Before I came to Uganda, one of my leaders posted about the Prosperity Gospel, and how it is a big issue in Africa. I had never really heard about it, but I now can say I have experienced it. According to Wikipedia, The Prosperity Gospel is a theology that believes that the Bible teaches that financial blessing is the will of God for Christians. The doctrine teaches that faith, positive speech, and Christian Ministries will increase one's Material possessions.
Being made aware of this before I came to Africa, I wondered if I would see or experience it, and I spotted it quite quickly this past weekend. A group of 4 from my team went to a local prison for ministry. When we got there, the young men were worshipping, and I loved seeing them worship with such passion and excitement for God. It was seriously incredible. There was a Pastor that spoke to them after worship for a quick message. He basically encouraged them that if they wanted a nice house, nice car, or nice wife, God would give that to them. He had several men stand up and say what they wanted, and than told them it would be done. At the end of the message, he said to the men that he wanted to take an offering. He asked, "what are you going to give?" A young man replied, "My life". The pastor preceded to say, "no it must be a material possession."These prisoners who have basically nothing, tried to scrounge up things they could give, a few gave coins and money, while a few gave a bar of soap because that's all they had.
So this was definitely a disturbing awakening for me of what this doctrine is doing. It broke my heart to see these prisoners being fed lies about how God works. I'm praying, and I ask you to pray, that somehow the truth will be shown, and these false truths about God would be ended!
Other than that though, this week has been really great! We are starting to develop more of a schedule and plan for the ministries we will be doing. Every morning we will be at Victory Outreach Church helping in different offices. I am helping in the media office, and Jordan and I are working on making a new website for the church. I also going to work on some different graphics for them and such as well. When I'm not in the media office, I will probably be helping in the Compassion offices. Compassion is a child sponsorship organization(www.compassion.com), and the church works with Compassion and has over 260 kids sponsored just from there center. On Saturdays, we get to spend the whole day with these children! We will help them write letters to their sponsors, distribute gifts that they receive, and teach them about Jesus! It looks like it's going to be a great experience seeing how Compassion works and how child sponsorship changes these kids lives! We have met so many kids who are unable to go to school because their families don't have the money, it is just heartbreaking!
In the afternoons, we will be doing different things such as going to the high school and primary schools, visiting hospitals, etc. We are starting a Bible Study at the High school, and I'm really excited about it! These students are really great and they are excited to grow!
In conclusion, just want to thank you all for your prayers and support! God is teaching me a lot, and I know that he is changing my heart to be more like his! It's been a great experience so far, and I look forward to see what all happens in the next three months! God Bless!!
