Canaan Children's Home

Weaver 2007 Internship
At Canaan Children's Home

From many wonderful applicants, Mark Weaver from  Purdue Christian Campus House, a church in West Lafayette, IN, was chosen for the opportunity to fill a winter volunteer internship position to participate with the mission of Canaan Children's Home.  His reports are posted below:  

Arrival in Uganda
My Ugandan Name - Kimuli Makko
Gospel Images
You Can Join Me
More Stories
So What Is Missions Anyway?
YWAM Invitation
Henry's Big Brother
Report Card - A word from  Isaac Wagaba, Founder of Canaan Children's Home 
Spiritual Attacks
Jambo! Violence Outside the Gates  
From the Mountain Top  
Saturdays at Canaan
Humanity Longs For Familiarity
Demonstrative Love
Farewell For Now  
West Lafayette
Back at Canaan

Gulu and Back<-- Most recent

About Mark Weaver

Arrival in Uganda - January 26, 2007

Hello brothers, sisters, and dear friends,
Greetings in Jesus name from Uganda.

I am at the Canaan Children's Home. Pastor Isaac picked us up Friday night and took us to a motel....
Uganda is by far the most beautiful country I have ever seen. No picture or film has ever done it justice or prepared me for this. The orphanage is very nice and I have my own room in the nice guest house.

The kids are ADORABLE! They all greeted me with hugs. I am listening to their songs and drums outside right now. They are so little. Rebecca (Pastor's wife) just made an amazing lunch. I'm stuffed. It was mostly a beef stew over a pita-like bread. We had many vegetables and stuff that's like bananas. The pineapple is very sweet. Well, I'm safe and I love it and Kacey and I are getting along great now. Pastor Isaac is the kindest man I could imagine.

IT IS SO HOT!!!!! I just went to a 4 1/2 hour church service today! So long and hot. It was great. The African people are so talented in music and dance. The worship was amazing. I spoke to the church and spent time with the children. It was great. It is wild around here. There are goats, cows with 5 ft horns, and chickens roaming around free everywhere. Everyone is intensely nice. The power went out last night. I was grateful to have my flashlight. It is so sad to see all the people with starvation and disease. There are little babies with syringes taped into their heads. Many people tell me about the problems in their country, especially of Malaria.

I had a great, long conversation with Pastor Isaac last night. He told me that many Africans will see white people as dollar signs, but he doesn't see us as that and he doesn't look at the color of skin. He sees us as a brother and sister in Christ, and says that the most important thing is our friendship. I told him that many white people see African's as people to be sad for that need our charity. I told him that I do not see him like that. He is my Pastor, and I know I have so much to learn from his way of life and his faith. I know that we will be great friends. I would wish for all of you to come and visit. Pictures and words could never grasp this experience. I will send photos soon. 

God bless.
Love in Christ,
Mark Weaver

My Ugandan Name - Kimuli Makko --January 31, 2007 

Hi Everyone,
Muli mutya eyo! (Lunganda for hello)

I have finally posted some pictures. Please just click this link to see them:  Mark's Photos

I will be making video documentaries too that I will post online eventually. Probably not until I get home though.

AMAZING things have been happening here. I hope you have time to read this.

I am having such an amazing time. I am so excited. 

You may be wondering about safety here. The news says that peace talks are failing between the government and the rebels. I have seen many soldiers with AK-47's walking around everywhere. But, they always smile at me as I pass. The orphanage is in remote country and it feels safe. We have a soldier that watches our orphanage at night. He is very well strapped and stands right outside my door. He is a born again and he is very nice. Oh, that reminds me. They make a distinction here between the "Christians" and the "born again's." They tell me that people call themselves Christians here because it is hereditary. They say that because your parents say they are Christian, and may take you to church, that makes you a Christian. They say that many groups, sects and cults which do not recognize Jesus as God our Savior but claim to be Christians as well yet they are clearly not followers of Jesus and are not then "Christian" as that term was used in the Scriptures--they are not born again. That is why they make the distinction. Because in John 3 Jesus tells Nicodemus that you must be born again to see the Kingdom of Heaven so they really stress that here.  Those who would try in their own power to reach God, by good works or other self-help programs have experienced the birth common to all humans, a physical birth, accompanied by water.  Jesus described a second birth--not of water.  Jesus answered, "Truly, truly,, I say to you, 'Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  Jesus went on to say "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  You may want to read more in John!

I love the children more and more. I know all of their names that are here now. But there are only about 15 kids here right now, because of a vacation. There will be about 85 more kids coming back in 3-4 days. They say that there will be so much energy and excitement when they return. I have a favorite already, though I try not to show it. A boy named Henry. I watched the Incredibles with him yesterday on my laptop. He said it was the first movie he had ever seen. He said he has never had such a friend as me. I have been learning how to speak in their accent to help us understand each other. Their first language is Luganda. I have only met a few people who don't speak English but anyone near is happy to translate. Sometimes I feel like I need a translator for their English though. They really compliment me for speaking clearly to them. I have really learned to slow way down when I speak. I slur my vowels and do not pronunciate my consonants. We don't realize how much we slur sounds and drop the last syllable off a word. For example, when we say "butter," it sounds like "budder." I have to make an effort to really make all the sounds. I like it. It is so nice to live in a culture that takes the time for relationships and conversation. They are very
formal. When we greet we shake, well more like hold hands for a very long (and to us awkward) time. They say, "How was the night?" Which means how did you sleep? We say very good and we ask back. Then they say "Praise Him" and we say "Amen." Then we say "Praise Him" and they say "Amen". Then they say "How are you?" We say "Very good, how are you?" They say "Very good." Then again they ask, "How are you?" We say "Wonderful" and we ask them again. It seems redundant but it is their culture. If I want to offer to pay for something he always says no several times, but it is impolite for me not to keep on insisting. Then after several tries he will either let me pay or finally say no.

I get very sad for the people in the community. Most of them have a lot of red swelling in the whites of their eyes from malnutrition and disease. Many have skin blemishes and blotches too. Most have decayed teeth. So many children are in rags and have no shoes. I see babies and small children naked everywhere. But despite all this, I have never seen such a joy in the people. They dance and sing for hours everyday.

Every night at Canaan Children's Home they have a big praise session. The children play drums and sing beautiful worship songs. Then they invite children up to give testimonies of what God has done that day. Then they invite a staff member or child up to preach. It was wonderful to see Henry preach the first night. Two nights ago I gave my testimony to them. They were very excited. Tonight they have asked me to preach. They said I would be preaching sermons many times a week and leading Bibles studies every single day. This is the most ministry responsibility I have ever had. I am trusting God to give me the lessons to teach. Yesterday I went to Jinja town with Pastor Wagaba and went to the markets. We are definitely a long ways away from any Wal-Mart. I have made two very close friends here my age, Peter and Christopher. They have given me a nickname, Kimuli Makko. Kimuli is a type of flower and Makko is Mark in Luganda. They have assured me that this is a compliment and not an insult. 

