How good and pleasant it is when the brethren dwell together in unity.
We ask that you would continue prayers for unity as we have seen God do mighty things as like-minded hearts and kindred spirits, who are all one in the Lord, come together with a great desire to Bind Up the Brokenhearted and see hearts healed in Jesus name!
We had a wonderful visit to Kamonkoli, Uganda in the Eastern region. The people in Kampala said we were "up country", basically we were out in the boondocks. :)
Once again, the Lord was faithful to put us firmly in the camp of godly people who desire true ministry unto the Lord. One of our leaders grew up in this little township outside of Mbale, Uganda and she had a desire to bring this teaching there. It was warmly received by all who were of the same heart to first be healed themselves and then also bring the healing of God's Word to others.
We continue to hear this ministry is a "fresh" work and very much needed to reach down deep to secret sins that have been greatly hidden. Many prayers have been prayed for it to greatly impact their country as it transforms lives.
All of us ladies got a chance to get a small bit of R&R in Jinja, Uganda (the source of the Nile River), do some great craft shopping and also Camille shared the ministry and her testimony with about 15 leaders at the Baptist Seminary that her friends Misti and Anthony serve in. What a blessing to share this heart with pastors and church leaders! She also got to spend some time encouraging one of our leaders, Grace, one on one.
We are now back in Kampala where we have just come from a wonderfully unified meeting of the core Healing Hearts leaders in Kampala.
How good and pleasant it is when we dwell together in unity!
Tomorrow is the Women's Conference and we need much prayer. Please continue to pray, an update and more pics tomorrow, hopefully.
In Christ,
Camille for Team Uganda
Friday, July 22, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
African rain on a tin roof
Today was another incredible day!
After a long bumpy ride in the taxi (van) we arrived at a beautiful village. This is the village that Buyondo grew up in and he invited our team to speak to the women of his church.
The terrain was tropical and green with avacodo trees, coffee, tobacco and mango trees. The church was rustic and was made of bricks and mortor with a tin roof.
It looked like a picture with the sky as a bright blue backdrop. As we got closer we could hear singing and drumming inside. We entered and joined right in with the singing and Sue Sanford even sat behind a drum and started pounding away.
We all shared our testimonies and the women greatly confirmed that they could also relate and were so engaged listening to our testimonies that they didn't want to break for lunch!
Camille taught about forgiveness and several women cried as they listened to her heart-wrenching testimony.
Then the rain started and sounded SO cool on the tin roof. It kept getting louder and louder drowning out the lady who was sharing. The rain quickly ended.
At the end of the service the pastor and ministry leaders blessed us with a special prayer as we held hands and kneeled to the ground. It was an emotional, very touching moment. Suddenly, they placed an envelope in Suzanne's open hand, and one by one had all of the U.S. AND Ugandan women leaders each put a hand on it symbolizing their giving it to all of us from all of them. We sobbed, as in our hearts, we immediatedly knew it was a love offering from them to Healing Hearts Ministries! In Africa, it is very rare for a church to give when they themselves have such great financial need. This truly was biblical giving cheerfully from their heart as gratitude to God for what they had just received from His Word. As we left for the van, the ladies hugged and kissed us and waved goodbye, calling us their very own sisters!
Tomorrow, we wake up early and go to do ministry with widows for 2 days with one of our Healing Hearts leaders, Harriet Walude. One day of rest in Jinja and then we'll be back to our "home" in Kampala.
Pics, lots of pics, soon!
Healing Hearts Team Uganda
After a long bumpy ride in the taxi (van) we arrived at a beautiful village. This is the village that Buyondo grew up in and he invited our team to speak to the women of his church.
The terrain was tropical and green with avacodo trees, coffee, tobacco and mango trees. The church was rustic and was made of bricks and mortor with a tin roof.
It looked like a picture with the sky as a bright blue backdrop. As we got closer we could hear singing and drumming inside. We entered and joined right in with the singing and Sue Sanford even sat behind a drum and started pounding away.
We all shared our testimonies and the women greatly confirmed that they could also relate and were so engaged listening to our testimonies that they didn't want to break for lunch!
Camille taught about forgiveness and several women cried as they listened to her heart-wrenching testimony.
Then the rain started and sounded SO cool on the tin roof. It kept getting louder and louder drowning out the lady who was sharing. The rain quickly ended.
