Greetings from Kampala,

Great achievement again yesterday, concluding our work requirement here for the Watoto Bbira Village!
Yesterday 15th : We cleaned the 9th house in our Cluster 6 (Head Mum's house), prior to Morning Tea.
Then came some choices of where to head next - Painting again in Cluster 8, or go back down to 'previously cleaned' Cluster 5, for some quick sink cleaning, or to do both tasks.
After viewing houses in C5, we had no choice but to tidy up C5, as the Mums designated to these had already started moving in, and the cleanliness was debateable. We have a photo showing us with these Mums on other attachment.

The cleaning (including toilets - which still had clay or mortar in the pans!) concluded mid afternoon, and a aussie cricket game was well under way with the school kids who had descended on us.

Today Friday 16th:

Visit to 'Bullrushes' Baby home again this morning.
Then back to Bbira for the dedication service, followed by BBQ (cooked by Dave - another aussie) & sports with school kids.
Tonight we have our celebration dinner.

Tomorrow, we plan to van up to Jinga, visit the sites our previous team saw, and more! Source of the Nile, and Lake Victoria visit will rate highly. Plan to stop at waterfall and forest on our travel up or back.

Sunday, worship with KPC brothers & sisters, followed by lunch at Bbira - hosted by existing families :)

Monday, trip down to the Equator, then to the Airport - and HOME :)

God has certainly blessed us, and we trust we've been the blessing He would want us to be.
Looking forward to sharing on our return.
Big thanks to all who have supported us in so many ways, and praying for us before and during our time here.
The mission has been a fantastic experience, and in many ways ~ challenging.
Great company, and a real blessing to be here with our sons!

God bless you all,

The PCC ~ Watoto team Nov '07

Turning houses into homes

Greetings from over there! Up-date from your members abroad, working on your behalf here in Uganda. Yesterday - Tuesday 13th: we managed to clean 3 houses ready for occupation ~ new record, & all worked hard to achieve!

Not photographed was a heap of cooking pots delivered today, for the new houses.The moving / occupation is a large task to co-ordinate. We've seen dif deliveries the last few days, of bed frames, mattresses, pillows, and now cooking pots.Detoured on way home, into Kampala for some special shopping, and experienced their Peak Hours traffic (no spelling error!). Finally made our way home in time for shower & typical delicious dinner.~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday 14th (today). Started the day by again hitting the traffic congestion, as we had to head back towards the City (normally a quicker trip heading out to Bbira), to purchase more supplies - equipment particularly. Arrived on-site @ morning tea, and completed our planned final two houses in our Cluster, by knock-off time (4.40pm), even with the water off for most of the 2nd house.

Watoto Village people are daily acknowledging the work commitment of our Church ~ thank you BODY at PCC!We had another group of youngsters join us after about 3.00, that currently live at Buloba, very excited about their move, and wanting to see for theselves what their future house looks like.

Heard today that the Buloba Village move is planned for early Dec '07. Logistically, with CHOGM and associated transport factors (tying up many vehicle requirements may-be), seems to make sense. Other factor is that with-out our Churches help, the current Staff may not have been in a position to have so many houses completed for occupation in this short time.Our theme of 'Turning the Houses into Homes' has had us start our time Painting {Cluster 8}, then prioritising the cleaning of a whole Cluster {6} of houses (to enable immediate occupation ~ subject to their planned logistics), and plan tomorrow (final full work day) of resuming the painting, to help push that Cluster {8}.

We were hoping to help a move in of some Mums and Children, but are told we're a week out. We assume the first families may be brand new, and not from Buloba. As noted earlier, Bill and I caught up with two of these Mums last Friday afternoon, as they were helping each other clean their new houses.To our lovely supportive families back home, we will be coming home next week, as despite being here for the welcoming in of these new excited folk, the pull home is a priority!We're all getting along well, and looking forward to a bit of r&r this coming week-end (well earned by all).

Regards,Robert.

A message from the team in Uganda

Greetings from Uganda,

Our last few days of work:
Friday - cleaning our first house in Cluster 6 (other 2 days we were painting in Cluster 8). Hard work due to the mess, but better we do it, and allow an earlier move in! Caught up with 2 new Mums for Cluster 5 (cluster by the way is a group of 8 houses, with capacity for each to make a Home for Mum and up to 8 children of various ages, starting from Watoto Baby Home - teenagers).

Saturday - visit to two Watoto villages primarily, Suubi, and Buloba.
Suubi has the largest development, including Housing, Primary and Secondary Schools, Tech (Industrial Arts) workshop, Teachers accommodation, e.t.c.
Spent some time here, and go into more detail when return.
Buloba is the first Village KPC (Kampala Pentecostal Church) constructed for the Watoto Ministry, and the houses confirm. They are smaller, have no running water inside the house, no / minimal doors inside, outside wash bay (believe showers are bucket of water over the head), and they still hold up-to 8 kids & Mum! All 20 home families here will be transfered to Bbira, and these existing houses then renovated / improved. They will house the Mums retiring (their choice of residence), and provide initial housing for new mum / children, in preparation for the permanent housing at Suubi or Bbira.
Very motivated to help them into some of the new houses in Bbira!

