"Baptize Them In The Name Of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit"

On a recent Sunday we had another exciting event at the Door Of Hope!  We decided to have our weekly fellowship at the evening service at church, because one of our boys was ready to publicly proclaim his Christianity, by being baptized!  Our entire family was there along with the other church members, to witness this wonderful event.

  About two years ago, Moses accepted Jesus Christ as His savior and that is when he dropped his given Muslim name for his chosen Christian name.  It is encouraging to all of us as we witness our children take new steps in their walk with God.  We praise God and give him thanks for all of these opportunities as we watch our children grow in their faith and love of the Lord!

It truly is exciting to witness these milestones!  

This Is How We Celebrate Birthdays At The Door Of Hope!

Happy 13th Birthday Moses!

One thing Robyn has taught us at the Door Of Hope is how to celebrate birthdays.  In fact, anyone who personally knows Robyn will attest to this.  She makes it a special time to celebrate your life and to thank God for your existence.  It is a special day that begins when you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at the end of  the day.

  

Here in Africa so many of the children have no idea when their birthday is, let alone celebrating it.  Over the past year and a half we have introduced birthday parties and assigned birth dates to ones who didn't have one.  It has become a very popular event here.  The thing that is really exciting about our birthdays is that it is not focused on presents.  It is focused on everyone celebrating and having fun and of course birthday cake too!!

Why Was This Birthday An Extra Special Event?

Because we introduced Birthdays, "Door of Hope Style," to Love In Action!  They will be hosting the parties while we are out of the country and they joyfully welcomed our birthday party events!  The kids run the whole show, from decorating to games and skits.  It really teaches them a lot about loving their neighbor!

This was a special day for Moses as he turned 13!  This is truly a time to thank God for all His blessings, because just a little over two years ago, Moses was on the streets without a home.   The Lord has blessed him and us!

Stay tuned for later this week to see what else is in store for this young man!

Robyn Is So Happy, She is Doing Handstands!

Well, almost handstands!

File photo- the day we received the ministry-cycle

Thank you for the donations to get Jim home!  We appreciate it so much.  So far we have collected $1140.00.  We praise God and give thanks for all His blessings.  It is so wonderful to have friends who are able to help make this happen, it is very encouraging to all missionaries around the world! 

7 As you go,  preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'  8 Heal the sick , raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;  10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

11 Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.  Matthew 10: 7-11

The fees and paperwork for the Work Permit Visa have been submitted, so we are hoping to be able to make airline reservations soon!

We Believe He Will Provide!

We Are OK, Praise The Lord

The US Embassy has advised us to contact our friends and families to tell them that we are OK! 


"U.S citizens in Uganda not directly affected by today's events are strongly encouraged to contact friends and family outside of Uganda to notify them of their well-being."


 We are a couple of hours away from the capital where the bombings took place.  We know from past experiences to be extra careful and watch for local activities that are spurred on from events such as these.  So saying a few extra prayers for us is always helpful, they won't go to waste!


Here is one of the full communications our Embassy has sent us:


On 11 July 2010 at approximately 2310 local time, a bomb exploded at The Ethiopian Village restaurant, which was filled with spectators watching the World Cup finals match.  Approximately 10 minutes later, a second explosion occurred at the Rugby Club, also crowded with customers watching the soccer match.  Initial reports indicate that at least 13 people were killed at the Ethiopian restaurant.  At least 40 were reported by the police as killed at the rugby club site.  Many others were reported injured at both locations.  At least one American was reported killed in the blasts.

U.S citizens in Uganda not directly affected by today's events are strongly encouraged to contact friends and family outside of Uganda to notify them of their well-being.

Bombs are popular for criminals and terrorists because they are easy to conceal or place.  A device does not have to be complex to be effective, and even a small size bomb can cause great damage.

It is critical to remember that a bomb can look like anything.  It is limited only by the bomber's imagination.  Practice good situational awareness by being aware of suspicious objects or individuals around you and remember the "3-R Rule" to responding to a suspicious device:

--Recognize
--Run Away
--Report


The following are other protective measures in response to a suspicious device:

--Do not attempt to move or investigate anything in the vicinity of the device
--Move people away from the immediate area
--Do not move the object
--If you do hear an explosion:
--Move away from windows
--Evacuate to a safe area
--Assist the injured
--Be aware of the potential for secondary devices or explosions

U.S citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

The Great Preacher Has Already Come!

  Our radio broadcast this evening focused on one of our familiar verses.  One of my favorite scriptures can be found in several books but I usually go to Matthew 28: 16-20.  It gives us specific instructions:  All authority in heaven has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. 

The Great Commission of the Old Testament! 

What I find very interesting is that this was not the beginning and end of that message.  As we dig deeper we find that we have been directed to do this from the beginning.  Yes, in the Book of Genesis we find in chapter 12: 1-3 The Lord said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.  "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."  

We find in Isaiah 49: 6 “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.  I will also make you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.

So where does that leave us?  Surely, this is a big responsibility that we have been given!  How are we all supposed to do this?  We can't all leave our country, can we?  We can get out of our comfort zone.  We can  get out of our favorite chair.  We can go outside and down the street to a neighbor and share the Word of God.  

But we might say; "We are not all great preachers!"  My answer is the great preacher has already come, we are here to reflect the light of Jesus. Christ is the light of the world!  Remember if we are reflecting the light of Jesus, we don’t need to be a "great preacher."  

 You might ask; "How can I get enough strength and confidence to do this?"  The answer will be found here in   Acts: 1:8   But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Let us all pray that the Lord continues to have you and I work for His purpose, honor, and glory and that the Holy Spirit will come upon us and give us the power!