"We're Diving-In": February 2015

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Prayer Requests for Week of 22-28 February

James and Sonya Herron, IMB Missionaries

Uganda East Africa

Fishers of Men (Upper Buvuma Islands)

The vision of the International Mission Board is to see a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ

In the spring of 1996 we had a 1992 Dodge van, which we just finished paying the car four year car note. That van was stolen in front of the apartment we were renting. The car was in need of repairs, and when you drove the car over 30 MPH it would begin to shake and vibrate violently. I was sure the thieves would abandon the car after driving a short distance, but I was wrong. We never saw that van again.

Through this incident God taught me a very important stewardship lesson. I came to accept the fact that all I had in my procession is God and I was a steward of what he has given. I realized the van we used was given to us from God and it was not lost, God knows exactly where it is and who had stolen His van. My response to this incident was to pray for those who had stolen God’s van.

When we were led to serve as home missionaries in Illinois, we were able to leave family, friends, jobs and home because we are stewards of what God has provided. When God directed us to Uganda we were able to leave family, grandchildren, friends and the security of our culture and language to go where He directs, because we are stewards of God. We should allow ourselves to be used as He sees fit.

Continue to pray that we are good stewards of the time, finances and talent God has given. Thanks for your faithful pray support of us as we serve Him in Ugandan.

Pray for the Herrons this Week:

22^nd—28^th February

Our travel to the island this Monday and Tuesday 23^rd—24^th February, as we meet with our church’s pastors to encourage them and their leaders (Sonya, Madison and James)

—Pray for a safe travel as we will be on the waters for approximate three (3)

hours during this week

—pray for wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit as we seek to conduct

ST4T training (Chronological Bible Storying Training) at Kyanja Baptist

Church

Our prison Ministry Wednesday 25^th February

—Pray for the a inmates commitment to grow in their relationship with Christ

—Spirit let train and Bible studies from us to the inmates

—Wellbeing and safety of the inmates and Prison officials

—Sonya as she minister to the women inmates

—James as he minister to the male inmates

—that we faithfully proclaim God’s Word

26^th—27^th February James and Minster Team Partner Joseph, speaking at a conference on the mainland—Najja Trading Center

—God give us the message for the people

—God will direct who is to attend and spiritually benefit from this training.

—Traveling grace to and from conference

Language Training

—God would give us the ability to speak, hear and comprehend Luganda as we

utilize the language in the community and in teaching God’s Word

—Language evaluation next week

—Our witnessing to our language teacher

A boldness and ability for our team to bring the light of Christ to the people on the islands of Lake Victoria

Upcoming Mission Teams

—First Baptist Church O’Fallon Mission Day this Sunday 22^nd February

—Greenwood Baptist Church Thomasville, North Carolina

For Sonya and James to have a closer walk with the Father this week

Thanks for your prayerful support.

In HIS service

James and Sonya Herron

"...before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language...." Revelation 7:9 (NIV)

Friday, February 20, 2015

Why Are We Here?

School Children at Kyanja Primary School (VBS)

³I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. ⁴For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. Psalms 108:3-4 (HCSB)

Why Are We Here?

Why am I here? What are we doing here? How many times have you ask yourself this same question? I don’t know how many times I have asked myself this question. In fact, I believe that I would be wealthy if I had a dollar for all of the times that I have asked this question.

Serving as missionaries in Uganda has called for many why questions. Why do I have to contend with corrupt officers demanding a bribe or why must I pay a $100.00 fine when I've done nothing wrong? Why must I struggle with learning a very difficult language?

Why am I subjecting myself and family to being so far away from our families and friends, missing births, birthdays, holidays, family reunions and other special occasions? We have a five month old grandson we have held in our hands.

When I think of these whys, I also wonder:

School Children at Chiko Baptist School

Why,God would allow His Son Jesus to take my place on the cross and take on all my sin. “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God….” 1 Peter 4:18.
Why did Jesus give His life for us? “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life-a ransom for many." (Mark 4:25). Or
Why did Christ rise again for our justification? “…It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” Romans 4:24-25.

When I fathom the depths of Christ’s love for the world, I know exactly why I am here. So that a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ. I envision a multitude from every island of Lake Victoria knowing and worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. And when I think of what Christ has done for me, my serving Him in Uganda is my reasonable service to my Savior.

Thank you for your prayerful support of our ministry in Uganda.

________

Some Pictures of our work on the islands...Enjoy