New Year, Continued Goals
January 2020
Here we are in 2020!
Since the time of Denny coming to America in 2013, we have had the desire to be back in Uganda serving in full-time ministry. And it has always been our desire and plan to return to Uganda in 2020. So, here we are in 2020 and Lord willingly, by the fall of this year, we will be back in Uganda for 2 years. Pray for us as we prepare to return. There are a few things that we need to get done before we go, but we have put this before the Lord and we trust that by His grace, He will be bring it to completion.
We were encouraged recently by a sermon by Dr. Tony Evans. At his church’s New Year’s Eve service, Dr. Evans encouraged his church members to make plans for the year, but not to do so foolishly. He talked about the man in James 4- who said that he would go to such and such city and make such and such amount of money – instead he should of said – we will go, if the Lord wills. We can make plans, but we should make plans wisely – always leaving room for the Lord to do as He pleases, as often times our plans and God’s will do not match up. “If we are willing to say yes to God, even when He says no to us – this year won’t be a problem free year, but it will be a God filled year.”
So, as we make our plans to return to Uganda in the fall, we lay them before the Lord and we say “our plans to your will, O Lord.”
We are ever so close to reaching our goal of raising the $500/month match gift. In the last few months, we have been able to raise $425/month of it. As we have had a couple commit $25/month and we had a new church join our sending team. We are remaining with $75 to raise to meet this challenge! We are praying and seeking for 3 new partners @ $25/month!
As a reminder, we have been given a GENEROUS offer from a partner, who is willing to invest $500/month for 3 years, if we raise $500/month first. Think of it as a double investment – for every dollar given – they will give a dollar! Each dollar given goes to reaching communities in Uganda with the Gospel and Plant Churches.
What does that look like broken down:
1 partners @ $100/month
3 partners @ $50/month
4 partners @ $25/month
But, ANY amount given will be appreciated!
Our goal is to have the $500 raised by February. After the $500 is raised, we will be down to needing $825/month by November! We will be updating weekly, as we see the LORD bring in the support needed!
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and for standing with us in support. The Gospel ministry is indeed the work of the Body of Christ. Thank you for helping us to be the feet!
Striving Together,
Denny & Cassie
Prayer Request:
1. Denny as he goes through his classes.
2. Opportunities to Share in Churches –
3. 8 More Churches to Join our Sending Team
3. Open doors to share Christ with Neighbors & Co-workers
5. Raise $500 Match Gift By End of February
6. New Baby arriving any day now!
Praise!
A New Church Partnership this month!
Importance of Pre-Field
Why is Pre-field Important?
We are often asked, “Why do you need to go through Pre-field?” “Why do you need support of churches and individuals?” “Why not just go to Uganda, get a job and do the ministry on the side?”
These are all real and good questions, that we even ask ourselves.
Missionary work takes a team – it is not just about Denny & I working alone – it takes the body of Christ. When Paul went out on his missionary journeys he did not go alone, but he had Silas, Timothy and Luke, along with some others who journeyed with Him. Pre-field ministry gives an opportunity to encourage and mobilize others whom the Lord will add to our team on the field. Just as Paul had Silas and Timothy, we need teammates to share in the ministry.
We are also gathering those who will follow the ministry – those who the Lord will lead to invest in reaching these communities in Uganda with the Gospel, by giving sacrificially. They may not be physically on the field with us but they are just as involved in the ministry. Just as, Jesus and the Disciples had those faithful women following them, giving out of their own means (Luke 8). We know that there is a blessing to those who give sacrificially to the service of the Lord.
The Local Church
When Paul went out on his missionary journeys he had the church of Philippi supporting him, meeting his needs as he served the Lord. And it was not that Paul wanted or needed their gift, but that their gift to him was a gift to the Lord. We believe that the Lord has mandated that the Local church not only reach their local community, but to be a part of global missions – to send out missionaries to make disciples. A way that churches can be involved in world missions is by sending out missionaries and financially supporting them, enabling the missionary be 100% dedicated to the service of the Lord and not distracted by other obligations. We are looking for churches that are not just interested in sending a monthly check, but who are dedicated to walking with us in this ministry through a partnership and personal relationships – through prayer and communication. We desire to be used by God to encourage and mobilize others to this Great Commission. When one gives to their local church and missions – there is joy. When we go to Uganda, we want to be 100% dedicated to reaching the people in the community – we do not want to be distracted by other things that will take us away from the calling that the Lord has called us too.
