Cultivate Discipleship Update

A SPECIAL REQUEST

We’ve had an exciting month so far here in Uganda. We’d been looking to buy land for a discipleship center for few months, and now that we found the land everything has been happening fast.  Now we’d like to ask for your help to keep us moving forward.

Many of you have supported us financially in the past and we can’t begin to express our thankfulness for you making it possible to be serving here. With the support you’ve given in the past we’ve bought the land, almost completed our first building (a dorm), and started farming. This is an amazing start and now we need your help to complete the first stage of the discipleship center.

 

                                                                         Building #1: Dorms                                                 
                                            (Four 10 x 12 ft rooms with a small porch in front)  

  Building #2: Open-air classroom  

 (20 X 26 ft classroom)

Along with the dorm, we need to build a classroom building in order to bring pastors and church leaders in for discipleship. This will be a simple open air pavilion that will be the primary point for instructing and interacting with leaders. This building will be the heart of the ministry where leaders will be together studying God’s Word, sharing with one another and praying for God to work in our lives and ministries.

In addition to the classroom building we need to dig a well to supply water to the center.  Currently, our water supply is limited to a hand-pumped well almost a mile down a small dirt road and a rainwater collection tank. Our desire is to have a well and solar powered water system installed that will supply the buildings with water. In addition, this water system will be used in the future for irrigation to crops that will help support the ministry’s continued expenses and growth.

Each of these projects will cost an estimated $6,000 (American)/$8,000 (Canadian) for a total cost of $12,000 (American)/$16,000 (Canadian). Please pray and consider how you can join with Cultivate Discipleship as we desire to see lives, churches and communities transformed through discipleship throughout Uganda and beyond. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in this ministry through your giving and prayers.

Blessings,
The Cyphers

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To Donate

USA:

1. Monthly
Fill out one of the forms linked below and mail to Harvest Alliance (address below).
Bank Automatic Giving Form
Credit Card Automatic Giving Form

2. Mail:
Mail a check (Memo line: The Cyphers) to:

ATTN: Harvest Alliance International
3620 Ocean Ranch Blvd.
Oceanside, CA 92056

3. Online: 
Click the link : Harvest Alliance International 
Donate button is located on the right hand side of the page.
Donation will be through PayPal.

CANADA:

1. Monthly 
Click the link below and fill out the form (beside Other, write The Cyphers).Automatic Withdraw Form

2. Mail/ In Person
Mail a cheque (Memo line: The Cyphers) or give through the offering:

Bethel Community Church
430 Lakewood Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R2J 4B6

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E-mail us at:

cyphersinuganda@gmail.com

March 2018

MARCH 2018

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LAND: WE FOUND IT!

My hope and prayer when we shared last month about looking for land, was that in this month’s update we’d be able to show you the land that God had led us to buy. Last week I was becoming discouraged because we had found three great spots, but one by one they fell through. One is currently in court because they’re fighting over who owns the land, one spot raised the price on us and another has kept us waiting for over three weeks with no progress.
Then about a week ago, we heard about a new spot. Pastor Thomas and Pastor Alex went to check it out and wanted to take me there right away to see the land because it seemed like just the right spot. They were right. As of Easter Sunday, we have land!  We now have the place where we can begin building the discipleship center! It's 16 acres of about ½ old farm land and ½ bush. It’s roughly a 20 minute drive from Gulu so we’re close enough to town go back and forth easily but far enough away to be in a quiet area to limit disruptions when we begin training. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us during the search. 
God is Good!

We will be posting a blog soon (http://cyphersinuganda.blogspot.com) about God working in the process of buying land. How he led us to a place that is ripe for ministry and connected us to the District Overseer for Agriculture who is excited to see how Farming God's Way works.

