This last week we have had John Michael Mugerwa in Missoula sharing about his ministry to AIDS orphans in his home country of Uganda. He oversees a boarding school orphanage called "Destiny School" about 25 miles outside of Kampala. It has been a true blessing to have him with us. This morning he spoke of how important prayer is to the church in Uganda. Prayer is central when they gather together and is seen as the battleground for the work of the church. John Michael pointed out that Jesus won the battle in the garden of Gethsemane on his knees where he uttered the words "not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42) which directly led to his salvific work on the cross. He also said that the armor of God is put on to do battle in prayer. What a picture, Righteousness, Truth, the Word, faith, and Salvation surrounding us as we pray for God's work on earth. Is there any other way to go into battle?

It fills me with joy to hear John Michael's stories. Two hundred of the children come from Muslim families and several of those family members are now Christians at John Michael's church because they have visited the children and seen the love that is poured out on these kids. Some of these children were left on the street because nobody cared for them after there parents succumbed to AIDS. As John Michael put it, Islam cannot stand up to the practical love of Christ. When children come to Destiny School they are no longer orphans because they have been adopted into Christ's family.