[originally posted 30 Jul 2022]
Dear Friends & Family,
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2)
This past Thursday afternoon, we completed our leadership training conference with the first group of 40 participants, local pastors and their spouses. I taught one of the concluding sessions on parenting. I emphasized the primary role and responsibility of parents to shepherd and disciple their children so that they too would become faithful followers of Christ.
I stressed that discipleship is a four-fold path that begins with parents saying, first, you watch me (that is, the parents must first be examples and models of obedience, confession, and repentance as Christ’s disciples themselves); second, you help me (with whatever life activity or task you are seeking to train them in doing); third, I help you (with the task, for example, with Bible study and memorization, or life skills such as cooking, washing the dishes or laundry); and finally, I watch you.
As our first conference came to a successful conclusion, we again reminded and encouraged all the conference participants to take what they have learned over the past four days and now teach and train the families in each of their local churches to follow Christ by becoming more faithful husbands, wives, and parents to their children all by the grace and strength of God’s Holy Spirit as they purpose in their hearts to obey God’s Word.
Your faithfulness in prayer during my service and teaching here in Uganda this first week is indeed bearing fruit that will endure through eternity! I cannot thank you enough for your mindfulness in prayer. I can fully sense the sustaining grace of God poured into my heart and soul. and into this weak and weary body, as well, through each of your faithful prayers on my behalf. We are partners together in this ministry of the Gospel that is bringing glory to God!
Our team leader and local coordinator have together graciously arranged for us to spend a full day of rest for spiritual and physical renewal and refreshment at the Mbarara University guesthouse today (Saturday). We were even blessed with gentle rain showers yesterday. They reminded me of the theme verse, Hosea 6:3, from Sandy and my wedding ceremony almost 44 years ago (August 26th is our anniversary, so yes, I will be back, Lord willing, to celebrate!) —- the opening phrase of that verse is also inscribed on our wedding bands —-
“So let us press on to know the Lord. His coming forth is as certain as the dawning of a new day! And He will come to us like the rain, As the spring rain waters the earth.” (Hosea 6:3)
Please continue to regularly remember our team in prayer as we prepare for another 4-day conference with a second group of 40 participants, local pastors and their spouses, that will begin back in Bushenyi on Monday. In the meantime, I would especially appreciate your prayers for rest and spiritual refreshment today and for my ministry tomorrow.
I have been invited to share a message from God’s Word to the believers who gather on Sunday at the church here in Mbarara where our local coordinator, Pastor George Byabagambi, serves. My plan is to preach a message from John 21 on the subject of “Christ’s Three Persistent Questions.” — What is God’s Call on your life? Who or What is the Love of your life? and, What will be the End of your life?
This is a message that God laid on my heart over 12 years ago when I first started serving at Handong University in Korea. If you are interested, you may listen and view that message here:
2 John 12
grace and peace for this day,
cordell
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