TEAMS Mission to Uganda – March 2014 Well, as we draw to a close on another mission, it is nice to see smiles all round! Below you see the picture of one of our leaders receiving a full set of the Stepping Out Programme Training manuals which we presented to all those who completed the FULL 5 day training with us. It was an intensive time from 9-4pm every day and in the …
1. Integrate to facilitate. Empowerment comes through enrichment. The Upper Room was not an escape but an encounter – with God AND with each other. 2. Integrate to delegate. You can’t delegate what you don’t demonstrate. You can’t demonstrate what you don’t differentiate. Knowledge brings information. Wisdom brings impartation. Knowledge builds the head. Wisdom builds the house! 3. Integrate to procreate. Experience creates empathy. Fellowship creates fruit. Empathy people feel, fruit people …
When we think of religion we often think of separation. Different clothes, different places and different lifestyles. Unfortunately for many it has gone to the extreme where purity is measured by protocol, position or pomp. Most faiths are marked by outward appearance, Jesus marked by inward transformation. Jesus moved the goalposts. By becoming a ‘friend of sinners’ he learned the art of integration. Paul put it like this ‘becoming all …
The Greek word for ‘power’ is often translated as miraculous power or the force of power to do things and make things happen. That is true, but there is another element which relates to the ‘ability’ to do something or make it happen. Ability is the skill set or competence is an area. When we think of power or authority, especially in relation to politicians or people in authority then …
When we think of waiting we often think of waiting for a bus, or waiting for something to arrive. I am sure we all remember Christmas Eve as children and the anticipation and expectation we felt as the ‘Big Day’ dawned and we couldn’t wait to see what presents we had received. Waiting in God is very different. It isn’t just ‘waiting FOR’ something or someone, but ‘waiting IN’ and ‘waiting UPON’. …
It is a sad fact but true, most people are motivated by self in relationships. There is always an agenda, always an ‘angle’, always a drive that leads to connection. Sometimes these are conscious such as money, ambition and power. Sometimes unconscious and in ignorance, such as insecurities, dependencies and fears.Jesus was unique among men. He neither responded to, nor related to – people’s agendas. He didn’t flirt with gossip, …
With Autumn descending and the seasons changing it is noteworthy to note that, what was – is no more. Times change, people change. There is an uncontrollable clock called ‘time’ which has no stop button. I read of a dentist recently who retired after 40 years of practice. The locality he first started at was a small village, starting in his back room. The same area is now a conglomerance …
On arrival from Uganda the first thing that struck me about being back was the weather. I left England when it was still warm only to return with Autumn waiting to greet me as I step into Heathrow with flip-flops. The next day I was back at work so I didn’t really feel liked I ‘d had time to readjust to being back in the UK let alone being back …
Post missions check list: Malaria tablets have all been taken now; pictures have all been shown; stories have all been told. Done. This marks exactly one week AFTER we’ve returned from Uganda! Still feels strange. I’m back at work and everything has just resumed as usual. This is when the ‘withdrawal symptoms’ kick in. No more sunny days, fresh food, joyful people unashamed of praising God in all they do…. On reflection …
This time a week ago I was waking up to the sounds of cockerels announcing the awakening of another African sunrise; colours of reds and oranges in the sky. This morning, however, I find myself awakening to pale greys and blues alongside the sounds of the familiar raindrops of signature British weather. The contrast, striking. Trivial things aside, this week has been a challenge in itself. It’s easy to get …