Wednesday, September 19, 2001
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Wednesday, September 19, 2001 |
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Uganda grieves for United States By REV JOHN HATCHER As we arrived at the Entebbe, Uganda airport Tuesday, September 11, the custom official asked us (my partner in ministry Rev. Richard Green and me) if we had heard the World Trade Center and Pentagon had been bombed. Of course, we were devastated upon our arrival for teaching and training ministry in the areas of marriage and pastoring the church. Everywhere we have gone, the people have expressed their sincere sympathy. Prayers have been lifted for the United States of America in every house of worship. In a country used to terrorism (remember former Ugandan Edi Amin terrorized this nation killing more than 800,000 innocent victims), the Ugandans can understand something of the horror holding us Americans today. Being more than 8,000 miles away from the United States, we are only privy to little snatches of news from the States. As The Rev. Billy Graham was about to give his message at the National Cathedral, the signal was lost due to heavy rains. We have yet to learn what the President said in his address. It is a strange feeling to be so far away from home when the home folks are hurting and grieving. As we pass by the United States Embassy in the capital city of Kampala, we place our hands over our hearts as we see the United States at half-mast. We also see a large sign posted out front of the guarded entrance to the embassy: "No appointments." We are scheduled to leave Uganda a week from tomorrow, but no one is promised anything. As I write I understand that flights are still grounded in the United States. To think deeply about this, no one is promised that he or she will successfully make it home. Whether you are in Uganda or in the World Trade Center. No one is promised another day. The Word of God has a special promise for the horror of these weeks: "God causes all things to work together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). No, God did not bomb the World Trade Center. But God will bring good out of it. Hopefully, the world will be rid of terrorism. But more than that, we pray. The terrorists did not know the skyscrapers of love and compassion and benevolence, which would be constructed when they crashed into our symbols of democracy and freedom. They just did not know. They thought they would cripple us and force America to crutches. Not so! They have made America stronger and much more reliant upon Him in whom there is real security. The Psalmist says, "Unless the Lord keeps the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain." More than ever, American looks to God as our watchman. Think back 2000 years ago. "They" tried to terrorize Jesus and his followers. However, the word had already been released, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself." "They" ignorantly lifted him up on a cross and brought redemption to the whole world. The terrorists of last week acted in ignorance. "They" did not know what they were unleashing for good. PS: It's Monday morning in Kampala, Uganda. In a minute I am leaving to go 50 miles into the bush to train often forgotten pastors. I write you again next week from Uganda. Hopefully and prayerfully I will be home afterwards.
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
