African Mission Post 14

Posted on June 4th, 2010 by Pastor Craig Houston

It is 7 AM Saturday morning as I write watching the African Sun rise above the Town of Mbarara. Mrs. Cheryl Tracht who has been an amazing host has already brought me COFFEE which just proves she is a Christian and so I sip as I write which you may be able to notice the pauses every once in a while ……… ahh thats good coffee!!! Now where was I? I had desired to write last night as we got home just after 9 PM from an evening meal at James and Anna Huckabee’s who are brand new missionaries coming just about a month after the Trachts. But my chin was in the soup and I could not stay awake. By the way thank you James and Anna for having us over for dinner the homemade pizza was AWESOME and we all suffered through the fresh pumpkin pie/bread (especially the second piece)!

Thursday was filled with much ministry both for me and Anna though we were working in two different locations. I spent the day with the pastors at the Mobile Bible Institute teaching for the last time on Fathering or Families God’s Way. Today’s teaching was about what we need to teach when we are bringing our children up in the nurture of the Lord and how we are to correct and discipline in the admonition of the Lord. The men have been so very faithful all week and each day I have been blessed to have several of the wives attend including Mrs. Cheri Stensaas which has been a huge encouragement. We concluded with a time of Q&A and again many great questions were brought up and several just wanting to stand and say thanks. These men whom I had the privilege to spend the week with are treasures that I believe the Lord is already using and some of them are being prepared to be used in greater ways in the future. Please pray as they do have some great cultural barriers to overcome regarding the bride price, educational options that wont compromise their beliefs, and years of tradition for what is appropriate in there culture. Let me say just a moment that none of the missionaries nor I have any desire to make these men more American! The changes we desire to see are the same that I desire in the people of our church back home and it has everything to do with conforming to JESUS CHRIST and following His Word which is right in any and every culture.

We had another wonderful lunch at the church made by a faithful woman named Jennifer who has cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner for the men all week. Today so that I could say thank you to the men we brought Cokes and other sodas (sorry Dan and Willis Van Dusen my old employers at Pepsi in Astoria) Coke is just more available though I did find one Pepsi in a store which I did enjoy very much in a 12oz glass bottle which is the best! Ok where was I? Well we brought sodas for lunch which the men and ladies enjoyed very much and was some small way for me to say thank you to these brothers whom I have grown to love and appreciate greatly.

While I was finishing the last class Anna went with Brother Tom and several of his children to Western College which is the private Muslim college out in Kyahi for another afternoon of ministry. On this day brother Tom continued his teaching series that he started last week and then they handed out BIbles to every student in attendance. We have many pictures from this event which was very well received by the students and principal alike. “Lord I pray that your Word would be like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces and is like a balm to the broken hearted!” Please pray with me that the power of God would fall greatly on this place as the Tracht Family continues to minister at this School as I believe as 1 Corinthians 16 says there is a great door and effectual opened unto us, but there are many adversaries.

Thursday night I was able to get all of our airline problems resolved as our flights out of country were canceled due to British Airlines strikes that have been going on. My heart sank when Brother Jason sent me an email informing me of American Airlines URGENT message. The news came that I would not be able to get out of Uganda until the 13, but due to Anna’s ticket being a flight miles ticket she would have to wait to depart. (LIKE THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!) Well after getting o..n sk..ype a..nd cal..ling Ame…rican air..lines I wa..s ab.le aft.er a to..tal of ov..er tw..o hours to get everything resolved. (That is what it sounded like on Skype as I had a weak connection). We are now leaving about 17 hours earlier and headed to Dubai and then on to London then finally heading home on our original flights to New York JFK, and Seattle. PRAISE THE LORD FOR WORKING ALL THINGS OUT REGARDING OUR FLIGHTS! Some of you may remember we were originally being rerouted through Dubai on the trip to Africa but that was changed when we arrived at the Airport departing Seattle. I feel as though God may have some great reason for taking us through Dubai. Maybe like Jesus who said I must needs go through Samaria. Pray that we can be good witnesses and be open to all the Lord may have in store.

Well I have more to write so I will post again later today but for now I need to go as it is time to get ready for a morning handing out John and Romans at the churches weekly outreach. I am not preaching today at least not that I know of so it should be a good day of rest before going to the Refugee Camps tomorrow for our last Sunday in Uganda.

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4 Responses to “African Mission Post 14”

  1. Jason McD says:

    Pasor,

    Its so good to know that everything isworking out with all of your travel needs. Your return is greatly anticipated ! I am praying as are so many others that the the final leg of you mission goes as well or even better than the first part. Your posts have been an encouragement to evry one. Please say hi to Anna for me.

    Your Brother In Christ, JasonMcD

    On June 4, 2010 at 11:48 pm

  2. Mark Howe says:

    He is an awesome God – He takes care of us ALL of the time. THe verse below is a comfort to me this morning, I hope it will be to you as well.

    When Satan tempts me to despair
    And tells me of the guilt within
    Upward I look and see Him there
    Who made an end of all my sin
    Because the sinless Savior died
    My sinful soul is counted free
    For God, the Just, is satisfied
    To look on Him and pardon me
    To look on Him and pardon me

    On June 5, 2010 at 5:55 am

  3. Rick says:

    Hello Pastor,

    Having my lunch at work and as usual that is when I “catch up” on what is going on with your missions trip. We are all excited about your return trip to WA on Friday. It will be great to see you and Anna again a week from Sunday. I know the two of you will be exhausted from the trip back and of course being very busy in the ministry while you’ve been there. We continue to pray for you and your family and it is wonderful how the Lord answers prayer on what some would think is insignificant as the flight home. I fully understand having a teenage daughter myself that of course you would ensure that you’ll be flying back together….. : ). The two message that were preached this past Sunday were awesome and just want was needed. Have a blessed time the remainder of your time in Africa.

    Love and prayers,
    The Potvin Crew
    PS. 118:24

    On June 5, 2010 at 10:09 am

  4. Jennie Warring says:

    I will definitely pray for the prayer requests. Glad that God is working in Africa. God is so good! Thank the Lord that your flight plans were resolved. It will be so wonderful to have you, Anna, and the rest of the Houston family back. Brother Goodwin preached a wonderful message on what Christians’ focus should be on. Love ya and counting the days till you get back.

    On June 8, 2010 at 10:14 pm

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