It was just breaking the first light of day. I stood on the back step savoring the aroma of that first cup of coffee as you do just before enjoying the first sip. Even at that hour, the children were already busy with the day’s chores. Dena and Sarah were washing the dishes from the previous night, Milly was busy sweeping the yard (even dirt looks better freshly swept!), Esther was carrying a load of fire wood, Joshua was fetching water for the pigs, a steady column of smoke rose from the “kitchen” where Mama Edith was already well into her cooking for the day’s meals … I took that first sip of coffee. On this dawning of a new day in Zziba, as light began to quietly fill the yard, I watched and began to greet each child as they noticed I was standing there - “Good morning Papa”, “Good morning Mary”, “How was the night?”, “The night was fine”– I was deeply warmed with gratitude to God and felt an incredible sense of fulfillment because… We are simply doing something that is good! Engaging in the lives of these wonderful children… making a profound difference in their lives… providing a future and a hope… that’s just good! Read the rest of this entry »
On Saturday, August 22, an interview with Olive Branch was featured in the 9 News Storytellers at 10 PM. Watch the video clip below or read the full story here.
So … would you jump on an investment that pays a 100+% return on the short range and infinity % on the long???
The degree to which we have invested in, and are seeing change in, the lives of those to whom we have been called here in Uganda and Rwanda is an investment of inestimable and eternal value! Not bad in a down economy – right?
My time in Uganda was amazingly rich and extremely productive. The love relationship that is developing between me and the children in the village is extraordinarily uncommon and a highlight of my entire life. With the passing of Pastor Joseph earlier this year, my role with them has gone far beyond missionary, developer, provider,friend … it has become deeper and much more personal. Many of them just simply call me daddy! Read the rest of this entry »
I felt the light touch a of little hand on my shoulder trip and what happened next was nothing short of amazing! We were deep into what the family in Zziba calls “evening prayers”. This is a time every evening when the 14 children, along with “Mama Edith”, come together for a time of worship and prayer. The time starts out with joyous singing, enthusiastic clapping, and sometimes even spontaneous dancing. Then without visible cue, the time transitions to a time of very engaged and intense prayer.
Each child winds up in various parts of the room, ontheir knees, facing the wall and all praying - at the same time – out loud! What seems like potential chaos actually reverberates into a wonderful symphony of praise and worship the likes of which I have rarely experienced in my life. At one point, I opened my eyes to look around to just absorb this amazing moment. As I scanned the room, my eyes met the eyes of little Edwin Pious Malinda, a third grader, about six feet right in front of me, as he was staring right at me. I gave him a reassuring nod and wink; and then closing my eyes, I returned to prayer.
A moment later, I felt the light touch of a small hand on my shoulder. I peeked to my right and there, kneeling beside me, was my little friend Pious – hand on my shoulder, eyes shut tight, praying with the fervency of an Old Testament prophet, calling down the presence and blessing of God on my life – a third grader! With tears streaming down my face, I thanked God for leading us to this amazing little group of people and for the difference that we are being allowed to make in their lives, as they are in ours – a truly amazing moment.
Efficiency of time and money!!!Finally, the decision had been made as to the exact dates for my upcoming journey to Africa. I jumped on the computer to start the long process of choosing the right itinerary and booking tickets; and, in just a few clicks of the keys, two unbelievable things popped off the page. One, the lowest airfare I’d ever seen for the trip (only $1,600 … normally $2,000-2,500); next the very first itinerary option was the best I’d ever seen (minimum layovers and great departure and arrival times). So I jumped all over it and was done in 15 minutes (typically a routine that last more than an hour). My bags aren’t packed yet, but I’m ready to go!
My departure is this Thursday May 14th and return on May 29th. There is a double ton to accomplish while I am there. So that you can do some informed praying, let me list a few of the highlights. Read the rest of this entry »
The phone was ringing; it was 2:56 AM … the words had to be repeated several times before I could comprehend what was being said-”Papa, Papa, this is Patrick, sorry to wake you Papa, but Pastor Joseph passed away in the night !!!” The rest of the conversation was short as Patrick and others were hurrying to go to the village. Apparently Joseph had become violently ill during the night; and by the time they could get him to a hospital, he was gone.
From time to time you have the rare privilege of meeting and working with a person of extraordinary spirituality; one who has learned how to walk with God closer than most and who served Him with an uncommon humility. From the first time I met this little African man (he only stood about 5 feet tall) – I thought I had met Jesus in skin.
