"God's Provision for a Vision"

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

 

UCU Vice Chancellor Aaron Mushengyez (left) receives Kingdom View land titles from The Rock Kingdom LTD  Uganda board secretary John Ggayi.

 

Mark, VC Aaron, Margaret, and DVC of Finance and Administration David Mugawe after agreeing to handover Kingdom View to UCU under the management of the Chaplaincy.

 

 

Our testimony is that God is truly faithful. God chose us to make disciples of Jesus. In 2004, He pointed us to Uganda, where from day one our mission was to raise up a ministry empowering people with the indwelt love and knowledge of Jesus. We teach how the Bible says this sets us free, making us “more than conquerors.” True empowerment to us meant Ugandans stepping up as disciples to grow, manage and make the ministry financially sound without funding from overseas. That has always been our vision, desire, and prayer, though at times from a worldly view, it seemed unattainable. But God is not bound by worldly circumstances. He has answered our prayers and fulfilled the vision by joining us with Uganda Christian University to assume full oversight (under authority of the chaplaincy) and financial support of Kingdom View effective this month. We are entirely compatible with the leaders and doctrine of UCU, whose mission and commitment are to “equip students for productive and holistic lives of Christian faith and service.” UCU is retaining deputy managing director Christopher Byomire to help lead the ministry forward. Already significant increases are happening in students taking advantage of the facilities at Kingdom View, including those newly coming to faith in Jesus. We are joyful to see the ministry mature into a Ugandan legacy for Jesus. As for us, our calling remains the same: to make disciples of Jesus. Margaret will continue working with students preparing them for life by learning their God-given skills and seeking employment after graduation. Doors have opened for her to minister in Dallas to refugees needing resumes. Both of us will be resources for UCU staff and students as needed. Our Ugandan ministries of providing Life Application Bibles for students and pastoral care weekends for pastors, missionaries and their spouses who need a peaceful weekend break in the Kingdom View Guest House will continue. Your donations are to the Rock Outreach as before as we continue to serve. Mark also will focus in the US on reaching and encouraging people through the Freedom in Christ ministry. The ministry teaches our acceptance, security, and significance in Jesus. Also, that we are who the Bible says we are, not necessarily who the world defines us to be. Mark has been leading this ministry at Kingdom View in Uganda for the past 10 years. The impact on individual lives (including our own) was and is amazing. In addition, both of us will be available to encourage and coach future and current missionaries. Thanks to all our supporters and prayer warriors. Through the years and the coming years your support has and will enrich the lives of people in East Africa. Your involvement has yielded an amazing dividend. We look forward to sharing more with you as God continues to open doors. Please feel free to visit Kingdom View and Uganda Christian University if you travel to Uganda. Christopher will be happy to show you around.

 

Mentoring continues with Jesse, his wife Pamela and their little girl, Charis. Jesse and Pamela help facilitate Relationship Forum answering questions about navigating the culture when you want to marry.

 

 

Fruit from the ministry continues with Ugandan  leaders Nicholas, Christopher and Elijah with Mark and Margaret outside the ministry house. All men have volunteered at Kingdom View during their time at UCU and continue to return and mentor others. Discipleship is multiplication.

 

"Heart Connections in Uganda Refresh the Soul"

 

Every time I think of you, I thank God for you. I have joy in my heart every time I ask God to help you. I thank God for the joy we share in telling the good news from the very first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5

In mid-August we left Dallas for five weeks in Uganda. Covid has been hard and seeing our friends in Uganda was refreshing. So much has happened since we were there in December. As we planned the trip, we discussed how we could encourage people. Our desire was to soothe and comfort our friends, have fun in the kitchen and appreciate their love for the Lord. Margaret was excited to meet some of the students she had helped online with their resumes/CVs. Guys Mark mentored stopped by to catch up. Even former scholarship students spent the night, stopped by with their kids, and some had fun cooking pizza. The time with all these young people refreshed our souls. Our love for them has continued through the stages of life and isn't that what discipleship is all about? Memories Nicholas, Christopher, and Elijah, three men Mark mentors and disciples visited us at Kingdom View. From their time at UCU years before Covid hit, they have participated in movie night, cooking classes and leadership classes about " Leading God's Way." Nicholas is a program administrator for Cornerstone Development Africa, Christopher is deputy managing director of the Rock Kingdom LTD and Elijah is an engineer for Uganda National Roads Authority. Nicholas led movie night, Christopher manages Kingdom View and helps students with CVs and Elijah donated his time to improve our road. Each man has held leadership positions while at Uganda Christian University and currently mentor others.   Fun In the Kitchen Christopher and Tabitha had September birthdays, so we had to celebrate with brownies! Miria, Elijah and Nicholas pitched in to help. We even danced in the kitchen. John learned how to make pizza on another night. Spending time in the kitchen puts smiles on everyone's faces.               Participation Up, Great Need for Life Application Bibles Navigator alumni met in the pavilion, UCU fellowship groups along with Friday night prayer overnights are increasing. Student and alumni participation is up. Forty-one students squeezed into the sitting room to attend movie night recently. With attendance up our stock of Life Application Bibles is depleted. Would you consider contributing to the Bible Fund? Other News  In other news, Margaret is writing a book about things she has learned over the years living in Uganda about the culture, and the Ugandan perspective of expatriates living there. Several Ugandans will be collaborating with their perspectives as well. Sharing information for mission teams and people considering living in Uganda is the focus. A plaque honoring the life of Bishop Kamanyire, the first Ugandan leader of the Bishop Tucker Seminary who originally owned the Kingdom View land was installed in September. Prior to his death, we discussed the Kingdom View vision and his support of the plan. We wanted to honor his memory in the pavilion for his faithfulness to the Lord. His land was a blessing to many students and continues to "be a light on the hill for Jesus. The bishop's granddaughter Sheila said, "Grandpa would be so happy to see this. It is a kind gesture. His legacy lives!"