Two days till takeoff...

We spent part of today packing for my trip to Africa.  You should know that we're sending some gifts along...

- School supplies (crayons, coloring books, pencils, note pads)

- Food (candy, snacks, gifts, and breakfast bars).

- Toys (tennis balls, stuffed animals, and a couple of small backpacks).

- Clothing (some to give away, some specific gifts for our sponsored orphan, Ursulla).

Thanks also to some of our Delaware Grace volunteers who have helped me get gifts for some of our friends in Africa. 

Once again, I'm feeling mixed emotions.  It will be hard to spend so much time away from Jennie and the kids.  Allie (age 5) has been drawing pictures for me all day, and writing "I love you, Daddy" many times on the pics.  Our baby girl, Julie, seems to learn a new word every hour, and is extremely cute trying to say each one.  I hate the thought of leaving Jennie for a day, let alone a trip like this.  Please pray for our family as this is a challenge, but it is very worthwhile.

Personally, I am eager to get a personal experience with real life in Africa.  I've seen the pictures, I've heard the stories, I've read the websites.  I'm just ready to get there. 

I'm curious to see how God is at work in so many ways in such a tough place to live.  I wonder how the poverty and different way of life will affect me.  I enjoy learning new languages and new words, but I know nothing of substance when it comes to Sangho and French.  This will be a humbling experience, and I'm excited about that, too!

While we're studying Matthew 5 at our church, I'm curious to see the overlap in actual lives...

"Blessed are the poor... Blessed are those who mourn... Blessed are the meek... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst (for righteousness)..."  No doubt this will be an eye-opening experience, but I am eager to see what sort of "soul-opening" takes place. 

Thanks for reading along... I will update as frequently as I can! 

Trip to Africa... take 2?

Just four days away, it's "Underwood in Africa" - take 2.

Let's try this again.

Sometimes, good things come in 2's.

So, on this 2nd attempt to get to the Central African Republic, I wanted to do a blog entry about some of the 2's about this trip.

For starters, I'll head to Africa representing a church with 2 partner churches in C.A.R.  One in Bangui (Sakpa Church) and one in Bossangoa (Center 1). 

Over the past few weeks, our congregation has accepted the challenge of sponsoring two schools, raising well over the $8,000 goal to do this.  That's for 2 schools, 2 locations, 2 buildings, 2 churches, 2 teachers, and 2 exciting reasons to get to C.A.R. as soon as I possibly can! 

I'll be praying and learning about 2 orphan schools at those locations with 2 teachers.  At left is a picture of Jonas, the teacher at Bossangoa.  If you want to follow updates on the Bossangoa Hand in Hand School, click here.

Incidentally, if you want to read more about the Sakpa Church and Orphan School, click here.  The teacher there is named Hortence, pronounced (I believe) - (Or-tonce).  She's there, on the right.

Sakpa Church is near Bangui, and our team will visit there (Lord willing) on Friday, November 13th.  Yikes.  But, as I told the program director, Barb Wooler, "I'm not afraid of that (Friday the 13th).  Let's do this."  For two months, we have heard about and prayed for the people at Sakpa Church.  A week from Sunday, I'll get the privilege of preaching in their worship service on Sunday, November 15th.  The sermon will be straight out of Matthew 5, and talk about the love and blessings of God in our lives.  It's part of a current series at our church. 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."


"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."


"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."


"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

That was Matthew 5:3-7.  Great verses to memorize, pray over, and reflect about.  I hope these will be encouraging words to our friends at Sakpa.  I fully expect, though, that they will inspire and challenge my faith much more than I will do for them. 

Sakpa and Bossangoa. 

Two wonderful churches in sub-Saharan Africa.

Two partners in Christ serving and educating orphans in their communities.

Two servant leaders named Jonas and Hortence, giving time to build into the next generation.

Two flights across the Atlantic en route to Africa for me, and I'm quite certain this "mulligan" was always in God's plan and for His purposes.  Both for Delaware and for Africa.  Can't wait!

Sakpa Church & School Updates...

Yesterday, I received this picture in an e-mail from Ginger Hock, who is on location in the Central African Republic.

The kids are part of our orphan school in connection with SAKPA church in the Central African Republic.  Praise God for Project Hope & Charite', and the opportunity to support and educate these precious kids!

In the back (left) is Hortence Siodong, our school's teacher.  Ginger was there earlier this week, taking this picture.  She says we have exactly 50 students in the school, and they are off to a great start. 

Personally, I can't wait to be there and visit the school.  I can't wait to meet the pastor of the church there, Tizokoe.  I can't wait to talk with Hortence and meet some of the kids.  I hope we have a good interpreter, that's for sure! 

Details of my "return" trip to Bangui were finalized yesterday.  I will fly out on November 9, 2009, and be in Bangui from November 11-18, 2009.  It takes some time just to get there, and to get back!  But I will have eight days "on the ground" in the Central African Republic, with a team of believers from the United States who are all part of partnerships like these.

Africa: Let's try this again...

Here's picture of the Hand in Hand school started by Marysville Grace Brethren.  Pastor Clancy Cruise (Marysville) is a good friend of mine, and a member of the previous Engage Africa Trip.

