Into Uganda

Health and safety to you, David! I checked w/ my nephew - he was at a place called Gulu (spelling? and I have no idea where it is in Uganda)

Everywhere Christians gather here in the US to praise and worsip together, outreach groups like Compassion International are allowed to talk to them. As a Californian that goes to Spirit West Coast (which is a K-Love and Compassion International outreach), I was inundated by the C-P message. Musicians: Peter Furler, Mac Powell, Dan Hazeltine, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nichole Nordemen, Michael. W. Smith, Toby Mac, David Crowder, etc., etc., they all point to the same direction: Helping others.

For those that do not know about "Contempory Christian Music," and think that its a copy of something secular, the concerts and festivals have tens of thousands of people rocking out and jumping around during most concerts which looks quite common. Then all music and dancing stops and any and all musician stop whatever concert they are performing in to talk us about why and what we gathering for. It wasn't to "rock the house," it was for fellowship together and praising the God of Salvation. The whole thing turns quiet, reflecting prayer and thanksgiving. The message of the Gospel is always the center of attention. Then the returning music takes on its proper role.

And also, the message about the poor, the needy, the suffering, is front and center of every stage and venue at the music festival. It took awhile, but I went by the Compassion booth in the big tent mall setup for the Christian "products" offered there. But there is far more than just "things" or "stuff," in a Christian mall. It is always about helping someone else.

My wife and I looked through the photo/info cards strewn all over the Compassion International tables. One child's story leapt out to us. I hope and pray that the money we send in every month, since learning about him, is truly being of help to him.

Please let us know David, if it is.

I have been working with disadvantaged youth here in America for two-decades, and without exception, every single one of them would be considered rich to the children of Compassion International. One thing is always told to them about the starving and hurting children in Africa. They don't have the time to care. We do.

David,

Please bring back with you, not only stories, but communication. Bring back a piece of the real people you meet and the real children that will forever be a part of your heart. Tell us how our (pitifully few) dollars that we send in each month, is really being used for them. Tell us that our hearts have a part of the emptiness filled in, even if it's just a bit.

Bring us back the hugs and smiles of the people that think $32.00 a month is a great sacrifice and a beautiful gift. In all honesty, I know its trivial and I wish I could do more. But knowing that you are really going to be with these beautiful people, is a gift unto itself. To my wife and I.

God Bless you David.

May the Lord keep you in His care.

My students are praying for you this week. We're having a pizza lunch Friday to make money to send to one of the AIDS orphanages. Have four students who have been or are going on missions to Africa. I'm jealous. Don't think I can make it physically, but will be with all of them in my heart. Bless you on the journey and in the experience. Such events are too big to be told.

I'm almost as excited as if I were going myself.

Dave, could you bring me back a crate of mangos? Don't buy them too soon, otherwise they'll over-ripen which can get messy in a jumbo-jet's baggage compartment.