Part I: Annual Review of 2009
Part 1: God’s Work Through Our New Year’s Key Verse
John 21:17 “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’
Last year, we held John 21:17 as our New Year’s key verse and prayed that we would be able to serve the sheep that Jesus gave us out of our love for Him. We also prayed that each leader would not just be a leader in name but that they would be sincere shepherds who loved and took care of their sheep. And most of all, we prayed that each house church would raise one leader. Our direction for the last year was to repent of nominal and superficial shepherd living so that they might live a happy shepherd life through a deep relationship with Jesus. God awakened the leaders’ consciences, which helped them each realize their own problems, and they became more active in participating in God’s work. As we saw the leaders get involved and offer their help during the Freshmen Bible Academy and the Christmas Leaders Bible Conference, we thanked God for their spiritual growth. The junior shepherds’ group graduated college and re-entered society, which brought them to new struggles involving difficult job conflicts and many temptations last year. Humanly speaking, they are all talented, have good jobs, and are recognized in their workplaces. But many of them demonstrated spiritual weakness as they did not faithfully attend Bible study or Sunday Worship Service because of the demands of their jobs. We pray that next year they may be able to grow in faith through these difficulties so that they may live as shepherds.
In addition, we prayed for the spiritual growth of our Apostles group: members such as Apostle Moses, Ambrose, and John Bosco, personally accepted the mission of campus discipleship and are finishing up their last year with the desire to live as shepherds. We thank God for Apostle Moses’ decision to live as an intern shepherd for a year after graduating. We pray that as the Apostle group graduates next year, God may give them clear direction in their shepherd lives.
God blessed us this year with the establishment of the house church of Kennedy (Makerere) and Vivian (Kyambogo). Kennedy, originally from Kenya, graduated from Makerere Medical School and is currently working at Rubaga hospital. Vivian is an engineer and works for the Kampala city council. We are thankful that though Kennedy had the option to go back to Kenya as a doctor and make more money, he decided to remain in Uganda to establish a house church of faith and be involved in campus ministry. Together, Kennedy and Vivian have started up a new fellowship called “Livingstones.” We pray that Kennedy may serve this fellowship with strong leadership.
Part 2: World Mission Ministry
Although Uganda is 70% Christian and has countless churches, Uganda does not have many churches that send out missionaries or support mission work. Surrounded by this reality, God helped our leaders to be conscious of the nation’s spiritual condition and helped us to be a mission-oriented fellowship. We prayed for the pioneering of 54 African nations and actively prayed for the pioneering of neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Congo, and Burundi. Every Sunday worship service, we took time to pray as leaders took turns preparing and presenting world mission reports for each country, sharing each country’s situation and prayer topics. This year, God heard our world mission prayers and made Albert, who was working at an accounting firm, the national director of Ernst and Young in Rwanda. Because of the company’s schedule, his starting date has been delayed. But we hope that when he begins, Albert may have a clear identity as a missionary in Rwanda. We pray that he may live not only as a company director but also as a missionary, so that he may pioneer Rwandan campuses.
Part 3: Coworking Ministry
God sent us new mission coworkers from America and China. Dr. Joseph Chung from Chicago visited us for last January’s Healing Ministry and accepted God’s strong personal calling to Uganda. He then decided to come to Uganda as a silver missionary. God also moved his wife, Esther’s, heart and together they left their comfortable lives in America to come to Uganda as silver missionaries. As witnesses of God’s work in UBF history, they are great examples to our leaders here, and their coming has given us great help and comfort. Even though they are retired and can live comfortably seeing their grandchildren regularly, they have shown us what a blessed life it is to live as people of mission. We pray that God will grant them excellent health so that they can be used mightily for campus ministry and the Bethesda Mission Hospital healing ministry.
As a student, Joseph Kim attended UBF Bible Study and received shepherd training. After graduation, he ran a company in Seoul and prayed for World Mission work through his business. Then he heard about the financial difficulties of the construction of Bethesda Mission Clinic in 2000 and got involved in Uganda ministry through giving. In 2004, he moved to China as a missionary and experienced the great work of the Holy Spirit. Then with God’s calling he joined the Uganda ministry last September. In November 2007, David and Abigail came to Uganda to be the Mission Clinic’s administrator and accountant. And they invited YeZelin and Baiyang, two Chinese brothers, to help Ugandan campus ministry last November. We thank God for sending us more coworkers. We pray that we may establish a vessel of Holy Spirit through beautiful coworking, with love and humility.