Yesterday Christopher invited me to go street evangelizing with him. I have never felt so much like I was living out the Gospel just as the apostles in Bible times. We walked through the village past cows, goats, and chickens. You could see rolling hills on each side of the red dirt road filled with Banana, Jackfruit, Mango, and pomegranate trees along with fields of sugar cane. There were many people walking along the road. I shared the gospel with many people. We were truly among the poor in this third world country. We passed many humble shacks and huts with many children running around naked and in rags for clothes.

First, we met with a blind woman named Edna. She invited me to come and sit in her home. She asked me to pray for her. I asked her what she would like prayer for. She told me that God has given her a calling to bring Christ to other blind people. She didn't know how she was going to go about this, so I prayed for God's guidance for her.

Next, I spoke to a girl named Norah. She said she used to be a born again, but has backslid from her faith and stopped going to church. I told her that God would always take her back. She confessed her sins and recommitted her life to the Lord. I told her I would bring her a Bible and invited her to our church.

It was amazing sharing the Gospel with the poor in Africa. I can see plainly why Jesus has so much compassion for them. It was wonderful to just preach the gospel, without having to fight through years of built up defenses that people erected in America. They are transparent. It seemed as if they were hearing this good news of God (which is what "Gospel" means) for the first time. I didn't have to give my opinions or combat theological arguments. I just spoke what the Bible says and they received the good news.

I told them about sin and how it separates us from God. I told them about the punishment for sin. I told them how God loves us and created us, and He wants to restore a relationship with us. So, He sent His Son to take our sins on His body and die for us to pay the price for us that we deserve. I described how we were created to worship and that when we give praise to God, our hearts overflow with peace, joy, and love for others. Then I asked them if they wanted a relationship with the living, loving God. The people would reply, "Who wouldn't want this, it is obvious." Amen!

I spoke the gospel to a man and woman who were followers of a man who in 610 AD claimed to be the true prophet of God, a religion popular in Asia and Africa that would call for the death of anybody who rejected his claims. The man said that he believed that God brought me to his home that day to tell him that and believed that Jesus is the Son of God. I invited him to pray and get baptized into the body of Christ and he said he wanted to think about it more, because it is a big decision to "betray his family." The woman's name is Amina. She believed the truth and gave her life to Christ. She asked me if I would give her a new name because Amina is a name associated with the false religion.

I spoke for a long time with a Seventh Day Adventist and a Catholic family. They responded very well to the call to be born again. I know that my friend Christopher has been praying to God for help with his school fees. It is only $150 a year for him. He is too humble to ask me. But, I have decided to give him the money. I know I have to
be careful here. A few of the older children from the surrounding village have told us some very sad stories to ask us for money. My pastor told me that many have proven untrustworthy and to ask him before giving any money. He told me that Christopher is very trustworthy and helps at Canaan with the children all the time.

Ok. I love you all and I'll tell you more soon. Praise Him! Amen!
Love in Christ,
Mark Weaver

Gospel Images - February 1, 2007

Hi Everyone,
I know I am writing often. I just have so much to share. 

I am struck by the true sense of community in the Ugandan Church. It has all the Biblical parts and messages. Pastors, elders, evangelists, prayer warriors, workers. Everyone helps and plays their part. That sense of community is difficult to attain in American culture. It is wonderful to see a church where it seems the whole congregation is just as passionate as the pastors. It is great to see the church is not simply a pit stop in crowded lives, but a body where each person desires to do their part, find their own calling, and use their gifts to support the body and advance the kingdom. 

I have been assigned the responsibility to mentor Christopher who is 21. I am very excited for this opportunity. I talked to some other American missionaries today in Jinja. It was great to hear their stories. When they found out I was a twin, they gave Rick and me new names. In their clan, when there are twins, it is very special and praiseworthy, and they are always given the same names. The older twin is called Wasswa, and so that is what they call me. The younger is called Kato. That is Rick's name they say.

I was showing some of the boys here some videos and pics from Rick's ministry. They did not know that there were black people in America. They asked why they talked so funny there. They could not believe the girls hairstyles because most girls here have shaved heads like the boys. It was fun to show them. I also can't believe the difference in attitudes of the children. Even the four year olds get up every morning and scrub laundry and do dishes and farm. All the children work so hard. But they seem to like it and they work together so well. It is so humbling. The pastor's daughter, Beatrice is a walking picture of selfless service and honor to her parents. She does dishes and cooks, and serves her family.  And she does it all with a beautiful smile all day long.  What a striking contrast to so many children in USA where children are instead served by their parents, who clean their rooms, wait hand and foot upon them, and take them from one sport or activity to another. She has such a peaceful way about it.  Kacey and I beg her to let us help her with the dishes and we invite her to sit and eat with us.   Even in our persistence she declines and lets us know it is an honor for her to serve us. I did not come her to be served, but to serve. They will not let up on their hospitality, so I will not let up helping in any way I can.  In this way Beatrice lives the Gospel.  She follows the example of Jesus, who served us, though he is deserving of our service.  She lives that portion of Scripture that says "whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)  Watching her, it is easy to see that she smiles because she knows in this obedience and service she is serving God and that he has a fabulous reward for her.

Colossians 3

The Christian Home

(cf. Eph. 5:21-6:9)

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for* you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

    I feel like a celebrity walking around their village. All the children run up to the street and say, Muzumgu! That is the word for white person. They run up and pet my arm hair because they think it is soft. I try to use this attention to share Christ of course. I have been journaling so much to prepare so many Bible studies and sermons. I know I will be able to use the words God is giving me many times. God is so good! I am convinced that if you are ever backsliding, running with your back to God, come to Africa.  There are so many here who radiate the joy, peace and love that God gives to those who are not running from him, but to those whose faces are pressing towards the loving arms of God, that it is nearly impossible not to want to join them in service of the loving God who embraces us and covered us in pure robes of Jesus righteousness given to us through the blood of Jesus our Savior.  Oh, what a joy to serve Him.  I am smiling with Beatrice!

Love in Christ,
Mark

You Can Join Me - February 3, 2007

Hi Faithful Friends and Family,
There are ways you can help me if any of you are able.

The first way you can help costs you no money!

I have learned of a presidential scholarship being offered at Grace Theological Seminary, the school I hope to attend. The scholarship covers tuition and housing for the whole degree! There are only 20 other competitors so I am going for it. But, I have to be there in person for the interview on March 23. So, I am using a travel voucher to return home for a few days in March, and then returning to Uganda.

This leaves me two whole suitcases to fill with stuff from America for the children.

I NEED YOUR OLD CLOTHES!!! These kids outside Canaan's gates have only one outfit of rags. All the zippers are broken so the girls backs are exposed. If you have any pants or shirts for young boys in your closet, please give them to me. Or, if you have any small dresses for little girls of any age, I need them too. If there is any way you can get your old clothes to my parents house that would be amazing. I will pick them up in March and bring them
with me when I return.  I only have a little space left.

