joel o18a
UPDATE: NEBBI

God has been answering your prayers!  He moved this past week in a way that has brought glory to Him alone!

We taught 137 pastors and leaders with 30 denominations involved. Imagine the impact God has given us to a wide diversity of regions and churches!

The team was in agreement.  From day one, the pastors were on time. They were hungry to learn God’s Word and there were many moments throughout the week that were electric. When Q&A happens at the end of the day, we watch for the type of questions.  Do they stay on the book of Romans? Answer: Yes! The depth of the questions were impressive. This is a measure of how well they are comprehending the book.

As we taught on Romans 13 concerning God’s establishment of government, we learned about the history of the region.  Nebbi was in the heart of the 20 year’s civil war in Uganda.  This involved much rebellion and abuse of power in the region.  Imagine a people surrounded by corrupt power and atrocities.  Now suddenly they are learning that God tells the believer to submit to His authority through government. 

Wendell paused and asked “Do you believe this?” 

There was silence followed by nervous laughter in the building.  Recently, the president of Uganda had visited the people in the region.  As he arrived, the town was inhospitable as they threw stones at the car.  In light of Romans, the pastors and churches would now begin to think differently about the relationship between the believer and the world.  This will likely involve a significant social impact for this region.

As we taught Rom 14 involving matters of cultural and tribal areas where Christians differ, they were stretched on how in the Body of Christ we should give grace in areas that God has not commanded behavior.  Where He leaves freedom, so should we.  These areas became very specific and provoked much debate, but by the end, they saw what God was saying.  This hopefully will lead to better relations among believers.

I delivered ThirdMill cards to two leaders.  These cards are packed with an entire year of seminary training including all video and verbal lectures complete written notes.  The first leader was to my friend who had received a computer card that had failed.  He is back up and running.  The second was a man who is a teacher in a theological school.  I had promised a year ago to deliver resources to him with the technical help of members of the team.  With the technical help of the team members.  I wish you could have witnessed the looks on the faces of these two brothers.  Only eternity will tell us how far reaching this will travel.

PERSONAL PRAYER REQUEST:  Please be in fervent prayer for my daughter Rebecca and her husband Jason.  Rebecca has been dealing with a serious heart condition and she is again back in the hospital due to a rapid heart beat that has placed her at risk of heart failure.  Please pray for the Lord’s healing and protection. 

After a very long trip, we are now in Jinja, Uganda to begin the second conference on Tuesday.  Please pray for the Lord to prepare hearts to receive the message of Romans.

joel o18bThe small picture of the Rhino on the right was the place we spent the night on the way to Jinja.  Needless to say, these animals walk through the area near our rooms, so we cannot go out at night.  In the morning, they were blocking two roads out, so we had to get guidance as we drove in the car.  Magnificent creatures that God has made, weigh up to 3 tons!

 
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING...
Final week of teaching in Jinja...
Clarity in our communicating
Spirit-filled understanding for the pastors and multiplication of the message of Romans
Safety and health.
Intercede to the Father for: Paul Fitzgerald, Wendell Stoltzfus and Joel McCall
Rebecca Setzer (my daughter), she is in the hospital again with a serious heart issue. Ask the Lord to heal her.

Joel McCall