The message of grace is being received with great joy here in Uganda at both the pastors’ conference and at the national youth conference. Pastor George Nsamba’s words today to the congregation:

“I have seen many Americans come to Uganda over the last twenty years, but I have never seen anyone have the impact that Derek and Isaiah Six are having. The way they conduct themselves in ministry is bearing great fruit here. Many come and confuse us with their words and bring warring between pastors and churches, but you bring a message that is transforming us and bringing us together. Further, you not only bring the Word but are supplying clean water tanks that are blessing churches and communities all over Uganda. We are so thankful for you.

The messages Derek has shared are different than anything you ever hear in a youth conference in Uganda. Most of the time, you hear messages that tell youth what sinners they are, how useless they are, and only give them rules to obey, but Derek and his team are teaching us that if you stay close to Jesus [and His grace] then you will be transformed and be able to become all that God wants you to become.”

Obviously, I am blessed by these words, not because they commend me or my team, but because they show you the hunger for the message of the grace of God.

FATHERLESS NATION I continue to be amazed by the orphan spirit on this nation. There is a young man here named Daniel (once had a Muslim name) that has an amazing testimony. He received Christ as a teen in a Muslim family and though all was against him, he did not deny Christ. I have allowed him to accompany us to several outings, and he is already calling me “Daddy” as his Muslim father abandoned him. This is just one example of a fatherless nation who have lost their fathers because they have been disowned (because of Islam), abandoned (because of poverty), rejected, slaughtered (by Idi Amin or the LRA), or whose parents have died of AIDS or other diseases. Pray for them, that God would reveal Himself as Father and through His church would rise fathers and mothers in the faith.

KAYUNGA GIRL IS GOING TO HAVE SURGERY! Last blog, I told you about “Scovia” in rural Kayunga…a young girl who has been suffering for two years because she broke her leg and back, and her shin bone has been protruding six inches out of her lower leg. She can’t afford treatment, or even the transportation to get to the hospital 3 hours away in Kampala. We have made some progress, as we met with a doctor in Kampala, and showed him the pictures of the girl’s leg. He’s agreed to help her get on the right track. Our team has taken up an offering from our own pockets, and we’ve raised the money for the girl to travel to Kampala, and get her to this doctor. He will examine her condition and get her connected with the right surgeon. Thanks for all your prayers and emails! Some of you directed us to the very people we are now working with! Keep Scovia in prayer, that the surgery will go well.

Youth conference ends tomorrow then off to Jinja for a trip on the Nile and village ministry in churches and some villages where we’ve put water tanks…then home!!!

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support!

– Derek Joseph Levendusky