HERE WE GO

A lot has transpired since my last post....many apologies for my delay.I need to become better at being consistent with blogging.My trip to Mexico was very successful.We managed to build 2 houses(Very basic houses) The part of Mexico we went to reminded me of Uganda...the dust,the slums,the poverty and just the tough reality of life.I have some pictures that will help tell the story better than I can.




I was happy to come back home to my wife who is doing much better now with the pregnancy.She officially finished her first trimester and apparently life should return to normal, atleast.We are also actively starting the process of preparing to go back home....Uganda,so we are doing alot of meetings with friends and packing stuff.

Our host family here,organised a send off party for us and they called it the SP and JOY open house party.Am looking forward to this so much.There is over 40 people coming.In one sense we miss home but we are beginning to feel like we will miss the people of Canyonridge and Vegas who have become family in this part of the world.

Joy will be doing scripture reading for Pr Kevin as he preaches in all 4 services this weekend and I will be speaking on James 1 in the next gen ministry.So covet your prayers.

Yesternight we had an awesome meeting with some college students that I will tell you about in my next post.

Love you,
SP

TO MEXICO

Just wanted to let you all know that tomorrow (5:30am) a team from Canyonridge(50+)including Pr Kevin, will be headed to Mexico,TJ where we will be working with Amor ministries to build some houses.I am really looking forward to this long trip.

I will not be able to blog...but will update you all on what happened.This global leadership thing has an interesting way its finding fulfillment.I never ever dreamt that i would be building houses in Mexico for God's people.

Pray for safety for the entire team as we travel and that God will use us to rain his love on TJ,Mexico.Pray also for my wife who is staying behind.She actually is having a baby shower on saturday.

Have a great weekend and see ya on Monday

SP Onaba

FROM MY DESK

This week has been one of those weeks.....Started on a slow note but is going to pick up.Lots of things to process,get done and decisions to make.

I leave for Mexico first thing on Friday morning with a team of others from Canyonrige for the annual memorial weekend mission trip where we will build houses.I am looking forward to this.Yet at the same time a part of me is remaining with Joy and I hope and pray that she will be OK without my physical presence.

This past Sunday was a highlight.My talk at New Community(Church of 55+)was great.I talked about the mandate that the older people have and that they should not neglect that.After this we went with a dear friend of ours(Jayme)to a womens prison where Joy and myself were guest speakers.My wife shared her story and how God has changed her.By the time we left, the place was fired up.The sense of hope and faith was very tangible in the room.There was not a single dry eye in the room,except mine, as we all listenend to Joy.At somepoint I felt like something else had come over my wife.She was in the flow....ver very powerful.

Our time here(Vegas) is nearing its end and so we are entering a wrap up phase.Pray that this will go well.Will share with you more as time unfolds.

Blessings
SP Onaba

LOVE FOR A LIFETIME

Just got back from a two day marriage conference that Canyonrdige put together.My wife and I both enjoyed Dr Bob Moeller and Dr Gary Chapman...very solid men.

Everything they said was great.Some of the topics the speakers covered included:

Communication 101
Creating closeness thru an accepting heart
Understanding and Expressing love
Seven secrets to great sex
Initiating positive change
How to share the things that bug you

It just got me thinking about our couples ministry,3hearts and our vision of being cycle breakers in a culture that has been damaged by polygamy and HIV.Joy and I are excited to see the fruit so far,of young people who have chosen to live sexually pure lives,get engaged,get married and start the chapter of having babies.We are seeing with our eyes the beginning of the transformation of an entire generation.

I liked the application for the couples at the end of the conference:

1. Work through a marriage book together
2. Once a year attend a marriage event/conference
3. Read a book on marriage together every year.

Once we get back to Kampala,we want to pioneer these kind of ideas.Rewriting history is what God has given us and others the opportunity to do.
I encourage you like I have been to seek to be a better husband and invest in your marriage that Christ may be glorified.

MEET IRON CHEF-SP Onaba

I had no idea that some of the benefits of my wife becoming pregnant was my forcefully becoming a specialized pregnancy chef...and so I now present you with myself;SP Onaba,the African iron chef.