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CULTIVATE DISCIPLESHIP IS REGISTERED 

The month of March was really a breakthrough month for us. A few weeks ago, after filing the necessary documents we were approved to officially operate as an organization here in Uganda. The next step is continuing with the process of registering as a NGO (Non-Government Organization) with the help of MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship). We are planning to take a brief trip down to Kampala in the next week or so, in order to also start the process for our work visas and submit other paperwork needed for our NGO status.  

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THE NEXT STEPS

Now that we have land, it's time to get to work. This month we’ll put a fence up around the perimeter of the land, dig a pit latrine (very important) and begin building our first building. We will also begin to prepare and plant the land using the Farming God’s Way program. It's going to be a busy and exciting month as we begin seeing the plans God has given us take physical form.

We’ll keep you up to date with our progress on our blog and with plenty of pictures on Facebook. We’re also setting up our website and it should be ready to launch in the next few weeks. Technology really is a huge blessing that we can live on the other side of the world and still stay connected to our friends and family back home.     
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PRAYER POINTS

• A safe and productive trip to Kampala in the next week or so. 
• For the clearing, planning and preparing that is taking place on the land. For progress to be made in the two months we have until our trip back to North America.
• For connections with the community of Koc-Goma, which we will now be a part of.
• Financial partners as we begin to build the discipleship center. 

Looking for Land

In our newsletter I (Tim) shared a little bit about the process of looking for land. Unfortunately, looking for land here is anything but quick. There’s no website, magazines or newspapers that give a list of land for sale. The best way to find land for sale is through people. Pastor Thomas and Pastor Alex have been the two people who’ve been looking for us. They’ve called up friends, spoken to pastors of other churches outside of town and tried connecting with family members. All together we’ve probably looked into two or three dozen different spots that we’ve been linked with, but most don’t pan out as well as we’re told.

For example, on Tuesday I went with Pastor Thomas to check out 20 acres that was 20 kilometers down a main highway and then 5 kilometers back a dirt road. That’s exactly the description of the land we were hoping to find: 20 acres, within a half hour drive from town, along a main road. So I went to pick up Pastor Thomas from his house so we could go see it. Turns out it was his neighbor who had told him about the land so she needed to come with us. We found her after about 15 minutes and were on our way. We drove 20 minutes and came to a small market where we were supposed to pick up a relative of Pastor Thomas’s neighbor who knew the owner of the land. After another ten minutes finding him and another guy (I'm not sure who he was) we were on our way. Two minutes further down the road we stopped to meet the actual person selling the land, and the two other guys with him. 

The three of them jumped on a motorcycle to lead us to the land and all eight of us were on the way. We passed five kilometers on the dirt road which didn’t surprise me because the distances people estimate always tend to be on the low side. Then we passed ten kilometers. Finally after 12 kilometers we turned off the dirt road onto a small path. It was farther than I wanted it to be but I still figured it was worth the look since we were there. A couple hundred yards down that path we stopped at someone’s home. I thought we were at the land. Turns out the land was still a kilometer or two down this but we’d have to walk because the bridge was out just down the hill. I was told there was another route we could go but it would be another 10 kilometers going around. At this point Pastor Thomas simply told them we weren’t interested and that they had lied about the land when they told us it was only 5 kilometers from the main road and had road access. So, we turned around and went home.

Yesterday, we went to check out another spot which sounded promising that my neighbor’s former employee knew about. He had talked to his grandmother who had heard from her cousin about a neighbor who was selling land. That’s right the land belongs to my neighbor’s, former employee’s, grandmother’s, cousin’s neighbor. Its amazing how the connections work here. Turns out that the land was really nice, not far from the main road and even belonged to a pastor who was excited that we wanted the land for ministry. But after visiting for about 15-20 minutes he told us that half of the land had been sold by his older brother the day before and there were only 9 acres left.

Later that morning, we also went to do a rough survey of some land we had seen last week and was the top spot I was considering out of everywhere we’d seen. After fighting through the bush for about an hour and a little help from google maps, we realized what they told us was 20 acres was less than 13. It was too small.

