I'd like to update you on the Jesus Film ministry here and life in general. We put my brother, "Uncle Benny", on the bus on Sunday afternoon after a blessed 5 weeks together. He is now back in Tanzania preparing for his third year of teaching at Waama Bible School. While Ben was here we showed the film in seven village locations (an eighth one was rained out), two homes, and one sub-county prison to 30 inmates. An estimated 3,300 people saw the film in all! (If you are not familiar with the Jesus Film, it is a film depicting the life of Christ that follows the Gospel of Luke. It has been translated into over 1,000 languages including Lusoga, the mother tongue of our area). Whole villages turned out the see the film and to hear the words of Christ in their own language.
On Friday, September 19th, we showed the film in a village called Buudi. The following morning we were going to the home of Pastor Ludigo for our weekly pastor's meeting. Pastor Martin was with us and informed us that he had a relative that had died and was to be buried that day near where we were going. He explained that the lady had become a believer, but that the husband was a follower of the traditional religion of witchcraft. He had decided that the woman was to be buried in the traditional way with the witchdoctor overseeing. Martin explained to me that such a burial involves many sacrifices to the demons (goats, chickens, etc.) and that the demons are welcomed. There are many displays of demonic activity, he said, such as people rolling on the ground and crying out. In short, there was to be a lot of spiritual darkness there and Martin was suggesting we go there to bring the light of the Gospel. After finding the place, we went and sat down with the people and greeted them. There was a heavy spirit in the air. People seemed solemn and hopeless. The witchdoctor was just beginning to beat the drum in preparation for his rituals. After securing permission from those in charge, Martin gathered the crowd together and spoke to them. He introduced me and asked me to preach a message of hope to the people. (In seminary we had a preaching course that dealt with "impromptu" preaching. I think the seminary had ministry in Uganda in mind!) I preached the story of Zacchaeus who was a sinner who Christ loved. He repented and received salvation. It was simple and clear. As we were leaving, it was as if a different Spirit was in control of the place. The people were very happy. Many came to express their thanks for the message of hope they had received. Martin gave a Bible to one of the family members and we went away. What an amazing opportunity to share Christ in the midst of spiritual darkness.
Thank you for praying for the Jesus Film ministry over the past weeks. Pastor Ludigo has a ministry at the sub-county prison near his home and has been going there on Sunday afternoons to minister to the inmates. On Sunday, September 21, thirty inmates saw the Jesus Film. Ben and I were tired from the weekend, so we left the DVD player with Ludigo and came back to Jinja. After the film, Ludigo reported that three of the inmates gave their lives to Christ. Praise God for the power of His Word!
In our last update we mentioned that Elijah had a fever. It turned out to be Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease. Not real fun. He had a 103-fever for three days followed by inflamed gums and sores in his mouth which made it painful for him to eat or drink. It lasted about a week, then Jude got it. They are both better now and Hannah was spared. God is so good!
We are looking forward to the coming of Kalika Peske from the U.S. on November 9th. She will be coming for six months as a missionary nanny. She will be helping out with the kids and home and possibly getting involved in a nearby orphanage. Please pray for her as she makes preparations to join us.
You are such a blessing to us!
Nate and the family
Randomness: I discovered this week that my sticking brakes were due to a genius "street" mechanic who used cooking oil instead of brake fluid! I'm expecting my kilometers per liter to improve…
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