Mission to Uganda: Flying Home

Goodbye Uganda (Click to enlarge)I snapped a picture of the team in their Sunday best in Uganda. I never dress up to this level because I’m carrying a TV camera and tripod everywhere we go, so I’m not in the picture. (Otherwise, who would take it?) The video report that we put out in the weeks ahead will be the result of my work on this journey, and I believe it will be worth every effort. This was the last dress up opportunity for the group before embarking on our return. As we snapped the picture we were going to dinner and were facing nineteen hours of cars, flights, buses, and airport lounges the next day.

Birthday chocolate cheesecake
(Click to enlarge)It was my birthday and Andrew was kind enough to celebrate with a starlight dinner under an umbrella tree that evening. Chocolate cheesecake dessert was served for me, and the staff sang the birthday song. The restaurant was Muslim run but several servers told Andrew they were “born again” and watch his program on
Lighthouse TV.

The next morning we drove to the airport and said a brief goodbye to Leland Shores. Once inside, we were met by two oriental business women, Vera Kim from Australia, and Partricia Sum from Singapore. We had heard rumors that a large oil reserve has been discovered in Uganda, and indeed, these women were working on financing and drilling contracts. Both of them watch Andrew on Gospel Truth TV daily, one on the Daystar Network and the other on God TV. While in Kampala they had visited the bookstore and had bought several of Andrew’s books. Once in flight they came back from the first class cabin to have Andrew autograph the books.

Vera and Patricia (Click to enlarge)Both Vera and Patricia felt that the timing of their trip was a divine appointment. They pressed Andrew to establish Charis Bible College extension schools in Australia and Singapore. These were certainly two seeds for future Charis Bible College graduates to pray about. All that is needed to start more schools are trained disciples, called of God to go out and make more disciples. The world is ready.

One thing became clear on this missions trip. The television program seen on the various satellite networks around the world is bringing together an enthusiastic family of believers who cherish the message of the unconditional love and grace of God. It is far greater than we know.

Last meal together (Click to enlarge)I write this from my room at the Heathrow Radisson. In the morning we will check out and fly to Denver. We realize that it is a great privilege to travel and see the effect of the Gospel Truth beyond the shores of America. I hope the log of our trip has allowed us to share that reality.


Filed Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 5pm, London time, AWMI Media Manager, Stephen Bransford