At the end of the service the pastor and ministry leaders blessed us with a special prayer as we held hands and kneeled to the ground. It was an emotional, very touching moment. Suddenly, they placed an envelope in Suzanne's open hand, and one by one had all of the U.S. AND Ugandan women leaders each put a hand on it symbolizing their giving it to all of us from all of them. We sobbed, as in our hearts, we immediatedly knew it was a love offering from them to Healing Hearts Ministries! In Africa, it is very rare for a church to give when they themselves have such great financial need. This truly was biblical giving cheerfully from their heart as gratitude to God for what they had just received from His Word. As we left for the van, the ladies hugged and kissed us and waved goodbye, calling us their very own sisters!
Tomorrow, we wake up early and go to do ministry with widows for 2 days with one of our Healing Hearts leaders, Harriet Walude. One day of rest in Jinja and then we'll be back to our "home" in Kampala.
Pics, lots of pics, soon!
Healing Hearts Team Uganda
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday Blessings!
(See Pictures in Sidebar for Sunday Blessings)
Today was an amazing day of worship and teaching from God's Word. The three Healing Hearts U.S. leaders (Sue, Suzanne and Camille) spent time in Madinah's, one of our Ugandan leader's, church praising God for all of the beautiful women we shared the ministry and our testimonies with. The women were so moved and testified of how moved they were that even Mzungus (Americans) can go through the same kinds of problems that they do.
Around 12-15 women and almost as many children were circled around as we met together. We met a woman who was a former Muslim who had only become Born Again (a.k.a. Evangelical Christian) very recently and she was very moved by our testimonies and sharing. Many women struggle in their marriages and with wayward, drunken or abusive husbands and the pain is very great. But Jesus is Mighty to Save and Heal. We really spoke on the nearness of God and all the ways that Jesus understands the sin we suffer, by His example of the great burden of pain and suffering He bore both leading up to and finishing the work on the Cross.
Brad Furges went to the church of our head leader of Healing Hearts in Uganda both to worship and fellowship, but after the service he brought teaching to around 30 men. Since we were not there, I can only share about seeing a definite expression of amazement at the Spirit's moving in that place of bringing men to repentence by the look on his face! It's funny, but the men actually outlasted the women in running over on time in their meeting. Praise God!
It truly was a Sunday Blessing for us all!
Camille for Team Uganda
Today was an amazing day of worship and teaching from God's Word. The three Healing Hearts U.S. leaders (Sue, Suzanne and Camille) spent time in Madinah's, one of our Ugandan leader's, church praising God for all of the beautiful women we shared the ministry and our testimonies with. The women were so moved and testified of how moved they were that even Mzungus (Americans) can go through the same kinds of problems that they do.
Around 12-15 women and almost as many children were circled around as we met together. We met a woman who was a former Muslim who had only become Born Again (a.k.a. Evangelical Christian) very recently and she was very moved by our testimonies and sharing. Many women struggle in their marriages and with wayward, drunken or abusive husbands and the pain is very great. But Jesus is Mighty to Save and Heal. We really spoke on the nearness of God and all the ways that Jesus understands the sin we suffer, by His example of the great burden of pain and suffering He bore both leading up to and finishing the work on the Cross.
Brad Furges went to the church of our head leader of Healing Hearts in Uganda both to worship and fellowship, but after the service he brought teaching to around 30 men. Since we were not there, I can only share about seeing a definite expression of amazement at the Spirit's moving in that place of bringing men to repentence by the look on his face! It's funny, but the men actually outlasted the women in running over on time in their meeting. Praise God!
It truly was a Sunday Blessing for us all!
Camille for Team Uganda
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Training the Trainers
Today was a very full day of sharing testimonies about how God used Healing Hearts to heal each one of us by His Spirit and His Word.
We also had teaching, but also we had to answer many questions.
As I'm nearly falling asleep, because it's 1 am Uganda time, I'll make this short.
Our God is Amazing!
The fellowship is good. The unity amongst the leaders seems very solid and also they seem very determined to keep it that way and together to seek out the brokenhearted who need healing and to proclaim the Year of the Lord's Favor in Uganda.
Tomorrow, the U.S. ladies will go to Madinah's church to meet with the group of women she has been taking through the bible study. And Brad Furges from Pure Life Ministries will be teaching 40-50 men in a local church about walking in sexual purity and having a clean heart before the Lord. The men are especially excited from this teaching and have even told me of their visions to help the men in Uganda become true spiritual leaders in their homes and also to have spiritually healthy families.
Yesu Yebazibwe! Praise Jesus!
With Love and more to come soon, Camille for Team Uganda
We also had teaching, but also we had to answer many questions.
As I'm nearly falling asleep, because it's 1 am Uganda time, I'll make this short.
