Christmas Cards and Curry
Location: Kampala Uganda
Time: 6:19 PM
That large glowing sun in the sky is setting on our final evening in the beautiful capital of Uganda. I'm sitting next to Tim Bata, a Ugandan musician who helped with the Amazing Grace CD. He's just finished a couple new songs that I'm about to sample.
We went to church today at Makerere Christian Fellowship. It was a bustling Pentecostal Sudanese community. The evening before we had purchased some Christmas gifts and Christmas cards in the local tourist area.
Well, we stepped into church and the pastor was a softspoken man from Ezbon's home town. But he shifted his tone partway through and began to speak pretty straight and direct to the four Western visitors.
"I don't see Christmas in the Bible," he said. "There is no specific way to celebrate Christmas. So maybe the way we celebrate isn't the correct way." He seemed to be staring right at us at this point. "Why do the people in the West give Christmas presents to people that don't need them? They feel a need to buy things for family, for parents, and for friends. There are billions of dollars spent on presents! Instead of this tradition why don't we have a day where we preach the gospel and take care of the needs of our poor neighbors and strangers?" It made sense what he was saying - especially after all we'd witnessed the past few weeks. It kind of does seem ludicrous to buy another stuffed doll for my niece who has two closets full of toys. What are we really doing? Is it necessary? Why can't we just show love with a simple note or a simple meal - then share the excess money with those that need it? As I sat there I began to formulate some different plans for next Christmas.
He then went on to criticize Christmas cards and the lazy messages of prosperity. "If I sold cards they would have truth in them and people probably wouldn't buy them!" Yeah, probably not. I guess it's nice to have a time where we focus on loving family and friends, but can't we stretch ourselves and think about people that may actually need our dimes more than our prosperous families? It's definitely something to think about.
We had some curry for lunch, some spicy Indian cuisine from Kampala, and then walked around town a bit more. We are going to miss all of these friends so much. The beautiful people of East Africa. The large genuine smiles. The open homes and lavish meals. The long talks by lantern light. The immense hearts of each of these friends that push their health and finances to the limits in order to care about the orphans, the widows, and the sick. The hilarious laughs. The simple lives that focus on family and God. The prayers of the churches for our team. The crowds of kids that come to greet and shake hands with dirty palms. The singing. The greetings that people ask to share with our home churches, our families and friends. The hope - through the present day sickness, war, and poverty. The hugs. It's been a special group of people we've been able to meet, and we have lots of great memories.
We fly out tomorrow for a quick stop in Dubai, and then separate once we land in New York. Please be praying for our trip. And be praying for the upcoming direction of Lahash. I need lots of prayer support. I'd love to have some volunteers help me with administration, guidance, and finances. It would be great to get a team of people that commit to supporting these projects so that the ventures can operate smoothly. I would love to talk about the trip and show some of the videos, music, photos, and share thoughts. May God bless all of you. With insight, with courage, and compassion. May God's love be enough for life today.
- Dan
Location: Kampala Uganda
Time: 6:19 PM
That large glowing sun in the sky is setting on our final evening in the beautiful capital of Uganda. I'm sitting next to Tim Bata, a Ugandan musician who helped with the Amazing Grace CD. He's just finished a couple new songs that I'm about to sample.
We went to church today at Makerere Christian Fellowship. It was a bustling Pentecostal Sudanese community. The evening before we had purchased some Christmas gifts and Christmas cards in the local tourist area.
Well, we stepped into church and the pastor was a softspoken man from Ezbon's home town. But he shifted his tone partway through and began to speak pretty straight and direct to the four Western visitors.
"I don't see Christmas in the Bible," he said. "There is no specific way to celebrate Christmas. So maybe the way we celebrate isn't the correct way." He seemed to be staring right at us at this point. "Why do the people in the West give Christmas presents to people that don't need them? They feel a need to buy things for family, for parents, and for friends. There are billions of dollars spent on presents! Instead of this tradition why don't we have a day where we preach the gospel and take care of the needs of our poor neighbors and strangers?" It made sense what he was saying - especially after all we'd witnessed the past few weeks. It kind of does seem ludicrous to buy another stuffed doll for my niece who has two closets full of toys. What are we really doing? Is it necessary? Why can't we just show love with a simple note or a simple meal - then share the excess money with those that need it? As I sat there I began to formulate some different plans for next Christmas.
He then went on to criticize Christmas cards and the lazy messages of prosperity. "If I sold cards they would have truth in them and people probably wouldn't buy them!" Yeah, probably not. I guess it's nice to have a time where we focus on loving family and friends, but can't we stretch ourselves and think about people that may actually need our dimes more than our prosperous families? It's definitely something to think about.
We had some curry for lunch, some spicy Indian cuisine from Kampala, and then walked around town a bit more. We are going to miss all of these friends so much. The beautiful people of East Africa. The large genuine smiles. The open homes and lavish meals. The long talks by lantern light. The immense hearts of each of these friends that push their health and finances to the limits in order to care about the orphans, the widows, and the sick. The hilarious laughs. The simple lives that focus on family and God. The prayers of the churches for our team. The crowds of kids that come to greet and shake hands with dirty palms. The singing. The greetings that people ask to share with our home churches, our families and friends. The hope - through the present day sickness, war, and poverty. The hugs. It's been a special group of people we've been able to meet, and we have lots of great memories.
We fly out tomorrow for a quick stop in Dubai, and then separate once we land in New York. Please be praying for our trip. And be praying for the upcoming direction of Lahash. I need lots of prayer support. I'd love to have some volunteers help me with administration, guidance, and finances. It would be great to get a team of people that commit to supporting these projects so that the ventures can operate smoothly. I would love to talk about the trip and show some of the videos, music, photos, and share thoughts. May God bless all of you. With insight, with courage, and compassion. May God's love be enough for life today.
- Dan
posted by Dan Holcomb - Lahash at 7:21 AM
2 Comments:
Dear Team,
Please do not end your sacrificial journey of love with a gut full of guilt. Godly conviction leads to repentance but guilt is a tool of the enemy, only leading to despair. What you have just given is the love of God from pure hearts. Gifts more precious than gold.
As for the celebration of Christmas- although it is not strictly in the Bible, the celebration of Chanukah is! Our Lord Jesus, a devoit Jew, celebrated the "Festival of Lights" himself. He took the opportunity while in Jerusalem to explain that HE is the light of the world. In Jewish tradition, the giving of gifts, especially to family and friends, but also to strangers, is part of celebrating God's gift of light.
Do not forget that you have been light during this awesome gift of giving of yourselves.
May God richly bless you all.
In His Love, with Joy at Christ-mas time,
Dr. John Iatesta
Dr. John - hi there! Thanks for your words. We aren't leaving here with awkward guilt, just more of a healthy perspective from the past couple of months. Thanks for your blessings, and we'll see you soon! - Dan
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