Uganda Trip #15 | Post 11
My relationship with Uganda has been ten years in the making. The last six were particularly meaningful and demanding. My recently completed trip was my 20 th and final trip – unless God throws be a curve ball. On a personal note, this afternoon I will join five of my six siblings and head to Poland, the land of my ancestors.
As I wrap things up, I want to highlight three final partners who hold a significant place in my heart.
The first is Faith Community Church . It was FCC that gave me the opportunity, provided the bulk of the resources, and affirmed my efforts in this season. 2025 has been the most demanding, with me being in Uganda a little over a month. Due to the wonder of technology, a good portion of what I do still got done remotely, but there were gaps and the staff and FCC faithful, we’re quick to be of help. Little did I know when we moved to Hudson in June of 1991 the length, the depth and the beauty of being part of this body would become. Everything I have done, everything I accomplished, and every difference I made was empowered by you. I am so very grateful to call you family. I plan to continue to live in Hudson, I anticipate dying in Hudson, and we have secured a plot in order to be buried in Hudson. You have been so very good to me.
The second is my wife, Carol . For forty-five years she has been an incredible partner and friend. She has supported me, challenged me when she thought I should be doing more, and gave me room to grow. It is humbling to be believed-in over decades – when she has been not only close up and personal to my greatest victories, but also to my failures and weaknesses. She has borne the brunt of my moods, self-centeredness and pride. Yet she stood by me, faithful. She is a lot of fun as well. She was the one who had to take on tasks in my absence and did so without punishing me. I am so fortunate to belong to her. The picture that accompanies this post is from this summer.
Lastly, and most importantly is God the Holy Spirit who has moved in hearts in the St. Croix Valley and Africa in the process. In this last session we graduated 68 trainees from Uganda, South Sudan and Congo. When the Scripture speaks of the nations, it is generally accepted that it is not speaking of geographic nation states. A nation or people group is defined by such things as shared language, customs and history. Of this cohort we had fifteen different nations (they would say tribes) represented. So, what we have been up to in this most recent rendition of this partnership is bringing fifteen different tribes more solid teachers of the Bible. This is God’s doing, through his people, and I am grateful.
One day people from every nation, people, tribe and language will sing to the Lamb on the throne. Until that day, depending on God and one another, we will walk together toward that day.
