From Dw in London, England

When I awoke this AM the following letter was in my ebox….Dw asked if I wanted to post it on A Place Called Simplicity….(I knew you would love to read what my man had to say about the trip….and I was wrong…time zone challenged, delirious, post-menopausal or something, but they are coming home TONIGHT!! I was so excited when Lexie’s dad, after reading the Africa post) sent an email yesterday saying Lexie was getting home Tuesday and wondering if they were staying the night in Dallas? – After connecting by phone, Karl and I *thank you Karl* figured out that it was tonight my sweet bunch are due home – Yippee Jesus!!)

Anyway, here is the words of my hubby from London on their 18 hour layover…

I cannot sleep so I am sitting in the lobby of our London hotel reflecting on our Journey to Africa with the “Go Uganda Team.”

First, I am absolutely amazed at the team God assembled. You can’t choose a team like this, you can only pray and watch God bring them together: the most unlikely of different people to form an incredible team.

We laughed together, cried together and worked very hard together. The relationships that I saw form were a God thing. Complaining was not present but a “can do” attitude was always present. They knew they were called to the front lines for such a time as this and they responded. I cannot say enough about the team – they were a pleasure to lead on this Journey.

There were no outsiders we were all insiders, the same team, from different states and countries, different backgrounds, different ages, but one team. We hardly noticed we had a Canadian with us – eh?!! Thanks for allowing me the privilege of leading such a great team!

The sights, sounds, smells are really to much to comprehend and to explain. There is a mass of humanity everywhere – moving – buying – selling – trying to survive for another day. The slums were a wake up call to the plight of the poor. I start to cry as I write this – feeling so helpless to make a difference. But African Hearts is making a difference – one child at a time they are inviting kids off the streets, introducing them to Jesus and seeing their lives transformed. Now 13 former street children are living in Sengee village. We saw pictures from when they first came off the streets and now their countenances and faces tell the story.

Before pictures tell the story of the street. Creases of pain mark their faces with an icy edge. Hopelessness fills their eyes. Lost & lonely these children fight, scrap, lie, and steal to live another day. Such is the plight of the children of the slums… Thousands of them everywhere.

Then, by God’s grace – a few come off the streets – today their faces tell a different story. Each one has been introduced to the love of God and the transformation has begun. The creases of pain are gone… The hopelessness now filled with hope, fear replaced by love, and sadness with joy that leaps from their faces and their bodies. They are a joy to be with a joy to be
around… On our free day what did the team choose to do…. Go back to Sengee to be with “our boys”!

Ok, now I’m sobbing…. I’m amazes at how God can unite hearts from two different worlds and link them in such love. Get ahold of yourself Dwight…

We accomplished every objective of the trip…. Linn asked me before I left how I would know we were a success? I said:

1. That the team members hearts would be forever impacted – mission accomplished – and then some.

2. We would get the work done we were sent to do – mission accomplished.

3. Can’t remember – too early but the Mocha I’m drinking may stir it up..

Here is what was completed:

1. Trees were planted – many, many of them – to form a natural fence around the property for the boys at Ssenge African Hearts home.

2. Build a kitchen – turned out to be a complex – 🙂 Kitchen , guest room (for when one of the leaders would stay out in Ssenge), storage room and porch – the team slung thousands of bricks – we will have pics soon – all done except the roof!!

3. Crusade – 60 to 70 people received Christ

4. Sunday church – 3 salvations – 100 plus prayed for by the team members

5. Pastor Conference – double of last year… About 150 pastors, apostles, evangelists and leaders – the gospel was and is being multiplied… 2 Timothy 2:2 -“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. ” — We did it – and I am already hearing results — they want me to be the bishop of the apostles – what does that make me??? I’m so not in to titles – rather prefer to be just Dwight!!! I’m getting requests for many more Pastor’s conferences on leaving a Legacy – we will see how God uses this…

6. Feeding in the slums – (feeding and mending sores and wounds) — They were fed and mended – — – we were broken!

7. Football – we played football with the street kids… They won 3 to 2 with the first scored goal by the kids against me as the goalie – hey I caught the ball ahead of the line, I didn’t know you couldn’t back away into the goal! 🙂

8. Each member of the team now has an imprint of Africa in their hearts – they want to take all the places for next years team – so some of you may have to fight your way on to the team…

9. And oh yea – a couple of children’s lives will forever be changed – more details to follow!

Thanks for your prayers – you are all apart of this team…. And a part of the success. You rock – I am forever grateful for your partnership in the gospel in Africa!

Love to you all – Your friend – Dwight

31 thoughts on “From Dw in London, England

  1. Dwight,

    Thank you so much for your faithful service to God!!! God has truly opened the door of Africa for you and no man can shut! The fields are ripe for the harvest but there are few laborers.
    May your writing about the trip inspire those that are being called to step up and go forth into the land God has prepared for them so that His work can be accomplished.