Part 4: Personal Bible Study
Last year, I held Ezra 7:10 as my New Year’s key verse which says, "For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel," and prayed to live a fruitful life in the Word. Examining my life last year, rather than conquering a victorious life by the power of the Word of God, there were many times where I was exhausted from work. Because I was always crammed for time, I frequently prepared Bible Study and Sunday messages with haste. Thus, I could not adequately provide abundant, nutritious, spiritual food. Especially in June, as I started the new hospital construction, I made many excuses about being too busy to prepare deep Bible studies and Sunday messages. I repent for not being able to provide abundant spiritual food and for being a wicked and lazy servant. But I thank God that he blessed us to complete Genesis, 1 & 2 Timothy, and begin the gospel of Mark. Also, he helped us to start a monthly rotation of local shepherds who give the Sunday message, which is helping them mature as leaders of God’s Word.
At our Christmas Leaders Bible Conference, I repented of my businessman-like mind and my superficial attitude as a shepherd. I was living as a hired hand, but Jesus did not cut me off; rather, he entrusted me with his beloved flock of sheep. I made many excuses that I was busy and did not help leaders who were going through hardships. When I think of the merciful grace of God, I can say nothing but that I am determined to serve Jesus’ sheep better. I thank God for giving this useless sinner the privilege to be a shepherd of His sheep. Next year, I pray that I may be able to be a shepherd who can teach the life of Jesus by living an exemplary life.
Part 5: Bible School and Conference
When the freshmen came in August, we established a 10-step Bible academy. Every week on Saturday afternoon we held a meeting with the theme of fruitful living. We invited newcomers to these meetings and prayed that they would live fruitful lives as Christians. We also established a committee of leaders for the Bible academy who make new bible study questions and prepare it with prayer.
I was greatly encouraged when over 20 sheep participated in the Saturday Bible Academy. On campus, there are many students who say they are Christian yet do not know the true meaning of Christianity. Through the 10-step Bible academy many nominal Christians were able to learn the basics of the Christian life. Through this meeting, Vincent, Dominic, Rita, Diana, Collins, Daphne, Nicholas, Phiona, Francis, and Andrew were able to begin one-to-one Bible study. Through bible study, these brothers and sisters are growing in faith.
Last year, we had both an Easter and a Christmas Bible Conference. The title of the Easter Bible Conference was “Be Prosperous and Successful” (Joshua 1:8). There were a total of 48 attendants, with 33 coming from Makerere and 15 from Kyambogo. The first message, delivered by Patrick was taken from Joshua 1:1-9. The second message was delivered by Luke Lim, on Genesis 39:1-23. This message was about the biblical meaning of a successful life and how to live a successful life. Through this message many shepherds and sheep accepted the invitation to live a life that walks with God, rather than a materialistic life. The theme of the leader’s Christmas conference was “Feed The Sheep.” There were 28 attendants, and it was held primarily to remind our shepherds to live a life like that of Jesus Christ. Most of all, this conference was the first time in the history of Uganda UBF that a conference was planned and prepared entirely by local shepherds. The committee was formed and Steven was selected as its chairman. The committee selected passages and prepared the conference with prayer. Currently, there are many leaders who bear the title of shepherd, but yet do not serve sheep. But at this conference, they realized their problem, repented, and made decisions to live as good shepherds like Jesus. The first message, delivered by Patrick, was taken from Ezekiel 34:1-16 entitled, “What Are You Taking Care Of?” Patrick, touched by God’s merciful heart, wept while delivering his powerful message. I was thankful for the work of the Spirit, as many shepherds repented for not tending their flocks wholeheartedly. The second message, delivered by Allen, was taken from John 21. The title of his message was “Feed The Sheep.” We learned through the word of God that the motive of shepherd life should be love for Jesus. Because of this, we should not be a “hired shepherd” but instead be kind shepherds and obey Jesus’ command to feed sheep. Allen repented of his selfishness as he had been working for a better life instead of taking care of his sheep. This led him to make the decision to devote his time and love to his sheep.