You may not agree but atleast give me some credit.(those of you who have not experienced a pregnant wife,have no idea what I am talking about.)

Some of my speciality dishes include:

Plantains from Mexico that must be cooked and taste like the Ugandan matooke.Of course the Mexico ones are an imitation of the real thing...matooke! Now both my wife and I know that they are different but apparently she likes them...My cooking made the difference and for this reason I am iron chef.

The second dish is turning peanut butter (binyebwa) into some sort of gravy cooked/steamed with onions and tomatoes,served with either rice,potatoes or plantains.I tried it last night and when I gave some to Joy to try....it did the trick,again reason for my title; iron chef.


I am yet to experiment on others.....I hope I don't turn out with something dangerous thru these experiments.

I am enjoying and being stretched as I serve my wife during this time of our life.It has caused me reflect more on Jesus and the church,His bride and all the things He did and continues to do as a way of serving her,that He may present her to himself pure and blameless.

Pray for me on this new journey that God would grow me and enable me to serve Joy better.We will also be speaking at New Community(service for the young 55+) and at a women's prison here in Vegas this Sunday.Pray that God will bless this time of ministry.

TIRED AND EXHAUSTED

I have not had time to sit down and blog.....lots of things to do and thinking happening.This mental process has a way in which it drains my energy.
Its coming to 10pm,here and these are my last words before i hit dream land.Tomorrow though, I will share some upcoming things.Joy is doing fine...and she says hello.Miss you all,especially my UG crew.

SP Onaba

WE SAW THE BABY!

Yesterday we were able to see a doctor who run several tests on Joy and the baby.....and he said they were both in perfect normal condition.So thank you for praying.As a matter of fact Joy ate more food yesterday than she has in a long time.....

The fun part for me especially,was the ultra sound.What I saw simply blew me off.And the reason is very simple,hearing and seeing are two different things.The baby's head is big,the feet and hands are starting to form and the heart beats fast....173(whatever that means) For me it means my baby is alive.

According to the tests the baby is 9weeks and 5days and we are due on October 10th(a day after our country's independence day)

The exciting part was when the baby began to move its entire baby.I think the baby got excited and started to laugh.I nearly cried.
Life is so precious and I was reminded of the scripture in Psalm 139:13-14

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Once again thank you for sharing in this joy with us...it is a wonder.

SP and JOY

PLANNING AND FOOD

PLANNING
Today was rather a long but memorable day.I was part of the Canyonridge annual staff retreat meeting.Several things happened but i thought one of the coolest things for me was to hear Kevin,the senior pastor clearly share afresh the heart beat of Canyonridge...to seek and save the lost.There was just so much energy in the room.Our day ended with staff bowling at one of the bowling alleys here in Vegas.I was not bad for a beginner.I did not stay to the end because I had to go pick my wife.

JOY and FOOD
Things have kind of flipped for Joy regarding her eating habits.She hardly has an appetite to eat anything and this is getting us a little concerned.Today she felt like eating beef stew made the Ugandan way,so being the good chef- husband that I am,I went to the kitchen and did my Ugandan thing.I basically boiled beef and added some onions,tomatoes,carrots plus potatoes.(these are the specific ingredients she asked for) The result was a dish that surprisingly, Joy ate.As I type this blog,she is laying peacefully by my side having sweet dreams.Please pray that God will give Joy an appetite for food.

TODAY,I AM THANKFUL FOR, JOY MY WIFE

There are a zillion things to be thankful for but today,I am grateful for my wife Joy Hadassah Onaba.We have been married 3yrs and 4months.

I remember the very first time I saw Joy at Primetime,(the biggest abstinence party ever)I immediately liked her.I also vividly recall a conversation we had shortly after we got engaged about children,her concern then was...."SP what if we get married and I am not able to have children?" Another time she wrote me a card and it has taken me forever to forget one of the lines..... ,

"SP one day my womb will carry your babies"

I have not stopped thinking about this line especially now that she is pregnant.I know that Joy will make the best mother for our kids.She is a very loyal and submitted wife.God has allowed us together to experience His love and healing in ways that are special and unique.Joy's commitment to Jesus inspires me to be a better man,husband and father.