  2. WOW! So great to hear from Dwight and to hear the wonderful praise reports. I'm continuing to pray for their safe travels home………can't wait to hear more stories and to see pictures. Praising God in Durango for all that was accomplished in His name in Africa!!

  3. Woooohooooo and Yippeeeee Jesus for the great things the Lord has done through His faithful, hard working, people lovin', baby takin' care of, sharing, caring servants! Go team! Thank you for the many lives you have poured into. Thank you for the lives you have changed forever!

    Ohhhhh I so hope there are more babies coming home!!

    Thanks Dwight for sharing through your tears. Thank you for leading, for going and doing, all that He called the team to do! Go God!!!

    Love from Texas~

    Tina

  4. WOW!

    Ummm… please keep us updated as to when the next trip will be. I know my hubby and I would loved to have gone, but it just wasn't possible with him being deployed and all. We're itching to do our first missions trip. (And if we can end up with another child or so… even better!)

  5. sometimes when returning from a mission trip, especially one so far away and different from what we're accustomed to, it's difficult to put into words what God accomplished. dw did a fantastic job of bringing us right alongside them. what a blessing to my heart. mission accomplished, indeed!

  6. Tears, only tears as I read this. Lives changed, lives saved, lives who met our precious Jesus. Praise the Lord!!!

    No. 9 – can't wait to hear more. Hugs and love and continued prayers.

  7. There are no words except "Praise God!!!!!!" Now that is truly awesome. I am going to work hard to fight my way onto the team next year! 😉

  8. As Miss Linn would say…. YIPPEE JESUS! What a phenomenal amazing God inspired mission. What an awesome group of people who burn to make a difference in Africa. How ALL lives were impacted for Christ. Dw is an awesome leader… it is no surprise to me that this was a success on all levels. Supernatural,physically displaying the awesome power of God. lv, jen

  9. What a precious gift that they will be home a day before you thought they would.

    I am so glad they had such a powerful trip and #9 made me smile big time.

    Maybe I'll get to fight for a spot next year.

  10. What glorious news! Praise be to Him – He is accomplishing His purposes! Thanks for sharing. Our friends just left yesterday to go work in Uganda with African Hearts :).

  11. more sneaky little notes in there, about more children…
    let us know soon!
    Sounds like the rest of us really missed out, wonderful to see God's hand

  12. Ha- tell Dwight he can have the African leaders call him "Daddy Dwight"since "Daddy" is his favorite title- right?
    Such a blessing to read good news from a far off land! Looking forward to good reports from Kenya!
    Did Emma get to see Buckingham Palace?
    Blessings and praises to God for His awesome mission accomplished, and I'm sure some news missions started…
    Lisa

  13. I'm all teary too DW! And you just have to leave us hanging. 🙂 Sweet children. Can't wait to hear all the details about the blessed parents to be.

  14. How absolutely wonderful! What a beautiful mission. I can hardly wait to hear more. Please post some pics too, when you have time. So happy your precious family will be home tonight.

    Thanks so much for sharing.

  15. Thank you Linny for sharing…the team has been on my heart and in my prayers for Kingdom impact. Oh, Lord amaze us.

    Kimmie
    mama to 7
    one homemade and 6 adopted

  16. I'm so excited about being with the guys again at African Hearts when I return to my 'heart home' again in Sept.
    Tim & I are more & more convinced that God wants us( meaning those of us from the West) to empower and train those in Africa who have a heart for their own people. To teach & train the pastors and leaders is a blessing of multiplication – much more fruitful than trying to reach everyone ourselves!The hunger from those in leadership there is awe-inspiring, humbling and such a blessing. Tim commented the other day that the most electrifying times of his pastoral life have been in Africa during question time with rural pastors. The questions are both telling (as to the state and/or lack of training) and challenging. We've beem lessed beyond belief & it's such a privilege to return often. That 4 hour drive home saw a lot of stories of love & blessing told I'm sure. God's blessings to you all. Give Dwight & Emma a special hug from Tim & I.
    Chris

  17. Linn and DW,

    You amaze me, but most importantly I am more in awe of how our God is working through your lives to reach so many. I am so glad I reached out and emailed you last year through your church website and it was exactly a year ago that you so sweetly replied! I knew long before this blog took off that I had to get to know you. I am so glad I did.

    I can't wait to see what else God has in store for both our families!

    Lovingly,
    VT

  18. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Reading this post delights my heart. It's such a blessing to read good news and to hear how the Lord is accomplishing His purposes all over the world. A friend of mine just arrived home from the Middle East and I cannot wait to hear how God showed up on that trip. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I know all who served on the Uganda mission trip will forever be changed by what they witnessed and experienced. To God be the glory.

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