Simple Multiplies

Hello Friends, in 2009 Fernando and Leen Pauwels  lived in Uganda for three months with their two preschool children.  Their home was a tent near an orphanage where they shared life with 30 teen aged boys.  Every week they would do an outreach in the villages to pray for the sick and share the gospel.  Last year Fernando went back to Uganda for two weeks to reinforce some of the things he had been teaching about grace, power, simple church, discipleship and the priesthood of all believers. What did he find? "These kids now have an understanding of the kingdom beyond what many understand....  that biblical faith is expressed in obedience to the words of Christ."  Several of those that are over 18 are travelling all over Uganda teaching what they have learned, baptizing, discipling and forming communities of Jesus followers.  The Q &A below is from the mouths of 14- 17 year olds.  Fernando says, "It seems like God still uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. (I Corinthians 1:27).

Q: Why did Jesus say, "Carry neither money bag, knapsack or sandals?"

A: So we could not give these things away and entice people to become believers for the wrong reasons.

Q: How much money does it take to start a church? (knowing that most leaders in Kampala want at least a 500 seater with the biggest  sound system available!)

A: None.  Christ in the heart and our voice is enough.  We can meet anywhere to disciple people.

Marshal Mcluhan is famous for saying that, "The medium is the message." How you say something has more influence than what you are saying.  When Jesus is preached from platforms through sound systems by those who have nice vehicles and  stay in  fine hotels while being financed by money from outside the country that is a very strong statement about how to  minister Jesus that no Ugandan orphan could ever hope to achieve.  When a Belgian family chooses to live among them that is also a strong statement!  The platform may generate thousands of signed decision cards but a life lived among others creates disciples who will do the same.

"The word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood."  John 1, The Message.  Many more have heard about Jesus than have seen how He lives His life among them.  Simple multiplies.

For more on Fernando and Leen you can check www.powerthroughlove.be

(if you don't read Dutch, google translator works pretty good!).

Fernando and Leen we look forward to being with you in Belgium in May.

Your brother

Steve