Part 6. Bethesda Mission Hospital Healing Ministry
Last year was a great turning point in our healing ministry. Last January, the third healing mission was held in the district of Lyantonde, the same place as the past two missions. This time, doctors from four countries (Korea, USA, Germany, and Uganda) comprised an international UBF medical team, including 6 pediatricians, 2 orthopedic surgeons, 2 dentists, 5 physicians, 2 family doctors, 1 general surgeon, 1 anesthesiologist. A total of 19 medical doctors went to the district of Lyantonde to operate, treat people, preach the gospel, and perform other programs of healing and preaching. Kwangju III offered $250,000 last April to purchase 4 acres of land called Bwebaza in between Entebbe and Kampala. I thank God for helping us to get this land, which has a good view and a great location.
We also began the construction of Bethesda Health diagnostic center. We did not have faith to start because of our financial situation, but with the help of USA BIH’s Dr. Samuel Zun and Korea BIH’s Eom and Andrew Yang, we began construction. Last June, Daniel Lee gave a message on Bethesda spirit based on John 5 at the construction commencement service, and construction officially soon began in July. Currently, we are finished with the basement and half of the first floor.
We started BIH (Bethesda Intercultural Health Care) with engineers from Korea, but presently a Ugandan engineer, Msn. David and I are carrying out the construction work. Moreover, Msn. David and I are coworking as he sacrificially manages all the construction materials and I manage all the finances and the project’s oversight. We thank God for all the coworkers around the world who gave generously and prayed for this ministry. Because of our lack of finances, construction almost halted, but I thank God for providing for us through the donations of our coworkers from around the world. We pray that this building may be used for the healing of Ugandan sick souls, physically and spiritually, and as a center for African medical mission. We pray that God will fully provide financially to complete this project by the end of next year.
Our Community Health Care project, Bethesda Health Center in Bukaali, was completed with the help of Uganda Korean Church. Bukaali village is located on Buvuma, an island in Lake Victoria. Because there was no health facility there, those who wanted a malaria test had to take a two-and-a-half-hour boat ride to reach the mainland. We visited Bukaali village on the island with Korean church members 5-6 times a year to provide community health services. We were moved by their desperate situation and decided to construct a health center in that village. Village people there contributed land, bricks, and labor. The Korean church contributed cement and other building materials. Bethesda Health Center construction work continued for 2 years, and November 9 last year we had a service for the grand opening of Bethesda Health Center. With this health center, the village people now have access to quality medical service and can live healthier lives. We pray that God may provide a solar panel for electricity generation and other medical laboratory equipment so that we may provide better quality medical service to people in the village.
Part 2: 2010 Vision and Prayer Requests
Vision: 2010 The Year We Double Our Ministry
1. 2010 Key verse and prayer topics
Joshua 17:15
"If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites."
In 2010, we pray to double our ministry.
I repent of not being able to wholeheartedly serve campus ministry, because I gave so much time to serving the mission hospital. The healing ministry is important, but I have realized that Jesus considers the salvation of one’s soul more important. Although the body is healed, if the soul is not, our hospital can only fulfill the duties of any other hospital. We pray that we may not lose the meaning of the healing ministry and at the same time serve the campus discipleship ministry wholeheartedly. We pray that with a pioneering spirit, we may pioneer more college faculties and disciple one leader with each house church. Also, we pray for 50 Sunday worship service attendants and 60 one-to-one Bible study teams every week. We pray for the local leaders to have a sense of responsibility for this ministry so that they may participate more actively in campus discipleship ministry. I pray that as there are more coworkers, I may struggle to live an exemplary missionary life and humbly co-work with mission coworkers.
Thanksgiving Topics for 2009
1. Thank God for our leaders' spiritual growth, as they now serve the ministry with a sense of responsibility and ownership
2. Thank God for sending Dr. Joseph and Esther Chung from Chicago as coworkers
3. Thank God for sending Pr. Joseph Kim, Hannah Kim, Ye Zelin, and Bai Yang as coworkers
4. Thank God for establishing Kennedy and Vivien’s house church
5. Thank God for commencing Bethesda Health Diagnostic Center construction work
6. Thank God for purchasing land for the future Bethesda Mission Hospital
7. Thank God for opening Bethesda Health Center in Bukaali
2010 Makerere UBF Prayer Topics
Joshua 17:15 "If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites."
1. Pray for our ministry to double: 60 1:1 teams and 50 SWS attendants.
2. Pray for each house church to raise 1 leader
3. Pray for the Apostles group’s spiritual growth to be shepherds
4. Pray for Rwanda pioneering by Albert: to have a spiritual identity and pioneering spirit
5. Pray for the completion of the construction of the Bethesda Health Diagnostic Center and for more mission coworkers
