By Missionaries Jeremy and Mandy Pittman in Uganda

Although there are times in ministry where it seems we see little fruit, there are also seasons of wonderful blessing. During the past several months, the Lord has greatly blessed us with 24 new converts through our soul winning efforts and regular church services in Serere and Soroti. It has been thrilling to see some of these new converts follow the Lord in Believer’s Baptism and then start attending weekly discipleship lessons. Allow me to share a few of their stories with you.

Nearly every week, one of our church members requests prayer for the death of a loved one. Since the life expectancy for the average woman in Uganda is 41 years of age, I am frequently reminded of the importance of soul winning and fervent preaching. Although I love to preach, perhaps the most wonderful privilege I have is to drive out into villages that oftentimes have never had a clear presentation of the Gospel. There are literally thousands of small villages throughout the vast country of Uganda that have no true Gospel witness.

Recently, I led a young man named Onyait to Christ. He invited me to go to his village and share this message with his 90-year-old grandmother, Ikiror. In all sincerity, her gaunt and weak frame looked much older than 90, but I soon discovered that her clear words and quick mind belied her age. She explained to us that all her friends were dead and gone and she often wondered at night what would happen to her when she died. She had lots of questions as we went through several Bible passages dealing with salvation. After about an hour she declared, “I never knew that Jesus Christ was the only way to Heaven. This is very good news for me.”

Previously, she had been trusting in a lifetime of good works. She had been taught that God would make a final decision about her works when she died and send her to either Heaven or Hell. She said, “I have worried many nights that I might never wake up and have often wondered where God would send me.” After we shared some more verses with her, she prayed and sweetly placed her trust in Jesus Christ. She then remarked, “Pastor, I’m not worried about going to sleep anymore.” As we were getting ready to leave and talking with her about some future discipleship lessons, she told me, “Pastor, I want you to live for 100 years so you can keep serving God and telling others about this message.” It is indeed a wonderful privilege to serve the King of Kings and tell His wondrous story!

Oftentimes, I’m convicted by the commitment to Christ that I see in new converts. Several weeks ago, I was preaching in Soroti. A 65-year-old man, Edotu, raised his hand during the invitation and started walking to the front. He told me that he needed this Christ that was preached about that morning. One of our older men took him into a room and led him to Christ. Edotu met me after the service and said, “Pastor, my eyes have been opened and I have peace. I have never heard this teaching before, but it convicted my heart. I have been going the wrong way for so many years. Thank you for telling me the truth that has set me free.”

Hearing those words obviously made my day! I encouraged him to come to my home for discipleship lessons. I had no idea that he lived three hours away by bicycle. For the last six weeks, Edotu has shown great faithfulness to these lessons. (He even came when he had malaria.) It has been such a joy to see his smiling face at the church as well. He told me last week that his wife said, “Ever since you have been born again you’ve been acting like a new man around this village!”

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Richard & Patty Comer -  CENTRAL AMERICA
Brian & Jamie Cone -  THAILAND
Richard & Elizabeth Conrad -  JAPAN