The Power of Testimony
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. … I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness… (Ps 40:9-10)
Working on one project that ended late last year 2015, we made over 20 trips to the Karamoja region, covering over 30,000km of travel. We thank God for His safe keeping. Over the long journeys we would see vegetation change in shape and colour, from thick forest to scanty shrub, blooming green to dry brown; we once got stuck for four hours at Kapedo in the neighbourhood of the risky wild animals of Kidepo Valley National Park. From Bishop James Nasak we listened to frightening stories of the then warriors and saw the place where they shed the blood of innocent travelers including the late Grace Gonahasa. I also took opportunity to share the gospel with a team from Kakumba Chapel. We thank God for his safe keeping.
When US citizens are preparing to travel to Uganda, they get stern briefings of the form at http://www.osac.gov website: Driving requires particular caution and fulltime attention. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda has one of the highest rates of traffic fatalities per vehicle in the world. Roads are poorly maintained, inadequately marked, and poorly illuminated. … Road travel outside Kampala is dangerous during the day and treacherous at night. The road lighting in larger cities is inadequate at best and virtually nonexistent in smaller towns. Driving hazards at night include: broken-down vehicles in the road, pedestrians in the road, drunk drivers, stray animals, poor road conditions, and the possibility of armed robbery. Yet you have been preserved! Thank God indeed for His safe keeping.
To give thanks to God and tell of his great wonders in the hearing of many people is a good thing. Some people will ascribe their success to chance, or their own hard work, or their taking precaution; but we ascribe greatness to our God, the Rock – his work is perfect and all His ways are just, a God of faithfulness (Deut 32:3-4). He has done great things for you and for us all. I personally celebrate many more victories: Our church should be filled with joy when we see many graduating and we have made a contribution during their academic life. On the other hand, some of us have grown schools and the smiles of growing children brighten our skies. Take time to count your blessings, and determine to declare some praise in the congregation to give Him glory.
God bless you all.