Their address is
Weavers
4811 Homewood Dr.
West Lafayette, IN 47906

Note:

At Canaan Children's Home, they often make their own clothes and find that it is most economical to purchase material here in Uganda, particularly when factoring the cost of getting the clothes to Uganda.  (That explains the reason that so many of the children in the photos look like their wearing the same dress or shirt---but if you look closely, you will see the pattern is different -- it's just the clothes are made from the same material.)  They are also able to buy clothes there.  If you'd like to send money to Canaan to purchase material, the best way to do so is to donate on-line and simply make a notation of your intended purpose.

   

WRITE CHILDREN LETTERS!

The kids here really just want friends from America. It would mean so much to them to receive an encouraging letter or a card from you. Please go to www.canaanchildrenshome.org  and select one of the children and write to them. They would be so thankful and you would make them so happy. The specific ones who requested this are Brian and Dick. The younger ones would love it.

The address to mail them a letter is
P.O. Box 1915
Canaan Children's Home
Jinja, Uganda, Africa

SPONSOR A CHILD

One of the biggest needs here is school fees for the children. Many cannot go to school because they have no school fees and very few people sponsor the children. It would be one of the best ways to spend a tithe in my opinion. $100 sends a kid to school for a year. Or you can pay $50 to sponsor a half-year of school for a child. Please go to www.canaanchildrenshome.org  if you would like to help financially in this way.

Thanks and God bless.
-Mark

More Stories - February 3, 2007

Hello Everyone,

Thursday, I helped to transport a new dairy cow back to Canaan. I rode with the other young men in the back of an oversized truck to go get the cow. They drove so fast and traveled through narrow paths that were not roads. It was so bumpy and dangerous that it would not be legal to ride like that in the US. The bed of the truck had roll bars that I held onto so tightly. If it weren't for the roll bars I would have flown out of the vehicle. It is an adventure every time I get in Pastor Isaac's Land Cruiser. His car was a gift and he says it was a blessing from God. The people in Uganda drive crazy. I wonder how there are not so many deaths each day. On the way to Canaan I saw a semi truck that carried gasoline that had rolled off the road and blew up, burning country and houses for maybe 100 yards. It consistently feels like a near death experience to drive for me, even more so than riding with Rick, but the Ugandan's seem un-phased by it. Picking up the cow was the most hilarious experience yet. That cow did not want to get in the truck and resisted with all its might. Not only that, but they had no slope to walk it up into the 3 or 4 foot high truck bed. So, many men, including myself lifted it up. I had the honor of pulling the rope around its neck as the man beside me pulled with his fingers at its nostrils, creating a human nose ring. When we lifted it, it was on its side in the truck. It shot up so fast and charged through the truck bed right at me. You have never heard me scream in such a high pitch as I ran and jumped like a bolt of lightning. My friends got a good laugh out of that. We are grateful that the children should have more milk to drink. Two new baby calves were born the previous night as well, which is a tremendous blessing for the orphanage.

One thing I notice in the town here is how unashamed the Christians are. There is little separation between church and state/business. So many businesses glorify God on their signs such as, "Jinja Hair Salon– Jesus is Lord!" written in bold letters. Also, many people who hold political power will state that they will only have their support and help if they may be allowed to proclaim Christ's message in some ways.

I will be traveling to many public schools to preach the Gospel there as well. That is quite a difference from American schools that have banned the pledge of allegiance because it has the word "God" in it.

My pastor seems to have a lot of respect and is well known in Jinja town. He invited Kacey and me into his living room with a couple of his older adopted children, who are my age and now volunteers there, to have an evening discussion. This is something I plan to implement in my own family someday. It seems so right to sit around and really listen to each other for a while without the distractions of television, phones, and computers.

My pastor had an incredible testimony. During the reign of the harsh dictator Idi Amin, most protestant Christianity was banned. This did not stop Pastor Isaac Wagaba from pursuing his ministry. Despite the risk, Isaac continued to gather to worship because he would not renounce Christ. One day he and his friends were gathered together to pray, when soldiers came and found them. They were lined up in a row, and the soldiers began to shoot them, one by one, execution style.  When they got to Isaac, he felt something invisible push him down right before they shot him. As he jerked, the bullet went into his arm. He has a huge gnarly scar now. He was already so covered with blood that the soldiers did not realize that they missed. He fell to the ground and, despite his urges to scream, he restrained and pretended to be dead. He held his body limp (which wasn't too difficult with the amount of blood he was loosing) as they threw him in a truck with the other bodies. Then they dumped him in a pit of dead bodies. When it was night, he crawled out. He dragged himself on his knees with his one good arm to safety. He was losing so much blood that he was sure he was dead for a time as he lay there. But suddenly he woke up and was given strength. He heard God in an audible, thunderous voice say, "Get up Isaac, you are going to be a father to the fatherless." He was very sick but managed to get away to Nairobi, Kenya until it was safe for him to return to start an orphanage to fulfill his call.

Last night I went to an amazing all night prayer service at the church in Jinja. We drove into town on boda boda's. These are like mopeds only bigger like a dirt bike or small motorcycle. Drivers give you rides like a taxi service. We went there during the sunset so the country and African sky was so beautiful. I felt so free. Then we stayed up at the church from 7:30pm to 6:00am this morning. Then we walked to town and took boda boda's back. There were only about 8 of us at the church last night. They invited me up to preach at about 2:00am. I felt filled with the Spirit and delivered a very long message. I took a very long nap this morning when I returned.

Today I made Gospel bracelets with the children, thanks to my sister in law Jackie, who gave me the supplies. Each color of bead on the bracelet represents a different part of the Gospel. Black for sin, red for Jesus' blood, white for washed white as snow, blue for baptism in body of Christ, green for growing in Christ, and Gold for our reward in Heaven. It was fun and the kids really enjoyed it. Thanks Jackie!

So, most all of the children are back now and there are so many. I preached to them tonight and so many came up to me and gave thanks. It was touching.

Love in Christ,
Mark

February 10, 2007 - So What Is Missions Anyway?

Hello everyone,

I gave you a few days rest from reading my long emails. The power has been out for most of the time.  I also wanted to wait until I had more pictures uploaded to show you. I am stubborn and I kept trying to upload pictures for a couple of days. I wasted so many hours trying to do this, but the internet connection is just too slow here so I have given up. I will upload so many pictures when I return home for a few days in March.

Things have been amazing here and God is moving! I have been continuing to preach at several churches. The services are long and they often request sermons from multiple preachers. I am always invited so I make sure to have outlines prepared. My goal is to preach on a different topic each time, so that I am very prepared to be a pastor someday. The church members are so kind and encourage me, saying that I preach just like an African preacher. (I think they mean that I preach with intensity and passion, because that's how they preach here). I am just so grateful for the experience, because I had never had the opportunity to preach in front of a church before this trip, and now I am getting such rich experience.

I was preaching at an over night service on Thursday night. The electricity was out so it was very dark, lit only by a lantern. There were many bats flying all around the church as we preached and worshiped God. They would swarm all around and you could here them. You would see them as the flashed by right in front of your face. I was a little freaked out, but the Ugandan's didn't seem to notice. They assured me that they don't land on you and eat your face off, so after a while I got used to it. It made it a more lively experience.

