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In a word “Awful.” According to Webster, awful can mean: Extremely bad; Fearsome or Great. In several ways Africa was all the above. It is awful big, awful bad, awful remote, awful rich, awful hungry, and awful hopeful. (Click images for larger view)

Big	Bad	Remote
Rich soil & souls	Hungry Pastor Conference	Hopeful

Whether flying over the desert for an hour at 560 mph or crossing the Nile river, one quickly realizes that Africa is “awful big.” Her problems are big as well. Twenty years of war, HIV- AIDS, hunger and alcoholism are a few of the problems, but our team discovered that there are big opportunities to make significant changes. Major change with minimal resources was something the leaders at Global Refuge International (GRI) told us about, but I didn’t fully understand until I saw it myself. We’ve all see pictures of the hungry, the sick, and the broken and there are many. However, it struck me that most of the 29 million people living on the lowest rung of civilization living in an area the size of Kansas are fed by the hand of God every day! My God grew in Africa!
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The impact of malnutrition, AIDS, STD’s and parasites in these camps were “awful bad,” shocking and heart wrenching. With the weaker immune system comes susceptibility of all kinds of disease and problems that in some cases cannot be treated. Plus, the fear felt by those who have been forced to live in these camps is still awful bad. These people have been over run by some people who are hell bent on making life bad for those in Northern Uganda. One didn’t have to know their language to discern the fear that still exists in the hearts of these people.
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We saw God do exceedingly abundantly above what we could ask, think or imagine during our stay. The GRI team’s strategy of having a scouting party there on the ground prior to the team arriving was very productive. I know it was God’s timing but He used the GRI’s gifts of strategizing, networking, and planning to make this a very fruitful trip in an “awful remote” area with bad roads. It still amazes me how much we accomplished in these remote camps in the areas of medicine, sharing the gospel, educating leaders, healing the sick, binding the broken, and giving hope to the scattered. Our team prayed, supported, scouted, medicated, networked, educated, evaluated and preached as hard as we could for 10 days, but when I stop to think about what was accomplished in such a remote place, I am truly amazed. (Click images for larger view)

Jesus said to the church at Smyrna, “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)…” Revelation 2:9 It is also true that the hearts in Uganda are “awful rich.” Their souls were as rich with humility and gratitude as their soil is rich in nutrients and productivity. They are rich in structure and communication within the camps as well. Again, GRI’s scout team did an amazing job of utilizing this communication network making the trip productive and safe. (Click images for larger view)

These people are “awful hungry.” Riding four hours on bicycles one way four different days during the pastor’s conference was staggering and humbling for me to witness. They showed up in their best clothes with Bible and note book in hand, hungry to learn and eager to ask questions. They are extremely hungry for Bibles. In fact, when speaking to the pastors, the only thing they consistently asked for were Bibles both in their language as well as in English. They were also hungry for information on STD’s, AIDS, sanitation and general heath information. Finally, they are hungry for tools such as oxen and plows to till the rich soil that brings them food. The farmers who were well fed and had extra to sell at the market were the farmers who had oxen.
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The children made me “awful hopeful.” It was wonderful to hear the sounds of children laughing, playing and learning. There are many children receiving a good education, learning about social and health issues of their day, and breaking destructive customs that have only worsened their situation. There was a since of hope for these children, that God is at work. We were told that our presence brought a renewed sense of hope in the hearts of these people because they thought God had forgotten them. We saw hope in the leaders who have been raised up in both the church and in the government. I have hope that God will use the infrastructure of good leaders to be encouraged and empowered by the hope our presence brought to the camp. God used GRI to connect, network, and communicate hope to the people in the Apac district in Northern Uganda. I hope God will make it possible for future teams to be effective, fruitful, and safe in the days to come.
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Every evening we packed the van with as many of the worst medical cases and took them to Lira. Above, two of us rode on top with the medicine bags to make room for “One More.” (Click images for larger view)

We had four days of pastor’s conferences, 16 hours of teaching in all! I taught everything from Hermeneutics, to Homiletics, to Ezekiel 34 and whether or not a person can lose their salvation. The prosperity gospel is big in Uganda and there were a lot of questions concerning those issues as well.

Top left – This is a picture of Francis and me outside the pastor’s conference. Some of the guys rode their bicycles four hours to get there; most rode at least two. Francis is the Apostle Paul to these men. He was a military man and was put in prison because he wanted to preach the gospel rather than become a general in the Ugandan army. He led several to Christ in prison so they sent him back to Uganda where he has started over 42 churches and discipled as many pastors, all of whom were waiting patiently for us inside.

