CHARIS BIBLE COLLEGE OF UGANDA REOPENS: It was an honor to have Wendell and Linda Parr here to reopen the school on January 28th. Their wisdom and insights were a huge help to us. Wendell taught on 1 John 5:5 that we are World Overcomers. We have made this our theme for the year, and had a banner made as constant reminder. Thankfully, the elevator was working for their stay and mostly since. (Praise report)
THROUGH STRUGGLES COME VICTORIES: The week the school started we had a virus that affected our external hard drive that we have all the school information on (we thought we lost it all). A student came and recovered all the information - it was amazing.
On top of that, two commode tank tops came up missing. The first one a student noticed and came to get me. I didn’t understand what they were trying to tell me so we went to see; after the initial shock I just started to laugh which confused them even more. The enemy comes to steal (commode tank tops), kill, and destroy. Humor is a friend.
Then, the night I got to leave early (10pm), the young man that locks up the school called to tell me the front door came off its hinges (broke). So I came back to school; and a little over the hour we had the door locked up.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP: The struggles come in many forms and directions. We don’t always understand the people here in Africa. Even though we are in a Bible College there are still some expectations and understandings that are different. They are hungry, humble, and grateful for the Word of God; and help each other in understanding and challenge one another in the Word. They also take what they have learned and gladly share it with others. Some students don’t have the money to come to school and we have allowed all to come until the end of February. The ones that are making an effort we are helping with our limited donated scholarship funds. Some days all we do is go from one situation/teaching to another not always knowing if people are understanding. Then they will come to us with “Well done”; and let us know they are getting it.
REALITY:Two Saturdays ago Mary and I decided to drive to Jinga; the source of the Nile River. We got stuck in a lot of traffic and a 1 ½ hour trip turned into 4 hours. We took that time to talk and pray. This was a much-needed time together. Since we had opened the school, five weeks earlier, it has been a hectic pace. The third place we checked out for lodging was a nice place with cabins and a pool. Some guests told us of another place to visit so on the way home we saw a place on the falls of the Nile; it was beautiful.
Driving home about 20 K outside of Jinga. We were going 67k (41mph) in an 80k (50mph) zone in a rural area. We came up on a young man, maybe 15 years old on a bicycle on the opposite side of the road going the same direction as we were. I made eye contact with him. Then he darted out in front of our car. I was standing on the brakes and swerving to avoid him but he kept coming straight into our path, still looking at us. We clipped him and his bike. He went down the side of the car. We came to a stop in just a short distance. It was amazing. Some may say it was the new tires and brakes but I know it was God’s Angles that helped us to stop as fast as we did.
I hopped out of the car and looked back; at first I didn’t see him. He was lying face down beside the car in the grass bordering the road. He was motionless and ridged. I Immediately starting speaking life Psalm 118:17 “He would live and not die and declare the works of the Lord”; that there would be No broken bones, No damaged organs, No blood clotting, etc… People came all around us. I had them pick the young man up and put him in the back seat. I had one of the men come with us since I didn’t know where the nearest hospital was.
The Hospital was about a ½ hour away; Mary and I prayed in the Spirit the whole way, and even before impact. Romans 8:26 “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray as we ought”. About half way to the hospital the young man sat up in the back seat and asked for his momma. We told him that he was okay and we were taking him to the hospital; he understood. Upon arrival at the hospital the other man and I helped the young man walk into the hospital on his own power. We walked him into an exam room and set him on the examination table. A person in the pharmacy had already called the Doctor and he was on his way. The young man was in a lot pain and very stiff. He (Brian) would keep taking our hands and placing them on the areas where he was hurting; so we would pray for this area (neck, leg, etc...) and soon he was resting.
The doctor arrived about 1 hour after the accident. In his examination he was so rough that Mary had to leave the room. Brian had no broken bones, brain damage and only some very minor surface scratches. Nothing deep enough to require a stich, it’s hard to imagine with the loss of blood in the back seat of the car. The doctor said Brian was only bruised up and would be sore and he expected that he would be released in 2 – 3 days. I called the doctor Friday morning and the young man had already been released.
God is amazing (awesome, super-duper) sparing and restoring this young man.
Brian’s father arrived just after the Doctor had started his examination.
The Doctor wrote up an agreement from the sum the father wanted and the doctor thought it was reasonable for settlement in full, covering all damages including but not limited to, medical, bicycle, and a little extra, and that in the future there would be no (as they say) U turn (recourse) in any legal matter or position.
The father admitted that his son Brian had told him that he had darted out in front of me, but Ugandan law stated that if you knocked (Hit) someone you were in the wrong. I know the Doctor was looking out for our behalf in not only writing up this settlement and witnessing it but also keeping a record in his file in a State run hospital. This law doesn’t sound right but everyone we have talked to since states that it is this way.
I thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ that he has given us the Holy Spirit to heal. Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus.
Everyone I have talked with since the accident has told me that people will do this so that they can get money. As Muzunga’s (white), we are perceived as being rich and can take care of them. I don’t think Brian will ever do this again because he experienced the love of God in a tangible way.
satan (yes I didn’t capitalize the name because on spell check I get to click ignore) this is what we have to do, he is the voice screaming at you all the negative possibilities but our God is more than able. Jesus told us if we would only believe in our heart we would have what we confess. God’s grace is sufficient. (Always) We have been faced with challenges since before we have arrived here so, we must be on the right track.
WE COVET YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT: Your support not only helps us with our expenses, but we also have been able to sponsor some students because of your generosity. They are able to sit under the word and find out for themselves just who this God of love is and what His promises for them are.
I feel that there are others that are supposed to come and help. This isn’t for the faint of heart but if you know that God has called you and through Him you can stand, we would like to talk to you. There is so much more we can do here but we need more boots on the ground. You get to prove this Gospel of Grace.
Thank You,
Hank & Mary Lenz