God will make a way!

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

A recent research trip took us to the north eastern part of Uganda in search of the Mening people.  As we leave Nairobi, our only sure plan is to meet up with a group from the U.S. who want to find the Mening people, beyond that – well, God will make a way.

Meeting this wonderful group of eleven coming from Missouri and Illinois to minister in Africa was a joy.  Arriving late in the night after a long drive from Kampala, everyone is ready to find their beds; the adventure will begin on the morrow.

Space will be tight. After sorting and culling clothing and other items to the bare essentials, we load up the vehicles and are ready to take off.  Reliable information put the Mening people in northeast Uganda, so we head in that direction – God will make a way.

Our research group is comprised of four nationals, eleven volunteers and the two of us. This night will be spent in Soroti, Uganda where we will meet Ambrose, the Director of Internal Security, an acquaintance of Pastor Ignatius, a local pastor from Pallisa, Uganda, who is part of our group.  We will hear his information and make a plan from there – God will make a way.

After pouring over the map and many phone conversations, it seems as though God is continuing to lead us north and east.  Information is sketchy, with some saying the group is now living in South Sudan – discouraging news logistically for us, as money for visas and importation of vehicles will be needed, but – God will make a way.

Knowing a family in the vicinity of Kaabong, Uganda, Jerry decides to contact them and ask if they have any information on this group.  Success comes late in the afternoon; after continuous attempts to obtain their cell number, we finally contact the family.  It just so happens, they are on their way home and will meet us at the cross roads – they will put us all up for the night and provide supper!  God continues to make a way. 

From new information provided we are still unsure if we will enter South Sudan, but everything appears to be pointing to the small town of Karenga, Uganda, so we load up and move out.

Upon our arrival in Karenga we actually come across a few people from the Mening group who tell us their village is called Opotipoti and it is near.  Relieved that we will not enter South Sudan to find the group, we decide to make our base of operations for the next three days in Karenga.
 We are amazed at God’s hand, visible in His leading us, much in the same way as the pillar of cloud and fire for the children of Israel, we are grateful.
God indeed has made a way!

Praise God for His leadership.  Having confirmed the existence of the Mening people; we estimate the population maybe higher than first reported.

Pray for the Mening of Uganda and South Sudan (yes, there are Mening villages just across the border) that God would be preparing their hearts to receive the seeds of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

(More to come on the Mening people!)