Category Archives: Missions

Grateful for the simple things

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Our first night, or should I say morning, in Uganda was somewhat uneventful. We arrived at 1:30am after a 2 hour delay in Brussels, Belgium to de-ice the plane. Although it was an inconvenience, I am very thankful the pilot didn’t try to fly with ice on the wings.

Jim & I are were parched, I didn’t realize how much water I consume or needed while traveling, but nothing stays open in Kampala for a couple of weary & thirsty Americans. Our host managed to find us a place to grab a couple bottles of water to get through the night. I love the fresh indoctrination of dust & diesel my lungs receive. I guess being thankful for safe travel & gracious host is appropriate here.

My room at the guest house is very simple. A guest house nothing more than a bed, toilet & safe cover from the elements & wiles of the night. I am so grateful for the bed & safe cover. My shower this morning was interesting. Not only was it cold, but I use the word “shower” lightly. It was more of a trickle, but at least I was able to clean the essential areas. I didn’t need to shave this morning, it will be a challenge when I do tomorrow with a sink falling from the wall, only cold water & no mirror. Did I mention how happy I am for the bed & shelter?

This is very much in line with what I will ministering on this week, which isn’t a surprise. God always walks me through the places He gives me opportunity to lead. Besides, you can’t preach or teach about something effectively if you’ve never walked through it. It’s going to be a great 2 weeks.

We are in Uganda this week, then Kenya through the weekend & first part of next week. Please keep us in your prayers. Lord willing, we will be purchasing bibles next week. There’s still time to support this effort. Visit my post: Embarking with a need…biblesor more information.

Endeavoring to impact my generation in Christ,

James

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Embarking with a need…bibles

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As I prepare to head to the airport for my third mission trip to Africa, my partner & I have been presented with a great need. Many of the pastors and ministers we will be spending our time with over the next 2 weeks do not have a bible. Not only do they not have bibles, but many in their church do not as well. These ministers and their people live in remote villages where every day life is a challenge, and overcoming sickness, starvation and death more important than buying a book. For the ministers, it is a difficult to proclaim the gospel of Christ without having His word in hand to read and nurture their people.

Most of us in the US have at least one bible in our home, more often several in different colors, types and translations. Sadly, there are more bibles in American homes that never get dusted off, opened and read than there are in the many third world nations that do get read. When a bible is available it is ripped apart and distributed so everyone has at least one page of the Word to read and memorize.

Since this is fairly short notice and we are traveling light, we don’t have time to take up a collection of bibles to carry with us. We have several distribution houses in Kenya where we will be purchasing bibles when we arrive. We have received a donation from a church in Missouri and I have received a gift from a co-worker that will be used to purchase what we can; however, it will be a very small quantity. Therefore, I am asking for donations so we can purchase as many as we can to give to each pastor and minister, as well as send some back to their villages to distribute.

In order for me to have access to these donations while I am in country, I am requesting all to be given via PayPal. If you would like to help purchase bibles for our brothers and sisters in Uganda and Kenya, please click the “Donate” button.


Changing Seasons

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I love the changing seasons, especially winter to spring and summer to fall. It’s been a few months since my last post, but like the changes in seasons, a lot of things have been evolving behind the scenes in this ministry. The first being the most obvious…we have changed our ministry name from Owe No Man Ministries to Breathe International Missions Network [BIMN]. We have not changed our mission or purpose, but the new name aligns us more with where we are going. Owe No Man is not dead, but will focus more locally where we live instead of globally. More on that to come in the near future.

The change began this summer when I spoke at a youth camp in Missouri. The theme for the camp was “BREATHE” from Ezekiel 37. I was completely wrecked before, during and after this camp. Thanks Dalin! The residual affects were felt by my wife, Becky, who wasn’t able to be with me. We felt the current identity and purpose of the ministry were not complimentary and confusing. We are still working through many details and challenges of BIMN, so your prayers are welcomed and appreciated. We are continually updating this site, so be sure to check back often.

Upcoming Events:

  • November 5-7, I will be at New Life Ministries, FCF in Kansas City, Missouri speaking at a youth conference, Desperation 2010 – “Here Am I”. If you are in the area, come by and let’s get connected.
  • November 29-December 10, I will be in Uganda and Kenya providing leadership training to pastors and ministers. Additionally, this trip is an orphan & widow care fact finding endeavor.

If you would like more information or to support our ministry, please visit our contact and/or donate pages.