Out of Africa – Find the Joy

Day 1-2, June 4-5, 2024

My brother reminded us of these three little words as we were starting our mission adventure with Amy For Africa on Monday.

It may have to be our adopted motto for the next two weeks as we spread the gospel in Uganda. The first day is one of the toughest to “find the joy” with traveling 24 hours with little to no sleep, flight delays, airline meals and no way to make yourself comfortable.

But we also know this trip is not about our comfort. It is about introducing people who do not know the one who brings the ultimate comfort – Jesus Christ. We are going to evangelize and encourage, exhale and exclaim the name of Jesus and to see for ourselves what the Lord has accomplished through the ministry of Chris and Amy Compston, aka Amy For Africa.

We can “find the joy” in the passion they have for the Ugandan children and adults where they serve. We see it on the many photographs, videos and stories that Amy shares.

Several members of this team have been involved in multiple ways with multiple trips, mighty donations and many prayers. 

Having my brother with me makes it bucket list worthy. I have so much love, pride and respect for how mightily God has used him in ministry throughout a lifetime. He retired from being a pastor about a year ago but has not retired from being a witness for God. This will be his fifth mission trip since “retiring.” He has embraced the AFA ministry and Amy will be putting him to good use with 13 preaching assignments. That shows how much she thinks of him. He never flinched. It will also be the longest trip we have been on together since we were little boys going to Myrtle Beach with our parents back in the early ‘70s. 

“Find the joy?” That will be easy for me.

My guess is no matter what comes, it will be easy for us all to “find the joy” in the next two weeks. We will all be sharing in Bible studies with children and adults through the many outreaches of AFA.

My brother will be preaching Sunday at Victoria Baptist Church in Jinja, which Harold Cathey built some 30-35 years ago. My father-in-law and mother-in-law were integral in that project from top to bottom and inside to outside. The beautiful church is a circular design and my father-in-law tells me how you can see Lake Victoria from the top of it. He knows because he was working on the rooftop when it was being constructed.

The thread to what the Lord did through Harold and Beverly Cathey runs directly through Amy For Africa. God knew all along.

Pray with us as we seek the Lord and “find the joy.”