The boat just shoved off from shore after an extremely hectic couple of weeks culminating in a stressful morning today preparing for our departure. Four times the police pulled us over to discuss our gigantic load of mattresses. We kept asking for mercy while informing our officer friends that we are missionaries trying to help the people of the islands and one after the other let us go without a ticket, our load finally planted on board without an incident.
For this biggest island event of the year, the pressure has been on to increase our conference offering mostly in the realm of eating and sleeping (senior pastors don’t prefer to sleep on the floor and eat only beans after traveling for an entire day on foot and over vast expanses of lake). But with the high cost of water travel and over 200 church leaders coming from all parts of Lake Victoria, the budget has largely been allocated to be burned in small outboard engines. Nonetheless, we’re rejoicing that today has been perfect in regards to weather (a direct answer to prayer in this rainy season), greatly assisting the leaders in transit at this moment.
I spoke to our Life Church team, made up almost entirely of Ignite graduates, who went ahead this morning with a different ferry to make vital preparations. “We’ve already finished the wiring” was the response to my question of their location. Seems worship will be cranked up as we arrive.
Our theme in all island conferences this year has centered on the Holy Spirit, and this week will be no different, with each of our speakers exhorting the gathering that we are “Anointed to Serve.” We are expecting great times of refreshing in the presence of The Lord, but pray that He would continue to strengthen and build up His Body throughout the islands as the years continue on.
Thanks for praying for us as we spend the week in fellowship with these faithful servants ministering in such difficult places. We’ll have 12 hours of meetings every day with few breaks, hoping to maximize the precious little time we have together.
Stay tuned for little updates along the way!
