I stand amazed at how amazing our God is and the goodness He shows us on a daily bases. About the 2nd week of June I began volunteering at Bethel Christian Academy in Bukoto. It is an international school, meaning they follow the American curriculum and not the Ugandan system. There are less than 100 kids in the school, the location of the school is restricting the growth so currently Bethel is looking for a new location to expand. The kids are so interesting and full of energy and the teachers are just so caring and a blessing to me. I help in Grade 2 on Monday and Tuesday, Grade 4 on Wednesday and Thursday and then the Seniors (Grade 7-12) on Fridays.

Also, since I have come to Uganda in April, Denny and I have been using the same Boda-Boda guy named Mark, to transport us from different places mainly from the Karibu market back to my home. A couple of weeks ago, Mark invited me to his place which is just up the street from my place. When I was there Mark informed me that he had only finished P7 in school which would be about Grade 5 or 6 in the US, he is in his early 20's. And He has been wanting to go back to school, especially to learn better English. After some prayer and consideration, Denny and I have decided to help Mark out by locating Him an English teacher that would be able to help him learn. And then God-willing in January, we will be sending Him back to school. Please pray for provisions as we work out details and locate a place for him. Denny and I pray the Lord will use this as a means to allowing us to share the Gospel with this young man. Plus it is giving us training for what we believe God is calling us to do. 

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Last weekend I traveled to Kenya with Denny because my Visa expired soon. I was advised by some people here to just travel out of the country to Kenya where I would leave Uganda. And then re-enter and would then be given a new visa of 3 more months in Uganda. Denny and I traveled last Thursday for 12 hours by bus during the night reaching Nairobi at about 8:30am.It was so very cold when we reached. It was like a winter day in Michigan... Berea Baptist Church has some Kenyan missionaries living in Nairobi that Denny and I were trying to contact but for some reason Denny's phone was not working. We bought some Orange airtime to load on to his phone but it would not load, so we went to an Orange shop where we were sent to their customer care service up the street. When we reached the customer care service, Denny was told that he could not load Kenyan Orange airtime onto him Ugandan line. So he then tried to buy an Kenyan line but it would not work in his phone. We were wondering what we should do because he could not make any calls nor receive. We decided to just walk and find a place to rest before we got on the bus to return to Uganda. While walking, a man stopped us and asked where we were from and where we were going. He told us he was from the US as well, from Texas. His name is Mahammad, he is a Christian. He was heading to a meeting with some important people. But instead he took Denny and I to breakfast at Java, then he took us back to his place to shower and freshen up. After that we road around looking for the house he had just bought, we spent 2 hours without finding it... then we went to the home of Max and Dorcas. Denny and I were welcomed with warm hospitality. Dorcas fixed us some nice meals. and then they allowed us to stay with them for the night so we didn't have to get right back on the bus. 

The Lord was so good to Denny and I while we were in Kenya. I really saw the hand of God and it reminds me that I don't need to worry about anything that the Lord will always provide. I have heard of stories before of how God works in these ways, a person goes to a foreign place not knowing any one or where they are going but somehow God provides the way...He is perfect in all his ways! 

So Saturday night we got back on to the bus and head back to Uganda. We reached the boarder early Sunday morning and then it seemed that the evil on would distract us from the blessings that God had just shown to us. the custom officer started questioning me and telling me what i did was wrong. that it was illegal for me to leave Uganda and go to Kenya then back into Uganda to extend my stay there. He told me that he was only going to give me a week, but then he gave me a month... It was disappointing but God is faithful and I believe that He is in control. He will make a way... whether I leave in August or December my God is still in control. 

*Please pray as I begin to sort out the visa thing again :)

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One last thing, please continue you to pray for Denny's visa. We still are waiting to hear back, which we probably will not hear anything until October. We are waiting upon the Lord... we know He has a perfect time and a perfect will for our lives. 

 

Visitors in the Night

Have you ever woken up in the night from a dream that something was crawling all over you? Unfortunately for me this was not a dream. Last night I was rudely awaken to the feeling something was moving on my bed. I quickly jumped up, ran to turn on the light to see what it was…to find a BIG NASTY ROACH!! YUCKY! It was running fearless all over my bed. Standing in the corner near my door wondering what shall I do, everyone is asleep but I can’t get back in bed with that nasty beast! With a deep breath and a silent prayer, I grabbed the closest weapon possible, my flip-flop. Drawing closer to the bed to get a closer to the minas who caused me to lose some z’s. Running to and fro, up and down my bed, I waited for the opportunity to attack. I swung once and missed as it ran under my sheets, shook my sheets until it came out and then as it moved closer to me I swung again this time not missing but hitting it several times making it pay the ultimate price for the disturbance. Leaving it under my shoe until the morning. After the killing, the decision came to of what to do next…do I dare lay back down in fear of another creepy crawling things to come or will I keep watch? Carefully I re-inspect my bed making sure there are no others to disturb me. When nothing else was seen, slowly made my way back to turn off the lights and crawl back into bed.