Every missionaries journey is slightly different. There is no cookie-cutter path to reach the field. From the time a missionary is called until they reach the field of appointment, the Lord teaches His servant(s) to trust in Him. Sometimes, He moves quickly and sometimes He moves slowly, but the servant of the Lord must trust in Him. God’s timing is not our timing, His ways are not our ways.
Although, raising financial support is a huge part of Pre-field ministry, it is not the only thing. Much of Pre-field ministry is learning to trust in the Lord in all areas of life. It is learning to listen to the Lord – to go and do what He wants. It is learning to Listen to the Lord, instead of our own thinking and what others may say. It is learning to preserver through the negative and discouragement. Many people give up on the journey to the field because of the discouragement. But there is a blessing in waiting upon the Lord and trusting that He will fulfil what He promised to do. It is learning to be joyful in the here and now. It is learning that above all God is in control and that the mission, the ministry, the people are His and we are but His vessels. We go when He says to go, and we stay when He says to stay. It is learning that we serve the Living God – who has a mouth to speak, ears to hear and hands to move. He is not like the gods of this world. He hears and He knows. Our ministry is to serve Him and to lead others to Him. Just as many of the men and women throughout the Bible waited upon the Lord, so do we. He is not slack. His timing is not ours, His ways are not ours! He is God in Heaven!
Thank you for standing with us in Prayer & Sacrificial Giving,
Striving Together,
Denny & Cassie Nuwagaba
Merry Christmas!!
The most wonderful time of the year, when we celebrate the long awaited Redeemer of the world. The One that the Lord promised to Eve in the garden after the fall. The world was dark and people were restless. Sin was raging – things seemed hopeless, but then God in all of His Glory – sent His Son to dwell among us.
He brought – life and hope and peace to this lost and broken world. And now we have the honor to caring that message to those in Uganda. It is a simple but profound message – The Creator of the World loved His Creation so much – that He came to save His Creation.
This year has been dark and hard for the whole world! The world is groaning for the return of Christ. May we be faithful in proclaiming His name to those around us.
One thing that this year has taught us is the importance of being connected with a local church. It is essential to be connected with other believers.
We were never meant to do this life alone. And church is not just listening to a sermon and singing songs on Sunday morning. The church is the individual believers doing life together.
About 4 years ago, the Lord lead us to Gr.Church in Grand Rapids, where we have been able to grow and serve along side some of the dearest people. We will surely miss them when we head out in the spring.
Denny had the opportunity to preach and share our ministry with the whole church in November. We are blessed to have these people to stand with us.
Our home in Uganda is coming along so nicely! We had the floor tiles installed this last week and will be having our kitchen and bathroom cabinets installed this next month.
We will be down to installing our water towers and building a wall around the property. Lord willingly it will all be complete by the time we are ready to head out.
Striving Together,
Denny & Cassie
August Trip and Fall Activities
The August Mission Trip to Uganda
August 23rd through the 26th Ron and I had an opportunity to travel to Uganda. On Friday, we join a medical team with WOL-Uganda, led by Jack Sorg, for the day. They held a week long medical clinic in a small village of Kigo, just outside the capital Kampala. While in the village we had the opportunity to speak with pastor Dick Rwegaba.
We had a great discussion on how the gospel is having a great impact in this humble community. Among other topics we discussed on further partnership to solidify the gospel and open the eyes of many Ugandan communities that have been taken advantage of by the false gospels.
Health care still stands as a luxurious issue in many, if not most communities in Uganda, since there are not many health facilities in these communities and its high price associated with it. It’s therefore a major challenge for the locals to access health care. And the medical outreach does just that, free medical checkups and free medicines which brings people to hear the gospel.
