The ride to Uganda on August 4
We met these cows on the road to Kampala
We had to wait at the border for a few hours.
It was almost dark when we took this picture at the equator.
One night stay in Uganda.
Another day at Nsengi. We gave away the rest of our supplies.
I preached the morning sermon with the Ugandan congregation.
"What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?" Can you name all 17?
The long Jet ride home.
We rode the van into Entebe just before dark:
It was a few hours in the Entebe Airport, then an all night flight to London.
I had to take a nap at Gatwick Airport in London
About 6 hours in London and then 12 hours back to San Francisco.
We arrived back home at 6PM local time on Monday, August 6.
Three Lessons learned in Rwanda
1. When I step aside, then God can work. I was happily surprised at my ability to preach the Gospel. The years in church, the listening in Sunday school, the hours reading scripture, all paid off as I was able to tell others about Jesus. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit was providing my mouth with his words. Before I stepped up to speak, I made it a habit to repeat the words of John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease".
2. Be flexible and always be ready to serve. I had spent many days preparing material before going to Africa. I used nearly all of my material, but almost none of it as I intended. Parts of sermons became parts of the seminar and visa versa. Little pieces of preparation were used for short talks to fellow missionaries. God used nearly all of what I had prepared, but in His own fashion.
3. Everyone on a mission team has a job because everyone in a mission field needs love. Some people who traveled with us felt that they had little to do. Some women seemed only to prepare meals. Some men seemed only to pray. I learned that many people in Rwanda, especially the children, are in need of affection. Jesus commands us to love one another. If all we do is show affection to children, then we are doing a missionary's job. Paul also talks about a ministry that all Christians have - 100% of us. That is the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5). All of us can help reconcile people to God as well as people to people.