Choosing between Opportunities

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Josh Hallahan, Missionary, Uganda
October-December 2015

As Kelly and I began our term as missionary disciples serving in Uganda, we were ready to come in, receive our clearly laid-out job description, and begin serving with new friends. That’s when our plan and the reality on the ground collided.

Our missionary experience started by allowing us to “try out” two new ministries. I began serving as the first-ever chaplain at Heritage International School in Kampala. Meanwhile, Kelly and I were also beginning to minister with United Faith Chapel, which is now part of the University Discipleship Movement. Because these ministry roles were new to both established ministries, finding the right balance of involvement was tricky.

Outside of missionary work, there are not many other opportunities that allow you to create your own job description and sometimes even allow you to choose between two really attractive opportunities, but that was where we found ourselves.

I spent the first year at Heritage finding out who had been doing “chaplaincy duties” in the past and what expectations there were for a school chaplain. While at UFC, Kelly and I spent time getting to know the students and national staff and asking lots of questions. We wanted to see what the needs were, where our skill sets could best be used, and pray about our roles.

It was definitely an exciting and difficult first year. We did not do everything right. We wanted to walk away many times. One day it felt like Heritage was the place for us to focus and the next we were sure it was UFC.

During our second year, we began really seeking the Lord as to where He wanted us to focus our ministry upon returning as career missionaries. We truly felt as if God would be honored with either choice. Students at HIS were becoming followers of Jesus, and developing student leaders at UFC became a clear need that we could fill. How do you choose between two really great opportunities? That kind of answer can only come through prayer.

Eventually, a peace settled that for the next season we were to focus our efforts with UFC and the University Discipleship Movement and help develop leaders who will change their communities for the kingdom of Jesus. We love Heritage and are still involved there, but for now God has asked us to concentrate on UDM.

What started as two possibilities with no job descriptions has become two passions of ours where we are excited to see God continue to work in great ways. We thank God for journeying with us. Will you pray with us that we will continue to honor Him in the years ahead?

ACT: Pray for Josh and Kelly as they serve in Uganda. Join their prayer team by signing up on their blog at http://thehallahans.blogspot.com/p/join-our-team.

Go on Growing!

An excerpt from...

Go on Growing!

Colossians 2:6-7

By Lisa Fish, Missionary, Uganda
October-December 2014

Heritage International School in Kampala hosts over 25 nations in its student body, grades pre-kindergarten through high school. World Gospel Mission has asked us to share how discipleship, mentoring, and other types of growth happen “on the ground,” and I say our whole field, in fact all our supporters and ministry partners worldwide, have massively pitched in to see salvations, discipleship, mentoring, and many other types of growth happen at HIS.

When I first arrived in Uganda in 2004, Heritage was struggling to have enough teachers and enough students. We needed one to get the other, and we seemed to struggle for either one or the other, or both. The school held a lot of promise, however, and our missionary team across Uganda joined in praying for the school, its students and faculty, and the community the school reaches. Over the years, the school has grown in numbers, both in staff and students, and the evidence of the Lord’s working has never been more noticeable than now.

We’ve just come through the grueling process of accreditation, and we received recommendations from both the Association of Christian Schools International and Middle States accreditations. This is not only highly exciting but also a wonderful professional and academic step for all of us involved with ministries at HIS.

During this process, we have reviewed our methods and procedures, creating some, improving others, and always moving forward. Our missionaries, supporters, and ministry partners have jumped in with prayer and hands-on ministries. We rejoice with this achievement!

And yet just before Easter, we had spiritual proof of the academic, professional, spiritual, and prayer work we have done over these years as 16 students and two support staff members were baptized in a wonderful service, giving testimony of lives being changed and hearts moving closer to Christ.

Please don’t believe our testimony ends here. God will keep moving. Our job is to be on our knees, in the trenches, sending, giving, and going. 

PRAY: Heritage continues to grow, so providing quality facilities is an ongoing challenge. This month, pray for wisdom for Heritage’s board and administration as they guide the school and consider how big it should grow.

GO: Heritage International School is always looking for passionate, qualified teachers who are willing to make a long-term commitment to the Heritage community. For more information, contact recruiting@wgm.org or visit www.wgm.org/go.

Feeling Lonely?

And excerpt from...

Feeling Lonely

By Kelly Hallahan, Uganda
July-September 2014


Whenever you are the new kid in town, you are bound to have moments of loneliness. Missionaries are not exempt from this common experience, despite how often they get to practice moving! When we moved to Uganda, we were warmly welcomed by our teammates. Our boys easily made friends at school. My husband began making friends with his coworkers at Heritage International School. But I was a stay-at-home mom, with my kids in school for the very first time. The days were long with a lot to learn and plenty to keep me busy, but I began to get lonely. I quickly realized I had a choice to make: sit around and throw myself a pity party, or throw a real party and make some friends!

I took my own need for fellowship and turned it into an opportunity for ministry: the Oasis Gathering was born! I knew I couldn’t just wait around for someone to solve my problem. I prayed about what would bless my own heart and created an avenue to bless other women like me. I wanted our time together to be refreshing and life-giving. I didn’t want the Oasis Gathering to become another burden on our calendars to dread, so I scheduled it once a month for two hours. The ladies were welcomed with tea, coffee, and goodies. Candles were lit, flowers adorned the table, and the conversations began in clusters as we greeted one another and caught up. Then we moved into the living room for a discussion question about life: in our city; as foreigners; and as mothers, wives, and friends. Those conversations helped the new missionaries and seasoned missionaries learn from each other—we discovered new restaurants, shared tips on cooking, and brainstormed how to make a difference there in Kampala. My favorite part of the day was when we split into small groups for prayer, because that was when God came to transform and refresh us. Nothing is sweeter than a room full of women lifting each other up in prayer.

As I took my eyes off my own problem and chose to be a blessing to others, God used me and He met my needs. He took a need in my life and used it for His glory. All He needed was a willing heart; He did the rest!

ACT: This month, pray about a way to take your eyes off your problem in order to bless others. Then do it! Whether it is throwing a party like Kelly did or starting a free babysitting network, etc. God can use you for His glory.