The following two days, we headed out to another community in Namayumba in Wakiso district northwest Uganda, about an hour drive out Kampala.
There we had fellowship with local pastors in the area encouraging them in the walk of leadership and preaching the right gospel. A great deal is preaching a prosperity gospel to these local pastors which is so far away form the truth of the gospel that we preach.
It is tough and challenging being called to minister in these community even so being a pastor since these communities are ravaged in poverty and illiteracy, and that comes with in-accuracy of the scriptures.
We spent time encouraging and fellowshipping with the pastors with whom we have developed a relationship with for some time now. Our goal is to bring a biblical education to these local pastors because they have a great desire to serve. There is over 50,000 thousand people in this small village and not much churches in the area.
Pray:
- That a bible teaching school will be established in this community particularly to bring a bible education to these local pastors. The closest bible institutes are miles away or located in the capital.
- To reach this humble community with the true gospel, undoing the fake gospel which is totally misleading. Our desire is for every household to be reached with the gospel of Christ.
- To initiate personal skills that will in future help fight poverty in these communities.
- We pray that God will bring along more missionaries to these communities.
We are thankful to God for the continued support we have got from all of you who have supported us all the way. I always thank God for your generosity and can’t wait to see what God will do as we continue to be faithful to this call.
Striving Together,
Denny & Cassie
Youth Fellowship
“I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” Psalm 7:17 |
At the beginning of the lockdown, the hospitals were packed with people and numbers of COVID patients were high, but by the end of the lockdown numbers had reduced greatly.
Some restrictions have lifted, but a few remain in place – including gathering sizes, churches and schools remain closed, there is a limit of 3 people in personal cars, plus mask are required in public places.
We thank the Lord for keeping us healthy during this whole time.
Although the lockdowns have been used to stop the spread of the virus, they had been very stressful upon families and individuals, as many were not able to work and provide for their families.
All public and private vehicles were not allowed to operate, leaving families with limited ways to get to work.
Also, the educational system had been put on hold for 2 years, they did open a few levels back at the beginning of the year, but closed again with the lockdown.
Unless, parents had a way for their children to do online school or homeschool to keep up with their studies, kids here are 2 years behind in their studies.
Those who were supposed to graduate have been put on hold, many finding ways to make money and now won’t return to finish. There has been an increase in teen pregnancy. Lord willingly, they will open schools soon.
Prayer Request:
1. Churches and Schools to reopen
2. Youth Ministry in Namayumba Village Tuesday – Evangelism and Discipleship
3. Developing ministry opportunities and community outreach in Namayumba Village
4.Healthy Pregnancy and Baby – Due December 30th, 2021
5. Asher & Korbyn school
6. Visas/Immigration – We are still working on our immigration statues, we submitted our information in Mid August and we still have not receive any information back.
Praise:
Starting Youth ministry in Namayumba Village
New baby in December
$350/month to go to meet $500/month match-gift!
Greetings!
We praise the Lord for His glorious salvation! Thank you for your prayers regarding our time at The Roots of Faith training. We had two wonderful weeks filled with learning and fellowshipping with other believers!
It was amazing to walk through the Bible from Genesis to Revelations, in chronological order, seeing God’s redemptive plan for man!
This has given us a renewed vision and desire to share the message of Jesus Christ with all those we come into contact with! We serve a faithful God, who always keeps His promises!
The week prior to leaving, Denny was contacted by a lady from our sending church, regarding a young man named, Paci, from the DR Congo, who is staying with her sister.
He came to USA alone, no family, about two years ago as a refugee. Our friend’s sister is a teacher at the school that Paci is attending, and through some connecting, Paci came to live with her and her husband. Soon after coming to live with them, they found out that he has Stage 4 cancer.
Our friend contacted us, to see if we could go and encourage him, as he has given up and is no longer doing treatment. We are thankful the Lord has allowed us to meet Paci, and we pray that He will allow us to be an encouragement to him in his last days.
It is very sobering to think about how much this young guy has been through in his life. We pray that the Lord will grant him peace and comfort.
_____________________________________________________
We are etching closer to reaching our goal of raising the $500/month match gift. In the last month, we were able to raise $150/month of it.
