Africa - Jake Vanderzanden
On November 11th 2006, I left on a trip to Uganda, Africa. I traveled & worked with an organization called International Christian Youthworks Uganda (ICYU). While in Uganda, I wanted to help in any way possible, to be putty in the hands of God. In the 6 months I was with ICYU I worked alongside 5 other people – 3 volunteers and 3 paid staff members. Our objective was to serve the youth of Uganda with Christ's love. We tried to focus on orphanages, streets kid’s projects and criminal children projects, primarily around the city of Kampala. I also traveled to the northern Uganda outside the ministry of ICYU and developed a relationship with Pastor Roy and his congregation in Gulu. In Gulu, we ministered in what most of us think of when we think of Africa – remote, poverty stricken, dry and barren. For the short time we were in Gulu, we helped strengthen 
the church and shared the gospel with our fellow Christ-followers – the two biblical purposes of mission trips. With the time that God gave me in Uganda, I learned so much. There was a new lesson everyday. One of the main points that I felt God laid on my heart while there was "the heart of true worship". I learned that worship is a lifestyle. I learned that worship is everyday... all the time! In constant prayer and thanksgiving to our lord and savior. One of the biggest lessons I learned about worship was how humble we should be before our Creator! Humility is essential to worship God in truth and in spirit.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
and before honor comes humility
Proverbs 15:33
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and truth.
John 4:24
Although I am back from Uganda my journey is not over. There are a lot of things to do! We are prayerfully anticipating my friend Wilson Kabeera, a native Ugandan whom I served with, coming here early 2008. Our hope is that he will be speaking at schools, youth groups and churches. There is an extreme amount of planning for that to be done and his financial situation is also an obstacle. The Lord willing, he will be arriving in Enterprise January, 6th 2008. I want him to have an impact in the hearts of those in our community. We need prayer warriors to be praying everyday until he comes for open hands and open hearts. Our dream would be to eventually be able to take groups back to support the ministry of the church and my friends in Uganda and for those who go to serve God wholeheartedly and also experience the love and freedom of the people and culture there.
God is so majestic. He works in many mysterious ways 
and he sent me to Uganda for a reason. He gave me a network of people through out East Africa. I don’t want to let that go to waste. My prayer for the people of our country, our county and for myself is that we humble ourselves and acknowledge our God for who He is and how amazing His love is, that we not focus on the materialistic things that our culture puts so much emphasis on but instead, out of our abundance, help others who have so little. Most importantly, I pray that we give the love of Christ through the time that we can choose to spend with people – that we build relationship – whether in Wallowa County or in Uganda, Africa. Showing and sharing the love of our All Powerful God, that is our purpose!
Thank you,
God Bless
Jake VanderZanden
Mexico - The Spear Family
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