All this to say its been quite the process looking for land and I don’t know if we’re any closer to finding the right spot then we were three weeks ago when we started making that our priority. But what I do know is we only need one right spot. And that right spot may be the next spot that we see. Or it may even be one we’ve already seen. The family from the 13 acres is going to talk to their neighbors to see if they can add some land too. After we went to see my neighbor’s, former employee’s, grandmother’s, cousin’s neighbor land, they told us they would also try to see if their neighbors could add sell some land. Then they told us about another spot a few kilometers down the road that seems promising if they give us the real price instead of the “mzungu” (foreigner) price. Also, yesterday Pastor Thomas saw a spot that was in a good location but the family isn’t sure how much land they want to sell.

I’ve decided the best way to keep my spirits up in all this fun, is to laugh in the different circumstances. Instead of feeling frustrated when we’re given bad information or end up wasting our time and energy, to be "joyfully flexible". I know all we need is one right spot. And I know that God already knows that one right spot for us. The land that we need is somewhere here waiting to be revealed to us in God’s perfect timing. So instead of getting angry and frustrated, I’ll get back on my knees asking God to lead us to the land. 

Thank you to everyone who is praying with us. In Uganda, there’s a common phrase people say when they’re running late, which is “I’m coming.” Maybe the phrase isn’t unique to here but I think the definition is a little different. Here, ‘I’m coming’ can mean I’m on the way or I’m almost ready to come. Sometimes it means I’m finishing up something else then I'll be on the way. Other times I think it just means I’m still planning to come I just haven’t gotten around to physically moving in your direction yet. So, I know the land ‘is coming,’ but maybe in this instance, God’s timing is aligning more with Ugandan time than my time.

February 2018

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FARMING GOD'S WAY

Last week, I was able to attend a great conference in Gulu called Farming God’s Way. This program provides training that is being taught throughout many countries in Africa. It flips many farming practices upside down and produces some amazing results.  However, the best part is that it is based on Biblical principles. It teaches out how to take care of the land God has given us.  As well as how to use the tools and materials he has given us rather than wish we had something bigger or better. It also encourages trust in God to provide rather than being dependent on others.

We’re looking forward to including this program as a part of the
discipleship program.  It does a great job of incorporating Biblical principles into the daily lives of farmers who comprise a big chunk of Uganda’s population. Their techniques have seen crops produce from two to ten times as much as traditional farming methods. Because the significantly larger yields it gives amazing opportunities to share about God’s provision to neighbors who see the results. If you’d like to see more about their methods, check out their website: Farming God's Way.

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THE MARKETPLACE: RUTH

The Marketplace Discipleship group has started up again since our return and we've finished our study of Ruth and will be moving onto the book of Esther in the weeks to come. In our discipleship group, we discussed how God had his hand on Ruth by leading her to a certain field that belonged to a certain man. God had his hand on Boaz, softening his heart towards a foreign woman and welcoming her into his care. God also had his hand on Naomi, revealing through provision that he still had a plan in the midst of suffering.

What we found incredible was that Ruth's story seemed hopeless but it sure didn't end there. Not that Ruth or Naomi knew it, but God was actually setting the stage for an epic story of redemption. And the redemption of Ruth's story continued down the family line to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ. If God can do that in Ruth and Naomi's life, surely he can do that in ours. This incredible story that offers so much hope, despite the circumstances that enter our lives. And like Boaz redeemed what was lost in Ruth and Naomi's lives, Christ redeems what's lost in ours. 

For more thoughts on our study on Ruth,
check out The Marketplace: Home Is Where You Are.

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THE SEARCH CONTINUES...

This past month we’ve been very busy looking for the right land to buy so we can build the discipleship center.  And by “we’ve been busy”  I mean two pastors working with us, Pastor Thomas and Pastor Alex. Unfortunately, when a foreigner shows up looking for land, the price seems to increase quite a bit. One place Pastor Alex was looking at, found out that the land was for an organization and the price instantly doubled.  So for me (Tim) this process can be a little bit frustrating. I’d love to be driving around looking for land and checking different spots out but I can’t. Instead, Pastor Thomas and Pastor Alex do all the hard work, while I wait to hear how things go. 