As we have had one couple commit $100/month and we have a had new partner join at $50/month. We are remaining with $350 to raise to meet this challenge! This coming month of July, we are praying and seeking for 4 new partners @ $25/month!
As a reminder, we have been given a GENEROUS offer from a partner, who is willing to invest $500/month for 3 years, if we raise $500/month first.
Think of it as a double investment – for every dollar given – they will give a dollar! Each dollar given goes to reaching communities in Uganda with the Gospel and Plant Churches.
What does that look like broken down:
1 partners @ $100/month
3 partners @ $50/month
4 partners @ $25/month
But, ANY amount given will be appreciated!
Our goal is to have the $500 raised by December. After the $500 is raised, we will be down to needing $825/month by May! We will be updating weekly, as we see the LORD bring in the support needed!
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and for standing with us in support. The Gospel ministry is indeed the work of the Body of Christ. Thank you for helping us to be the feet!
Denny & Cassie
Prayer Request:
1. Denny as he goes through his classes.
2. Opportunities to Share in Churches – We will be @ 3 different Mission Conferences in the Fall
3. 8 More Churches to Join our Sending Team
3. Open doors to share Christ with Neighbors & Co-workers
5. Raise $500 Match Gift By December!
6. Denny’s trip to Uganda in August
7. Pasi – a 14 year old refugee from the DRC – Congo, he came to USA alone (no family) about two years ago, he is in last days of stage four cancer. Please for peace and comfort.
Praise!
Praise
*finished Roots of Faith. Asher & Korbyn did alright in the nursery!
*new partners
Happy Spring!
Blue screen of Death!
We apologize for not getting our March Newsletter out. I sat down to type it up – had it all planned out – started typing – then the computer started to run slowly, and then came the dreaded the blue screen – “there was an error while loading your computer.” Not what I was planning on, but we are thankful that we were able to get it replaced.
Since March, we have continued to reach out to more churches. We are excited that we will be attending a missions conference in October with a church that we have previously visited! Also, we have some more appointments set up to meet with a few different pastors and church leaders.
We are thankful for these opportunities to share the work that the Lord has laid upon our hearts and also the opportunity to encourage these pastors with their involvement in world missions.
Recently, I have been thinking about the responsibilities and the important role that missionaries play in the local and the global church. We are called by God sent by the local church to serve the global church. We are privileged to represent the Lord and His work to the nations.
We are still trusting the Lord to bring us to the 50% of committed monthly support by June 24th! Pray that the Lord will provide the $1812 which will cover our housing!
Upcoming:
“The Roots of Faith: Old Testament & New Testament” course at ABWE HQ in June.
Denny is planning to travel to Uganda in August, with our Field Director and a medical missions team. Please pray that all the details will come together.
2 different Missions conferences – one in September and another one in October
Thank you for you constant love and prayers,
Striving Together,
Denny & Cassie Nuwagaba
Prayer Request:
1. Denny as he goes through his classes.
2. Opportunities to Share in Churches
3. 8 More Churches to Join our Sending Team
3. Open doors to share Christ with Neighbors & Co-workers
4. Reach 50% by January – We are currently @ 21% – we are praying to raise the $1812 monthly support by June 24th, so that we can attend the required training in July.
5. We have been given an opportunity to reach out to the African community here in Grand Rapids. Pray that we will be a blessing to these people and that we will speak boldly the Gospel!
6. Denny’s trip to Uganda in AugustSlowly but surely our home and compound are coming together. While we wait for our kitchen to be installed, we have been enjoying our meals with Yaya and Papa, which has been helpful for the boys to adjust to the Ugandan cuisine.
Double Your Gift 💲
We have been praying and talking about how we can move forward in our ministry. And we have have been talking with our Field Director about how we can get on the field in Uganda sooner. We have been given the permission to return to Uganda for 2 years.
This will help in our long-term goal, by allowing us to reconnect with our current ministry – in Uganda and allow us to have experience on the field. Our target date to be in Uganda is May 2020. We will be beginning our work in the Wakiso District – which is just outside of Kampala. We will be working in communities – sharing the Gospel, discipling believers, helping local pastors and planting churches.
