Day 2

I don’t ever remember being this tired! But then, I do have a fading memory. And besides I hardly ever remember being more blessed either. We had a hardy breakfast of scrambled eggs and just picked pineapples and bananas, fried plantanes, toast and corn flakes…oh and how could I forget…delicious hot tea…my favorite.

We packed up and headed for Luzira church next where we were met by Faith and Holly from a local medical mission who trained us how to properly distribute mosquito nets. Here are some interesting facts we learned:
Malaria is a virus
Malaria is the #1 killer in Uganda
Malaria is only transmitted by a bite from a female mosquito carrier
Malaria is quite treatable if diagnosed early
Malaria is easily avoided through the use of nets since the mosquitos in Uganda are nocturnal
We were then trained as to how to educate people regarding the nets:
They must be aired out for 24 hours before use because they are treated with
powerful chemicals that can otherwise cause serious skin irritation
The nets can be washed one time every three months without losing their
effectiveness.
The bags the nets come in must be brought back and disposed of properly
or people will allow their children to play with them which can
result in poisoning and even death.
Armed with this knowledge and with questionnaires designed by Pastor Enock to find out the greatest needs of the community, we deployed our teams by bus to a zone close to the church. When we arrived, we were met by the Chairman of that zone (much like a mayor) who welcomed us and thanked us for coming. Pastor Enock thanked him as well and then something amazing happened. Pastor Enock asked this mayor in front of our group and all our interpreters if he knew Jesus personally as Savior. The man honestly replied that he did not. So, Pastor Enock asked him if he would like to confess Jesus as his Savior and the man replied: “Yes, I think I would like to.” He then asked me to come forward and lay hands on the man and lead him in a public prayer of salvation. Never in 34 years of full time ministry have I witnessed such a salvation. It was so wonderful and afterward our group gathered around him and prayed over him. In Luke 10 Jesus is sending his disciples out to evangelize a particular area (or zone) and he speaks of finding a “son of peace” there in the community they are going to which will be a blessing to that people. Well God has truly provided our man of peace for this area in the person of the Chairman. Later the Secretary of the zone joined us and went with one of our groups from house to house and after hearing the gospel so many times, Katrina Simmon’s Steven Hokenson’s team led him to Christ as well.

Many, many people answered our questions and received the much needed nets and many of them received Jesus as Savior as well. From the reports of team leaders we now estimate that close to 60 people were saved. Each of these people gave us contact information and many are planning to join Luzira Community Church this Sunday!

This afternoon we had been invited to a Rock Hill Elementary School for a program and were very blessed by the students. They joined in our motion songs and truly loved our clown skit. Several were saved as I gave the invitation.

Then, it was on to the open air crusade. I have been so excited since I learned that we would be singing and I would be preaching in such a large venue. Pastor Enock secured a wonderful stage in the heart of the busiest market in Luzira which is just two blocks from Luzira Community Church. Literally thousands of Ugandans were at the market today since it is one of their two heavy market days (the other being Thursday when we will do the crusade again). After over an hour of lively African Praise and Worship complete with dancing in the Lord (our team included) we sang a song over the crowd and I was able to preach the simple Gospel of God’s plan for eternal life. As I gave the altar call it was overwhelming to see dozens of people come forward and huddle around our team. Many men and women gave their lives to Christ and we distributed bibles and information on the services at LCC to each one who trusted the Lord today.

Specific Prayer Requests:

• Ashlea Z- has had some nausea…pray for her complete healing…she is much better as I am writing this.
• Jet Lag- pray that our team will be able to sleep at night…they truly need the rest.
• Open Air Crusade on Thursday- for salvation decisions
• For those who received Christ at the net distribution- pray they will not be persecuted by the leaders of the mosque that is located right in their neighborhood
• For strength for Donnie’s voice- speaking and singing six times in two days without a p.a. system is taking it’s toll and it’s early in the week

God bless you all…we are lifting you up as well.

Donnie