RAINS IN AFRICA In Uganda, when rains fall, it’s a sign of blessing in the spiritual and the natural. More so when it fills the water tanks we’ve installed through the Ugandan Water Project! We asked the Lord to confirm His work through us with “signs and wonders” and it seemed that He chose rain on this journey. Every church event we ministered in was accompanied with rain, even in Kayunga, where they had a six-month drought that was broken only two days before we arrived. As the monsoon rains fell on the tin roofs of the churches, sometimes it was difficult even to preach above the thunderous sound, but the Ugandans knew what the rain meant. To them it was a sign from God that we were sent by the Lord, and that our message was to be received with great thankfulness and sobriety. “Let us thank the Lord for the rain!” Pastor Frederick Makka told his people. “It is a sign of blessing for us, confirming that our vistors are from God.”

FORGIVENESS Just as on my last two journeys to Uganda, I continued to minister the message of grace and the Father heart of God to the Ugandans on this trip, but this time I especially sensed that the Lord wanted me to consistently teach on forgiveness. I was so moved the first time I spoke on it in Kawanda, that for the only time I can remember in my life, I wept during the entire delivery of the sermon. The people were deeply moved. One young Ugandan named Jared said to me afterward, “My brother, what you have spoken has set me free from unforgiveness.” When I asked him more about what the Lord had done, he told me, “My father was murdered over a property dispute, and I have hated the man who killed him, but today I am free.” Later on, I blessed Jared with two collared shirts from my suitcase. He was so excited that he embraced me and would not let go.

In Jinja, I also preached on forgiveness in a church called Elim Pentecostal. After the first service, the pastor was soliciting responses from the people, and one man came forward and testified that he was only visiting the church on that day and was not a Christian. When I taught on forgiveness, a long time bondage broke in his life as he had hated a certain man that wronged him. When grace came to forgive him during my message, his heart could see Christ’s saving grace for his own heart, and without anyone leading him in a sinner’s prayer, this man received Christ right on the spot. The pastor told me, “This is a sign to all of us that your words are sent from God.”

PREACH THE WORD Part of the ordination certificate on my wall charges me: “Preach the Word.” As I have been faithful to do this, I have seen profound results. When we speak of signs and wonders, these follow the preaching of God’s Word. We did not go to Uganda with any self-inflated views, promoting ourselves, or some strange doctrines. We did not obsess over the fantastic, but brought the simple truths of grace and the message of the cross. These truths have been taught from the days of Christ until now by His followers. They are simple and they are life-changing to those who believe. We believe that God confirmed His Word through the simple signs and wonders mentioned, and that God’s people in Uganda will never be the same. Our departure was accompanied with many tears by the Ugandans, and we believe that God will send us to them again.

As taking an international trip like this is a major step of faith as a ministry financially, we are still receiving donations to help carry our ministry through this season as we get into our fall schedule. If you wish to make a tax-deductible gift, you can donate online right here using PayPal or send a check to: P.O. Box 10A, Lima, NY 14485.

Thank you for your prayers and support! May God give you double in return of all you’ve given Him.

Much grace,

Derek Joseph Levendusky