First Few Weeks Back

Sorry for the delay in updating, I have been without Internet connection on my computer. I was having to go to an internet café so my time was very limited pretty much had enough time to check email and Facebook.

I arrived at Entebbe, Uganda on Tuesday at 9:50pm went through customs and picked my luggage (yes, it all made it even through the short change over in Brussels). After I picked my luggage, I went to the exit where I was greeting by my sweet Denny with white and orange flowers in hand. What a nice feeling it was when he took me into his arms and gave me a warm hug! He came with David Baguma to pick me from the airport. We got in the car and made our way to Agatha’s where I will be staying for the next 7 months.

My first two weeks Denny set aside for me to rest and to re-adjust to my surroundings. Wednesday, I slept in awhile, got dressed then Denny came and picked me for lunch at his home with his family. I had met his sisters and brother the last time I was here but I was able to meet his mom for the first time. And the last time I saw Simon (his nephew) was just a tiny baby. He is now 2 nearing 3 in August. I gave Simon sweets (candy) the first time and now whenever He sees me, He ask for them (reminds me of some other little children that I know).

Thursday was another day of resting during the day and then in the evening Denny came and took me to the cell group fellowship which is operated through their former church Agape Baptist Church.

Friday, Denny and I went to Ntinda to exchange money and buy food.

Saturday, Women’s meeting, at the women’s meeting I met some very nice lady who had been praying for me, many of which I had not met before. Afterwards, Denny took me out for lunch

Sunday I met Denny and Duncan down on the Northern by-pass and we headed up to Bukoto where Berea Baptist Church meets. It was nice being back and praying with the people of Berea.

For the remainder of my time here in Uganda, Denny and I will be working on a project, putting together the ministry that Denny has been praying about for many years. And also getting involved with the different fellowships at Berea. Also, on Wednesdays I will be going to a Bible Study Fellowship held at Agape Baptist Church with Jacky (Denny’s sister). We are going through the book of Colossians and then in September we will begin the book of Genesis.

Take Care,

Living For Christ,

Cassie

Knowing that for every step You were with Us!

 

All my bags are packed and am ready to go! Don’t know how it was possible but was able to fit everything into two suitcases. Thank You to everyone who donate items for me to take to give out to the little kids. I am so thankful the Lord has allowed you to be apart of this journey! 

In just a few short hours ( okay about 27 according to my flight schedule, as long as there are no hiccups with delayed planes or missing flights) I will be seeing this sign once again and more importantly I will be seeing this young man, Denny Nuwagaba!

 

Welcome to Uganda! Yes am so excited to be able to get back to the place and to be with the One God has given me to love. Please pray for us as we seek God’s will in what He will have us do together in sharing the Gospel with many people and being His hands and feet to the poor and needy.  I will try to keep an update as to what is going on am much as possible, hopefully  at least once a month.

    And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
   
(Mark 12:41-44 ESV)

God has blessed me with so much already, it is my prayer that no matter what I will give everything to the Lord for His work. He does not just want 10% or 15% but He wants all of it! So Lord, take me as you will, I am no longer mine but Yours, for you have bought me with the precious blood of Christ! 

Bought the Ticket!

My God is so awesome and wonderful! He heard my cry and He answered! After looking at plane tickets for several weeks and trying to figure out where all the money was going to come from to go in May because tickets were over $2500. Then the other day when I was searching for flights I decided to switch my dates to a week earlier in April. What a difference 7 days can make in the price level of an airline ticket. It went from being $2500 to $1400! And when I woke up Wednesday morning I checked again the Lord allowed me to find a ticket for $1391.26! How amazing! Am so thankful to the Lord that He has allowed me to get this ticket. All praise to His name! Instead of going through Amsterdam, I will be going thru Brussels! Oh this is a new and exciting adventure! Now I just have to wait and see where God places me to live over the next 7 months!  Please pray for Denny to be able to locate a place for me! God provides for the Ravens of the air will He not also provide for one of His own? (Matthew 6-7)

Soon...

 God willingly, I will be returning May 2nd, 2012! This time is going to be completely different from any of the other times that I have been because I am not going to be raising support except for what I recieved from my wonderful church, Gowen Bible Church. Also it will be different because I am not going with any organization or group but on my own, well not really alone because Jesus promises to be with me! I will not have any set plans or specific obiligations, except for whatever the Lord tells me to do!  There are things that Denny and I have to get settled before we make any decisions on what mission agency or if we will go with one. So this time, my main purpose in going is to get to know this man that God has placed in my life. My heart is open to whatever the Lord wants to teach me or however He wants to use me. This last Sunday at church we sang the old hymn, "Be Thou My Vision"
my favorite line is in the fourth verse which says "Heart of my own heart, whatever be fall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all" Although, I am not sure where or how the Lord is going to supply the funds needed for the plane ticket, nor do I know where I will be staying or what I will be doing but I do know that no matter what, no matter where I go, no matter what I do, the Lord must be my vision! He must be the one I seek and no matter what He has my heart!
 The Lord tells us to walk by faith and not by sight... so that is what I am doing.. this is all for Him, not for me! I lift my life to Him to use as He wish! praise be to His Name!