Our God is Amazing!
The fellowship is good. The unity amongst the leaders seems very solid and also they seem very determined to keep it that way and together to seek out the brokenhearted who need healing and to proclaim the Year of the Lord's Favor in Uganda.
Tomorrow, the U.S. ladies will go to Madinah's church to meet with the group of women she has been taking through the bible study. And Brad Furges from Pure Life Ministries will be teaching 40-50 men in a local church about walking in sexual purity and having a clean heart before the Lord. The men are especially excited from this teaching and have even told me of their visions to help the men in Uganda become true spiritual leaders in their homes and also to have spiritually healthy families.
Yesu Yebazibwe! Praise Jesus!
With Love and more to come soon, Camille for Team Uganda
Friday, July 15, 2011
Reunions, Hugs 'n Tears
It's great to be back in Kampala, Uganda. We arrived late Wednesday at about 11:00 p.m. at Entebbe airport and then to our guesthouse about 12:30 a.m. We were feeling pretty haggard after 23 hours of flying, but one look at our friend Buyondo picking us up from the airport and there were lots of hugs and laughter so the 1.5 hr drive seemed like a minute as we chatted non-stop.
The next morning Camille met Madinah to discuss printing the bible studies and she suprised Sue and Suzanne afterward and there were lots of tears and hugs at this joyful reunion. We shared pictures and stories and introductions with our team members, Suzanne and Brad.
This is Suzanne's first missionary trip and she loves Uganda and the people. She anxiously awaits her african name while she is getting to know everyone.
We share a room with three netted single beds. We have our own bathroom, but no hot water, so we take short, cold showers :)
The people of Uganda are so warm and friendly. You instantly feel welcomed and so comfortable with them. Tomorrow we will host a leadership training with around 15 of our Ugandan Healing Hearts leaders.
Brad Furges is a representative from Pure Life Ministries (www.purelifeministries.org) and has accompanied us on this mission trip so that he can train the men to walk in sexual purity.
We will keep you updated and will have pictures to follow!
Mukama Bulungi! "God is good!"
Suubi (a.k.a. Sue) from all of us
The next morning Camille met Madinah to discuss printing the bible studies and she suprised Sue and Suzanne afterward and there were lots of tears and hugs at this joyful reunion. We shared pictures and stories and introductions with our team members, Suzanne and Brad.
This is Suzanne's first missionary trip and she loves Uganda and the people. She anxiously awaits her african name while she is getting to know everyone.
We share a room with three netted single beds. We have our own bathroom, but no hot water, so we take short, cold showers :)
The people of Uganda are so warm and friendly. You instantly feel welcomed and so comfortable with them. Tomorrow we will host a leadership training with around 15 of our Ugandan Healing Hearts leaders.
Brad Furges is a representative from Pure Life Ministries (www.purelifeministries.org) and has accompanied us on this mission trip so that he can train the men to walk in sexual purity.
We will keep you updated and will have pictures to follow!
Mukama Bulungi! "God is good!"
Suubi (a.k.a. Sue) from all of us
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Going Forth
In a number of hours, 3 Healing Hearts leaders and 1 Pure Life Ministries leader will be headed to Uganda to preach and teach the Truth of the Gospel with all of the hope and healing it offers to the world.
We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel is lifted up in everything we do, because His Word says that if this happens He will draw men to Himself. (see John 12:32, John 3:14)
Will you join us as we go to Africa? How???...in prayer.
Please pray:
Saturday, July 16 - Healing Hearts leadership training with Pure Life Ministries additional training/teaching for the male leaders
Sunday, July 17 - Teaching, sharing of testimonies at local churches
Monday, July 18 - Ministry to women in slum area HIV and alcoholism prevalent
Tuesday, July 19-21 - Teaching, ministry to women in widows and orphans ministry, HIV prevalent
Saturday, July 23 - Healing Hearts womens conference, prayerfully 100 women in attendance
Sunday, July 24 - Sharing of testimonies and about Healing Hearts Ministries at local church
Monday, July 25 - Village outreach, sharing of testimonies
Tuesday, July 26- Ministry and teaching in slum area HIV and alcoholism prevalent
That evening, we will return home. Pray for seeds to be planted and for us to reap, for the Kingdom, those things which are ripe.
Pray for our health as much or even more than our safety. God will accomplish His will, but if we are ill in any way, it can be very difficult to press on with the mission.
Thank you all from the depths of our heart for your support, love and prayers! To God be the glory and hopefully our next blog will be from the ground in Uganda!!!!
