It is very interesting when we learn a bit about what the Bible teaches us on the subject of the devil and how he works. He is called both a robber and a thief. He is definitely both -- but these are not the same words -- neither do they involve similar strategies. Living in Africa has shown me that Satan is a robber; he tries to violently remove from us both our physical and spiritual possessions. A robber uses violence to get his job done. He is confident that his use of force will get the job done. Think of a highway robber -- he is usually armed to the teeth to outduel the stagecoach or the armoured car. in Uganda we see witchcraft, poverty, and death all staring us and taunting us to our face. In Uganda we face continual agressive attempts to remove our faith, hope and joy through Satans's fear campaign.
I find that Satan's technique in the west, where we are "developed", is one of thievery. Our enemy uses tricks like over-exosure,deception and mindgames to slowly turn up that the heat under our cauldren of self-indulgence. Interesting how common symbols of death and hell have become very commonplace on our clothing, vehicles and coffee mugs. We seem to be in love with skulls,bones and flames! Cool or Crazy?? How abzurd that we love the symbols of death and hell! We are now coming to a season when we celebrate death and evil! We think ghosts and gobblins are a joke -- we think hell is a joke!! Satan is decieving us to death. Just because we see flames and skulls in the most ordinary of places every day doesn't make hell cease to exist nor does it keep the devil off our back. The demons and witchdoctors in Uganda are agents of the devil; so are t-shirt shops and media companies in Canada. The reality is Satan wants our soul -- wether he gets it by thievery or robbery makes no difference to him. The scariest place is not in a witchdoctors hut, nor in a haunted house--the scariest place is a soul without Jesus - a soul bound for hell!
The wonderful thing is that while we have life and breath we can turn to God and ask Him to come and chase out all the evil that has bound us so tightly! His wonderful life and light will then fill us!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
joy or fun
It seems our western worls is in constant pursuit of fun. Fun seems to only last as long as an event. We often say "that was fun!" admitting that the fun only lasted as long as a given event. But as children of God we can say |
fun and joy (a devotional)
|
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Talking to Little Kids about Big Problems
Today I took the assembly at King Road Traditional School in Abbotsford. It was lots of fun -- I basically did a slide show that I narrated as I went. I made comments about the pictures and tried to help the kids understand life for children their age in Uganda.
I wonder what kids think when the see someone their age going to school with no shoes on and a bloated stomach -- or fetching water in big jerry-cans?? Or what do they think when you tell them that there are no taps - or that you have to kill snakes so that they don't kill you??. I think it is hard to register. I suppose that a lot of this never hits home for many people until they are adults and they witness a third world country in person where poverty, death, disease and malnutrition stare at you every day as you roam the dirt roads of any given village in such a place as Uganda.
In Abbotsford, we too have malnourished people, some with very bad shoes, many with no home or only a cardboard box to shelter them from the elements. They also don't have their own tap to turn on and take a hot bath.
The suffering world around us are victims of sin -- their own sin and others sin all wrapped up into one complicated mess.We too, except for God's providence in our lives could be out on a street, down on our luck, or left to starve in a sun-scorched, war-torn land.
Our goal is not to alleviate all suffering nor to fill every need -- our goal is to show people and tell people about Christ. He can remove our guilty stains, fill our spiritual hunger and quench our eternal thirst. The physical needs are the pathway to the human need for forgiveness and atonement; the need to be in a good relationship with God. We can tolerate much physical suffering when we know our soul is secure. And, interestingly enough, secure souls tend to make more decisions that lead to less physical suffering.
On Tour
On Friday morning we start off on our speaking tour of Western Canada. We will start in the Okanagan and work our way up through Prince Georga and then to Ceceil lake, which is near Fort St. John. After speaking in Cecil Lake we will travel down through Edmonton and on to Dalmeny, SK. We will stay there a few nights and visit some of my dad's brothers and their families(they are all --4 of them -- in Saskatchewan now -- the sister -all f of them-- are living in BC). After Dalemny we head down to Lucky Lake where we will speak in Beechy as well as Prairie Centre as well as Lucky Lake itself.
It will be so good to see so many friends and family that we have not seen in a few years. The boys are mostly old enough to now remember and enjoy this trip. Jane has a bit of a hard time with staying with people as we always have to be worried if we are doing the right thing in someone elses home. Most of our friends and family that we will stay with are pretty relaxed so I don't think it should be too bad.