In order to go, we have to raise the remaining $1825/monthly support. We have been given a GENEROUS offer from a partner, who is willing to invest $500/month for 3 years, if we raise $500/month first. Think of it as a double investment – for every dollar given – they will give a dollar! Each dollar given goes to reaching communities in Uganda with the Gospel and Plant Churches.
What does that look like broken down:
2 partners @ $100/month
4 partners @ $50/month
4 partners @ $25/month
But, ANY amount given will be apperciated!
Our goal is to have the $500 raised by December. After the $500 is raised, we will be down to needing $825/month by May! We will be updating weekly, as we see the LORD bring in the support needed!
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and for standing with us in support. The Gospel ministry is indeed the work of the Body of Christ. Thank you for helping us to be the feet!
Striving Together,
Denny & Cassie
Prayer Request:
1. Denny as he goes through his classes.
2. Opportunities to Share in Churches – We will be @ 3 different Mission Conferences in the Fall
3. 8 More Churches to Join our Sending Team
3. Open doors to share Christ with Neighbors & Co-workers
4. Reach 50% by June – We are currently @ 21% – we are praying to raise the $1812 monthly support by June 24th, so that we can attend the required training in July.
5. Raise $500 Match Gift By December!
6. Travel in PA at the end of June for Roots of Faith training
6. Denny’s trip to Uganda in August
Praise!
I completely forgot to mention in our last newsletter, that the LORD provided a van for us through some dear friends!! We praise the Lord for answered prayers!
Living A Life of Praise to the Lor d
“Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 150
When a life is transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the only reasonable response is to live their life in praise and worship to the LORD. As we preach the gospel and disciple the students that the Lord has entrusted to us, it is our desire that they would live for the glory of the Lord.
Over the last few months, we have seen the Lord working amongst the students. When the students were returning to school, one of the young ladies did not want to return to school because it meant she had to cut her hair. Schools here require girls to keep their hair short for hygiene purposes. She told her mom that she would not go. During one of the lessons, the Spirit convicted her and she went home to tell her mom sorry, that she would cut her hair and return to school.
On another occasion, as Denny was nearing the end of the Story of Hope, 5 of the students made a faith responds and gave their lives to Christ! We praise the Lord for their salvation!
FEBRUARY & MARCH
Saturday Youth Fellowship
Denny has been faithfully going through the Story of Hope with the older students each Saturday and is coming to the end of the study – we praise the Lord for those who have already made decisions for Christ. After the Story of Hope is finished- He will begin The Way to Joy, which is the companion/follow-up study to the Story of Hope. The Way to Joy is an introduction to discipleship.
Bible Clubs/Chapel
On Wednesday afternoon’s and Saturday’s after the Youth Fellowship, Denny and Ivan have been going to a chapel/Bible Club at a primary school in Namayumba. Every time they arrive at the school the students are anxiously waiting for them at the gate.
Pastor Patrick – The Way to Joy in Luganda
Pastor Patrick has been leading a small group of Pastors and church leaders through The Way of Joy in Luganda. They have been meeting once a week for the last 4 weeks and the response has been great. These Pastors and leaders are so grateful to be receiving this training and resource that they can then take to their own people.
Praise & Prayer Request
Tendo Bible Camp
We will be hosting our first ever Bible camp in the village of Namayumba, April 25th – 30th. It is a non residential, week-long camp. We are anticipating on having over 200 youth, ranging in ages between 5 – 20 years old. It will be a week filled with fun games, great food and exciting guest speakers. The most exciting part is the Word of God that will be preached everyday. Please pray with us for the hearts of the students to be open to receiving the Gospel and that many will make decisions for Christ. And pray for us and the local churches that they will be sent to, to be discipled following camp. |
Upcoming
Visiting Local Churches – Denny, Ivan and Pastor Patrick will be visiting a few of the other local churches in the area.
Short-term Trips
We have a few short-term teams coming.
A team coming from Gowen Bible Church – June 17th-21st
A medical team coming in August and a church from South Florida coming in September.