However, we have found a few possible spots so far, but are still considering more options. Since land here is generally owned but family groups, it adds another wrinkle in the process. Instead of coming to an agreement with one person, you’re dealing with a large group of people.  Some want to sell the land to get money, while others want to hold onto it for the future.  Then, if they do agree on a price they also need to
agree what percent all the different family members will receive. It’s not a simple process, but we know God has the right place prepared for us.  

Last week while Pastor Thomas and Pastor Alex were out looking for land someone came to the office were I was working and asked what the ministry was for.  I shared with him about our vision and our plan to buy land and he told me he knew two places for sale!  In this process I’ve been reminded of Proverbs 21:31,
 “The horse is made ready for the day of battle but the victory belongs to the LORD.”

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PRAYER POINTS

• Please continue to pray that the Lord leads us to the land for the Discipleship Training Center.
• Understanding and patience as we continue to practice our Acholi and make it part of our everyday life. 
• Wisdom as we develop the curriculum for the Discipleship Program.

The Marketplace: Home Is Where You Are

"...Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.

 Your people will be my people and your God will be my God..." - Ruth 1:16

The Marketplace Discipleship group has started up again since our return and we've finished our study of Ruth and will be moving onto the book of Esther in the weeks to come. 

In the first chapter of the book of Ruth, we see a whole lot of suffering. Similarly to Job (our previous study), she knew the loss of family and the devastation of having nothing. Then Ruth chose to leave her family, her home, her gods, her friends and even her sister-in-law to travel to an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar people, resulting in more loss. She chose to trust in an unfamiliar God and follow the only person she had left, her mother-in-law Naomi. 

I can't begin to imagine how displaced she felt to no longer a community to provide comfort in her pain. Naomi bitter with the loss herself, tried to persuade Ruth to remain behind so she could have a chance to find happiness again. 

But Naomi became "home" to her. 

In our discipleship group, we discussed how God had his hand on Ruth by leading her to a certain field that belonged to a certain man. God had his hand on Boaz, softening his heart towards a foreign woman and welcoming her into his care. God also had his hand on Naomi, revealing through provision that he still had a plan in the midst of suffering.

What we found incredible was that Ruth's story seemed hopeless but it sure didn't end there.
Not that Ruth or Naomi knew it, but God was actually setting the stage for an epic story of redemption. And the redemption of Ruth's story continued down the family line to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ. 

If God can do that in Ruth and Naomi's life, surely he can do that in ours. This incredible story that offers so much hope, despite the circumstances that enter our lives. And like Boaz redeemed what was lost in Ruth and Naomi's lives, Christ redeems what's lost in ours. 

The word "redeem" means to 

rescue

restore

regain 

what was once lost.

He has the ability to do that and more.

He is our redeemer. 

Trust in the one who knows your story from beginning to end. 

He will come through for you too. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
 who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

A Brick of Faith

It’s already been almost two weeks since our strategic time of prayer. Of course, we continue to ask for your prayers as we lean into the plans God has for us this year. One area God really challenged me throughout the week, was having my faith move from comfort to action.

Hebrews 11:1 says it clearly.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

About a week after being back in Gulu, Tim commissioned 14,000 bricks to be built.

Crazy? 

To me.... yes. 

His thought was if we find land this year, it will be too late and too expensive to have bricks made to begin building on it. However, if the bricks are already made, they will be ready to build the first building with. Which in return allows us to begin our discipleship program sooner. 

My instant response was anything but encouraging, but rather a list of all the reasons why we shouldn't bother. We don’t have our NGO process completed, we have no land and we aren't anywhere close to begin the process of building the discipleship center.