We just had a weekend in Courtneay, BC which was quite good and we made a good connection with Courtenay Fellowship Baptist Church. We're thankful for our friends George and Sharon Henly who helped to connect us to their church. We found the congregation to be quite warm and down to earth. It's interesting that the further you go from the city the more time people seem to have and the more friendly they seem to be. I guess I'm a "country people" at heart. Andre Crouch has an old song called "God Love Country People". Perhaps that's another reason I love the farmers of Uganda.
Friday, September 11, 2009
a perspective on the curretn Kamapal Violence
Below is some communication forwarded to me by a friend whose dad is currently in Uganda on a missions trip. I think he has a pretty good handle on a lot of the issues at hand. The writer Ron, is a friend of my friend's dad -- more importantly, a fellow believer, so I think his perspective is very good as well as his general knowledge of the political and social landscape there in Uganda
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009This report is a bit lengthy but is written to give you non media perspective and understanding about what is going on here at the moment. If you are pressed for time just hit the RED "X"
Varying reports are coming from the four corners here this morning. Anti government media sources report things worse than they are and pro government media underplays things so somewhere in the middle is the actual situation. The streets downtown are mainly quiet as most businesses have remained closed and police have a heavy presence. News media are advising/ordering all foreigners and expats to stay at home today which is logical given the
dynamics at work at the moment. As far as I know, all foreigners are safe and have not been attacked. We live in the southern part of the city and it is peaceful here so far. I spoke with a Police friend this morning and he told me that the intelligence has been at work and the police
will be getting the bad guys soon. He also said that the eastern side of trhe city will be intense today as the melee moves out toward the town of Mukono then on to Kayunga where the Kabaka (Bugandan king) is supposed to be addressing the Youth Celebration. He said the fight will end in Kayunga tomorrow. Kayunga is 40 kms out of Kampala. The President went on the air last night and laid out certain criteria for the event if it is to continue. Make no mistake, this is a planned and orchestrated event to cast a bad light on the government and personally on President Museveni. Trying to grasp all the issues is not possible but this is a confrontation between the tribal king of the largest ethnic group in Uganda and a President, both asserting their dominant positions. The tribal king is a man who actively practices and consorts with demons and withcraft. His nice suit will fool the Western mindset. The real issue being revealed here at least in my view is this...Without a vision people perish. Uganda is a nation of young people, the median age of a Ugandan being 14 years 6 months. Very high unemployment, a lot of illiteracy and uneducated youth with no job, nothing to do, no purpose in life, no direction to focus their energy, and you have a large group of the population who are very easily manipulated into violence and mayhem. This would be like "party time" for a large portion of them who are
uneducated as to the political motivations for this issue and who, frankly, could even care less. Protesting the government and the President is not a justification to loot and pillage innocent business people and burn their stores. Last night they stopped buses on the highway into town and beat and robbed the passengers. Lots of stories are emerging about the mayhem that is completely not germaine to the political situation at hand but I think the police will be getting stronger control on these things as the day progresses.While it is difficult to agree with all the Presidents actions and philosophies, he is trying to steer the country in a positive direction and has moved Uganda a very long way towards a stable free market economy. There is freedom of the press unlikey matched anywhere else in Africa. The move towards a democratic society is well underway. Only the naive think that democracy should have happened overnight. At this juncture in the history of Uganda, he is by far the right man to be President and has a clear and deep understanding of globalism, economics, democracy, and the pursuit of being a nation free from Western support and becoming a nation controlling its own destiny is his dream. Oppositon elements cant understand that and cannot articulate any clear vision that would make them more desirable to be the government. So their methodology is to create violence and fear and intimidation, using the youth and their unfocussed energies to achieve the bent and twisted aims of the manipulators. Pray for the peace and welare of Kampala and for the youth that are misguided and misdirected in their life. They really need Christ to give them purpose. In reality,this event is only a blip on the spiritual radar screen. We continue to believe that Almighty God has plans far beyond the lower human understanding for this nation and we see a massive revival coming. Uganda holds a pivotal position in the spiritual warfare over Africa and this skirmish