Sunday - 10.00am service at KPC - Central (Building), packed as per usual. Witnessed the start of 50 baptisms, which ran through whilst singing proceeded, followed by children being Christened.
Pastor Gary Skinner lead message "Purpose in Life is to bring Glory to God'. Caught up with one of our previous hosts ~ Apollo! He's leading one of the current Canadian teams, so we couldn't talk for long.
Rest of day was free-time.

Monday - (today) Cleaned two houses in Cluster 6 at Bbira! Long day, but worth while.
Pillows were being delivered by Bbira children into Cluster 5, to go with new beds and matresses. Must be close to moving in. We may change our Fri/Sat programme, if the move may occur / start this Sat. School is out from this Fri due to CHOGM. We wanted to be present for this achievement ~ if possible!
Aspect of doubt, as we haven't any 'official word' on the move / occupancy.

In brief, Bbira Cluster 5 appears to be ready to move into, with Mums cleaning last Friday, and bedding & other items stored in one of the Houses. 3 or 4 of these will be set for new families. Other 4 or 5 (of the 8) will go to Buloba Families relocating.
Bbira Clusters 6 & 7 ~ total of 16, are set for the remaining Buloba Families.
Cluster 6 required final clean and landscape completion, both of which are well into final stage. Cluster 7 is same, with extra minor items e.g. toilet seats fitted.
Cluster 8 still in final construction phase, and is where Staff requested Painting services. Sewer pits and drains are in progress.
No power to any house at present ~ will further investigate as week goes on.
Buloba runs on Solar / battery, but not the brightest idea , as solar panels don't generate enough power to run lights if rain spell (no sun).

Well, trust that keeps you all up-to-date at present.
This email may assist in the story behind the photo choice sent through.
Regards, and thanks for the prayers ~ we feel blessed to have you support us in this realistic, spiritual protection. God has provided in many ways!

PCC ~ Watoto Nov 07 Team.

Uganda building team - November 2007

Vietnam

The church in Vietnam remains persecuted. The freedom of religion espoused by the authorities is more often a show for the international media and its new trading partners as it tries to impress. Though great steps have been made by the senior levels of government in Vietnam much change is still required in the local and regional governments of the nation to truly see a level of religious freedom experienced by the people of Vietnam.

In spite of all of the intimidation and threat, the church continues to grow. For some reason the gospel of Christ appears to excel when people are desperate! We have witnessed first hand the hunger and cry of this people to see God move throughout their nation. Last Friday I spoke with one of the senior leaders of the underground housechurch movement who is leading an indigenous house church group in Vietnam. He told me that within his organisation there are 22,000 people meeting throughout the country in house churches. Currently they only have 35 ordained pastors to care for their flock! Each one of these courageous men and women travel throughout the country meeting with as many of their flock as possible. They asked for our prayers...

The group with which we ran the first week of the conference is currently caring for just over 17,000 members. The leadership has been through some recent difficult times but we sensed that God was bringing healing, restoration and a new sense of joy to their midst. Jacob and Janet were a tremendous blessing to the people and their input was a very special.

As we return home we come with a great sense of awe that God is continuing to pour out his spirit upon those who call upon him. As we prayed and spent time giving words of encouragement to the delegates we experienced a touch of his annointing. Ps Don and I found ourselves praying with many of the national and regional leaders of this group and felt that God was sending them back to their regions with a greater sense of authority and annointing.

Pray for our friends in Vietnam. Through the faithfulness and dilegence of our Christian brothers and sisters we believe we will see a fresh outpouring of the spirit of God upon that nation of 83 million people. Our God reigns.

Some photo's of Vietnam conference...

A very special conference in Vietnam

In a land that has been ravaged by some form of war or foreign invasion for more than 1,000 years Vietnam is a nation filled with very resiliant people! This week we have been priveliged to be a part of a very special conference with the pastors and regional leaders of one of the church organisations operating here. It has been a tremendous privelige to see the people receive with great hunger the teaching and sharing of the word. Much minstry and input has been received.

There have been around 150 delegates that have travelled to this conference from as far away as Cambodia and the very far north of Vietnam to be with us. Some have come under very difficult circumstances and intimidation. But God has a plan for these people and he seeks to pour out a mighty blessing upon them and so with great humility and gratitude we are ministering and praying for the Holy Spirit to touch them in a powerful way.

I have been really proud to see Jan and Jacob both rise to pray, speak and minister to the people here. Over the next few days they will get a greater chance to speak but they have both done an awesome job sharing with the people. Pastor Don has been a very special blessing to the people as he ministers to them.

We have a special privelige to be involved with the emergence of the church in this nation. God is opening the doors for the word to be shared amongst the people here and we sense that Holy Spirit has been preparing the workers to bring in the harvest! Keep praying with us as we complete our time here.

some photos of the city of Krakow

Eurosummit ends

The time of Eurosummit has come to a close and many of the delegates have begun to return back to their cuntries of origin. James has departed with the Roamnian team to gain a first hand look at the situation in that nation. We met with the team leaders and national pastors for Romania and have captured some of their heart to see their nation have a vibrant Christian community that helps restore some of the brokeness and heartache from their past.

