The Lord is calling me to Uganda!

    This is a page that hopefully will answer some questions about my upcoming trip to Uganda, Africa. On May 29 a group of about 10 will leave the comforts of home to plant a church in a remote area in Uganda. Our church, Grace Community Church (GCC) is a newly planted church of its own. GCC was planted and had it's first public worship service on Easter Sunday 2003. We are a Presbyterian Church of America. At the present time we are a small church with only about 60 families. But it is by the Lord's power, and by His will, we have committed to a big endeavor.  We know that we serve a Big God whose resources are boundless. Our mission team will be physically building a church structure and evangelizing throughout the area. This years mission will be a 10 day trip. We will arrive back in the states on June 10th. However, the overall commitment to this mission is for 3 years. For the next 3 years Grace Community Church will send mission teams to assist with the growth of this church. The following missions will consist of additional training and study for the new group of believers as well as future evangelizing. GCC will also support the church financially and prayerfully.

    Why go? Why there?

    These are some of the questions that you may be asking. I can tell you that my desire to go reaches so many levels. As many of you know I am a fairly new believer. I have only been walking with Christ for a year and a half. But I tell you this.... I am truly born again. Becoming a Christian is not merely lip service. Becoming a Christian is following God and trying to live by His ways. I believe the bible to be God's inerrant, infallible, life transforming word, and in His word Christ tells us in Mathew 28:19 "...go and make disciples of all nations,..." We have a duty as Christians to share the gospel with others, whether it is with our next door neighbor or someone we have never met, halfway around the world. So there is a scriptural command to go and evangelize. But there is a heart issue as well. Christ is the way..., the only way to eternal life. John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (italics for emphasis) Since I love my friend, neighbor, and fellow man, I yearn to share the way to salvation. I don't want to them perish. My heart cries out for those who don't know and love the Lord Jesus.
    Now after saying this many of you may be thinking, "Well, why do you have to go to a Uganda to share the gospel?" My answer is that I don't. I  desire to bring as many to the feet of Jesus as I can. But it is not by my power to do so. God gives us the command to be lights to the world, but it is only by his grace and mercy that people come to believe. When our church first made the announcement that it would be sending a missions team to Uganda the thought to go never dawned on me. Cole was fresh after transplant and I thought there is no way I could go. In fact the desire never even entered into my heart. Then one Sunday, the sermon was on Mathew 5:13-16. This is when Jesus was giving the sermon on the Mount and talking about being the light of the world. Somehow, someway, God put my heart in this mission trip. Now I hunger to go for so many reasons. First, to share the gospel with people who many have never heard Christ's redeeming message. The sad fact is that here in the US, I would guess to say that 99% of Americans have heard the gospel in one way or another. Those that don't put their faith in Christ do so by their own choice. Americans are so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of their day to day lives, rarely giving a fleeting thought to eternity and their need for a savior. So I want to go and share the gospel with a people who have never heard. Also I want to be able to very openly share the Good News. How many of us believing Christians feel they can just walk up to someone and say, "Hey did you know Christ died for your sins?" I know I couldn't do that. I would feel like that person would look at me like I was some nut. Here in the States, the way I feel comfortable sharing the gospel is by developing a relationship and showing that person how I try to live my life, and then very  gingerly testing the waters before I jump right in. Or very impersonally sharing Christ through my writings. This is probably much do to the fact that I am still a babe in Christ, and are afraid of personal rejection. And it also shows a lack of faith in the acts of the Holy Spirit. But I pray that God strengthens my faith and resolve to lead others to Christ boldly. This mission trip may be the way God does just that. I want to be bold. I want to share without hesitation or fear of rejection. I want to know what that feels like. I have heard from others about people who have come to Christ through our recent trial, and I am in constant awe at God's ability to use even the most difficult of circumstances for His glory. But from a personal and probably selfish perspective, I want to see it with my own eyes. This mission to plant this church is a three year commitment. Our church will continue to support and assist this new body of believers for 3 years. There may be different team members that go each year, but I will be able to say to the group that goes next year, "So how is such and such. I remember when I talked to him about what the Lord has done in my life and then we both prayed to receive Christ. How has the Holy Spirit worked within him and those around him?" I want the Lord to use me for His glory and his purpose.
    Of course there is the big reason that I want my faith to grow. Not only do I want to lead others, but I want this trip to strengthen my faith and relationship with God. As I have confessed I am a new believer, but by God's Holy Spirit, I am miles away from where I was. However I am still light years away from where I want to be; a reflection of Jesus Christ.
    Another much smaller reason why I want to go to Uganda is very secular in nature. It will be an adventure. I want to experience what it is like for the Ugandans. The way they live is so far from ours. Our homes and our big screen TV's, our frivolity with spending and carefree attitude about the essentials for life are going to be in stark contrast to what is going on in the lives of the typical Ugandan. I am just as guilty as anyone. I don't think twice about picking up something whimsically at the grocery store. I spend money just as bad as the next guy. Maybe God will use this mission to make me appreciate the things He has given us. He has given us a very free and prosperous country. I know I don't thank Him enough for that.
    I don't have the false impression that I am going over there to change the world. I don't believe that I am this great guy doing a great thing. I only really want to do what I think God wants me to do. God is completely sovereign over all events. It is by His will that I will go on this trip. God can close the door anytime He wants. In fact I believe that He has actually opened the door. When I first felt the desire to go on this trip, I had no idea what was involved. I went to the meetings and found out that I have to get a variety of shots. I was a bit concerned due to the fact that my liver isn't what it used to be (pun intended). But after discussing it with the transplant guys, they gave me the green light. Then there was the problem with Del, her job and the kids. Well, it turns out that the Del's family was planning a trip to the beach for most of the time I would be gone. This meant Del would be taking off that week anyway, and she would have much needed help with the kids. I know I will be missing out on a great vacation to the beach, but surprisingly it isn't a difficult decision. This trip, hopefully, will be much more rewarding although very far from a relaxing vacation to the beach. But then the biggest apparent obstacle came forward. We were informed how we would raise the funds to go on this trip. Each team member was responsible for raising $2850. This money was the cost for that individual to go. The money would pay for the shots, the airfare, the meals, travel and other expenses associated with the trip. Each team member would send out a letter to as many people as they could, requesting prayer and financial support. Well that just hit me like a ton of bricks... I couldn't bring myself to ask the very same people that supported us through Cole's condition to once again give funds, this time to me to do what I feel is God's bidding. I asked various people, both believer and non believer what they thought. And only one person out of half a dozen thought it would be appropriate to send the letters. And my self sufficient heart just couldn't bare to send the letter. I prayed long and hard that the Lord would remove the barriers in my heart and allow me a clear conscience to send the letters, but the answer never came and the barrier remained. I called the mission leader and told him I wouldn't be able to go and explained my reason. He asked me to seek counsel from our pastor. Our pastor, who upon learning my dilemma, told me that if sending the letters was the only thing holding me back, not to worry.  They would raise the funds in other ways. My prayer had been answered, but in God's way, not my preconceived way. It was truly amazing. However, God decided also to throw me a curve ball.
    Another team member had sent a letter to a mutual friend who also knew of my decision to go to Uganda. This friend asked if I would be sending out letters as well. When he learned that I was not and why, I thought I had made the right decision, not to send the letters. But the next thing I get is a check in the mail from this person, totally unsolicited. I have wondered whether this is God's way of poking me a little, saying, "Don't again doubt My ability to provide for you in any way I see fit." Was I doubting whether I could raise the money or whether God could? Being a Christian is certainly hard!
    Anyway, if it is God's will I will be going on this mission trip. And I am so excited! I think this years trip is probably the best suited to my skill set. As those of you who know me know that I am a builder. Not a builder by trade, but a builder by heart. I love to build things. Whether it is a shed, a play set, a stained glass window, a business, a God Loving child or a church. It is a true joy for me to build. Also to go into an area where the gospel has never been heard before seems to fit me as well. I was also lost not long ago, and I know what it is like to be lost and then to find Jesus.
  

