"Jesus is the Same Yesterday and Today and Forever"


Mark and Margaret

This Christmas season, so much has changed. Except what matters most:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
(Heb 13:8)

Now it seems so hard to make sense of things. Unless we remember this:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
  (Isa 55:8-9)


And even in a season with a joyful tradition it is tempting to lose heart. Except when we recall:

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor 4:16-18)

At The Rock Outreach, we are embracing God’s Word and fixing our eyes on Jesus so that His light can continue to shine forth at Kingdom View in Uganda.

While we have not been able to be In Uganda for most of the year, we have been able to maintain our entire staff of six people there. We have been blessed to see our Uganda leadership take more responsibility. Activity is now increasing with movie nights, fellowships and day retreats taking place. Some restrictions such as curfews and limitations on visitors remain, but we are hoping to return to Uganda in the next few months. Even from a distance, we have been able to continue online with career planning for Uganda Christian University graduates and with Biblical counseling.

The future is bright because Jesus lives. It reminds us of the hymn “Because He Lives” with the chorus:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future,
And Life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Merry Christmas,

Mark and Margaret

 

Memories from Uganda and Kingdom View 2020 (pre-pandemic)


                  

In February before the pandemic we did leadership training with two teams in the pavilion. Leading and problem-solving God’s way was the focus. Students were figuring out the Einstein Puzzle and how to survive a disaster with a Lost At Sea problem. Our staff has continued to take care of Kingdom View under Christopher’s leadership. He reports, “the place looks the same and everything is maintained and working well.” Several online activities have continued including cooking class guidance with scripture references by Chef Ben, a bi-vocational pastor and Kingdom View volunteer.

Students are returning in limited numbers for Saturday movie nights and cell group meetings. Late last month we hosted a retreat for 40 future lawyers and a small group for a movie. We meet government guidelines for meetings and the pavilion makes it possible for cell groups and fellowships to meet safely.

Immediate Pavilion Needs:

Completion of audio/visual system: $500
Pavilion floor finishing: $1,300
Secure storage space for a/v, etc.: $500
Signage for new visitors: $200

Pavilion Post Pandemic Needs:

Kitchen plumbing, cabinets, fixtures:  $2,900
Kitchen utensils and appliances: $2,000
Road, grading, retaining wall: $5,000
Tables and chairs: $2,000