is powers of darkness coming against the authority and rule of Christ in Uganda. Last we checked..........mr. d lost seriously. he is a completely defeated foe of the Kingdom of God but knows what the stakes are in Uganda. We sense Uganda is about to be the focal point of a spiritual revival of immense proportions that will have global effects, not just national or even regional.There has been a corruption of many top leadres in the born again movement here that is of spiritual significance. We believe that even as there is an exposure of the rot in the status quo leaders, there is also a deep cleansing and repentance occuring as well. New leaders are arising and taking the baton with renewed determination to walk uprightly before God.This is one of the most praying nations in Africa if not the world and the Body of Christ is being reinvigorated to unprecedented prayer for Uganda and Africa. These prayers are stirring hell and inviting Heaven and the reaction to prayer is now being seen in these riots. But riots will not prevail nor become the trademark. Before peace can be achieved, a battle must take place and that is exactly what is happening.Many of our friends are concerned about our welfare. We are fine and very safe and thank you for your care for us.Hope this helps you to understand the underlying issues a little better and helps you to know how to focus your prayers for the situation at hand. Ron
Varying reports are coming from the four corners here this morning. Anti government media sources report things worse than they are and pro government media underplays things so somewhere in the middle is the actual situation. The streets downtown are mainly quiet as most businesses have remained closed and police have a heavy presence. News media are advising/ordering all foreigners and expats to stay at home today which is logical given the
dynamics at work at the moment. As far as I know, all foreigners are safe and have not been attacked. We live in the southern part of the city and it is peaceful here so far. I spoke with a Police friend this morning and he told me that the intelligence has been at work and the police
will be getting the bad guys soon. He also said that the eastern side of trhe city will be intense today as the melee moves out toward the town of Mukono then on to Kayunga where the Kabaka (Bugandan king) is supposed to be addressing the Youth Celebration. He said the fight will end in Kayunga tomorrow. Kayunga is 40 kms out of Kampala. The President went on the air last night and laid out certain criteria for the event if it is to continue. Make no mistake, this is a planned and orchestrated event to cast a bad light on the government and personally on President Museveni. Trying to grasp all the issues is not possible but this is a confrontation between the tribal king of the largest ethnic group in Uganda and a President, both asserting their dominant positions. The tribal king is a man who actively practices and consorts with demons and withcraft. His nice suit will fool the Western mindset. The real issue being revealed here at least in my view is this...Without a vision people perish. Uganda is a nation of young people, the median age of a Ugandan being 14 years 6 months. Very high unemployment, a lot of illiteracy and uneducated youth with no job, nothing to do, no purpose in life, no direction to focus their energy, and you have a large group of the population who are very easily manipulated into violence and mayhem. This would be like "party time" for a large portion of them who are
uneducated as to the political motivations for this issue and who, frankly, could even care less. Protesting the government and the President is not a justification to loot and pillage innocent business people and burn their stores. Last night they stopped buses on the highway into town and beat and robbed the passengers. Lots of stories are emerging about the mayhem that is completely not germaine to the political situation at hand but I think the police will be getting stronger control on these things as the day progresses.While it is difficult to agree with all the Presidents actions and philosophies, he is trying to steer the country in a positive direction and has moved Uganda a very long way towards a stable free market economy. There is freedom of the press unlikey matched anywhere else in Africa. The move towards a democratic society is well underway. Only the naive think that democracy should have happened overnight. At this juncture in the history of Uganda, he is by far the right man to be President and has a clear and deep understanding of globalism, economics, democracy, and the pursuit of being a nation free from Western support and becoming a nation controlling its own destiny is his dream. Oppositon elements cant understand that and cannot articulate any clear vision that would make them more desirable to be the government. So their methodology is to create violence and fear and intimidation, using the youth and their unfocussed energies to achieve the bent and twisted aims of the manipulators. Pray for the peace and welare of Kampala and for the youth that are misguided and misdirected in their life. They really need Christ to give them purpose. In reality,this event is only a blip on the spiritual radar screen. We continue to believe that Almighty God has plans far beyond the lower human understanding for this nation and we see a massive revival coming. Uganda holds a pivotal position in the spiritual warfare over Africa and this skirmish
