Sunday Blessings

March 30, 2025 I woke up this morning with the chorus, “We serve a great big, wonderful God, a great big, wonderful God, a God who is always victorious, always watching over us, a great big, wonderful God.” God is indeed great and is the same God we serve in New York, Pennsylvania, and Uganda. Today, we were blessed to worship and fellowship with the Bumangoye Church of God in Uganda. This was a special service as Pastor Roy, our team leader, had the honor of opening and dedicating the new church built in partnership with Busti Church of God, NY. We had over 200 persons in the sanctuary, including political leaders who brought greetings and spoke about what the church meant for their district/region. One shared that this was the most beautiful building in his district; not only was there a church, he said, but also a school to help educate the youth. He then made a plea for a medical clinic so people would have access to health care. The worship service was vibrant and heartfelt. You could feel the presence of God through the worship and the testimonies shared by two of our team. Sis Cami shared about her journey and deliverance from cancer, anchored by the revelation of God to her. God comforted her and took her fear away, reminding her of his presence as the “fourth man in the fire.” Pastor Joseph shared about his journey and call to ministry. God called him, equipped him, and provided for him. He shared that when he left Jamaica to attend seminary at Anderson Theological College in the US, he arrived at Anderson with tuition for one semester. Upon graduation, he did not owe the university any money. God provided. He encouraged the youth to heed God’s call, knowing that God would provide for them. There is so much talent in this group. We shared in the ministry of music with two songs. Pastor Crystal, a dynamic and spiritual woman of God, brought the word, encouraging us to remain faithful. She especially encouraged the women on Bumangoye, to stay strong and faithful, reminded the men to protect the women, and exhorted the young mothers to care for their children and bring them up to love and serve God. Lunch was a feast. The humility with which the people serve and provide for us is a blessing. Even with all the rain and the mud, we were invited into the pastor's home to eat, or, as the MC said, “swallowship” as where there is fellowship, there is also swallowship. Gifting: Today, we presented 20 baskets of love, school supplies, and bibles. The Meerdink family presented three goats to the pastor of the congregation. We also received gifts. Pastor Roy was given a staff (cane) as the group leader. Sis Colleen received two goats (April and Missy) two chickens (yet to be named), and bunches of bananas and plantains. This will make for an interesting ride back to Kampala. Now, we will have sheep, goats, and chickens as traveling companions. I’ll end with the story of how we got to church with our Great, big, wonderful God watching over us and being victorious. As we have shared, we are embarking on this mission trip during the rainy season. Most of the roads in the interior are not paved, and there are a few hills. Traveling to church this morning was a feat. The bigger bus could not climb the hill because the road was slippery. As such, we were ferried by the smaller bus. Some of us walked up the hill to meet the bus on its way back. The evening return was more adventurous. Many of us had to walk down the hill in the rain to the buses. God provided guides to help and encourage us while others lent support to help us down. In the same way, in the morning, God provided men to push the smaller bus up the hill when it became stuck. Our great, big, wonderful God provided help, even a boda boda (bike). All praise and glory be to this Great, big, wonderful God who provides, protects, and gives us a sense of humor as we do his work here in Uganda. Claudette