Stensaas Family

April – June 2009

 

To think back at all that has happened since our last letter leaves us exhausted having to rehearse it again.  God has blessed us with conferences, visitors and people saved, and we give Him the glory for all He has enabled us to accomplish through His strength.

Stateside:  In April and May, I found myself stateside with the original intention of attending my sister’s wedding.  Although plans were changed and no wedding took place, the tickets I had purchased last year were non-refundable.  With the Stensaas family all together, we spent a great week in fellowship with one another.  (Although we three brothers did bemoan the fact that our wives and children were left in Uganda.)  During my time in Missouri, I was blessed to report to Tri-City Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO, Calvary Baptist Church in Marshall, MO, and Faith Baptist Church in Columbia, MO.  After a week in Missouri, I flew to Austin, TX and spent time in our home church and with our new pastor, Pastor Adam Thompson.  I was encouraged to see the church staying strong and the people persevering forward in the work of the Lord. Please continue to pray for Capitol City Baptist Church. 

Visitors:  Coming back to Uganda, Ron and Danielle Reese met me at the airport for a four-week survey trip.  During our missions conference at Capitol City last October, I had met Bro. Ron, and the Lord began dealing in his heart about Uganda.  We thank God for the blessing this couple was to us during their stay, especially with their computer expertise.  When we took them to the airport, another couple flew in on the plane the Reeses would depart on.  Michael & Christine Campbell stayed with us for a week and were able to see the many works we are involved in before they traveled north to spend the remaining of their survey trip with my brother Andrew in Mbale.  Please pray for these two couples as they seek God’s will as to possibly ministering here in Uganda in the future. 

Conferences:  May 20-22 Masaka Independent Baptist Church hosted a tent revival with 25 national pastors preaching during these three days.  The hearts of our people were stirred to know Christ more, and the national pastors were excited to fellowship with other fellow believers from all over Uganda.  Right after the revival, our family drove six hours north to preach a missions conference for Mbale Independent Baptist Church.  The Lord blessed and they took up a great faith promise commitment.  Thank you for your prayers for these two meetings.

Word of Life Radio:  For several months we have asked your prayers concerning the need for additional finances to renew our radio license.  Through a series of events, I have lost all of my radio staff which has freed up the needed funds to pay for the license.  God provides in sometimes mysterious and odd ways!  I myself am having to spend more time at the station programming the computers, but the Gospel is still being sent out every day.  Please pray for monthly support for Word of Life Radio which reaches into places we will never go. 

Ministries:  The preaching points in Lukaya, Mbira, Kamuzinda, and Mutukula continue to see souls saved, and we are excited for the addition of another preaching point in Mbirizi under the leadership of Bro. Ssebanja Henry.  Masaka Baptist College began a new term with eight students being taught Genesis and Bible Geography & Customs.  In the absence of the Applegates, I am also overseeing Grace Christian School & Orphan Boarding Ministries.  Bro. JJ Kalanzi and his wife Harriet have such a burden for the children and do excellent jobs in managing these ministries.  Pastor Diton Ssendegeya is doing a great job pastoring two churches, running a Christian school, and heading up our other orphanage in Kyotera.  Please pray for strength for him and his family.  The wives of both of these men are expecting, so keep them in your prayers.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to be weary in well doing.  We are very busy, and we need your prayers that the Lord will continue to strengthen us.  But most of all, pray that through all the “busyness” we will not allow our walk with the Lord to suffer.  We have seen 20 saved and 17 baptized in the last three months.  God is working, and we just praise the Lord that He allows us to be a part of it.  2009 is far from over, and the tasks ahead sometimes seem overwhelming, but God is faithful!!  May God richly bless you as we continue in His work together!!

 

Keith L. Stensaas