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| 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