After I was done preaching they began beating the drums and singing. Then some men jumped to the front of the church and began dancing a very animated Swahili dance. It uses their whole bodies in vibrant motions. The whole church was jumping up and down. I couldn't resist so I jumped in with them and danced like a mad man. Everyone went nuts and cheered. Later, when I got in my pastor's car he was very quiet. He just subtly looked over at me and said, "Makko... you have surprised me tonight." Then he burst out laughing and said, "All this time I have watched you but I had no idea." It was so funny and he said that I am truly an African.

I have been walking deep into the villages surrounding Canaan with Christopher and Peter to spread the word of God. They told me that the children here will never see even the nearby town until they are about 15 years old. These tiny farm villages are all they know. They told me that they may have never had anyone come to share the gospel with them before out there, and certainly not from a “Muzungu” (a white man). I make the effort to go into the villages to preach everyday. It is so wonderful. I almost miss having to  defend the faith a little. But, they sit and listen so patiently. Then at the end, they either confess their faith or they say politely that they want to spend more time thinking about it. I am building some friendships with people in the villages. I love to walk there. The paths are too narrow even for a car to go back into the villages. There is so much beautiful countryside. I always go in the evening so I can look out at the most beautiful, colorful sunsets I have ever seen over the rolling hills of Uganda . There are so many wonderful animals everywhere. I can't wait to show you pictures. Yesterday about 20 children gathered around and I shared my testimony and the gospel. About 15 of them confessed Christ as Lord.

I am so happy that I had my YWAM experience and the time I had in Mexico. I know how to use my down time better now. If I have free time I do random acts of kindness like going around picking up trash in the community. Also, I know how effective dramas are in the towns and churches, so I am teaching some children some dramas. I know when they are ready they will have such an impact upon the people. We can reach larger groups of people with dramas. Then we will share testimonies, etc.

This week I learned that not all are called to missions work in Africa.  Many have romantic ideas of being in Africa and confuse that with a calling to missions in Africa.  Crossing the Ocean or living in a culture different from your own is not what makes one a missionary.  If you aren’t interested in sharing with your friends and neighbors at home the good news that Jesus died to give us life, then no big surprise that interest isn’t handed to you as you get off the plane.  If you already have a heart to win people for Christ at home, then you will have that heart wherever you are, at home, at school, at work, on vacation, in Boston, in London, or in Africa .  If you are apathetic at home, then it won't be different on a mission.  Some missionaries say that they are disappointed and have nothing to do. If I ask them if they are taking the time to go around and share their faith, they look at me like I'm crazy. I think some people think that the adventure of just going to Africa is their sacrificial service to God. But, a mission is what you make it. You must have a vision and a desire to help and reach people with God’s love as we have experienced it.  I know God will continue to work in the lives of each of his children.

Ok, I love you all and I will keep you updated. Thanks for reading. God bless!

Love in Christ,
Mark Weaver

YWAM Invitation - February 11, 2007

Hi Everyone,
I just preached at my pastor's church today on Spiritual Warfare. I like how many pastors visit other churches. Pastors keep inviting me to come preach at their churches. I love all the experience I'm
getting.

Today there was a director of a YWAM base at my church. After she heard me preach, she invited me to go teach for a week at her base here in Uganda. I have accepted. I am so excited. I love YWAM!

These kids here at Canaan are amazing! I have been asking them questions like, "If I were the richest man in the world and I would give you whatever you wanted, what would you ask for?" Some of them
said a Bible. Others said money. But, when I asked them what they want money for, everyone of them said that they wanted it to help other people in some way. When I ask them what they want to be when they
grow up, they always say something to help others, like pastors, doctors, or even just want to help get children off the streets. I ask them why they care so much about other people instead of just themselves. None of them can answer this question because they can't understand the opposite. They can't understand why anyone wouldn't care about other people more than themselves. Simply amazing. God bless.

Love in Christ,
Mark Weaver

Henry's Big Brother -- February 15, 2007

Hi Everyone,

A couple nights ago God made it clear to me one of the main reasons I am here. I was lying in my room late at night in the dark, thinking and praying. I heard a light knock on my bedroom door. I said come in. It was my dear friend Henry, a twelve year old boy that I have become so fond of. He is one of the leaders among the children. He is so funny you can't help but like him. He has such a good and giving heart. He is always so full of joy and his smile is contagious. But last night he did not have his usual smile on his face. Instead his cheeks were soaked with tears running down his face. I told him to come in and sit on my bed. He slowly inched towards me with baby steps and sniffles. He sat down and I put my arm around him and asked him why he was crying. He couldn't speak. He could barely breathe. Every once in a while he would let out a gasp for air. I just held him in the darkness for so long as he wept. Finally he got the composure to speak. He told me in a soft voice that he misses his mom and dad so much. He told me he is so scared and feels so alone. I asked how they died. He told me they died in a car accident when he was five. I just hugged him and cried with him for the most unforgettable time of my life. My heart was so broken. I had no idea what it must feel like to be an orphan. I was so overcome with emotion, all I could do was cry with him. After our sobs lightened up, I told him what an amazing kid he is. I told him that I know his parents are so proud of the man he is becoming. I told him how special he is to his Father in Heaven. I said that I know that God is weeping with us and He is here with us. He wants to help us through these times. Then I offered myself to him as his big brother. I rocked him in my arms and just said over and over, "I love you. I am so proud of you. I love you. I am so proud of you." After an experience like that you just aren't the same. I asked him if he would want to pray with me. I prayed a little and then he prayed. He thanked God that he was alive. He thanked God for caring and being his Father. Then he spent about five minutes thanking God for bringing me to him to be his friend. I told him that I wanted to share something with him. I put on the Jason Upton "Lullaby" song. It is a ten minute, beautiful song where Jason Upton cries out to God as his daddy. It is a very spiritual and emotional song. We just laid back and closed our eyes and felt God over us as our tears dried to our faces. By the end of the song Henry was asleep. I put a blanket on him and went to sleep in the next bed.

I really saw Jesus behind the eyes of Henry that night and I think he saw Him in me. There is something about these little children that is changing me.

 When little girls see me, even the ones that don't know me, they run up to me and kneel down on their knees. They extend their hand to greet me. This is a sign of respect for  them. I can't help but swoop them up off the ground and give them big hugs. Their faces always brighten up with giggles and love.

 I can't emphasize enough how hospitable their culture is. When I visit homes, they always offer me the finest seat, as they sit around me on the ground. They bring me their best fruit as they eat the dirty scraps of fruit. Before I eat they bring a tub of water and pour water over my hands, and sometimes feet. It feels just like in the Bible. Walking around on these dirt roads in sandals all the time makes me understand why it is such an honorable act of service to wash someone's feet.

The service and ministry God has given me here has become almost overwhelming. It's a good thing that sharing my faith is my favorite thing in the world to do. I am getting more experience here than in years at a ministry at home, where I may get to teach once a week. Here they have me preaching at churches or teaching in classes about six days a week. I am filling up my notebooks with the sermons God is giving me.

