I have been here in Uganda now for a week and it has been an intense and fruitful time! The Ugandans are so gracious to us, receiving our ministry and the provision of the water tanks with unique (for us) expressions of gratitude. Last week, we received a cow and two guavas, and today we received a chicken. We were in a bush area meeting with pastors to discuss putting in some water tanks, and they bound a rooster’s feet, and gave it to us as an offering. As I write this from the internet cafe back in Kampala, the poor thing is laying on the floor of our van outside. I think we may offer it to the youth at the youth conference we are doing tomorrow. That, or we’ll have an African friend prepare it for us at the guest house. As we have all purchased African machedes, our photographer, Ryan Morris, wants to do the honor of chopping off its head. Other highlights:

“SLUMDOGS” Our outreach to the slum orphans began with a bang. No sooner had we gotten out of the vehicle than a thief stole our first aid kit out of the van and took off running. Collins, who works with the street children and was hosting us, chased after him into the slums. When he caught him, a mob formed to kill the thief as they began beating him right in front of us. Collins talked them out it, and instead called the police, who took him away. The outreach was very moving as we shared music, spoke God’s Word to them, and fed them two meals. We were overcome with compassion and sorrow as we interacted with these poor children. Thankfully, we also got to see the orphanage inside the slums that rescues some of these children from the streets. The children clung to us as if we were their fathers and mothers.

HELP SCOVIA As we were praying for people at a rural conference in Kayunga, a mother approached us, begging for help for her daughter Scovia. She lifted up her dress and showed us her lower legs, revealing a bone sticking six inches out of her leg. All the wounds were scarred over, as the injury had happened two years ago, and the mother wasn’t able to afford any medical treatment. The sores that remain around the exiting bone are too grotesque to describe, but suffice it to say, we all fear for the little girl’s life. We were outraged that she was not able to receive any medical attention, so we told her broken-hearted mother that we would let our friends in America know about this to see if we can raise support for her treatment. We’re also looking around for solutions in Uganda. Please pray that this poor little girl can live through the agony and infections long enough to get treatment. What if she was your little girl?

EYES OPEN TO THE GOSPEL As everyone that knows me understands, my personal life mission is to “help people experience the grace of God through His Word and His presence.” Coming to Uganda, it is my passion to impart the word of grace to believers and unbelievers in this fatherless nation. Many are testifying of coming to a saving knowledge of Christ, and many believers are receiving a revelation of God’s grace. The response to the Word has been enormous! In Kayunga, they begged us to return again next year and bring the word to them again. We are just thankful that “the word is being received with gladness.”

I’m also personally blessed by the team’s growth on this trip as their eyes are being opened to God’s heart for the nations. We’re here with a team of 9. Up next is the national youth conference and then ministry in Jinja, the source of the Nile. Thanks for your love, prayers, and support! If you still wish to make a donation to support our work in Uganda, you can donate online at www.isaiahsix.com or send your gift to: Isaiah Six, P.O. Box 10A, Lima, NY 14414.

I’ll blog again soon!

Derek Joseph Levendusky