One of the standing jokes between Pam and me is our method in packing a suitcase. I pack my suitcase once and Pam packs hers 3 times… at least. It happens most every trip. A week or two before we’re scheduled to leave, a suitcase appears in our bedroom and a small pile of clothes and sundries begins to form. As the days go by, the pile grows- jeans, capris, shirts, a dress or two, several pair of shoes, a…
by Pam Benedict Spring is my favorite season! Now before you begin your argument for a different season, let me nod and agree that yes, there’s nothing more beautiful than snowflakes drifting down and covering the dull gray of winter with a fresh, white blanket of snow. And it’s true, there’s nothing sweeter than a cold slice of watermelon on a hot summer day. And you are also correct in saying that there is nothing more invigorating that a walk…
For as long as I’ve been in ministry, I’ve longed to see and be part of a revival; to experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit that radically reshapes and renews my faith and the faith of the church. Some would say that this desire is misplaced or even unfounded. They argue that God most often works through the mundane and ordinary circumstances of life to conform us to the image of Christ. Change, they say, primarily happens little-by-little…
A devotional by Sandy Martin… It had been a particularly stressful week and I was numbing my brain by scrolling through some video clips from “America’s Got Talent” on YouTube. Now, don’t get all judgy… you do it too! 😊 But as I watched, there was one that caught my eye and my heart. A contestant, who described himself as a teacher and father of 5 children, was asked, what was his motivation in coming on the show. He simply stated…
STEVE: Today I sit where it all began, at the Sienna Beach Hotel in Entebbe on the north shore of Lake Victoria. It’s sunny and eighty degrees with a moderate breeze out the southwest gently rustling the palm trees. The lake water laps the shore and Pam is wandering down on the beach attempting to sneak up on some unknown variety of exotic bird. This is the hotel where we stayed to recover from jetlag two weeks ago, after our…
On Sunday we had the joy of worshiping at Pakwach Full Gospel Church and the privilege of witnessing the real-life version of a widow’s mite. Located on a dirt path just off the main road, the church was in the middle of a community of round thatched roofs over square mud homes. As we entered the cement building with an uneven cement floor, @70 women & children’s voices filled the air with beautiful African harmonies. The room pulsated with energy…
On Thursday we finished up our first marriage conference in Nebbi and then drove over to Pakwach for 2 days of rest and preparation before a full day of ministry on Sunday. Our second marriage conference kicks off on Monday. Pakwach is a little town that sits on the Nile River at the entrance to Murchison Falls National Park, which is the largest, most visited animal preserve in all of Uganda. So, in the course of a one hour drive…
Good morning, friends, and family. The marriage conference for the pastors and their wives began Monday at noon. But first we had to get there! It was just a short trip from the guest house to the conference. Driving through the town of Nebbi, we passed hundreds of people walking along brick shops that sold everything from minutes for your cell phone to piles of pineapples and avocados. Dozens of boda bodas (taxi motorcycles) wove in & out of traffic…
Good morning friends! Well, obviously your prayers have been heard. I have no other rational explanation for our 2 ministry bags and personal luggage making the 3,700 mile journey from Istanbul, Turkey to Enbebbe, Uganda in less than 24 hours. But we were gratefully informed that our bags arrived at the airport at 2:15 AM on Sunday morning. Thanks for partnering with us in this way! Although each bag had been opened and inspected and the officials attempted to assess…
Good morning everyone and warm greetings from Uganda. After 16 hours of continuous travel, Pam and I arrived safely at 4:15 AM local time. We are +8 hours from you. Here it is 3 PM. For those of you who haven’t been tracking with us… Wendell Stoltzfus, Pam and I are on a 16 day mission trip to Uganda with Equipping Leaders International to hold 2 four-day marriage conferences for Pastors and their wives in Nebi & Pakwach in northwest…