Camille Cates
We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel is lifted up in everything we do, because His Word says that if this happens He will draw men to Himself. (see John 12:32, John 3:14)
Will you join us as we go to Africa? How???...in prayer.
Please pray:
Saturday, July 16 - Healing Hearts leadership training with Pure Life Ministries additional training/teaching for the male leaders
Sunday, July 17 - Teaching, sharing of testimonies at local churches
Monday, July 18 - Ministry to women in slum area HIV and alcoholism prevalent
Tuesday, July 19-21 - Teaching, ministry to women in widows and orphans ministry, HIV prevalent
Saturday, July 23 - Healing Hearts womens conference, prayerfully 100 women in attendance
Sunday, July 24 - Sharing of testimonies and about Healing Hearts Ministries at local church
Monday, July 25 - Village outreach, sharing of testimonies
Tuesday, July 26- Ministry and teaching in slum area HIV and alcoholism prevalent
That evening, we will return home. Pray for seeds to be planted and for us to reap, for the Kingdom, those things which are ripe.
Pray for our health as much or even more than our safety. God will accomplish His will, but if we are ill in any way, it can be very difficult to press on with the mission.
Thank you all from the depths of our heart for your support, love and prayers! To God be the glory and hopefully our next blog will be from the ground in Uganda!!!!
Camille Cates
Monday, May 16, 2011
Uganda Mission Trip 2011
We are very excited to return to Uganda this year to teach and train additional Healing Hearts leaders who have been raised up since we left a small group of nationals to carry on the ministry back in April of 2010. We hope to train approximately 15 leaders in Kampala, the capitol city of Uganda, in how to effectively lead the Healing Hearts bible studies in their churches and community. In addition, we plan to teach how to give biblical counsel to those who seek answers from God’s Word as they live through the daily struggles of life in Africa. This year we are blessed to be partnered with Pure Life Ministries, which helps individuals deal biblically with sexual sin. Their Director of Men’s Counseling, Brad Furges, will be joining our team for the leadership training portion of our trip, to bring teaching and training to our male leaders, specifically in the area of sexual sin and walking in purity.
This year, we are excited to be expanding into two new areas of the country. We will be traveling to a village just outside of Kampala, as well as staying a few days in Eastern Uganda to share our testimonies of God’s healing through His Word. Two of our Ugandan leaders requested that we travel with them to these areas. This is the truest sense of missions work! When national leaders catch the vision of God to bring people to Himself and have a burning desire to reach out into other areas of their own country for the Kingdom of Christ, they are fulfilling the Great Commission.
Additionally, we will go back into some of the slum areas where HIV and alcoholism are prevalent. Some of the leaders have also requested that we come and present the ministry to the women and men of their church, which is at the heart of Healing Hearts core values, to be a ministry within the church. Please be in prayer for our team of three ladies, Sue Sanford, Suzanne Tyria and myself, as we journey to Uganda to serve others and share God’s healing for the nations.
Please prayerfully consider helping this mission financially, as we still need approximately $1,800 to be fully funded. Please designate your donation “Uganda Mission” on your check. Credit card donations can be made via our website, www.healinghearts.org, by clicking the Please Donate button. We especially covet your prayers for safety as we travel and to accomplish our God-given mission.
Blessings in Christ,
Camille Cates for Team Uganda
This year, we are excited to be expanding into two new areas of the country. We will be traveling to a village just outside of Kampala, as well as staying a few days in Eastern Uganda to share our testimonies of God’s healing through His Word. Two of our Ugandan leaders requested that we travel with them to these areas. This is the truest sense of missions work! When national leaders catch the vision of God to bring people to Himself and have a burning desire to reach out into other areas of their own country for the Kingdom of Christ, they are fulfilling the Great Commission.
Additionally, we will go back into some of the slum areas where HIV and alcoholism are prevalent. Some of the leaders have also requested that we come and present the ministry to the women and men of their church, which is at the heart of Healing Hearts core values, to be a ministry within the church. Please be in prayer for our team of three ladies, Sue Sanford, Suzanne Tyria and myself, as we journey to Uganda to serve others and share God’s healing for the nations.
Please prayerfully consider helping this mission financially, as we still need approximately $1,800 to be fully funded. Please designate your donation “Uganda Mission” on your check. Credit card donations can be made via our website, www.healinghearts.org, by clicking the Please Donate button. We especially covet your prayers for safety as we travel and to accomplish our God-given mission.
Blessings in Christ,
Camille Cates for Team Uganda
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