A year and a half ago when God began the process of calling me to Africa, I had no idea that in a 12 month period, I would be boarding a plane to Uganda for the 3^rd time!   On December 30, 2006, I stepped foot onto my first flight to Entebbe, Uganda with a team from Ojai Valley Baptist Church not knowing what God had in store for me. Even as I stepped onto the plane, I didn’t know why I was going. All I knew was God said, “Go.” That step of obedience has radically changed my life…but brought a tremendous amount of peace along with it! 

Since that step of faith onto an airplane, I have resigned my full-time position I held at my church of 13 years to answer the call to “go.”  I am now a full-time missionary working voluntarily with our non-profit organization, “Psalms Ten.”   I have also become a new member of a Partnership/Project team that serves the California WMU/WM. My specific responsibilities fall under the area of the MK’s (missionary kids) at California Baptist University. Ruth Stevens at CBU has a passion for ministering to these students throughout the year. You will hear more about the development of this particular ministry in the months to come. 

The focus of this article is how God used a call to Uganda to turn my life upside down!   On my first trip to Uganda I traveled with the team from Ojai. They had an active partnership with Cornerstone Baptist Church in the area of Jinja, Uganda. We conducted conferences for pastors, women and teenagers. I made myself available to assist in the women’s conference. Because I interpret for the deaf, Pastor Scott & his wife, Susan of OVBC asked if I would sign music for both the women and pastor’s conference. On the second day, one of the Ugandan pastors, recognizing that I was able to communicate with the deaf, brought 2 deaf teenagers to the conference. He said they normally have to leave these children at home because no one can communicate with them. By the end of the week, the 2 deaf kids accepted Christ as their Savior! Mukama Yabazibwe! (Praise the Lord!)

God was opening another door on this trip. We had been made aware some of the children who were being housed in a nearby orphanage were being abused. As we returned home, God led one of our team members, Devo Marshall to begin doing something about this. He began seeking God in a season of prayer. God led Devo to establish the non-profit organization called “Psalms Ten.” He then invited me to be a part of the organization as we began the process of rescuing these children. 

By the time I traveled to Uganda for my second time in 2007, we were leasing a facility that now houses our “Living Hope Children’s Home!” I traveled this time by myself to see the facility. I was also representing another group that has asked for my administrative help in building a children’s hospital in the western part of Uganda. 

My third visit, December 31, 2007 involved the team from Ojai returning to conduct conferences again for the pastors and the women.   We walked by faith and trusted God each day to provide for all of our needs. Each day we provided the funds for the village to be fed…which is about 200,000 shillings a day (about $125).  We purchased Bibles to give out to those who did not have one. It was exciting to see the process of going from spending $300 to $500 to $1,000! God provided beyond our expectations and we were able to purchased 111 Bibles in 7 different languages!  

Our times of worship were incredible. Whether in the conferences or in the church services, the place just fills with praises to God as they worship Him. The music rings out and fills the air. The people of the church are so precious. From the youngest child to the oldest adult…you can see it in their faces that they truly worship the Lord authentically with all of their heart. I have never experienced anything like it before.

But for Devo and I, the main purpose of this trip was for the children’s home. You see, in just a year’s time, we went from Ojai Valley Baptist Church sponsoring 14 children in school…to Psalms Ten now sponsoring and housing 63 children plus 6 house parents and Pastor Paul! We send all these kids to school from nursery to high school age. We are able to purchase needed items for the home such as food, furniture and mattresses, blankets, clothes, mosquito nets, medicine, sports equipment and other incidentals.   This was all made possible because of the generous giving of those at home. 

On this trip we bought soda one afternoon as a special treat as they don't get that very often. It was such a joy to watch them all be so excited about just having a bottle of soda. We sure take those kind of things for granted. As they drank their soda...they sang praise songs to God!

One of my most precious memories of this trip was standing on the grassy hill of our home and watching the children laughing and playing. The kids playing ball were so much fun to watch.  On our last day at the home, Robert, the pastor’s son, borrowed my Ipod, got my speakers and started doing a version of "American Idol"... actually more like "African Dance Idol!" At first, he danced at the urging of others...then he gained an audience. So then another wanted their turn...then another.  At one moment, Devo and I stood, watching the dancing and the laughing and we commented..."this is what it is all about...to see the children so safe and so happy, playing and singing and so full of hope." Our hearts were filled to overflowing. 

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart" has been a key verse in my life this year. God is granting the desires of my heart.  But the important part of that verse is that I am learning to “delight myself in Him.”  Yes, God has blessed me with a “home” in Africa. But one of the gifts that I have brought back with me is the desire to “delight in Him” daily and deeply! God sent me half way across the world to get my attention…my full attention. He used the African people to draw me closer to Him. 

God is moving in mighty ways here.    

My story is just one story. Uganda is just one country. What is your story? We all have a story to tell. My life has forever been changed because God sent me to Africa. I have come back with a new sense of awe for my Savior.  

This is a year of new beginnings. As I heard in a sermon on the Sunday before we left, “God is a God of new beginnings.” My prayer for the trip to Uganda & for this year is that each day we live a life according to who we are in Christ. Let us all draw closer to Him in this day of new beginnings.  

I close with words from Pastor Paul Muwangala from Cornerstone Baptist Church, that he has sent me since I have returned home. 

“This is a message from all kids from Living Hope Children's Home in appreciation to all you have done for them. They individually have written letters which we will send to you but this general one is in relation to what you have done, buying balls, clothing and a party you gave them of Sodas. It was the first one in life and it lifted them high in their spirits. Since then we have seen a drastic change for the best out of them. I am also very grateful seeing how you face lift our children's lives by practical love. Thank you very much and may God richly bless you in all your labor in Him. Again thank you I will keep you posted.”    Paul

And…the reason why we do all of this…

“Eleven of our children have given their lives to Christ two days ago during our evening fellowship. We therefore will need you to lift them up to God in prayer. Their names are: Akuwe Joel, Kyomugisha Sarah, Kabaale Jacob, Magumba Eric, Kisandakye Ronald, Matove Hilary, Bamutire Frank, Mwoyo Maureen, Kampi Doreen, Nekesa Mary and Bakiya Sharon.

My life has forever been changed…and there is no turning back! The people of Uganda are a people of faith. God is using them to turn my life upside down. 

I am glad I obeyed when He said….”Go” What will you do when God tells you,  “Go?”

“ Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Blessings & Peace,

Eydie Miskel
www.psalms10.com