The most important thing is that people are getting saved. Some people beg for money. I tell them that I could give them a little money, but in a week or two it would be gone.  But, I have come to bring the best gift I could ever give--The word of God. Because if you receive this gift, then you will have eternal life with treasures that will never fade away with time. I love evangelism.

There is no better feeling than to be used by God and seeing the look on someone's face when they have an experience that will change their lives. God is doing amazing things and so many continue to experience a spiritual awakening, a spiritual birth – they are born again. PRAISE GOD!

 Love in Christ,

Mark Weaver

Report Card - A word from  Isaac Wagaba, 
                                  Founder of Canaan Children's Home - February 19, 2007

I greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope all is well with you. I felt that I should share my heart with you regarding my brother Mark Weaver. 

First of all, I want to thank the Lord who brought him in this world through his parents. And, again God who saved his life. For us at Canaan it was a miracle to receive brother Mark. Since he arrived at Canaan it seemed that God himself visited us through him. All people at the community they are blessed with his presence. The way he is always sharing the love of Jesus Christ with them and praying for them, including those blinded by a false prophet, all they are appreciating and they are blessed. Some of them they have really converted and he gave some Bibles that he had. Canaan as an entire family is more than 150 people including staff. Brother Mark has moved each of their hearts. 

Everybody at home is a friend to Mark, especially to brothers Peter and Christopher, because everyday they walk together doing personal evangelism. We have been surprised with the joy and hard work service that Mark has given us here. The first week he came I took him to a certain district rally where we took over night prayer. He was given opportunity to preach at evening time. My dear brothers people were so blessed with his preaching. He had power and was anointed as he was preaching. Their hearts was changed. Since he came he has attended two churches every Sundays and weekly days Bible studies. One is our home church at Canaan Children's Home and in the big town Jinja, we have also another church there, both of the churches he has preached and people were blessed. 

As I am sharing my heart with you allow me to reach my appreciation and thanksgiving to all of you who are able to pray for him and supporting him financially towards his trip to Uganda . I want to let you know that you are sharing the same blessings with Mark with him while he is here. I really thank Mark's pastors and church leaders where Mark has came from, because without you maybe he couldn't go to Uganda. I want to assure you that you have a powerful missionary. He is really presenting your church wherever he is. Many people including me, they want to know Mark's pastor and his church, how it looks like. We magnify as a wonderful, blessed and powerful church. May God continue to bless you all. Also I can't forget Mark's parents. Because he has been always testifying about his father. How he blessed him and is always blessing him financially and best wishes on him. We were so surprised on the day we received Mark. He brought different stuff including medical stuff and different gifts for children and for my wife and I. But he was introducing that he has friends that contributed different things. As you read this note if you have contributed anything to Mark, God bless you for your contribution. 

The clinic is doing well, since Mark arrived more patients can come and we give them total treatment, physical and spiritually. Most of the things are running well here at Canaan . Remember that our children from primary one up to senior five, every morning they leave for different schools in the community. So it has become a burden for us to transport the children in our small truck. At home we have a preschool we started in January. We receive outsiders preschoolers. We hope it will work well.

PRAYER REQUESTS - While Mark is still in Uganda continue to pray for him so that God may continue to protect his life and health. God anoint him with more anointing of preaching the Gospel. To have favor with those blinded by false religions and all evil doers. God's grace to be upon him.

Pray for his provision. God may enlarge his resources in order his ministry of missionary to be more established and continue. Pray for him as he is planning to join seminary, God may bless him there and provide him for his needs there. Also pray for Canaan . Brethren it is not easy to have 100 children coming to Canaan from different cultures and make them family as one so we need God's grace. We need God to give all people at Canaan good health and protection and provision to supply the needs at Canaan . The first priority is to build a school for our children at home. Receive much and warm greetings from my wife, Rebecca, the staff at Canaan , and the entire family – the children. 

May the good God whom we serve continue to bless you more abundantly.

Sincerely,
Pastor Isaac Wagaba

Spiritual Attacks - February 19, 2007

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

Hi Everyone,

I survived my first earth quake this morning! I woke up at about 5:00am. There is a Muslim family down the street from Canaan . About every two hours, even through the night, they pray some sort of continuous repeating chant. I can't understand why, but they blast their prayers over loud speakers that have enough power for a Metalica concert.  It often wakes me up.

This morning I woke up to those prayers and I was grumbling in my dazed and confused, sleepy head. All of a sudden I felt a strong atmospheric pressure in my body. I thought it was Spiritual at first. Then my whole bed and my walls began to shake violently. I thought maybe someone was doing it to me, but then I realized I was alone. I was still so groggy. I remember praying that if it was Jesus coming back then I was ready to go. Then I realized that it was an earthquake. It was incredible. It lasted over a minute.  

Spiritual AK-47 Wielding Attack on Local Pastor

Ok, the real danger: A couple nights ago, one of my pastor's friends was attacked and robbed. It was a pastor's family that is friend's of my pastor. They only live about seven miles from here. Thieves broke in and shot up the whole house with AK-47 machine guns. The pastor fled out the back door and escaped. They found his wife and beat her thoroughly. Then they robbed his house and left. The exact same thing happened to them again last night also. The thieves came back and the pastor escaped again. They beat up his wife again and they took more things. The police said they would investigate but there is not much they say they can do. My pastor things that it was premeditated and the thieves were hired men. He said that they will probably keep coming back until they have killed the pastor.

Counter-Offensive

 Please pray for him and his family. Please pray that no one attacks Canaan in the same way.  

On a lighter note, [Like the Battle of Normandy], I am swamped in ministry. I began teaching the children a drama last night that I learned in YWAM. We will perform it in church on Sunday. Here is my schedule for the next week. I think I'm most looking forward to the prison ministry. Please pray that God will continue to give me messages to teach on.

 Monday - 2pm-6pm visit sewing class
Tuesday - 1pm-2pm Teach at Amani Babies Home
                2:30pm-5pm Preach at Canaan Full Gospel Church
                5:30pm-7pm Teach at Jinja Nursing School
Wednesday - 1:30pm-2:30pm Teach at Welcome Babies Home
                     3pm-6pm Church at Jinja Full Gospel Church
Thursday - 2pm-5pm Preach at Canaan Full Gospel Church
                5pm-7pm Teach at Home Cell Fellow Kiriny Prison Barrocks
Friday - 2pm-5pm Teach at Home cell Canaan Church with Pastor Grace
Saturday - 2pm-6pm Preach at Canaan Full Gospel Church
Sunday - 7am-9am Teach at Lord's Meade College
               9:30am - 10:30am Teach Bible Study to youth at Canaan Full Gospel Church
                10:30am-2pm Preach at Canaan Full Gospel Church

Jambo! Violence Outside the Gates - Tuesday, February 20, 2007 10:30pm

Today was so crazy. It was a great day, but ended in fear. Let me tell you the end of my day first.

Continue to Pray for Safety At Canaan
Violence and Looting by Thugs Outside Canaan's Gates

I was just getting ready for bed when I heard a gunshot fire outside my house. It was so loud, it sounded like it was just outside my window. I froze up, trying to confirm if what I heard could have really been gunfire. I was trying to wonder what else could make that sound. Then, BOOM! There was a second shot.  

