility, good connections, health, hearts
that are prepared to serve each other and develop a special bond of
love by submitting to each other.

Acts 8:26-40
Flexibility

Sunday July 9th Travel-London

Please pray for sleep on the plane, opportunities to minister to other
passengers, team flexibility, baggage making all connections.

Acts 16:6-10
Flexibility

Monday July 10th-Kampala

Please pray for clearing customs, rest and recovery from flight,
coordination meeting, communication and logistics,
opportunities to use our testimonies to witness to others.

John 13:34-35
Love

Tuesday July 11th-Gaba

Please pray for good health, ground logistics, sacrifice and submission to each
other, expanded time painting in classrooms. Women’s ministry evening.

Phil 2:1-8
Sacrifice and Submission

Wednesday July 12th-Bethany Village

Please pray for clear communication, expanded time to get the scripture verses
painted in the homes for orphans, great time of praise and
worship, more faith, expect miracles and answered prayers.

Mark 6:4-6
Faith

Thursday July 13th-Gaba

Please pray for classroom ministry, devotional at the Brigade
(a group of orphans Yvonne has been ministering to via e-mail),
opportunities to share the Gospel around church, loving each other.

John 17:20-23
Unity and Love

Friday July 14th-Mbarara

Please pray for safe travel, logistics, no car problems, ministry to missionary
friends of Lindsay's who attended Moody Bible Institute,
storytelling and puppet ministry to children.

Hebrews 11:6
Faith

Saturday July 15th-Rukunjiri

Please pray for safe travel, logistics, Kabale AWANA details, team unity,
prepared hearts of the leaders and children, opportunities to show love to leaders.

John 13:34-35
Unity and Love

Sunday July 16th-Kabale

Please pray for encouraging messages to churches, provision for orphans,
communication, prepared hearts and accountability.

John 15:5
Prayer

Monday July 17th-Kabale

Please pray for team teaching with leaders, opportunities to encourage
church leaders, logistics for seminars and transportation.

Romans 13:1-2
Sacrifice and Submission

Tuesday July 18th-Kabale

Please pray for safety and health, protection, good communication,
good weather, opportunities to minister.

Mark 10:27
Faith

Wednesday July 19th-Mbarara

Please pray for safe travel, opportunities to share the
impact of the trip, patience, flexibility.

1 Cor 13:1-13
Unity and Love

Thursday July 20th-Kampala

Please pray for completion of ministry tasks, open doors,
opportunities to minister to each other, good communication.

Mark 9:23
Faith

Friday July 21st Travel-Depart for London

Please pray for hearts to be prepared to return home, teamwork
during travel logistics, direction in ministry at home and abroad.

Eph 5:21
Sacrifice and Submission

Saturday July 22nd Travel-Dallas

Please pray for safe travel, opportunities to minister to other
passengers, baggage connections, sleep on the plane.

Gen 12:1
Flexibility