Returning home

April 5, 2025 Today is the day we return home. It has been a laid back day that began when we awoke to rain making its presence known as the drops pelted the metal roofs above us. For those of us across the street on the hill, we waited to the last minute before we moved to the Stevenson's home for breakfast. It was a day that had a very relaxed feel as some of us packed while others read their Bibles, enjoyed card games, caught up on news from home, and sending messages to loved ones who will be waiting when we arrive home on Sunday night. Later we ventured out for one last shopping trip to the open market in dowtown Kampala. On our way back to the Stevenson's compound, some of us sat in tra1ffic while the President of Uganda, and his motorcade passed. The road was cleared and traffic stood still for at least 40 minutes as we waited. After lunch we finished packing, met with all the staff, thanking them for their tremendous support and love, concluding with group pictures and hugs. It has truly been a blessed trip. On the eve of our departure, I was scheduled to share a devotion, which is something we did every day of our trip. That morning during my daily devotion time, I read Psalm 44. The first 8 verses say: 1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears— our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day, in days long ago: 2 You drove out the pagan nations by your power and gave all the land to our ancestors. You crushed their enemies and set our ancestors free. 3 They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them. 4 You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel.[b] 5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. 6 I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. 7 You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. 8 O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. As I read those words, God spoke to me that as we experience abundant blessings on this trip, to not forget that it will be a result of God's strong right arm, not because of our strong arm (vs. 3). We have seen evidence of God's strong right arm over and over on this trip. First of all, all 47 pieces of luggage arrived with us safely. We saw his strong right arm working in the hearts of our team, sponsoring 11, possibly 12 students through Children of Promise and United 4 Uganda's vocational sponsorship program! Lives were changed through grief counseling training, a marriage conference, and a pastor's prayer conference at the Church of God headquarters at Kasubi. But the most exciting news came when a group visiting Jaajaas (grandparents), led a Muslim woman to invite Jesus to be the leader of her life! Later we traveled east to a village called Bumangoye where 80 families were blesed with baskets of love, another grief training, marriage seminar, vbs, and pastors conference were held, and another woman received Christ! Last Sunday we dedicated the new roof, windows, and doors for the church at Bumayoka. Testimonies were shared, a powerful sermon was preached by Pastor Crystal Epps, while a few of us led a Sunday School time with the children of the church. Even while on our safari game drive, we saw God's strong right arm as we were blessed to see four female lions along with a male lion, a leopard, hyenas, and 24 crocodiles grouped together on a little island on the Nile river! We thank you, O God, for showing up and showing off your strong right arm! Our lives have been forever changed as a result! P. Roy After arriving in the