I threw on a T-shirt and ran outside to see what was happening. This is not the most intelligent reaction when you hear a gun blast, but it is the common human one. Curiosity always wins over precaution. I was wondering if it could have been Patrick, our night guard, who was doing the shooting. I saw him standing his post and I knew it wasn't him firing.  

I ran over to him to ask what was happening. I felt that it was safest beside him, because he has a gun. The power was out, so it was extra creepy in the pitch-black night. Patrick's post is right outside the medical clinic across from the guesthouse. The doctor and the nurses came out to see what was happening. I could hear a loud commotion in the streets, right outside of Canaan 's gates, not more than 100 feet from where I was standing. The gate at Canaan doesn't really hold anyone out that would want to get in. I wanted to take a closer look. I told my friends that I was going in to check it out. They said it was not safe for me to leave the gates of Canaan . I said that I just wanted to walk up to the gate to see what was happening. I started taking very timid steps toward the gate. I got about half way there and then BOOM! There was another shot right outside the gate. I jumped backwards so violently that I tripped and slammed on my butt to the ground. I turned around and started running back to Patrick as fast as I could. The doctor, nurses, and Patrick set aside the imminent danger, to take the opportunity to laugh hysterically at me. I had wanted to be like the courageous journalist type, to walk into the danger to find out what was going on. But, my fear got the best of me.  

Then there was more gunfire right outside the gate. There must have been about 15 shots total. I could see the flames from the barrels of the guns in the darkness. Swarms of people screamed in terror as they ran through the streets right past Canaan 's property.  

One man squeezed through Canaan 's gate and ran toward us. I was freaking out. I realized quickly that he was a friend of people at Canaan . He said that there were thieves robbing the stores, which were really people's homes that were turned into stores on their porches.  

Our next-door neighbor was robbed. The thieves shot their guns and beat people with sticks. Mamma Rebecca, pastor Isaac's wife, has a store right outside Canaan where it happened. They robbed the stores around her, but they left her store alone. We think God protected her. She was very upset and frightened when she ran back into the gates of Canaan . I wanted to interview her on camera to ask her to describe what happened, but it was really bad timing on my part. She told me to turn off my camera.  This morning I talked with her more about it. She said that it was the first time she had hear gunshots or seen anything like that since Idi Amin's Regime. I asked her if she was scared. She said who has time to fear? She said where would we have to run to anyway? We must go on with our lives. I asked her if she thinks they will come back. She said that the thieves were likely hired from an agent in town and the attack was premeditated. She said that they could definitely come back, since they saw they got away with it last night. She said that she would continue on as usual, because God knows everything that will happen. I suggested that all the stores get together and hire a guard for the streets. She said no, and explained that “Jesus is our guns.”  

The man who came and told us about the thieves said that he thinks that no one was killed or seriously injured. Praise God for that!  

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psa 18:2

Canaan Rests In God’s Protection

I ran to the young girls room thinking that they would all be crying and scared. When I got there I heard giggling and playing. I asked a foster mother why they weren't afraid. She said that these girls are strong. I wandered why I seemed to be the only one who was really scared. I thought maybe I was the only one who had seen enough movies to imagine the horrible things that could happen.  

The staff told me that no one has ever broken into Canaan, and that they believed that God would never allow it. I asked the staff what they thought the thieves might do if they saw me, a white man, out there in the village at that time. They said that they would stone me, beat me, and make me give them my money. I asked what would happen if I didn't have any money. They said that the thieves would probably shoot me. Then they all laughed. I guess that was hilarious or something.  

I was thinking that this must be what it must feel like to live in bad ghettos like the Bronx . You hear gunshots outside and just go about your day. There is no option for you to move out of that bad neighborhood.  

Oh well, I guess the gospel never promised us safety. I am here for these children, and this is where the children's home is. I consider my life nothing for the sake of the gospel. To live is Christ and to die is gain.  

Note from Pastor Isaac Wagaba

Am very sorry for being scared and thank you very much for your concern but with us that is common and it’s every where, it is not strange.

Those are thugs who go looking for money, they were asking people for money and two places were robbed and afterwards they left.  

Thank you so much for your prayers.  

Yes God protected Rebecca’s store, but otherwise we are doing very well and there’s no problem.

God bless you so much.

Isaac Wagaba.

Opportunities to Share the Gospel

So, the rest of my day was great, just not quite as exciting. I woke up and went to Jinja town. I talked with a Jehovah Witness from Denmark and a couple of humanitarians from Belgium . Then I met Pastor Andrew.  

In Jinja they have bicycle taxis. The bikes have seats that extend out from the back over the back wheel. You sit on the back seat while the man rides the bike taking you to your destination. Pastor Andrew and I rode bicycle taxis to the Amani Babies Home. On the way there I saw the biggest birds I have ever seen circling above us. I thought pterodactyls had come back from extinction. I was told that they were a predator bird like a vulture.  

The Amani Babies Home was beautiful. They had a huge yellow house surrounded by wonderful trees and a playground. It looked very modern for a third world country. I thought they were spoiled because they even had washing machines for clothes. They had about fifty adorable babies. I arrived at naptime so they were all in cribs, divided in clusters by age in separate rooms. They had many American volunteers there. It was good to speak casually to them. Here in Uganda, I really have to slow down my speech and pronounce clearly all of my syllables to be understood.  

I then led a Bible study for the staff. I talked about what Jesus' sacrifice meant and the price he paid for us. I talked about what sin is and what it means to be born again. Pastor Andrew said it was good because many of the staff care for babies but like the babies must grow, only for them, must grow spiritually in their faith.  When I was finished with the ever-formal departure greetings, I took a boda boda back to Canaan . Instead of preaching in church today, I decided to share my testimony with them. The room was filled with laughter as I explained some of the problems and temptations among youth in American culture. When I told them about how I was born again, they praised and worshiped God with me.  

Afterwards, I went to look for Peter to go to the village to share our faith. I found him giving one of the sick boys a sponge bath in the medical clinic. I love Peter so much. These children are his life. He really sacrifices his whole life for them. He is such a caring and powerful man of God.

Please pray for that sick boy in the medical clinic. His name is Isaac. He had his appendix removed six months ago. He has had stomach pains ever since. He thinks they did something wrong during the operation. Now, his pains are so severe that he cannot move or get out of bed. The doctor doesn't know what is wrong with him, so he is left lying on the bed in the clinic. They only treat him with painkillers.  I wish so bad that he could go to an American hospital.  

When Peter was finished we went up into a village to witness a little bit. We spent over an hour at one home with a husband and his wife. The man was asking great questions, but wanted to meditate on it more and view a Christian church before he made any decisions. His wife said that she was once a Christian, but God did not give her what she wanted so she gave it up.  

Peter is an incredible evangelist. His faith is so pure and authentic. He answers skeptic's questions with compassion and excellence. He explained to her that you couldn't come to God just looking for miracles. He said that God may show someone a miracle, but it doesn't mean they are saved. He assured her that God does answer prayer, but we humans want everything right away. He said that we must trust in God's timing. Peter said that God is never early and He is never late. God wants us to worship Him with a true heart in faith, for who He is, not for what He can do for us.  