Here is James with Ps Steve Wyndham from the Yarra Plenty AOG church.

Jan and I are preparing to leave for London where we will spend a few days with Jan's family before flying to Vietnam later in the week.

It is autumn here in Poland and the trees are beggining to lose their leaves. A wonderful sense of a change of season.

I couldn't sign off from Poland without giving you a small taste of the city of Krakow and the closing Eursosummit party. The band was a "one of a kind!"

Eurosummit 2007 - Krakov, Poland

Eurosummit 2007 has been a fantastic connecting ground for both Jan and myself and our fellow traveller James Hutton. We have met people from Estonia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, the Czec Republic and many more nations from throughout Europe.

Yesterday morning I went to breakfast and sat next to two men I hadn't yet spoken to during the conference. It turns out I had met both of these men in Bulgaria in 2005! One was the AOG superintendant for Bulgaria (who's son had been kidnapped twice over the past years for financial ransom!) and the other was the nations leading youth leader who is about to go out and plant a young adult church in the capital of Bulgaria in the next 6 months. I had been seeking God as to the purpose and intent of our time here (apart from making new connections). I had a strong sense when we were in Bulgaria 2 years ago that we would be back there doing something significant and it appears that it may just be to help plant this new local young adult church?!?

Ps Ian Green and his team have been inspirational. We spent a great deal of time today praying for the national leaders of each country. An offering was taken up to help assist the Polish church and around 14,000 euro's was collected! Awesome. This money will be used to help train 100 leaders who will be eqquiped to go and plant 100 churches over the next few years. Look out Poland!

James has also established some great connections with the leaders within Romania during our time here and will be travelling home with them for a few days after the conference ends. This has been a significant time working with Next Level International and has give us strategic connections and relationships within the nations we sensed God was leading us toward.

Please continue to pray for us as we finish our time here over the next few days.

Auschwitz - An amazing place

Inside one of the barracks a sign reads "Those who don't learn from the lessons of history will live to see it again".

The sign at the front gate of the Auschwitz Number 1 camp is a frightening reminder of the synicism of humankind. It reads "work makes you free". Each day during their tragic existence, the prisoners of this Nazi extermination camp marched through these gates twice a day with these words almost moking them.

As we walked aroung the Number 1 camp and then later into the much larger Birkenau or Auschwitz Number 2 camp Jan and I felt a sense of privelige that we were walking in the memory of so many inocent lives taken so brutally on this very site. We wanted to honour their memory.

This photo of Jan is taken outside of the only remaining gas chamber that was used to murder over 10,000 prisoners before it was turned into a bomb shelter for the German soldiers. It was truly a humbling experience to walk through this building and imagine the fathers and mothers with their children coming into this place.

The mountains of human hair, the massive piles of shoes, spectacles, suitcases and pots and pans was a stark reminder of the human tragedy that took place in those awful times.

This was truly an amazing experience for us both. I have been to the Yad Vashem (Hollocost Museum) in Jerusalem on 2 occassions and being able to see the place where these atrocities actually took place allowed me to peice together the horror that the Jewish people suffered during this time.

One can only imagine the fear and terror that went through the minds of the people coming through these gates and into Auschwitz.

May we never forget the lessons of history so that we never live them again.

First stop

Jan and I have arrived at our first stop on our way to a very exciting conference in Krakow, Poland. Ps Ian Green assembles 100 of the top missional, church planting and Christian workers from around Eastern Europe to gather for 5 days to network and encourage one another.

We are very hopeful that we can make some good connections with some of the people whilst there.

I have just had an email from a Pastor from Vietnam. He asks "...I've been invited to speak at a conference in Philip Island...is it possible to catchup?" Isn't God awesome... as many of you will know, we live only a short distance from there (and my parents actually live there!!).

We are trusting God for a great time of seeing the Holy Spirit break into new ground during this trip and trust you will join us in prayer through it.

Blessings to all

Teams, teams, teams!

It is so exciting to have seen the growth and interest shown by our church in "going". We have so many people now that have experienced the thrill of seeing God move in various parts of the world and right now we have more people preparing to go than ever before. It thrills my heart to see people going on a mission adventure and allowing God to impact their spirit with the evidence of the gospel at work in our world.

Next week we have a person travelling to the UK to particpate in a fantastic conference. Jan and I are travelling also to Poland to be with Ian Green and his team from Next Level International. When we depart from Poland we will be making our way to Vietnam to meet up with several others from our church and we are going to spend some time with friends in that nation.

We have a team going again in November to India to be with Keith and Lolita. We also have another team leaving in November to return to Uganda and to help finish the houses for the children of Watoto.

From such small beginnings, huge things have grown. From such a small group of people great impact has come to those we have met. Join with us in prayer as we continue to see our Creator impact those we work with but will also impact those who serve.