Top Middle – Francis is translating for Brian and Jaden the leaders of GRI. Francis is explaining how God had so richly blessed them for bringing these guys from ”Colorado in America.” “God has not forgotten about us,” Francis told them, “ He has heard our cry and has sent these men all the way from America to teach us.” Needless to say, it was very humbling to teach these guys knowing they truly believe we were sent from God. They hung on every word. The pastor’s conferences and the 16 hours of teaching was a surprise for me and I had no notes to hand out. However, the Holy Spirit brought to mind things in outlines that were stuck in my memory. God blessed and anointed these conferences and they were powerful.

Bottom – On the first day they didn’t have any food or water all day, so the next day I bought bottled water and lunch - which amounted to eggs and cabbage scrambled together rolled in a Chipotle sized corn meal wrap. That day I brought two boxes of bottled water each containing 24 bottles. We had 48 pastors that day and the food held out! Praise God!

Even though they rode on muddy roads to get there, they wore their Sunday best everyday. Most of them have one nice shirt and one pair of cuffed slacks. Godwin wore a bow tie and sat on the front row every day. He was a great student.

How can we help?

I do believe God brought us to Northern Uganda. I believe He is giving us an opportunity to work with Him to help a people that He dearly loves while giving us the opportunity and blessing of serving His people in Africa.

Phase I– Establish systems, structure and accountability.
Done! I believe we accomplished these important issues and solidified them on this first trip.
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‘Operation Big Ox’ includes Bibles, bicycles, oxen and curriculum. Phase two, or ‘Operation Big Ox’ is actually the fund raising name for these items.

1000 Bibles $1 each, half in English and half in their native language.

12 bicycles $100 each. There are 12 pastors that need transportation which would raise their level of productivity greatly.

Oxen and plow – Two oxen and one plow cost $500 American dollars. The oxen are smaller than we use and they can purchase them in Gulu or Kampalla. The plows can be purchased in Lira. GRI will take Francis and purchase oxen as money comes available. This land used to be filled with oxen and plows but because of war, rebels have stolen both oxen and plows leaving farmers (most everyone is a farmer) with only a hoe to turn over this heavy soil and/or to break out the sod. I saw first hand the difference oxen can make in the life of a community.

How about tractors? We saw a few tractors but they were broken down. They don’t have the infrastructure of roads, supplies or fuel in these remote areas to utilize mechanized farm equipment. Maybe that will happen some day. Francis told me, “Galen you will not believe how much difference just on set of oxen can do for a community. We are good farmers and hard workers,” he said “and have been crying out to God for someone to see the need for oxen.”

We need 32 sets of oxen and plows to equip and empower 30 pastors who in turn will share with their community. $500 will by two oxen and a plow. We need $16,000 for this project. I would ask that your family consider equipping one pastor this fall, then in July when I go back to teach another conference I can take pictures of what your contribution meant to their community. Or better yet, you could come with me in July to see for yourself.

Airfare to Uganda - $2,000; Stay for 10 days $500; Impact on the lively hood of a fellow Ugandaian? Priceless! (Click images for larger view)

Phase III– Water

Click Here for GRI's Website and make a donation.

If you would like to participate in “Operation Big Ox” please send your financial contributions to…

Global Refuge International
P.O. Box 741208
Arvada, CO 80006

Please leave the memo line on your check blank and put a sticky note on your check that simply says, “Operation Big Ox,” specify if you want to purchase Bibles, oxen etc. and GRI will make sure the money goes to the account specifically for this project.

If you are interested in going to Uganda next July please email Galen Huck at galen@rockcreekchurch.org and state your interest in this trip. On the trip we will see “Operation Big Ox” implemented, help with the medical missions team in the camps and meet with the pastors. There is a place for everyone to play a role on this team. We need doctors, nurses, lay leaders, pastors, pharmacists, and VBS leaders.

The cost of the air fare was about $2,000 and the cost to stay 10 days in Africa was about $500. If we get a group together early enough we may get a much better air fare next summer.

If you have any questions about “Operation Big Ox,” the July missions trip to Uganda, or questions about the dollars and how we can assure they will get to the pastors in the Apac district of Northern Uganda, please take time to call or send me an email.

The church phone number is 303-494-2927.

God has given us a great opportunity to join Him in His work in the Apac district. I am convinced we can make a difference in the lives of the 1.2 million people in this district. God can use you to be an answer to their prayer and can give you an opportunity to help the poor in this needy area of the world.

In Christ,

Galen Huck
Lead Pastor
Rock Creek Church