Peter is awesome. We are such a good team together. We build off of each other's explanations of God's heart for the unbelievers. Peter is a mighty kingdom builder. This morning I helped to cut the long weed grass at Canaan . Nobody has a lawn mower around here. They use a hoe to dig up the grass. It is tiresome work. It seems like such unnecessary labor for an American to cut grass this way. It's great exercise though. Ok, I better stop because none of you are probably still reading this far anyway.  

Love,
Mark

From the Mountain Top - February 26, 2007

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. I hope the weather is beginning to warm up for you. It feels like its Indiana here, because the weather changes so frequently. One day it is as hot as a desert and the next it's pouring rain and I'm wearing a sweatshirt.

Friday was an amazing day. I walked over ten miles up through the mountains with Pastor Grace. We visited many people in the villages along the way. I cannot believe how exhausted and dehydrated my body was from the hike in the intense heat. I had only brought one bottle of water, which was nowhere near enough. As we visited villages on the mountaintops, I began to recognize some of the people from my church. I could not believe that they walked all that way to church several times a week.

I saw amazing animals on the way. I even got to play with a monkey. It was so cute running around eating jackfruit. I will try to get you some pictures soon. Everyone we met was so hospitable. They would bring us chairs out in the shade of their trees. Everyone lived in small huts with grass roofs. It was just like how I would have imagined Africa . Except I thought there would be more giraffes, hippos, and cheetahs everywhere. I found out that most of those animals are in huge national parks. I am planning on going to one before I visit home in March.

Again, I was in awe with the children. There were so many walking up the steep paths with tremendous loads on their heads. Many were transporting large stones. I saw girls that looked no older than four, working the soil with hoes. I have also discovered a nice trick. If you are ever in Africa and you need to get ALL of the children in a village in one place at one time, bring out a piece of candy. It's like they have a silent alarm that sets off a sensor in their head and they just know you are there. They will run from every direction, popping out of bushes and dropping from trees to surround you with their tiny hands extended. It is adorable.

It was absolutely beautiful up in the mountain. You could see for miles. I looked down at Canaan in Buziika. I could see Jinja in the distance right beside the Nile . I could see Lake Victoria with the sunlight reflecting off the calm water. There were rolling hills that brought a new definition to the color green. There are coffee plants, pineapple bushes, and banana trees surrounding the paths.

First, I visited a senior school. The headmaster asked me about my education. When I told them that I have a minor in computer technology, they had many questions for me. I told them how technology has changed the world in developed countries. I told them about call centers in India . I told them about instant messenger and computerized retail systems. They were very interested. I also answered many questions about God for them. Pastor Grace talked to them about AIDS risk. He talked about God's plan to wait until marriage for sex. He was great, but it was also so funny. Most Americans, when they talk about sex, avoid details with politically correct terminology. His sex education course was very descriptive and at times explicit. I had to tape record some of it, because it was so hilarious. I think the students really understood the message though.

I then taught at a home cell church, not far from the school. There were many young adults at the service. I decided to take the pastor's lead and preach about Godly relationships. With the rampant AIDS epidemic, I know it is a necessary topic. Finally we hiked back down the mountain and I rested my aching hamstrings.

Saturday was nice. It was nice and long. I went to an 8-hour pastor's conference with my pastor. There were two American men speaking there. They spoke about how sorry they were for the pain in this country. They talked about the spirit of forgiveness, and how crucial it is to forgive each other and the government, if they want this country to grow and prosper. After they spoke, I talked with them outside for a while. One man was the director of a mission's organization. The other guy was a businessman. He was scoping the area for new business projects. He has spent a lot of time in India , helping to provide jobs and introduce capitalism with American call centers, etc. He plans to expand here in Uganda . He was telling me how much it would help their economy. He told me that it doesn't do any long-term good to hand out money, but if you can create jobs and teach them to be self-supportive, then they will prosper. I guess you can give a man a fish, but why not teach him to fish instead?

This is one of the reasons that Canaan places
so much emphasis on education, vocational training and
its entrepreneurial farming and dairy operations
is so important at Canaan to teach the children
to be productive

They were very interesting. The businessman was very interested in my story, especially when I told him about winning the Price Is Right. He invited me to join his organization and explained different ways I could help. It sounded interesting and I took his business card. I'm not sure if I will call him. I care deeply for the poverty problem in Uganda . But, when it comes down to it, I'm an evangelist, not a businessman. I hope that many Christians will dedicate their lives to improving the economy in third world countries. But, for me, I just want to help people to know Jesus and understand Christianity.

Yesterday was great! I got up at 6:00am to go to teach at Lord's Meade Vocational College . They have a morning fellowship. There were hundreds of students. I preached again on God's plan for marriage and relationships, along with AIDS prevention. When I meet all these people with AIDS, it breaks my heart.  I have been told that a lot of the youth still have unprotected sex. So, Godly relationships has become a top priority in my preaching agenda.

I took a boda boda home in the pouring rain. The rain pellets felt like rubber bullets as they hit my face. I was covered in mud. I had to run right in to Canaan's Full Gospel Church to preach there. I apologized for looking shabby.

The children performed a drama that I taught them in church. It was fantastic! Many people brought up small donations of money and set it on the stage. That is to show how much their hearts were moved. It was so rewarding, for the children and myself. Then I preached a message on grace.

After my sermon, they passed around the offering baskets. The church is full of old women. Many are widows. They are all extremely poor. My heart was so touched when the offering baskets came back up to the altar. One of them was contained some avocados and two heads of cabbage. I knew that she had no money to give, so she gave all that she had.

It reminded me so much of the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44.

 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put 
and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. 
Many rich people threw in large amounts. 
But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper counts, worth only a fraction of a penny. 
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 
"I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 
They all gave out of their wealth; but out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on."

