March Update

UPDATED ROAD MAP

After lots of paperwork, waiting, more paperwork and more waiting we’re in the last phase of the immigration process for Janessa to get permanent residency in the US.  The last step we need to complete will be an interview for Janessa at the US Consulate in Montreal on May 12^th.  The best part about finally having a date for the completion of this process is that now we can set a more specific timeline in place for going to Uganda.  A few days after the interview we’ll travel down to Pennsylvania where we’ll stay for just over a month before going to Uganda in mid-June.  We’ll stay in Uganda until the fall when we’ll travel back to Pennsylvania to share our vision and build our support base.  The goal of this initial trip of only about four months will be to learn the language, reconnect with churches and ministries in Gulu, and prepare our long term budget both for us personally and for the ministry.  It will be a lot to do in a short amount of time which is why we’ve been getting a head start on our language learning while still at home.  After a visit up to Winnipeg for Christmas, Lord willing we’ll be heading back to Uganda the beginning of next year.

    

INTRO TO OUR ORGANIZATIONS

In order for us to serve as missionaries in Uganda we’ll have two missionary sending organizations that we’ll be working through.  These two organizations are Heartstrings World Mission (in Canada) and Harvest Alliance (in the US).  We’re blessed to have these two ministries be our encouragement and supervision for our ministry in Uganda.  We have been apart of Heartstrings World Mission for a number of years and it is based out of our home church in Winnipeg, Bethel Community Church. We were introduced to Harvest Alliance by a missionary friend from our time in Uganda, Stacey Syrocki.  They are based out of southern California and have dozens of missionaries all over the world.  We are excited to have these two organizations praying for us, helping guide us, encouraging us and holding us accountable as we serve in Uganda. 

VISION FOR SERVING

A snapshot of the beauty in Northern Uganda

Uganda is a beautiful country filled with beautiful people.  Statistics show that 75-85% of the population in Uganda identifies as Christian.  This statistic might make it seem strange for us to go there as missionaries but that stat alone doesn’t give the most accurate picture of the situation.  There are many Christians in Uganda, but there are many who live in villages where there isn’t a church close enough to attend.  They may identify as Christians but they aren’t able to fellowship together to grow in their relationship with God.  Some attend churches that are run by pastors who love God, but have never been trained or discipled as to how to shepherd over their flock.  They have hearts to serve God but often don’t know how to move beyond receiving Christ to living for him daily.  Others identify as Christians but when problems arise in their life visit witch doctors to help them.  The reason for this is that they don’t view Christ as exclusive.  He is one of multiple gods that have different powers.  Still others receive Christ at evangelism events and their relationship with God doesn’t go any further.  Our vision is to disciple pastors so that they can disciple their church members into a relationship with God that goes beyond simply receiving salvation into living for his glory and in his love every day.

PRAYER POINTS

For partners to connect with us through prayer and finances

For the final stage of the immigration process to be completed

For understanding and persevering through learning Acholi

We would love to hear from you!

E-mail us at:
cyphersinuganda@gmail.com