Dear Partners in Ministry,
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12
When you are close to the open practices of the Spiritual world, the invisible war becomes more of a reality. For the year served in Masaka, prayer has been lifted to God for the purifying of our church. Deep-rooted sin and deceit are slowly being brought to light. After the first several church disciplines we felt the Lord was truly purging the main problems. Now after a year, we are being prompted by the Holy Spirit that the true problems are much more deeply seated than we ever imagined. We need much fasting and prayer for the serious spiritual war that is about to begin in full force. Satan's grip on our church is loosening, and he is not very happy. We rest assured in the fact that "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."
Adjusting-to-Life Update:
Malaria has attacked my body once again. It was interesting to realize it happened about the same time last year. This time I understood the symptoms and was ready with the medicine needed. Instead of 3 weeks of intense pain and suffering concluding with a hospital stay, this attack only lasted for a week. Let me just plainly say, "I do not like malaria."
Culture Moment:
The local justice system some say is barbaric, but it makes a person think before attempting to steal. Four men attempted to break the lock of a dukka (shop) near our church. A security guard saw them and shot the closest man in the chest while the other 3 fled. As the sun rose the next morning the body of the killed burglar was lying in front of the shop waiting for police to come and retrieve. We are just not used to having a body lying around for a day, but it is a poignant lesson to all who think about robbing.
Ministry/Orphanage/School Update:
We have seen several saved and two baptized. Since the leaders have decided to take a stand against sin in the church, the floodgates seem to be opening on salvation decisions. The Bible study in Emmanuel's village is doing very well. There have been many opportunities to witness and train. We are still praying for the possibility of establishing a preaching point and eventually a church there. The key will be finding the right Ugandan man to begin the work. Keith and his family have now returned to Uganda, and the church and radio station are officially returned to his guidance. I am looking forward to beginning full-time language study. Getting back on track for learning the language by furlough is relieving. There are two weeks left in our college term. Two young preacher men, Walugembe Moses and Opus Michael, are eagerly anticipating graduation in May. Preparations are in the making for beginning the second school building. Praise the Lord we are on schedule for opening the school in 2009. Please pray with us as we look for qualified teachers who love children but more importantly love God. If there are any interested elementary teachers who would enjoy a year of teaching in Masaka (in a couple of years), please let us know. We would love to have some teachers from America to help train our nationals.
Please note the change in our phone numbers. The country has added the number "2" to all numbers.
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: 5 saved this month and 2 baptized; apparent rest following presidential elections
Prayer requests: Safe pregnancy for Kristy (baby boy due Sep. 5); strength and protection for our church leaders; wisdom and discernment in upcoming ministry decisions.