Love,
Mark

Saturdays at Canaan -- With the Children. March 11, 2007

I love Saturdays. I spent a long time playing a game with the children. It's sort of like Keep Away. We have teams and pass around the soccer ball to keep it away from others, only it involves a whole field. My heart still melts every time I just sit in the shade and hold children in my arms as they crawl over me. They still pet my facial stubble and play with my watch with everlasting curiosity. In the evening I went up into the villages to share my faith with Peter and Christopher. I really love the remote huts up in the mountains. I was chased for a little ways by a bull. I am convinced that it was because I was wearing a bright red polo. Peter said it wasn't coming after me, it was just running down the path. But I was still scared and everyone laughed. We spent a long time with one married couple. Some of the neighbors came and gathered around. There are always dozens of children that gather around to listen.
As I was speaking I noticed that one of the little boys was covered with lesions, sores, and scabs all over his whole body. He was standing a safe distance from the other children, as he was likely accustomed to. I was convinced he must be an AIDS victim. I know that you can generally only transmit HIV through sexual contact and sharing needles. But, my selfish nature and fear still made me want to keep a distance from him too. Then I thought about how much Jesus loves that little boy. I thought about how Jesus hugged the leper in the gospels, when it was Jewish tradition to outcast them. So, I picked up the little boy and set him on my lap and gave him hugs, kissed his face, and told him he was beautiful. Words could not describe the expression on that boy's face, so I'm not going to try. But I know beyond a doubt that Jesus was in that moment. Later on, Peter told me that he doesn't think the boy had AIDS, but scabies. He said it's not contagious. But all the same, I'm glad I got to love that boy.
	What is scabies? Scabies is a skin infestation with a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei.   These mites burrow into the skin where they live and reproduce. Eggs laid in the burrows hatch, crawl out onto the skin and make new burrows. How do you get scabies? Scabies is passed from person to person by close direct contact. It can be spread by sexual contact and by non-sexual contact in family groups and institutions. Scabies is less commonly passed on through clothes and bed clothes. Away from the human body mites die within 72 hours.  Click for More Info
Today I went to the Full Gospel Church in Jinja. I brought some of Canaan 's boys with me so they could perform the drama for the church. They did excellent, and the church was really moved. Thank you all for your continued encouragement and prayers. God bless.

In Christ,
Mark Weaver

Humanity Longs For Familiarity -- March 18, 2007

Hi Everyone,

Today, I traveled very far with Christopher to preach at his father's church. A pastor named Solo blessed me with a traditional African preachers robe as a gift. So, I wore it today to preach in. People said that I looked very smart, which would mean very nice to us. John and Alex joined us for the church and they got to speak a little too.

 On the way back to town, Christopher and I saw a man out in the market place doing witch craft. A large crowd gathered around as he did some sort of spell with a chicken and a snake. I couldn't stick around too long because he wanted money from the audience to watch. Christopher said that divination and witchcraft are everywhere in Uganda . It really brings those warnings in the Bible to life, because I have never experienced that stuff in America .

Today, I found out that I have been missing out on a trademark Ugandan food. It is called a Rolex. When my new American friends told me that they wanted to buy me a Rolex, I said, "No way, you are going to buy me a watch?" But then I found out it is food. It was SO good! It is a chipotle flat-bread, with an omelet laid on top. It usually has cabbage and tomatoes in it. Then they roll it up. It is awesome, so if you ever come here, remember to order it.

The town I visited today is called Kakira. It is one of the world's largest producers of sugar cane. People there eat sugar cane all day long. They have tried to regulate a new law that states that they can't eat sugar cane while walking down the streets, but no one follows it. They tried to pass this law, because when you eat sugar cane you shuck the outside, chew the sugar out of the fruit, and then spit out the rest of the strands of it. The sides of the streets were smothered in sugar cane excess for miles. You wouldn't believe it; it seemed to be taking over the community. You could barely see the road underneath all the sugar cane pieces.

 This has caused another huge problem in their community. So many people have made sugar cane their only diet. They eat it all day and sometimes nothing else. Because of this, diabetes has become a rampant epidemic in this town. They don't have insulin to treat it, so many people are dying. Please pray for the people in Kakira.

 Also, I went to a restaurant for lunch with friends. When I went to the back of the restaurant, I saw a large crowd of people huddled around a television. I went to go see what program they were so interested in. It was so funny what I saw on TV. They were watching African Idol. It is exactly like American Idol in the US , only it was all for Africans. The people singing were just as hilarious and goofy as the Americans, and the judges were just as harsh as Simon. I thought that this was so funny to see how the people in a 3rd world country were just as excited as the Americans for this type of programming. Awesome.

Well, I look forward to seeing some of you very soon! God bless.

In Christ,

Mark

Demonstrative Love - March 20, 2007

This morning I was taking pictures for my pastor around the perimeter of Canaan 's property. I was near the cow stable taking photos. I wanted to get closer to the fence to get a better picture. I smelled something awful that was making me nauseous, but that wasn’t all that uncommon in various places in Uganda . It rained all night, so the dirt was very muddy. I continued to walk closer to the fence and saw a different color of mud. But, the mud I had been standing on had been relatively solid supporting my weight. As I stepped onto the different color of mud, the first thing I noticed as I was just about to put my foot down, was that there were swarms of flies everywhere. I realized what I was about to do, but I was already too committed, and momentum carried me forward. Before, I knew it I had sunk mid-calf deep in cow dung. It was so disgusting. I sunk in like one stepping in quick sand.
When I finally made my way out of it, my sandals had been lost deep into the dung. My feet were covered and my toes were squishing in poo. From the other side of Canaan Peter saw what had just happened. He saw the look of near tears on my face. He quickly grabbed a bucket of water and ran over to me. Without hesitation, he poured water over my feet and started scrubbing my feet, wiping away all the poo with his bare hands. Then he went to the pool of dung and dug out my sandals and washed them off for me.
I couldn't believe that he was willing to do all that for me. Now that's what I call love.
God bless,
Mark Weaver

Farewell - March 21, 2007

Updates from West Lafayette- March 29, 2007

Wow, God has been opening up doors and doing amazing things in the time that I have been back in Indiana !

 The day after I returned, I had my interview for the seminary scholarship. I think it went really well. They have already informed me that I have been accepted into the seminary program. I will be studying there in the Fall working towards a Masters in Divinity. I will know in about 1 1/2 weeks if I will be awarded a scholarship.

 I also showed my film to the Purdue Chapter of Invisible Children that day. There is a team from the Purdue Christian Campus House going to Uganda in May. I will be joining their team there.  

I am still looking forward to Pastor Isaac coming soon. He will be arriving on April 15. He will be with me at the Purdue Christian Campus house at 8pm that evening. I believe that Pastor Schrumf will be giving him a few minutes to share his testimony. On the 16th, we will be having a dinner in Pastor Isaac's honor. It will be a blessing to host him.  

God bless you all and thank you so much for your prayers.

Thank you so much for all your encouragement and prayers.

In Christ,
Mark Weaver

Back to Canaan removed from modern distractions. --May 14, 2007 

Hi Everyone,

I am finally here, back at Canaan ! I arrived late last night. I woke up early this morning because everyone was eager to see me. Stepping outside and looking around, it felt as though I had never left.

It was amazing getting rushed by all of the children again. First, I saw Robert running up to me as fast as he could, just as before, with his arms raised up to be picked up. Then all the young girls surrounded me and hugged me and petted my arms, face, and hair again. I had nearly forgotten how much I need that kind of love from people.

As the kids were crawling on me, I could feel everything inside me slowing down. It’s as if a tremendous noise fills our heads in America . In America , my mind is filled with clutter, songs from the radio, pressures of various obligations, schedules to keep and the constant pressure of materialism and fitting in.  There the temptations and lust for the things of the world seems so much more pressing. But, here all of these things kind of just fade away. It is like, the noise just kind of settles and you slow down to feel the joy of life and love.

Love in Christ,
Mark Weaver

Trip North To Gulu - May 22, 2007

Hi Everyone,

The impact of Canaan Children’s Home and those associated with it is not limited to the children within its walls.  From Canaan ’s relative comforts, I ventured to Gulu to join with a group from my home church, Campus House.