And yet, faith is action without having all the answers or seeing the plan laid out before your physical eyes. That's all well and good, but I like a plan. Always have and always will. However, I’ve been challenged by my husband's faith. Faith that God has a plan and to take a step of faith in preparing ourselves for what's coming. After praying throughout the week, I was  feeling I really needed to “get on board,” rather than point out all the reasons why building bricks was a ridiculous idea.

After all,

Noah built an ark to save his family and 2 of every kind of animal from the rains that were going to flood the earth, but had yet to come.

Abraham left his homeland and journeyed towards the promised land, he had yet to know and a family line he had yet to see become a reality.

Joshua and the tribe of Israel marched around the walls of Jericho, not understanding how they would have the victory.

So perhaps, ordering 14,000 bricks doesn’t sound that crazy after all.

We are putting our trust in a God who knows how this plan is going to take place and stepping out in faith as we watch his plan begin to unfold.

Please lift us up in prayer as we continue on in the process of finding and buying land and for all these bricks to be put to good use!

HELLO 2018!

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TRAVELING HOME

Three flights, a six hour drive and plenty of jet lag later we’re back in Gulu! I wish I could say its getting easier to adjust to the time change the more times we do it, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The first five days in Uganda we didn’t have a normal night of sleep. However, the past two nights we’ve been able to fall asleep before 2am and sleep until the sun was up, so we’ll count that for our first good nights of sleep in a week.

Our house is close to being unpacked after removing plenty of dust that had found its way in while we were gone, and its good to be back in our home. It’s a little bit of a change from the temperature being -40º in Canada to 35º Celsius (95º Fahrenheit) here in Uganda. It is amazing how God makes our bodies to adjust to whatever climate we’re in. I can say even with all the heat here, it really only feels uncomfortably hot when we’re active during the heat of the day, or when power is out at night and our fans won’t work.

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A WEEK OF PRAYER & FASTING

As we begin 2018, we want to take time to pray for God’s plan for our lives and the ministry he has called us to. It wasn’t very plausible with all the travel we’ve done the past few weeks to commit a chunk of time for prayer, but next week we’ve personally committed to prayer and fasting and would love to have you join in prayer with us. Attached is an outline of prayer points that we’re focusing on each day of the week and some relevant verses.

Prayer is a powerful weapon against the enemy and a useful to guide us. We’re praying God will reveal more of his plan to us going forward, and guide us as we follow him. Below you’ll find a guide with some different topics and ideas to pray over each day next week.

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PRAYER & FASTING SCHEDULE

Sunday, January 28: Passionate Personal Relationship with God

- That we will remain disciplined in spending time daily seeking God

- That God gives us continued passion to serve his kingdom

Monday, January 29: Ministry Partners & Good Connections

- That we would have wisdom in who to help us

- That God would bring the right people to disciple

Tuesday, January 30: God’s Provision

- Praise God that with year end gifts, we are close to having the funds necessary to buy land

- That God will provide the finances to begin building when we purchase land

- That God will provide us the right direction and plan for the year ahead

Wednesday, January 31: Language Learning

- Perseverance through frustrations as we go deeper into the language

- Commitment to the time necessary to read and speak Acholi well

- Understanding when we are confused

Thursday, February 1: Finding & Purchasing Land

- That God would lead us to the right place for the discipleship center

- That the process of buying land would be free of conflicts, confusion and deception

(Land in Uganda is owned by family groups, which can cause some difficulties)

Friday, February 2: Curriculum Development

- Wisdom on what topics are the most important to learn in this setting

- Perseverance to develop lessons that will communicate well within Acholi culture

- Guidance on what passages to use in the lessons

Saturday, February 3: Readjusting, Rest and Health

- Renewed energy after a couple of awesome and busy months in North America

- Health after we had a stomach flu last week that zapped our energy for a few days

- Help in adjusting back to a different culture, different food, and different way of living

Thank you for your prayers and support!