 Now, what can you do? Pray, Pray, Pray.........

• First and foremost pray for the God to already begin to work in the hearts of the people we will meet. Pray for him to open their eyes and soften their hearts.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts, minds  and mouths to speak effective truths.
• Pray that God would protect us from illness and keep us safe from danger.
• Pray for physical and spiritual stamina for all of us.
• Pray for peace of mind that we trust in God's total sovereignty over everything that happens.
• Pray that God grants us traveling mercies.
• Pray for us to show love and compassion to the lost.
• Pray for defeat of all Satan's opposition to the team and our mission.
• Pray for our boldness and steadfast commitment to preach the Gospel.
• Pray for our willingness to earnestly and fervently pray.
• Pray that God continues to bless our families and keep them safe.
• Pray that God continues to lay every stone on the path to fulfill our mission.
• Pray that God meets our financial need for this ministry.

    In addition to each individual team members financial goal, we have an additional financial goal of $21,000. This may seem like a large amount, but knowing how far that money goes in Uganda is amazing. With the $21,000, we will be able to purchase the land and materials for the church structure, purchase the land and materials for the pastors house, buy a vehicle for the pastor, and pay for his salary for the next two years. The people of Uganda can get all of that for only $21,000.  If you feel like God is leading you to help support this mission you can send a check made out to Grace Community Church and mail it to c/o Leslie Queen 8653 Walsham Dr. Charlotte, NC 28277.

    I think another thing that totally appeals to me about this mission is the fact that we are following in the footsteps of the Apostles. .........To be continued....