Brooke's Uganda Ministry Update #2

Monday, October 31, 2005

Dear Friends,

John 17: 20-23
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Imagine worshipping with 20,000 people on a Sunday morning! This was my experience last month when I was able to be with the church I have been serving for the last 7 months – in person – in Kampala, Uganda, East Africa. Christian Life Church began 10 years ago with only 7 people and has grown into a current body of over 40,000 members. Between the two morning services 20,000 had participated with me into growing deeper into the things of God. The number of people wasn’t really the impressive thing – what humbled me and caused me to weep was the anointing and presence of the Almighty as He filled the newly dedicated house of worship. Many people had told me before going to Africa that I would never be the same upon my return and my response was – “I hope not!” But, I truly wasn’t prepared for all that the LORD wanted to break off me, walk me through, bring out, and give me vision towards. Africa, Uganda especially is a very spiritual place. Yet it wasn’t the prayers of the Muslims that awoke me at 5 AM that held power – but the face of Jesus that shook me. We in America need to wake up to the deep heart of God. In Christian Life Church we may stand on concrete floors and sit in plastic chairs – but the hearts are stirred and more awakened than any velvet lined pew in a dead congregation – sitting in comfort. Even though I had been serving alongside Pastor Jackson Senyonga since the middle of March – I have to admit my skepticism sometimes really wondered if all the claims and visions on our website were actually fleshed out… yet, after being in the newly constructed orphan homes and going to refugee camps to pick out children to occupy the homes – I know that no matter how big the vision – the LORD is birthing it and allowing it to come to pass. Truly the LORD is granting me the desires of my heart and the prayers I have prayed since the tender age of 13, when vision was given to me to work for the LORD with the poor overseas. Here I am 12 years later standing on a platform being introduced to my African brothers and sisters as one of their own – one who is working with them and for them from the US. I am so excited about the strategic opportunity for bridge building I am in. With this ministry I am helping the American church become stirred up by the stories of transformation - testimonies of what God is doing NOW and reminders that we need to be expecting these things and praying for them, pleading for them for our cities, schools, communities, families and churches. In turn, as a bridge to the African church – we in the US – that have so much materially to share and give can help continue to build the infrastructure and heal in a physical sense the brokenness and poverty of our African brothers and sisters. We serve their churches in one way and they challenge and serve us in another way. By going to participate in our annual BBC (Bible Believers Convention) I had the opportunity to do just this. I was able to host Americans (many of them from Oregon and California) and introduce them to the various ministries Christian Life Church is involved with – hospital ministry, school outreach and youth ministry, the “Homes for Orphans” project, as well as the church itself. In exposure to the developing world’s conditions, where there is only one nurse per 60 patients for example, opened the eyes and hearts in a spiritual and practical sense. The Americans who came – including pastors to guest preach during the BBC and gospel performer (and true worshipper) Nicole C. Mullen participated in ministry with our church and as extensions of the church to Kampala and the 50,000 people who attended were blessed by this ministry – as was I. I wonder – how can we minister more tangibly? By continuing to support our brothers and sisters there as e are able to help them have the resources they so desperately need. Pray for the LORD to raise up entrepreneurs in Uganda – a nation where 50% of its labor force is unemployed. Pray for financial institutions to invest and for believers to have witty inventions and creative ideas to help foster this development of the economy which in turn translates to education and families. Pray for an end to corruption and a decrease in theft. Pray for the civil violence that has plagued the north for 20 years to come to an end. Partner with the church in Uganda by offering your professional services to help train their leaders – in business, health care, education, etc. Doors are open in Uganda and the people are hungry. We in America can give – but we also have MUCH to receive.

1st Thessalonians 2:8
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”


“The Church will always be renewed when our attention shifts from ourselves to those who need our care. The blessing of Jesus always comes to us through the poor. The most remarkable experience of those who work with the poor is that, in the end, the poor give more than they receive. They give food to us.” - Henri Nouwen

So friends, I am now back in the US from my first African adventure and honestly it has been a little hard to be back. I feel very much connected to the body of believers there in Kampala and I miss them. Yet, being more confirmed in my calling I do trust that the LORD will allow me a longer stay overseas and soon… so I know that my time in Washington is very strategic and for a purpose. Since coming back my role within the ministry has evolved and I know that I really need your prayers to support the work I am growing into. I have been assigned the role of Project Coordinator – which ranges from writing weekly e-newsletters for the ministry (if you are interested in receiving those please let me know), as well as monthly print newsletters to keep the supporters abreast of what the Lord is doing in Uganda and through Pastor Jackson’s domestic schedule here in the States. I am also responsible for developing some marketing materials for the ministry to promote both the projects we are involved with – like building orphan homes to developing church plants and also the speaking schedule of Pastor Jackson when he is in the US. And, the largest responsibility I was assigned is to attempt to bring 3,000 Americans to our BBC next year. If you read my last update you know that at this annual conference I helped host 40 Americans this year – so 40 to 3,000 is quite the jump – but I have to believe that all things are possible with Christ. I am very excited about the freedom and opportunity this opens up for me – I feel very affirmed about my gifts and excited to grow through these goals. Please pray that our team would be united and feel like we can all support one another as we accomplish what God has given each of us to accomplish. Last week I was in Sacramento, CA for 3 days with our DC Office Manager – Carole Allen and the Sacramento Office Manager – Julie Peacock-Smith and the new Executive Assistant – Michelle Colpitts along with Pastor Jackson and his wife Eve (facilitated by Julie’s husband Scott) to vision plan and pray for the ministry. There are many goals and dreams – and we know that we need to be united to accomplish any of them. My prayer is that we would be united and focused on Jesus in all of the work – it is His work and that it would be to His glory. Pray for spiritual protection over us and the equipment we use – I have never had so many computer problems as I have had in returning from Africa!

1st Corinthians 1:27
“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

“We need each other – this is the generation for the body of Christ. Everybody must do it together, why don’t we join together?” - Pastor Jackson Senyonga

God is moving and I am excited to be one part of the body! Thank you for your prayers and support – both in ministry and personally. Just to give you a little personal update – some highlights of the last month – one: to be able to attend the Uganda National Prayer Breakfast and spend time with the amazing friends at Cornerstone there in Kampala. Two: to go to Italy and visit my friend Davide in Padova, his hometown in Northeast Italy near Venezia. Three: to go to Huntsville, AL and celebrate the wedding of Anna Caruso (a former SE dance teacher) to Josh Hayden and celebrate with friends from around the country. Four: to see Nicole C. Mullen perform and worship with her last weekend in Virginia Beach, VA and to share the time with my dear friend Erin who is at Regent University for her Masters in Counseling but before that went to Flagler and Charlotte High with me. Five: to be able to run the last leg of the Marine Corps Marathon with my friend Liz Jamison (no, I didn’t even run half, but was honored to join Liz for part of her first marathon). To God be the glory, now and forever!

In love and prayer,
Brooke