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I returned home Saturday evening.  The trip was relatively uneventful coming back with respect to the Covid tests.  All the team members were encouraged by the response on both weeks.  Because we all remained well in the second week the conference flowed much more smoothly.  I praise the Lord for what He did.

I am re sending the last report because I learned that most of the emails did not go out. I don't know why, some internet problem seemed to be the cause even though I sent it out twice.  So here is my third attempt with hopes that it arrives at the intended destination.

The First Group of Couples Celebrate Their Love and Marriages (above)

Both conferences were well presented and met with an encouraging response.  Your prayers were answered.  

There were some tears.  This course digs deep into the lives a of each couple.  We learned of hurts.  George revealed that he has counseled some of the couples who have struggled in conflicts.  Much of these issues come from the poor practices of African approaches to marriage.  By replacing erroneous ideas with Christ-centered Biblical thinking the very interactions of couples in the room began to change. We could observe those changes.

After the first week, a wife called Georgie and said “This conference was just for me!”  We had taught on communication and the Lord brought it home to her and the husband. She told George that her husband is gone to the office each day.  She is left at home to manage everything, digging the garden, running  the farm, and daily she is always exhausted.  One day she sold some things that she had worked on and bought a dress.  When she put it on and he arrived home, he saw it and was offended that she had used her money to buy the dress.  He said, “Since you spent that money without me, don’t ever let me see you wear this dress again when I am with you.”  This hurt.  Then they came to the conference. The Lord convicted the husband during the sessions and he came to her (we organize times for couples to get alone and talk with each other).  He spoke to her and admitted he was wrong, then he apologized asking her forgiveness.  This is one way God has used His Word in this training.

What is that about the husband washing the dishes? As we demonstrated how Jesus serves and how as a leader in the home it is right for men to help their wives with children, washing dishes in the kitchen, the list went on.  The pastors said, “In Africa, men would be shamed to help by washing dishes.”  Well, they see the necessity of changing their own culture in the home by expressing love through service. 

Others struggle with the wide-spread practice of living on the family compound.  One couple came to the conference with a recent disagreement over this very practice.  The wife was unhappy because of intrusions from the parents.  When we addressed “leave and cleave” in Gen 2:24, God’s word began to change both of them.  At first, there was little eye contact, by the end all smiles and openness with each other.  This was worth the price of admission.

Do you know your spouses love language?  As we presented various aspect the results were electric. They laughed.  Erupted with joy.  They got up, danced, sang.  

Thank you for your prayers and partnership. Imagine, we had the privilege of teaching 40 pastors, this represent that many congregations.  At the end, we reminded them that God wants each couple to go and share this with other pastors.  The team challenged them to get into study groups, review while it is fresh, then launch out as team of 2 or 3 to share with other pastors.  We also expect the pastors to teach and model this fresh iunderstanding with their own congregations.  

I’m leaving at 7AM for a six hour trip to Entebbe. Please pray for successful conclusion of a new Covid test within hours before I must board the plane.  Pray God arranges a safe trip and all the details in order to return home tomorrow night.  I am grateful for your intercession.

A sweet letter from a couple of the women:

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING...
1. Continued good health and safety in serving Jesus
2. Even greater impact this coming week in the lives of 20 more couples.
3. Jesus glory in the lives and families of those present
4. Multiplication into the lives of other pastors and churches as they go and teach what they have received.

Joel McCall
ELI