Pastor Jospeph Sekyanzi, a humble servant of the King of Kings, a man who, because of the bigness of his heart and his love for Jesus, took in kids who were abandoned and gave them a home and loved them and raised them as his own and taught them to love Jesus deeply. On the day of Joseph’s death, I was told that the children never stopped singing, praying, and worshiping – these children are truly amazing!!! Read the rest of this entry »
As I am about to head home, and as I pen these words, I find myself strangely emotional. How intense but amazingly fulfilling these two weeks have been! Along the way, I think I have experienced every conceivable human emotion from joy, laughter and peace to grief, stress and frustration. I think the only emotions not experienced were raging anger and stark raving fear (but wait, the week is not over).
Pastor Joseph was amazingly loving, deeply spiritual and one of the most humble servants I have ever known; but he never wrote anything down and did not share much, if anything (especially problems and issues), with his wife Edith or with anyone else.
No record of exactly how many children we were helping, of which children went to which schools, who he may have owed money to, what he had promised to whom, who had been paid for what, etc etc. So when my friend died, tons of information died with him. So, the week was a sort of triage treasure hunt filled with one surprise after another, which then called for one “battle field decision” after another. The challenge was to discover and reconstruct all of the above, get all of the children back in their respective schools, with all of the supplies they needed (which had to be figured out and done in a matter of a few days!); and then, before departing, make sure there was a transition plan in place that would get us through the next three to six months in a reasonably stable fashion. Read the rest of this entry »
A sweet - but very deep - grief … I had pushed my way through the barrage of hugs and excited greetings of the children. I had entered the small house and had just sat down in a not so comfortable chair still being swarmed by the younger children when I looked up and our eyes met. They were the eyes of Sister Edith the wife of the late pastor Joseph. She was coming towards me and the customary kneeling became more of a collapse as she fell at my feet, the weeping embrace that followed seemed to suspend time. Overall, Edith and the children are doing well but their grief and the magnitude of their loss is profound. There is a sadness in their eyes that I am confident that the God of all comfort will soon replace with Joy and gladness; but for the moment the grief process is very real – please pray for them. Read the rest of this entry »
2008 - What a year it has been! All I can say about it is, “ Wow !!!” This whole journey has been one “sudden blessing” after another. In some ways I have just felt like an excited little kid on the curb watching a parade go by as God was unfolding one wonderful event after another. AND I am totally jazzed about 2009 … it could very likely be the most important year of our ministry as we lay the foundation and direction for the next couple of decades.
In 2008, by God’s grace, we were able to dramatically impact the lives of the 24 orphans that God has called us to serve.
In 2009 we will be focused on two primary objectives: Significantly improving the educational experience of all of the children and beginning the master planning process of the 30 acres that God has provided for us in the village of Zziba.
We are about change their lives forever … including flush toilets and indoor showers !
Meet my beautiful girls: Rachael, Milly, Esther N., Jalia, Esther B., and Phoebie. In a previous report, I told you about these girls that fasted their three main meals each day for 90 consecutive days so they could be devoted to prayer. These are truly amazing young ladies and we about to change their lives … forever!!
My trip in September, though it came to an abrupt end, was the most important trip I have made to date, bar none! In the village of Zziba where Joseph cares for the orphans, OBM has made some significant improvements to the living conditions of the family and we have supported 24 orphans with their school fees for over a year now. However, I have come to realize that the education piece - like no other aspect of their lives- is the most vital component in freeing them from the poverty and semi-primitive ways that they, and their families, have known for generations. So education became my target. The mission was basically two fold: one, to discover the quality of the education our kids are currently receiving; and, secondly, to discover the high end of education in that country (i.e., what’s the best Uganda can offer). God directed my steps in such an amazing way that I discovered both very quickly. He then made very clear a workable and immediate answer. (Remember … “the God who is previous! Amazing !!!)
Pastor Jospeph Sekyanzi, a humble servant of the King of Kings, a man who, because of the bigness of his heart and his love for Jesus, took in kids who were abandoned and gave them a home and loved them and raised them as his own and taught them to love Jesus deeply. On the day of Joseph’s death, I was told that the children never stopped singing, praying, and worshiping – these children are truly amazing!!! 
No record of exactly how many children we were helping, of which children went to which schools, who he may have owed money to, what he had promised to whom, who had been paid for what, etc etc. So when my friend died, tons of information died with him. So, the week was a sort of triage treasure hunt filled with one surprise after another, which then called for one “battle field decision” after another. The challenge was to discover and reconstruct all of the above, get all of the children back in their respective schools, with all of the supplies they needed (which had to be figured out and done in a matter of a few days!); and then, before departing, make sure there was a transition plan in place that would get us through the next three to six months in a reasonably stable fashion.
In 2008, by God’s grace, we were able to dramatically impact the lives of the 24 orphans that God has called us to serve.