Passion Kampala 2012

It has been about a month since my last blog post.  So what have I been doing?  The short answer is “Passion”.

Passion is based out of Atlanta, Georgia.  In short, it’s a praise and worship concert with Chris Tomlin.  Passion travels around the globe.  They came to Kampala in 2008, and they decided to come back.  Passion had three concerts in South Africa.  Their only other stop in Africa was here in Kampala, and that’s very special to us and the Ugandans.

My job helping with Passion was very behind the scenes.  First, I helped recruit over 70 people from the church to volunteer as ushers, security, etc.  Second, I was in charge of team transportation for their group of 35 people.  Fuel money, transportation schedule, driver’s ID badges, etc. was my responsibility.  Then other responsibilities came to me, like arranging team dinners.  

Yes, I did see Chris Tomlin up close several times.  I even spoke to him once.

I said, “Your van is ready.” Volunteering means getting the job done.  It's not the time to be a groupie.

On event night (29 Sept.), I was busy helping here and there.  Passing out flashlights to volunteers.  Arranging dinner to be taken to bus drivers.  Finding guards to keep volunteers’ backpacks from being stolen.  Helping to take the offering.  A bunch of other things to help things run.  The workday was 8:00 am to 1:30am.

About 35,000 young Ugandans attended.  Only 4,400 people pre-purchased their tickets.  So the remaining 30,000 bought them event night.  That make things "interesting" on several levels.

I took this photo just as the concert began.  Most of the 35,000 people arrived afterward. 

The music was wonderful and energizing.  It was exciting to see so many young Ugandans praising God.  Pastor Louie Giglio gave a great message about really knowing God (rather than knowing about Him).

I saw many great people (Tague, Michael, Seth, Misty, et al.) work tirelessly to make the event such a success. I was happy to be a small part in it.

From Kampala,

John Eastham

Missionary to Uganda

What We Missionaries Do

We have met several other missionaries during our time here in Uganda.  One thing is very noticeable.  There are many, many types of missionaries.  If there is stereotype of a missionary to Africa, it’s probably man (or family) deep in the African bush (or jungle) doing evangelism and starting a church.  I have met a few of those, but the majority of us do something else.  Here is a short list of missionaries we have met.

• Sets up solar-powered FM radio stations in remote areas to broadcast audio Bible
• Runs an orphanage
• Runs a mobile medical clinic
• Manages a house with 15 street kids.  Lots of discipleship.
• Runs a Christian elementary school.
• Spouse writes school curriculum that may eventually be adopted nationwide
• Veterinarian (education & lots of cattle, goats, & chicken to keep healthy)
• Accountant for a large Christian organization.
• Also teaches accounting principles to church leaders.
• Coaches young Christian men on business development
• Bible teacher to several villages & leads conferences
• Helps with software to help Bible translators
• Coaches churches on worship ministry
• Coaches churches on children’s ministry

What missionaries do is diverse.

What things has God gifted you with?

And have you prayed about using those gifts for Him near home or on a foreign mission field?

From Kampala,

John Eastham

New Missionary to Uganda

Paying Attention When It Counts.

A Letter from Uganda.

This past week I saw part Uganda’s national news broadcast.  The news article focused on how parliament was presented the country’s annual budget.  Yes, Uganda TV showed all the pomp and circumstance.  Soldiers dressed in their smart dress uniforms marched in perfect formation.  The country’s top judges walked into parliament with their colorful gowns and white wigs.  The president stood at a table surrounded by other politically powerful men.  This was a very stately affair.

Then came another news article about the country’s annual budget.  This article was called something like, “The lighter side of the budget presentation.”  One video clip showed a politician standing for the national anthem.  The video shot began at this politician’s head and ended down at his feet, revealing that he had taken off his shoes.  This suggested that this politician had a casual attitude about the event.

This news article continued with several other camera shots of senior government ministers and members of parliament (MPs) who had dozed off during the presentation.

