CONSTRUCTING THE CHURCH BUILDING
Before crossing the border from Kenya into Uganda, we held open-air meetings in Kenya along the way. We also had meetings where we planted a church in our previous Kenya meeting. Though the people were impoverished, they pulled their resources to establish a meeting place. One man had some ground he wasn't using. Others gathered large and small branches to construct a poll building. What a blessing to see God's people work together for His glory!
THE INDIAN KITCHEN
We take so many of our conveniences for granted. For instance, our kitchen has beautiful countertops and all the modern appliances. Here is what a kitchen looks like in a home in India. Notice the mud floor and the stove, which are made from the same mud. Small sticks are inserted into the bottom hole to keep a small fire burning. A metal plate covers the top hole so the fire can heat the surface and divert the smoke up the chimney. Then any kind of pot or pan can be placed on the heated surface to do the cooking. The pots, pans, and utensils are laid out on a straw mat because there are no cabinets to put them in.
MOBILE BUSINESS
In Ghana, people are so desperate to make enough money to be able to eat that they will bring their business to you. Do you need a button sewn on? Maybe a hem in your pants is starting to unravel. He is right there to fix any mending need you might have, and he won't charge much. He is only looking for enough to stop the hunger in his belly.
UGANDA PROMOTION
Before holding meetings in any given village, our evangelistic team visits the village and promotes the upcoming meetings. They do door-to-door canvassing, putting up posters, and passing out flyers. When our team crossed over from Kenya to Uganda for the promotional work, the Ugandans did not believe that we were really coming. They said, "A white man would never travel this far just for us". When they saw that we arrived, they were so excited, that they gladly heard the gospel and received the Lord.
HARD TO FIND TRANSPORTATION
When we travel as far as we can by vehicle, our options are limited. Here, we were able to hire a small truck. We stacked our baggage on the top and all the choir members rode in the back. Most of the time, we must endure some very crowded conditions for long distances to get to the trailhead leading to the remote villages. Sometimes, it is a relief to get out and walk after traveling so long in such cramped conditions. However, after our meetings are over and a new church is planted, we look back and say, “It was worth it!”
My book and additional experiences while planting Independent Baptist Churches in remote villages around the world.