Great time with some serious leaders

A few of us have been in Fort Wayne, Indiana this week for what is called the "Shift" conference. Every two years the pastors and leaders from the Missionary Church (our fellowship of churches) get together to conduct some business and be equipped and encouraged. This was an amazing conference as we got to hear from and interact with leaders like Francis Chan, Alan Hirsch, and Don Cousins. It was very cool! I had the opportunity to lead an interactive interview time with each of these leaders, which was extremely interesting. It's one thing to hear someone's talk; it's another to be able to sit down and ask questions. It was a great week of being challenged to rethink how we approach ministry in a rapidly changing world. 

This weekend we'll continue "C3" with a look at the scripture’s take on how we interact with each other. The Spirit of God working in our community will either be our biggest draw, or its absence will be our most daunting hurtle! This is going to be some powerful truth! Don't miss what The Lord has to say to His body. 

I'm really looking forward to being back together. It's going to be a great gathering!

Uganda Team

My son, Ryan, is a part of a team from River CIty that is in Uganda serving with one of our mission partners, J-life, Uganda.. I love that they are serving the people of Uganda and the ministry of J-life!  I also love how their eyes are being opened to the bigger world and God's work in it!

Here is a blog written by, team member, David Mcginnis.  

http://blogs.reallife.org/rccc/?p=1670

 The first thing you notice about Uganda isn’t the weather, or the smell, or the landscape, but how friendly and smiley everyone is. In Dubai they weren’t mean, per se, but they weren’t happy. Ugandans are.

Anyway, we were met at the airport by James and William from J-Life. They were extremely happy to see us in spite of having waited for 2 1/2 hours.

The ride through the city was remarkable. So many people just walking, a lot of motorcycles, and no one driving with any regard for lanes. There were some hair-raising moments.

Banana Village is very different from what I expected. There are a number of round huts and cabins. There’s no AC, but it gets cool enough at night. The shower has a bucket in it. The water is cold.
The best part of yesterday was Patrick and Samuel. These are two boys about 9 years old. They don’t live in Banana Village, their parents don’t work here, I’m not even sure if they HAVE parents. But they took to Ryan & I, he with his iphone and me with my twizzlers. We talked to them for a while, but they didn’t say much back. They just wanted to follow us around.

Eventually Jayna and Andrea came out and we played some games. Hide and seek, and baseball with an orange and a slice of tree bark. We all had fun, and explained that we’d be busy during the days, but I think we’ll keep seeing them around.

As advertised, monkeys are everywhere, especially around the entrance. They love climbing on cars and fighting each other, but they having let us get too close. I’ve already taken way too many pictures of them.

James’s four daughters are named Joy, Fever, Blessing, and Victory. Aged 7, 5, 2, and 4 months. They’re all adorable, especially Blessing, who reminds me so much of Chelsea it physically hurts.

We walked from Banana Village to James’s house, which led us through the neighborhood. The sights are very hard to describe. Half-finished buildings, kids (so many kids!) playing in the street and the alleys, or completely naked getting a bath.

We had to stop at one point because the neighborhood’s cows were being driven past. I say neighborhood’s cows because a couple guys are paid to drive them out together, and then back to their respective homes.

We met other members of James’s team, all around 30. I’ll be doing computer classes with William, a painter who I like a lot even though he’s hard to understand, and a girl named Agnes who just got her degree in graphic design. Granted, we’re just doing the most basic of computer training, but it’s nice to not have to be THE expert.

After some delicious African tea, we walked back in the dark, which was an eerie experience. We’d have to suddenly flatten to the side of the road as motorbikes went by. I hope none of us get run down this week.

Remember how I said the water was cold? It’s FREEZING. Ryan and I were miserable, couldn’t even get all the way in, and agreed that we’d simply be showering less this week…

…and THEN I discovered the wall switch that turns on the heater. Oops.

I Love My Country

I love the United States of America because it’s still a land of hope and opportunity.  Our unique freedom has made this nation a place where truly anything is possible.  I remember speaking with an Irish Pastor who commented on my optimism and “can do” attitude…He identified it uniquely American and lamented that many of the Irish had a difficult time relating to that optimism because of their history.  The whole world still sees America as a land of opportunity.  Just ask any of the countless people who daily risk everything for a chance at the American dream.

I love my country because for every act of violence, greed, and malice that is plastered all over the news for the whole world to see, there are a thousand acts of love, compassion, and sacrifice that never get a mention.  The reason they never get a mention is that they are so common and such a regular part of everyday American life. They can’t really be considered news…they’re just, normal. This nation is a place where kindness and helping your neighbor in a time of need is still second nature.

I love America because we are still willing to fight for what is right.  No matter what the popular sentiment may be, most people in this country still know that there is evil in the world and that there are people who will try to take advantage of the weak and defenseless for their own gain.  Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Whether it’s local police, the National Guard, or the US military, we still understand that freedom and peace for ourselves, and others, must be defended, even if it means the use of force.

I love my country for her exceptional generosity.  Wherever there is need and poverty around the world you will see aid from the United States. I am appalled and angered as I see certain nations using one hand to throw insults at the US while the other is outstretched to receive the aid and support which is so freely given.

I love the United States because we are a melting pot that truly embraces diversity, and always has!  Contrary to the popular critique, long before the term came into vogue, America leveraged the power of diversity.  We are a nation of immigrants and while we do have our own culture, which has evolved over time, it is a tapestry of our immigrant roots.  Part of America’s greatness is her willingness, to the point of obsession, to learn from anyone and everyone.  For Americans, diversity is more than a good idea; it’s a way of life!

I love my country because of her willingness to address her flaws.  Yes, there is pride and arrogance to spare in this nation of ours, but we’ll usually be the first to admit it and then condemn it!  We recognize that we are far from perfect and that our power and wealth have as much potential to destroy us as to deliver us.

I love the United States of America and I pray for her.  We have been blessed, by our Creator, beyond anything the world has ever seen.  With great blessing comes great responsibility. May we never forget where we’ve come from and who brought us here. May we embrace a humility that extends beyond self-criticism to real gratitude.  It’s not wrong to love our country and believe in her greatness, it’s just wrong to take credit for it or to believe that it makes us somehow superior to other people.  May God continue to bless America and may we continue to see it as our responsibility to be a blessing to the world around us.

- Sean Azzaro