Karamoja, Uganda missionary families · 2018. 5. 3. · We came to Uganda with Isaiah 58 as our “going passage.” We have counted it a privilege that He would use a family like

Karamoja, UgandaMark and Carla Van Essendelft

URCNA missionary deacon and family working with the OPC missionary team in Uganda.

We were living a happy, comfortable life in rural North Carolina when, a year and a half ago, a close relative strongly urged us to consider a position with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church serving as a Missionary Deacon in Uganda. Although we were always interested in missions and had taken several short-term trips, I never thought there would be opportunity for someone like me to be sent into full-time missions by a Reformed church. As we looked into the application process, visited the mission station in Karamoja, Uganda, and spent countless hours in prayer, we felt like the Lord was leading us to move with our eight children to Karamoja, Uganda.

After finishing the very impressive and thorough application process, with the blessing of our family and church, we began the long, difficult process of relocating. After packing up, we were privileged to spend a month in Colorado at MTI (Missionary Training International), where we received invaluable training. In February 2018, we said our goodbyes and moved from one of the highest standards of living in the world to one of its poorest regions.

The OPC established this mission station 18 years ago in the middle of a warring, cattle-thieving tribe. Though they are now disarmed, the neediness of this tribe is still very evident. Polygamy, drunkenness, lying, and stealing are still culturally accepted practices. Through the pioneering efforts of many

missionary families and the powerful work of God, we are seeing the spiritual fruit of godly living, even passing down through generations! The local church plant currently has around 120 people, and it is starting the

process of nominating Karamajong office bearers for the first time!

My official title here is “facilities engineer,” which is just a fancy term for maintaining the physical plant. I have also been sent as a deacon, and as such, am involved in developing ways to minister to the poor. We are part of a team consisting of two pastors, one doctor, one medical clinic administrator, and two single women who oversee medical training in the villages and an education outreach. In the normal course of a day, we have countless opportunities to show and speak of the love and work of Christ. Our family has also been able to get involved, befriending several young fatherless boys who crave the love that a functional family brings. Already we have been able to speak into the lives of these young men and many others who suffer with huge relational problems and gross poverty.

We came to Uganda with Isaiah 58 as our “going passage.” We have counted it a privilege that He would use a family like ours to display His special care for the outcasts of this world. Please remember to pray for us here!

MAY 2018 • PAGE 1

“The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought.” Isaiah 58:11

Missions Newsletter of the URCNA

The Van Essendelfts can be reached at: [email protected]

MAY 2018

MAY 2018 • PAGE 2

The Anemas

Scarborough, ON, CARev. Mitch & Shabeeda Persaud

Greetings from New Horizon! We have been blessed with the opportunity to have leadership training in recent months. We have shared these sessions with brothers from neighbouring churches. We pray (and ask that you pray) that the Lord will bless the training and raise up more and competent leaders in his church. Pastor Al Bezuyen joined me in teaching the classes. One of the reasons this is especially exciting is that it is my hope that more of the church work will be done by the elders and deacons so I will get more time for evangelism.

Along with leadership training has been the second half of my semi-sabbatical. I had the first ten weeks last year. During this time I was able to complete a book that introduces Reformed doctrine in simpler English. It is presently at the editor (which I desperately needed) and should be available in print in a few months. Retired Pastor, Randal Lankheet, has served as supply pastor during the sabbatical.

We have had regular visitors at New Horizon. One new lady has faithfully attended for about 9 months. Along with that we’ve been blessed with a number of our young people who have done profession of faith, including our older daughter, Karis. We have two more preparing, our younger daughter, Annabelle, and our deacon’s daughter, Teresa. We’ve had 6 children baptized over the past year.

Exciting for us is the upcoming examination for licensure of our first-year seminary student Enoch Chow, born in Hong Kong. Our hope is that, should he sustain that examination, he would serve as intern for the summer months before he returns to seminary in the fall. Enoch will need additional financial support to attend seminary and the elders have set up and managed a fund in Enoch’s name to help him. If you or your congregation is inclined, please send gifts to the church’s address.

But along with all this good news is some not so good news…at least not for us. We have three families who are moving away from the city, one moving to the US to live. And an older lady, on account of age, has moved to live with her son. While we will miss those who are leaving (which include eight children), we know they will be a blessing wherever the Lord calls them.

Thanks again for all your letters, cards, and generous financial support over the years. We are thankful for a notable increase in our own giving at New Horizon, but with

having an intern this year and a short-term supply pastor, there will be additional expenses.

Feel free to drop a line at:

[email protected]

4 Littleborough Crt. Scarborough, ONM1C 4S6

Please send support for our church to Cornerstone URC in London.