We got back to Beijing very early Friday. Joyful! Busy! Fruitful! Safe and Healthy! Restful! Enjoyable! Humbling! Stirring! So many feelings as we look back on our month of ministry in Uganda. Stepping back into a place you left over 20 years ago is a rare opportunity. Seeing how God has been so faithful to expand His work was stunning. Arua, in northwest Uganda where we lived from 1983-86, is now a busy, secure, thriving town with paved roads and internet! Ringili, the theological center where we once taught about 40 students is now Uganda Christian University, Arua Campus, with 580 students!
On Sunday July 17 in Arua, Mark preached three services in the Emmanuel Cathedral (Anglican) and Dayna taught the Sunday school children…over 1000…packed into 6 different classrooms! While in Arua we spoke on ‘Voice of Life’ radio for six nights. During the ‘call in show’ on the final night we heard from former students, colleagues, attendees in conferences we spoke in long ago – who continue in His Kingdom service! Serving now in Arua are these two Africa Inland Mission (our board in the 1980’s) workers and the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Isaac Chandia.
Most of our time was in Mukono (near Kampala) where we lived from 1987-1990. We left Bishop Tucker Theological College with about 250 students. We returned to Uganda Christian University with 7500
students – with BTTC just one of their numerous faculties. Our primary task was the UCU Missions and Ministry Conference, both of us speaking about a dozen times in 8 days.
Following the conference we enjoyed staying on the beautiful UCU Mukono campus, sharing with a number of students who are grappling with God’s call on their lives. We were stirred by their zeal to take the Good News to the ends of the earth. Pray for the Lord to guide them to fruitful fields. The UCU Leaders (left to right) – Dr. John Senyonyi, Vice Chancellor; Rev. Frederick Baalwa, Chaplain; and Doug Fountain, Deputy Vice Chancellor – were very kind hosts and great friends!
We will share more about our safari in Uganda next time. Back in Beijing we’ve jumped into a busy summer at Beijing International Christian Fellowship. This week we have an English camp for the children of the Raycom Infotech Park where our church meets. This is a great time to share God’s love in word and deed with over 50 children. Through this camp we hope to strengthen our relationships with the thousands of employees in our building complex. This summer our elementary Sunday school children have made cardboard cars to sit in, and eat popcorn, while they watch McGee Adventures drive-in movies! We are continuing our sermon series on Acts (chapter 15 this Sunday) and our team of young preachers (below) are doing a great job preaching through 1 Timothy on Sunday evenings.
It is a joy to encourage and advise these young guys from eight different nations as they sharpen their skills while we serve the Lord’s people here. Who would have thought this restricted land would be a training center for sending Gospel messengers to the nations of the world?
We know these are not easy times. We do not take lightly the sacrifice you are making to support us with your prayers and finances.
Gratefully in Him, Mark and Dayna Blair
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