African Mission Post 13

Posted on June 3rd, 2010 by Pastor Craig Houston

Today is Thursday morning and yesterday Anna was out again at the Kyahi Independent Baptist Church School ministering with Katherine. Last week was the first week of school and there was about 30 students from the ages of 3-8 or thereabouts for the grade level that would basically be kindergarten. Mrs. Molly who is Pastor Eliab’s wife is the main teacher and I think has enjoyed having helpers the last few days. This is especially true following Monday’s class which was the start of the second week of school and the 30 students had doubled and this one room school house now bustles with 64 children and Wednesday they had swelled to 81 children. This week Anna and Katherine have been teaching the students their colors which they are enjoying very much, as well as another Bible story. I was also informed that Anna carries the STICK!!! (Warning for all sensitive type please stop reading.) Anna was given the stick and it is used to be a warning for kids to keep in line. Though America has lost its bearings with regard to discipline in the school it hasn’t been that long as I remember getting more than one spanking at Lewis and Clark Christian Academy ( it scarred me for life as you can tell). The good news is that she didn’t have to use it but it did help to bring order to the crowd. Anna also noticed a little girl that kept moving to sit by her and after picking her up she realized that it was Joanne the sweet little girl that I wrote about on Sunday. Amazingly this will be Anna’s last day at the school in Kyahi, as next Monday we will be headed to the Orphanage that we missed going to on the way to Mbarara after our breakdown the first day in country and then on to Kampala before flying out a week from today. Please pray for this school in Kyahi as Mrs. Molly will need help with these 64 students and Miss. Katherine will be headed back to the States in August to complete her Masters Degree.

As for me the past three days I have been involved in teaching one of my favorite groups of people (pastors) on one of my favorite subjects (the family). The training day starts at 8AM and the men learn Farming God’s Way a program used all over Africa, then we break at 12:30PM for lunch and reconvene at 1:30PM and I teach until 6PM. This Institute is not for the weak at heart as this is BOOT CAMP for preachers. Monday I started by teaching on Building Your House on the Rock using the end of Jesus Sermon on the mount as the illustration with the wise man and the foolish man. It is always easier to build on the sand of the World but the house will not stand so I am teaching on the importance of building the hard way on the ROCK of Jesus Christ. First our lives, then our marriages, and finally our children. Monday I dealt with the first two and Tuesday I dealt with the fact that children are a blessing from the Lord and not a curse. I closed out Tuesday with an admonition for pastors on how being a godly husband and father are not optional for the elders but is a requirement as we are to set an example of the flock and in their community. Wednesday we took our main text from Ephesians 6:1-4 and are no looking at the attitude and action as well as the attitude and action of fathers. Today I will be finishing up our week looking at the nurture and instruction a father is to give his sons and daughters. The men have been giving very good feedback during every break which is a very big encouragement anytime and even more so when you are crossing language and cultural bearers. One amazingly simple truth that I have learned through the years is that when you simple teach and preach the Bible and stay away from mans ideas and opinions it is relevant in every culture.

Please pray for continued strength as I preach and teach to these men of God in the Mobile Bible Institute as I hope to share truth that will impact their lives, their villages, and their country.

I have had the privilege of forging many new friendships while here in Africa both amongst the missionaries as well as the wonderful men of God who I have the privilege teaching and learning from this week, who I believe are being prepared to make a huge impact on the nation of Uganda.

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to preach the Word of God for Pastor Bryan Stensaas at the Independent Baptist Church in Mbarara. I count this as a great privilege and a delight at the same time as the spirit in the church is wonderful and the people received the Word with gladness. For this service I continued the theme of family as requested and spoke on the importance of being priestly fathers like Abraham who build family altars. I believe that the Lord used this message in the lives of this church family being a reminder to some and a very new concept to others. Thank you Pastor Bryan and Pastor Robert for this great privilege to preach at the church!

I know that the trip is not over but I want to say that it has been a joy staying with the Tracht Family. They are amazing host and I am so grateful to have them as friends and our beloved missionaries.

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9 Responses to “African Mission Post 13”

  1. Nelson & Malissa Farmer says:

    We are so glad to hear you and Anna are doing well. So many lives have been blessed by you being there. We have had to sit back and thank the Lord for what he has giving our family. How rich we are for the many things we have and how much we take for granted. We look forward to all you have to share with us. We will continue to pray for your trip to be a blessing.
    The Farmer Family

    On June 3, 2010 at 3:22 am

  2. Emily says:

    Praise the Lord for all He is doing over in Uganda!! I miss you and look forward to seeing you again next week! Praying for you and hoping the rest of your time there is as blessed as the first part!!!!

    On June 3, 2010 at 10:14 am

  3. Rick says:

    Hello Pastor,

    Just wanted to send a quick note to say we continue to pray for you and your family as well while you and Anna are in Africa. I’m sure this has been a life changing time for Anna. I recollect the time that my family and I had the opportunity to work with missionaries and one in particular as he was just getting started while we lived in Spain and Italy from 1991 – 1999. It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 years already since we left there but still have memories we’ll cherish for a liftime. It is wonderful to read your posts to your blog. As others have said the way you write it seems as though we are right there with you. We love you and your family.

    The Potvin Crew
    PS. 118:24

    On June 3, 2010 at 10:30 am

  4. Jackie Harper says:

    Dear Anna and Pastor,
    Thank you so much for the posts. We appreciate you taking the time to share with us all the ministry that is happening in Africa. Tell Anna that I can just picture her with the stick and her praying that she would not have to use it. I have been praying for little Joanne so thanks for the update. Dave read your most recent post to the Heritage class last night and we all prayed for you both and the souls in Africa. Praise the Lord for all the teaching on the family and that the men and churches are so receptive. It is so wonderful to share this experience through the blog and prayers.
    Miss you both
    Jackie Harper

    On June 3, 2010 at 10:47 am

  5. Jennie Warring says:

    Glad that Anna did not have to use THE STICK on anyone.hahaha. What a blessing for Anna to see Joanne again,and Joanne to sit with Anna! I will definitely pray that God will give Mrs. Molly strength, and that He will send someone to help her. I have been praying and will continue to pray for you everyday that God will give you the wisdom and words that He wants you to preach and teach to the pastors. Very happy that you and Anna are having a blessed time in Africa. I miss you and Anna very much and can’t wait to see you and Anna again.

    On June 3, 2010 at 4:17 pm

  6. Sheri Green says:

    Anna,
    when you get home, I will tell you the story about when the stick was used on me. It did not happen again. You will never forget these days on the mission field and the time with your dad, nor will he forget his time with you.

    Pastor, thank you again for the great accounts of your time.

    Sheri

    On June 3, 2010 at 9:56 pm

  7. Brian & Teresa says:

    Thanks for the message… we are glad to read them but they are starting to make us miss you more. We will pray for you family here as I m sure they’re missing you even more. B&T

    On June 4, 2010 at 6:24 am

  8. The Bennetts says:

    What an amazing trip so far and you will not even be back for another week!!! Some of the events in your post seem so improbable. It’s amazing that God had you in the right place at the right time so often in the trip already.

    We miss you and are praying for you.

    Bro. Scott

    On June 4, 2010 at 7:23 am

  9. Gilead Rose says:

    Sounds like a lot of work, but I know you especially enjoy those subjects, and that God is using you to teach future preachers of his glory!
    Praying for the work in Uganda!

    On June 5, 2010 at 7:51 pm

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