Harvest in Masese!

"Jesus took our place on the Cross!"

These are the words of excitement that my friend exclaimed as she realized what my illustration meant. I had one of them stand up and told the group that where she was standing was her place. I then moved her to the side, stood in the exact place, and asked what I just did. They understood that I had replaced her. It was then that my friend burst out her realization.

Friends, God is working in Masese!

This week has been filled with hope. Death, yes. Disease, yes. When I say these things I literally mean that two people I knew were killed and gapping wounds were brought to me with pleads of physical aid. These things happen. But that is Masese. I say these things not to romanticize my life but to try to paint a realistic portrayal of life here. But oh, such hope!

Maureen and Sarah!

A few months ago I had a picture of me and my late grandma as the background of my phone, and my friend Maureen once said, "I love to see your grandma." I then told her that she could meet her someday in heaven if she wanted, and she replied, "Oh no. For me I'm not saved. I'm not going to heaven." That was it. I could never get anything else out of her. She knew she was a sinner but grace was too much of a stretch for her.

This week I heard the beautiful news that she was recently born again! Upon meeting with her I asked if she remembered that day, and she said, "I wasn't saved before, but now I get to meet your jaja (grandma) someday, because I'm going to heaven too!" Ahh, what joy! She has also brought my friend Sarah to Jesus as well! Her next words were, "Sarah, you get to meet her too. I think she's going to be really nice to us because we're friends with Auntie Kate." Oh, my heart aches with joy!

Friends and new sisters! 

To further my excitement this week, I was given 8 Faith Comes by Hearing mp3 players that have the New Testament in Karamjong on them. I met with the four recent converts on Friday and we spoke about how we need the Word to grow and sustain us (Jeremiah 15:16), and one of them asked, "But how can we when we can't read?" My friend Ruth was sent Bibles that I was then able to provide for the two that can read. Then I gave the mp3 players out and boy, do I wish this could have been recorded!

When they first heard the man speaking Karamajong, they were thrilled! When they realized it was the Bible, rejoicing broke free! Esther was so excited that she jumped up, spilled my tea everywhere, and gave me a huge hug! Mary, who cannot read, and only speaks Karamajong (not Luganda or English) sat and cried. Irene, my translator, repeated everything to me and when she got to Matthew 5 she said, "Oh, we are sinners". But Esther jumped in with, "But God has saved us!" I told them to listen to them in their houses so people wouldn't steal them, but when I visited one of them later that day, they were showing everyone! They promised me that they would still be good moms and not listen to it too much that they'd forget about their children.

They sat in silence like this for a long time

Oh, God is working.

Another woman came to me and professed faith in the afternoon, but I was skeptical because this is all becoming too much. When I spoke to Irene about it she said, "Auntie Kate, we're not forcing God on anyone. The Holy Spirit is working here. It's a change of heart. Do you remember your name? The harvest is ripe!" 

Did I forget how big He is?

Sweet Mary, this meant so much to both of us

In these incredibly exciting times, I have been encouraged to be more intentional, disciplined, and focused -- in prayer, leisure, food, thoughts, everything! And as Jim Elliot once said, "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." I want to be here. So yes, I'm doing it again. I'm going off of social media for the month of March, but as I realize people do us it to get ahold of me for business related reasons, I will still be answering emails when necessary.

My email is katelyn.gudim@gmail.com

I love Esther! 

I'm so blessed to be here in such a time as this. I'm humbled that God would show me more of Himself, draw me close, and reveal more of His love for me in such an intimate way. I'm honored to see His glory in Masese. Would you rejoice with me?

Would you also pray? Masese is still dark, people are still drunk, and the demons still have such a stronghold there. But the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Friends, I'm excited! But I know Satan is not, and he will bring temptations and trials to hinder this work of the Kingdom. I would greatly appreciate your prayers.