Dear one,
In one sense, I know that I’ve returned: a freshly brewed cup of blueberry crumble coffee in hand, the wait staff in black, and cinnamon, sourdough toast on order—ah, but as I awaited two others to join me, I soon realized that they weren't coming. I was a week early. So either I hadn't really returned from Romania and Israel, or in factI had returned to a rhythm and routine of muddling my calendar.
At any rate, this morning’s meeting was to finalize details for Uganda: five weeks today (Wednesday) we fly from Chicago to Brussels, and from Brussels to Entebbe, arriving at 11pm (Thursday). Upon arrival, hopefully I’ll then have passage on a Missionary Aviation Fellowship shuttle from Kajjansi (adjacent to Entebbe) to Lira and the Otino Waa Orphanage.
Although thoughts, feelings, and images from Romania and Israel remain vivid, last night I couldn’t help but think of those, who have survived the ravages of terror and war in northern Uganda. Recently, in one of my several Skype conversations, I had occasion to ponder the Book of Revelation. Initially I was drawn to this book, because Rev. Dickens, founding and lead pastor in Lira, asked me to guide Ugandan pastors into John’s Apocalypse. As I’ve given serious thought to his request, I’ve realized that this book/letter/apocalypse is truly germane to Africa, where fear and power are dominant, cultural currents: many Africans strive for financial, political, military, and/or spiritual power, equally fearing those who have such power.
Thus, last night I read these words from one of the many imagistic scenes penned by John:
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; they cried out with a loud voice, ‘Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long …?’"(Revelation 6:10).
Of course these words had a specific context for John’s audience: first century believers suffered grievously, not unlike those of northern Uganda. Without question, many Ugandans wonder: How long, O’ Lord, how long? And how do we feed our children … and how do we spare them outbreaks like Ebola … and how do we direct them to you?
These are not easily answered questions—either in Uganda or Malawi, with the recent cyclones—but pastors in these settings can provide significant, practical help, as well as true hope. I am thankful, if my efforts encourage such pastors.
Faithfully,
Stan