is powers of darkness coming against the authority and rule of Christ in Uganda. Last we checked..........mr. d lost seriously. he is a completely defeated foe of the Kingdom of God but knows what the stakes are in Uganda. We sense Uganda is about to be the focal point of a spiritual revival of immense proportions that will have global effects, not just national or even regional.There has been a corruption of many top leadres in the born again movement here that is of spiritual significance. We believe that even as there is an exposure of the rot in the status quo leaders, there is also a deep cleansing and repentance occuring as well. New leaders are arising and taking the baton with renewed determination to walk uprightly before God.This is one of the most praying nations in Africa if not the world and the Body of Christ is being reinvigorated to unprecedented prayer for Uganda and Africa. These prayers are stirring hell and inviting Heaven and the reaction to prayer is now being seen in these riots. But riots will not prevail nor become the trademark. Before peace can be achieved, a battle must take place and that is exactly what is happening.Many of our friends are concerned about our welfare. We are fine and very safe and thank you for your care for us.Hope this helps you to understand the underlying issues a little better and helps you to know how to focus your prayers for the situation at hand. Ron
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a perspective on the current Ugandan violence
Below is some communication forwarded to me by a friend whose dad is currently in Uganda on a missions trip. I think he has a pretty good handle on a lot of the issues at hand. The writer Ron, is a friend of my friend's dad -- more importantly, a fellow believer, so I think his perspective is very good as well as his general knowledge of the political and social landscape there in Uganda
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background to Uganda Violence
This weekend the leader of the Kingdom of Buganda is planning his annual visit to Kayunga District against the wishes of the central government. The disagreement has resulted in a stand-off which appears to be fueling long-standing grievances between the Kingdom of Buganda and the central government, and between different political factions within the kingdom. The Central Government has said that it did not want to let the proposed visit go ahead because of disagreements and threats of violence on the ground between the Banyala and Baganda in Kayunga District. The Banyala and Baluli have sought to secede from the Kingdom of Buganda now for some time. It is rumours that the main leader of the Buganda Parliament was arrested while going to prepare for the meeting in Kayunga that set off the riots in Kamapaa (which is in Buanda and obviously home to Baganda). The Baganda radio station (CBS) has been accused of inciting the Baganda agianst Police and government very openly on the radio. As of the afternoon of September 10th, 2009, violent protests are occurring in downtown Kampala as a result of this situation in Buganda .
By the way, much of our work (the Sperlings under OKM) in the last few years was done at the south end of Kayunga District so pray that our Ugandan friends will be safe there.
(this post is a combination of Chris's writing and an e-mail forwarded from the US government to it's citzens in Uganda)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
pics of Kamapal violence
Rioters roll tyres to start up a fire at Kubbiri in Mulago
Policemen march to down town Kampala to confront the rioters
Rioters burning tyres and other items infront of Royal Complex in the city centre
An injured policeman on duty on Wilson road
A body of a man being loaded onto a pick-up truck. At least three people
were confirmed dead
Bricks thrown in the middle of Bombo Road duing the riot
A wounded policeman being helped off the scene
Asian women squeeze into a van to escape for dear life after
their factory and residences were set ablaze by rioters
People walking back home in the evening after failing to get public transport
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Three killed in violent Kampala riots
| Thursday, 10th September, 2009 |
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By Vision Reporters
THREE people were reported dead as violent riots linked to the Kabaka’s planned tour of Kayunga district spread to the city and across Buganda.Visit our Gallery By press time, 39 people had been injured in the riots, triggered off by false reports that Katikkiro Walusimbi had been arrested on his way to Kayunga. He was expected to prepare for the Kabaka’s visit which was slated for tomorrow. The city suddenly flared up into chaos in the afternoon as Kabaka supporters engaged the Police in running battles. They pelted vehicles with stones, barricaded roads with logs and huge boulders, lit bonfires, looted property and torched buildings. The chaos first erupted around Kiseka Market and spread quickly to Wandegeya, Bwaise, Kawempe and Maganjo-Kagoma on Bombo Road, stretching the Police to the limit. Military Police moved in with armoured vehicles to take charge of the situation. Offices and shops closed down and motorists vacated the roads amid sporadic gunfire, teargas explosions, a heavy presence of regular and anti-riot Police backed by military Police. In Bwaise, demonstrators set a huge store on fire before going on a looting spree. The Police fire brigade put out the fire. The rioters also set ablaze the Natete Police station, and the vehicles parked there. A Police woman in Natete was stripped naked and beaten up. Reports also said some shops in the city were looted. In the city centre, Kabaka supporters barricaded Entebbe Road near Centenary Bank with logs and burned tyres. They turned all vehicles away, threatening motorists and stopping them from going to Market Street. Commotion erupted in Kawempe when four policemen, attempted to stop a rowdy group from barricading the road. They were disarmed and their guns taken. Kawempe Police boss Joel Aguma confirmed the incident. Outside Kampala, too, rioters resorted to violence and looting. In Kyengera, on the Masaka highway, youth seized a truck loaded with sodas. They grabbed the sodas before burning the truck. In Nabbingo, also on Masaka highway, irate youth stopped buses and roughed up passengers.
