The Cows Come Home

Thanks to the generosity of Rock Creek Church in Colorado, we were able to donate oxen and bicycles to pastors in need from the villages where we work.  At GRI, we partner with pastors from various denominations and villages to assist us in evangelistic and outreach events, including open air teachings, Bible studies, and Jesus Film presentations.  A total of 40 pastors benefited from the distribution, which included 10 pair of oxen and 30 bicycles.  The gifts were given as a ministry so that those who received would also be able to help their church members when certain situations arise.  Oxen are used to plow the fields and are a significant asset in this agricultural society.

The day was one of rejoicing and thanking God for his many blessings.  Pastor Walter, the head of our GRI ministry department in Uganda, led the meeting and many church leaders had the opportunity to speak, sharing encouraging words from Scripture.  Members of local government were also there to show their support of the work 

GRI is doing throughout the district.  I was honored to be able to address the group.  I shared from Genesis 12:1-3 where Abram (later  changed to Abraham) was called by God and given a promise:  "I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."  God was referring to Israel, and ultimately to Christ.  Through Abraham, God blessed the entire world through Christ's death and resurrection so that in Christ we could inherit eternal life.  When God blesses his children, he does it so that we may then be a blessing to others.  The blessing should never stop with us.  It is a "pay it forward" system of kindness, love and grace, and it is all possible because God first loved us.  "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  "We love because he first loved us."  (I John 4:10,19)

We praise God for his goodness, faithfulness, and unfailing love!  These pastors were overwhelmed with gratitude and greatly encouraged to continue laboring in the Lord as they serve the flocks God has entrusted to them.  Apoyo ma tek (thank you so much) Rock Creek!  God has blessed us through you.  And thank you to all of you who support and pray for the work here in northern Uganda.  It does not go unnoticed in the Kingdom!

-Wes