For those of you who continued to be gripped by my travelogue, you will remember our ride from the airport to the safari and then to Abaana’s Hope, where our trainings were held. We had a rookie driver named Rodgers (no relation to Aaron). He was slow, unsure of himself, and spoke in such a quiet manner we ended up guessing at what he was saying.
If Rodgers was an 8round draft pick from UW-Platteville, today’s driver, Otim (oh-team) was a Heisman trophy winning #1 pick in the Ugandan driver draft. He has made the trip from Abaana’s Hope to Entebbe at least 50 times, speaks loudly and clearly, and doesn’t make a stop where he does not seem to know somebody. He should run for mayor.
He is also an aggressively safe driver. That might seem oxymoronic, but to be slow and indecisive is to make all trips much, much longer. Suzanne, one of the missionaries at Abaana’s Hope, calls driving in Uganda one giant game of chicken! I can verify it is an apt description.
It is Sunday afternoon and we are on our way to the Entebbe Airport. We have seen two very intriguing matters, one planned, the other not. The one that was planned is a Ugandan version of a drive-through restaurant. Otim pulled over to the side of the road in a town and soon had a half dozen people suggesting what he might want to buy for him and his three travel companions (Tim Prince, Gar Christenson and me). He chose chicken on a stick, pork on a stick and cooked bananas. The various people gave Otim the specifics, he passed them to us and he paid for them. Then we were back on the road. The first picture is of our food, cooked outside over a grill.
The second thing we saw was a pilgrimage undertaken by several Catholic Diocese’ in northern Uganda. They are walking (yes, that kind of walking where one foot goes in front of another again and again and again) from the area we are staying into Kampala, the capital city. It is roughly a 175-mile trip (did I mention by foot?). We have been driving five hours and forty five minutes and still would have another hour or so to make it to Kampala.
The picture is taken of them crossing the Nile River (yes, that Nile). The water is so rough here that if baby Moses was set in a basket in this body of water, he would have moved like a water park slide at Wisconsin Dells.
Gar has been in the front seat asking questions and being educated by Otim. The different modes of transportation here are amazing. You will see an occasional motorcycle (most of them around 175 CC’s) with four people on it. Riders on the back hold poles five feet long horizontally and/or vertically. Others with live chickens hanging by their feet from the handlebars. I am amazed at how few accidents there are. There are trucks with cattle crammed together and people sitting on railings that keep the cattle inside. I just saw a guy on a 175 with a metal bedframe on the back driving through town. Just when you think you’ve seen everything you see another level of creativity…and danger. I-94, even with its delay, isn’t looking too bad right now.
Back at Abaana’s Hope, training continues and the second cohort begins their training on understanding and communicating the gospels tomorrow. This cohort will be taught by gifted Africans previously trained by us. The church of northern Uganda, South Sudan and Congo is moving on to greater health!
April 17, 2026 April 2026 FCC Global Mission Prayer Update Mission Focus Moment: Sarah Jane (SJ) Holsteen Sarah Jane (SJ) Holsteen resides in Lille, France, with her husband, Sam, where she serves with the International Association for Refugees (IAFR). IAFR is a Christian mission organization designed to operate within humanitarian spaces. SJ’s team helps refugees and asylum seekers survive and recover from forced displacement. Refugees and asylum seekers travel from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, seeking safety and belonging after fleeing from war, torture, and persecution in their homeland. They come to Lille, vulnerable and rejected. IAFR hosts a church-sponsored Refugee Welcome Center to assist refugees through holistic Gospel witness, practical assistance, relationship-building, and hope. IAFR offers French classes, Bible studies, and other weekly gatherings for asylum seekers. They also support their asylum-seeking friends by accompanying them to their government interviews and helping meet some of their needs . How can you pray for SJ and IAF R ? Housing and Asylum Solutions for their frien ds Wisdom and creativity in navigating administration questions for the French Association IAFR works through in Lille Asylum-seeking neighbors, church partners, and volunteers would all know Jesus’ love and grace that welcomes all without distinctio Our Global Mission Partne r s Steve and Nopaluck Cable –– Santisuk English School, Bangkok, Thaila nd The Cables’ ministry is thriving; however, they need more workers. Pray for more short-term missionaries to come forward and sign up to serve at one of their Bangkok locations this year. John and Ana Lindstrom – Wycliffe Bible Translators, Papua New Guinea Pray for several multi-language projects that John is overseeing- for the publishing of the Buang New Testament, and the completion of New Testament books in Musim, Kapin, and Yamap. Justin and Joelle Goldberg- Wycliffe Bible Translators, Ethiopia The translating team has been finishing the translation of Romans and has started drafting for 1 Corinthians. Pray that God’s Spirit would move as they work to translate accurately, naturally, and clearly Ryan and Leah – Aisa Pray that their ministry will continue to bear fruit as they share their faith and disciple others John and Terri Nanda – Serve India & All Nations House (UWRF) John and Terri recently returned from India. Pray that John would be able to continue to work through administrative paperwork for Serve India while at home in the United States Z.S.&A.S. – Twin Cities Z&A are celebrating 10 years of ministry. Pray for Z as he enters into a new role as an elder at their local church Grace Aasness-CRU, University of Minnesota Pray for seeds to be planted for college students to be open to the gospel, and that Grace would raise the support needed for this new ministry opportunity Joey Olson- CRU Intern, North Dakota State University & MN State University, Moorhead Joey and his team recently returned from a mission trip in Puebla, Mexico. Pray that the students' desire to share the word of God would continue to flourish Josh Stream- Casas Por Cristo, El Paso, Texas Pray for continued encouragement and confidence as Josh works with teams on upcoming building projects in Mexico.
As of January 1, 2026, a new tax provision allows those who do not itemize deductions to still receive a tax benefit for charitable giving.
Weather Update for March 15, 2026