Ugandans all around me roared with laughter upon seeing their leaders caught on video asleep during an important state event.  These leaders should have been awake and attentive.  The next day, photos of the sleeping politicians adorned the front page of a national newspaper.  How embarrassing!

I found out later that several MPs also fell asleep at the president’s State of the Nation address two days earlier.  Twice in one week.  Not good.

But this is a lesson for all of us.  Does your mind wonder off during a church sermon?  Do your eyes grow heavy, and then you quietly nod-off?  Or do you really focus on the sermon’s content and challenge yourself to following Jesus?

What about listening to your spouse or children when they speak?  Are you really listening to them?

Ugandan government ministers and MPs were caught asleep at two national events.  As for you and me, let’s pay attention when it’s important.

John Eastham,

New Missionary to Uganda

Patience. Waiting on God for the Right Time.

A Letter from South Sudan

I have been in South Sudan for the past two days.  Specifically, I am in the border town of Nimule, about 2km from the Uganda’s northern border. The trip from Kampala to Nimule was several hours on both paved and unpaved road.  I hope to return home in another day or so.

Nimule's Border Check Point

In June, 2011 Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) sent a shipping container full of supplies for their chaplain training facility here.  FRM graciously let us put some of our personal items on their container free of charge.

Some of these items were very important to us like wedding photos and home school materials.

Isaiah 40:31 reads, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  I love reviewing this verse in detail.  Waiting on God will bring us renewed strength.  To fly and run suggests quick action when needed (like escaping danger and moving fast).  The very last part “walk, and not grow faint,” suggests that God give longevity on a long journey.  Waiting on God's timing is the way to go.

We loaded these things on the container in June 2011, and the container arrived in Nimule around August.  We moved to Uganda in March 2012, but I needed FRM’s help get me through customs.  Trying to get our things any earlier could have involved great expense and "entanglements" with the border authorities.  But we had the patience and faith that God would give us the right opportunity to get our things.

Taking some important things back home.

Pictured is Komi (FRM worker), who helped me stuff the Prado.

 Are you waiting on God to arrange the right opportunity or are you struggling to make things happen?

The Bible teaches to wait on God.  Be patient, and let God open the door when the timing is right.

From Nimule (Republic of South Sudan),

John Eastham

New Missionary to Uganda

A Bomb Check and Bible Lesson

A Letter from Uganda.

The other day I was driving to church and was pulled over by the police.  This happened before at the same location.  It was a random police check for explosives.  I recognized one of the policemen.  He was older, and I remembered him for being very professional.  Unfortunately another, younger policeman came to my car.

The car inspection was first.  I got out and opened the car’s trunk.  That was no problem since it’s their job to look for bombs, and that keeps the city (and me) safe from terrorists.  Then came the request to see my passport.  I expected an unusual demand or two since they are tests to see how people react (a real bomber would get nervous).  Since I didn’t have my passport, the policeman then threatened to take me to the central police station.  I figured that was just another test.

Then the policeman wanted to get in the car with me.  This was unusual given the circumstances.  When he got in the car, the young policeman made two unmistakable requests for a bribe.

I looked at him in the eyes and said, “I don’t pay bribes.  I’m a Christian.  Jesus told the soldiers that they should be content with their wages.”

The policeman had a look of surprise on his face and then began to listen intently.

“The soldiers were not paid well, and sometimes their pay was late,” I continued.  “I don’t think you are well enough, and I don’t think I’m paid well enough.  This month I am short.  But Jesus told us to be content with what we are paid.”

I finished by telling him that he should trust God to meet his needs but that I’d pray for his job advancement.  The policeman thought for a moment and then released me.

Most Ugandans are not paid very well, and the cost of living is high.  Rent, food, and transportation are expensive (gasoline is now $5.60 a gallon).  Making ends meet can be difficult.

Still, the Bible teaches us to be content with how much we are paid and also warns us not to be greedy.

Jesus’ statement to the solider is from Luke 3:14.  1 Timothy 6:6-8 reads “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”  This is a good reminder for all of us.

From Kampala,

John Eastham

New Missionary to Uganda