Prayer - Spurgeon

Over the last week I have been reading a book on prayer by Charles Spurgeon and have gleaned many nuggests of encouragement in regards to praying and seeking the Lord which I would like to share a couple with you... the book is titled Spurgeon on Prayer and Spiritual Wafare. I highly recommend it!

"it is very significant that before Christ fed the thousands, He made the disciples assess all their provisions. It was good to let them see how low the food supply had become, for then when the crowds were fed, they could not say tha the basket fed them or that the lad had done it. God will make us feel that our barley loaves are very little and our fishes are very small, and He will compel us to ask,"What are they among so many?" (John 6:9) When the Savior told His diciples to cast the net on the rightside of the ship and they dragged such a mighty catch to land, He did not work the miracle until they had confessed that they had toiled all night and had caught nothing. They were thus taught that the success of their fishery was dependent on the Lord and that it was neither their nets nor the way of dragging them nor their skill and art in handling their vessels, but that altogether and entirely their success came from their Lord. we must get down to this, and the sooner we come to it the better"


"Remember, the longer the blessing is in coming, the richer it will be when it arrives. That which is gained speedily by a single prayer is sometimes only a second-rate blessing; but that which is gained after many a desperate tug, and many an awful struggle, is a full-weighted and precious blessing...the blessing that costs us the most prayer will be worth the most"

God's Story...Our Story

Here's Our Story...
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippian 1:6In 2009, I traveled to Uganda to fullfill the requirements for my Bachlor's Degree from Baptist Bible College in the General Mission's program, doing a 6 week internship in a cross-cultural context. Although there was the opportunitiy for me to go to Peru, after much prayer and consideration knew that God wanted me to go back to Uganda. Went to serve with and learn the ministry of Word of Life Uganda with my great friend Kirsten. We went from late June til the end of July. Never did I know before that God was about to some amazing things.... besides the ministry aspect of things, going to Bible clubs and being a counselor at camp.  God also, strengthened  my love for the people and country of Uganda. It was also on this trip that God allowed me to meet the most wonderful and loving man, my best friend and love, Denny Nuwagaba...June 21st, 2009 went to Berea Baptist Church for the first time and it was there that I met Him and then the following day He was also at WOL Uganda. Over the next 6 weeks, God opened the door for us to be friend each other...

One day I was sitting at one of the desk in the office minding my own business and Denny was at the desk right next to mine coloring a page for one of the Bible clubs he lead, all of a sudden he started to move his chair over and over and over, at one point I asked if He wanted me to move my stuff, he said no. I was just thinking he was trying to get out of the way of the sun...later when I asked He told me it was to get closer to me... that sneaking guy...

It was not yet til we went on the Born Again to A Living Hope tour with WOL that we started to be friends. At one point Kirsten told me that she thought Denny liked me...but I didn't want to believe it.  Denny told me that I should learn Luganda, I told him he could teach me a verse. He wrote it out for me and told me on the way home(back to Kampala) we would work on it. On the way home we stoppped at a resturtant for lunch. I went in and he was already sitting at a table and he waved me over. Looking around everyone else had went to other tables and so it was just Denny and I at the one table by ourselves. He taught me John 3:16.  The next 3 weeks flew by so fast but I was able to how God was working in and thru Denny to send forth His love to those around Him. When I left at the end of July of 2009, I did not know where God would bring our relationship but He surely has done so much more than I could have ever asked or imagined. Over the next months that I was home we stayed in contacted and continued to build our friendship watching to see where God was bringing us. I did know that I would be returning the following year in May because I loved the ministry that was going on at WOL Uganda. When I returned to Uganda in May of 2010, Denny told me that he LOVED me and shared with me his intentions of our relationship. I was in Uganda until September. It was a great learning processes for both of us, a lot of hardship and unexpected problems arose with the organization we were with but God brought us through. We are committed to God and to each other. We both love God with all our hearts and desire to serve Him fully no matter what. We believe it is God who has brought us together and that He has great plans for us individully and together. One day if the Lord allows, we desire to have a home and minsitry reaching the lost youth of Uganda with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I returned to the USA, we began the visa process to bring Denny over to meet the family. But it was denied recently, January 2012, and so I will be returning to Uganda for another long extended stay in May 2012.  This time while in Uganda, my focus will be on getting to know this man that God has brought into my life and working with Him to put together the home and ministry that God will allow us to have.
 All in all, God has been good to us and we want to share His love with others...

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  - Jeremiah 29:11