Dear Partners in Ministry,
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:14-15
Uganda, a country filled with much religion, has many concepts of what it means to be saved. Many think salvation is bestowed through good works. Others believe an active role in the church will save them. In our area I am finding few understand and many are confused about the truth of salvation given in God's word. We need your prayers for God to raise up more national men to go and preach the gospel of peace.
Adjusting-to-Life Update:
It is always unnerving to enter your house and realize a robbery has taken place. Every missionary we know has been robbed, so we understood the great possibility upon coming to Uganda. This knowledge helps prepare but does not lessen the jolt when it takes place. We came home after church this Sunday to find our compound broken into and the safe (which had been concreted into the floor and wall) taken. Praise the Lord I had decided not to use the safe for storing money at this time. The burglars, I am sure, were very angry when they opened the safe and realized it was basically empty except for a few documents which were important to us but useless for them. The thieves bypassed a briefcase belonging to some missionary friends who were staying with us. Inside the briefcase was not only money, credit cards and a laptop, but also their passports, airline tickets and more for their upcoming move to South Africa. God is in control! Kristy and I have always said, "Everything we have belongs to God." Now has been the test whether we truly believe what we say. I told the church members here not to feel sorry for me but rather for the ones who have taken God's property.
Culture Moment:
The transport of dead bodies is much different here in Uganda. They don't have hearses and use any means available to get the body to its final resting place. In one day I saw a dead body wrapped in cloth and reclined in a taxi, one stuck in the trunk of a taxi with the legs stiffly hanging out, and one strapped to the back of a bicycle. Another interesting fact, a couple who has been living together for 12 years, are both in their 30's, and who have 3 kids together still have to get a permission letter from their parents to be wed. Without the permission letter the woman's parents will legally own her and the children.
Ministry/Orphanage/School Update:
It is exciting to see God's continued work despite difficulties. Every week this month we have had one or two people saved. This last Sunday two ladies were baptized. One young man, who has been with the ministry for several years, recommitted his life to be a pastor. The language study is moving slowly, but it is still moving. Please continue to pray for language understanding.
In His Service,
Tony & Kristy Applegate
tony@theapplegates.net / kris@theapplegates.net
phone-011-256-782-903-147 / 011-256-782-903-137
CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISES:
Praises: Nothing major was stolen; several salvation decisions; God's continued faithfulness to us.
Prayer requests: Preparation for our first college 2-week program; language studies; God's direction for future school, college and seminary plans.