In Mukono angry youth attacked a bus, smashing the windows and injuring passengers. The Police rescued them. Two of the dead were reportedly killed by stray bullets near Shoprite on Ben Kiwanuka Road. One was a Saracen private security guard and the other a Congolese businessman who was shopping. A bullet ripped through his stomach. A third man was shot in the eye in Bwaise and died on the spot. The bodies were taken to Mulago Hospital. “The guard was standing in the door when I suddenly saw him fall down after a military truck fired live bullets in the air,” said a shaken Annet Namusisi, a telephone booth operator.
By evening, more than 30 people had been rushed to the casualty ward at Mulago Hospital with various injuries, ranging from gunshot wounds to broken limbs. Most of them were from Bwaise, Kalerwe and Kanyanya suburbs. Four policemen were also rushed to Mulago Hospital with injuries. One of them, Alex Wabwire, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, had his leg shattered. He was reportedly shot by rioters who snatched a gun from a guard. Eliphaz Sekabira, the hospital spokesperson, said 39 people were being treated. Three people were arrested and detained at the Central Police Station in connection with the riot, said Kampala metropolitan deputy Police spokesperson Henry Kalulu. However, many others were reportedly detained at Wandegeya Police Station. It took the combined effort of the Police and the army to quell the riots in the city centre, which returned to relative calm at around 4:00pm. Thousands of commuters were stranded till late for lack of transport, forcing many to walk home. The few taxis on he road charged exorbitant fares. By press time, major roads such as Masaka, Jinja, Gulu, Hoima and Entebbe roads, were still blocked by angry protesters with logs and bonfires. Riots were also still going on in the suburbs of Kampala, such as Nateete, Bwaise and Busega, as well in the districts of Mityana, Mukono and Wakiso. A motorist on Mityana Road said the road was blocked by protesters at Bira, causing a long queue on either side. Stranded motorists and passengers, including foreigners, threatened by violent youth, were calling The New Vision journalists, pleading for help. In Kampala, mambas with military policemen criss-crossed the city at night, while foot soldiers patrolled in single file. Reported by Steven Candia,
Chris Kiwawulo, Charles Ariko
and Patrick Jaramogi
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Uganda Violence
Today riots errupted in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Officially there are three dead but it could be more than that. Gangs of youth looted and roughed up people who seemed to be of tribes from Western Uganda (the same tribe as the President) citing the government's decision to block the traditional King of the Baganda's (the main tribe from central Uganda)visit to Kayunga a district North and East of Kampala. Kampala is in the Buganda kingdom thus, obviously, having many sympathisers with the Kabaka's cause in the city. It's so discouraging to see these riots and violence because they obviously do nothing to solve problems and do alot to take the country backwards into violence and bloodshed. We know that there is a lot of witchcraft involved and associated with many of Uganda's tribal kings. Although these problems have many roots and sides to them we are realising the connection between violence/bloodshed and the country's overall involvement in witchcraft. There had been a meeting today, presumably preceding the violence with top Baganda witchdoctors on how they could get the Kabaka (King of Baganda) to Kayunga. We don't know why the government blocked this movement of the Kabaka but there must be some major reason. Please pray for peace in Uganda but also pray that people would turn from darkness (witchcraft) to light. Please also pray ahead of our return that God would prepare people to hear the message of the gospel and the call to become
Jesus' disciple.
Jesus' disciple.
family summer
We had a great time this summer seeing more of my brother and his family and my sister Robin who live nearby. My parents were also out too so here's some pics of good family times...
better bloggers
Well friends, this should be an easier way for us to blog as we only have to send posterous an e-mail in order to post a blog. Our blogging from Uganda was pretty pathetic as getting on the computer to blog was not too easy and even when we did blog it was pretty irregular. So, since I can use my phone very easily for e-mailing both here in Canada and back home in Uganda this blog should stay fairly up to date. I should be able to blog even from the field as I work in Uganda so it should be almost more like elaborate twittering. It's crazy how much technology has changed since I first arrived in Uganda in 1995. I remember driving about 20km from New Hope up to Luweero town Post Office to check wether there were any faxes to pick up(and of course there was lots of snail mail to pick up too). I also remember my huge first Ericsson phone. My first cell phone was in Uganda, actually. It was the good ol Ericsson 1018 which was best used when I was still courting Jane and would call her in the evenings at the NAREC guesthouse where she stayed on one of her Catering practicums in Kampala and also when she was staying at the Vanderoots in Makindi. Now I have my world phone Nokia e61i (which to many people is already an "old" phone) that I use wherever I am. These tools are great for so many things -- in all they are tools to further the kindom of God. We're so happy to be able to stay in touch with all of you one way or another. So off we go on our effort to be better bloggers.
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