As many of you know, I was a part of this team at one point.  Obviously, God had other plans.  On September 30th, I received a phone call from our youth pastor, Dave Pacheco.  One of the previous blog entries here describes a tragedy that happened in our church and community (Delaware, Ohio), and the decision to return home instead of going on to Africa.

Shortly after my return to Ohio, I received word that Project Hope & Charite was taking a team to the Central African Republic in November.  At first, I wasn't in a place (emotionally, physically, mentally) to really consider it.  However, just over a week later, this opportunity to visit the C.A.R. became clearly too good to pass up.

From November 10-20, 2009 (Lord willing!), I will join Project Hope & Charite on a team specifically designed to visit our partner churches and orphan schools in the Central African Republic. 

In the meantime, our congregation's generosity had significantly exceeded our original goal of sponsoring one orphan school near Bangui.  As people continue to share love and concern for the poorest of the poor in Africa, we embraced the chance to sponsor a second Hand in Hand school far north of Bangui, called Bossangoa Center 1.  We still need to raise nearly $1,500 to have all the funds for two schools, and will have a special giving opportunity this Sunday. 

It's a thrill to see God's people come together, pray, give, and prepare to serve people who are in desperate need.

It's a privilege to have God open another door and opportunity to "return" to Africa.

It's going to be exciting to see how God builds these friendships and ministry opportunities as people from two different continents join together to help the poor.

So... I'm starting this blog up again.  If you'd like to pray and follow along, that would be awesome.  Let the countdown to November 10th begin!

A few updates from Africa and Delaware (Ohio)...

Yesterday, the pastors and missions leaders arrived home from the Central African Republic.  Check that - Dave Guiles went on to Argentina.  Busy month!

Anyhow, thanks to those of you who have been praying for our church in Delaware. 

Not only have we been called to encourage a hurting widow and family and face the shock of a young man's suicide... we have also discovered that this friend, brother, husband, and son was not who we all thought he was.

Today's Marion Star gives more detail about the twisted deception of Joe Russell.  Please read this link.

I ask you to pray for Megan Russell and her daughters and her family.  I ask you to pray for our church, our community, and our law enforcement leaders here in Delaware and Marion.  I appreciate your prayers for our church staff, and for our entire community.   Thanks to many of you for your words of encouragement and empathy during a rough week.

I also ask your prayers for God to continue the work He's doing in our hearts, and that we would be open to any and all of the lessons and spiritual work He wants to do in our hearts through difficult times.  On Sunday, I am grateful God gave me some direction on how to address our congregation - here is a link to Sunday's sermon.

I look forward to giving you updates on the Africa trip, even though I didn't quite make it.

To that end, please pray for God's wisdom and timing about a "second attempt" to visit Africa.  I have already learned of an opportunity in November, but am praying about schedule, timing, and details...

Obviously, God's comfort and leadership has been clear to me and to our church family in some very turbulent days.  Thanks for your partnership and love in Christ Jesus!

Sincerely,
Gary Underwood

Keep praying for the Africa "Engage" tour with Pastors...

Dear Friends,

Just 2.5 more days remain for the pastors' visit in Africa. 

Even though I was called home to Ohio, I can't wait to hear stories and specifics about God's work during this week's trip to the Central African Republic.

We have a wonderful team of Christian leaders and brothers on site in Bangui, and God is using them mightily. 

Dave Martin, who has returned from C.A.R. this past week, sent me several wonderful pictures of our friends in Africa.  Here he is (left) with Ursulla (an orphan that we sponsor through Vision Trust), and her mother. 

I was touched to find out that they had arrived safely at the Grace Brethren Missions site, hoping to meet Pastor Gary.  Sad that I could not meet them yet, but so thrilled that Dave and others had the opportunity. 

Still in Africa?  Pastors Dave Plaster, Clancy Cruise, Dan Allan, Kevin Pinkerton, R. Green, David Lawson, Dr. Sherwood Lingenfelter, Dr. Mike Yoder, and GBIM director Dave Guiles. 

Still to Pray For?  Continued clarity, passion, and openness between the African pastors and the American pastors as they pray and discuss needs and options for ministry.  Leadership training.  Supporting churches.  Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ as effectively as possible!

Still pray for the health, safety, and travel of the Pastors' team as they begin the journey home on Thursday afternoon.  I hope to post updates and pictures from these guys as well, as I get them.

Thanks again for reading, praying, and staying in touch!  

Sincerely in Christ,
Gary Underwood

Unfortunate prayer request...

Dear praying friends,

After a wonderful visit with Rob & Nicole Plaster (missionaries in Paris) and the whole pastoral/missionary team headed to the Central African Republic..

I found out that a dear brother in Christ from our church in Delaware, Ohio... has taken his life tragically yesterday morning.

After praying and seeking counsel from God, from fellow pastors on the trip, and from several family and friends in Ohio... I have decided to cut the trip short and fly home to be with our church family in Delaware.

While the mission in Africa is exciting, urgent, and heart-filled... I sensed God's leading and provision to make this decision and be at home with family and friends.  Please pray that God's love, compassion, strength, presence, and hope would be our source of strength in getting through this difficult time.

It's one of those things you don't "get through," actually.  You just learn all over again that this life on earth is horrible and heart-breaking, and you learn to depend and long for God more than ever.  My heart breaks for Joe Russell's family.

I covet your prayers. 

I'm getting on the plane to Atlanta.

With love and a heavy heart,
Gary Underwood