Joy you are one of a kind and today I thank God for bringing you into my life.My life is much richer because of you.I love you deeply.


SP Onaba

GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOUR

Who knew that one day I would be in Vegas of all places sharing about this Jesus who changes lives.If you had told me this several years ago I would have laughed my head off.Of course i do remember as a freshman, day dreaming about being a Hollywood celebrity,but this was just a way to escape the questions that I was facing regarding my future and the purpose of life.

Today I would not trade what I am doing for anything.God has been good to me.To see Him at work in the things we do,to witness Him change lives and be invited to be a part of this process is to me more than an honor.And so, because of His goodness I am deliberately committing this week to be my week of thanksgiving.So I will share with you this week some of the things I am thankful for.

As for me and my household we will serve you, Lord.

SP Onaba

RED ROCK HIKE

I just got back from our hike this morning....(turtlehead peak-2000ft) I thought it was going to be easy!I wish i knew,i would never have gone in the first place.Half way the hike,i felt like someone was slowing cutting off my waist.I nearly told the guys i was with to find me on their way back from the top of the mountain.They did not give up on me and yes i made it to the top successfully. The view is awesome.I could literally see the whole of Vegas and a bit of Lake Mead.Red rock is an awesome place.



Right now I am headed to church to finalize my communion med thoughts....Blessings

SP Onaba

THIS WEEKEND

Tomorrow morning a good friend of mine (Craig) and another of his good friend who i have not meet will go hiking-Red Rock- first thing tomorrow morning.It is going to be my first hike ever.....but i am not sure it is going to be the first because back home we pretty much hike daily except that its on plain land not mountains.

After my hike i should be set and ready for communion med.....short for an inspirational brief talk on the significance of remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which is done before communion is taken.I will be doing this at all the 4 services at Canyon ridge.Pray that i have my thoughts ready and set.I am wondering what colors to wear so the camera does not vomit me.

SP Onaba

WE ARE PREGNANT

Yes we are........Joy was not feeling well for a while and it was kind of unusual.We initially joked about the fact that she may actually be with child but never really gave it much thought.It was Joy's idea that we try a home pregnancy test which we did and it turned out positive.

Last week we went in to see a doctor and have some tests run on Joy and also confirm that she was truly pregnant.It was confirmed but what shocked both of us was that she was 8weeks along....we initially thought that she was maybe 3weeks....

Besides being tired and having flipping food cravings,Joy is doing really fine.Her womb is starting to grow and she is slowly starting to give up some of her clothes.As far as food is concerned,she craves Ugandan food...matooke,katogo,nuts which are not available here in Vegas.

I find myself being very protective of her and the baby..making sure she is ok.I am more careful now when I drive with Joy in the car.I don't know what this is but i guess my daddy instincts are getting awakened.We both have looked forward to having kids and its exciting to see this dream finally start to unfold.This is going to be our first child.I wonder whether it's a girl or boy.I am kind of feeling girlish...Joy feels boyish...

Keep us in prayer for protection and wisdom as we make some decisions right now regarding this new development in our life.

Blessings
SP and JOY

NEW ADDITION

I am working on this right now.Denis(friend of mine from High school) advised me to share stuff from my life (family).Jess too agrees...and so here we go.

A QUICK UPDATE

I just spent the last 3 hours working on this blog......so far so good.Lantz my texan friend did all the work.Thanks to him.My dream is to have one of the most read blogs....and yes this is the beginning.Look out for an awesome update soon.Let me also know what you think would get this blog up and running......the revolution has began

SP Onaba

RADIO PROGRAM

We have been doing a radio prayer program (the prayer connection,every saturday morning-7-8) on KKVV here in Vegas for close to two months now.

The set up was people would call in and have us pray for them concerning whatever was on their minds.We mostly prayed for marriages,families,young people,churches and more personal things.

Today however was our last time to do the program because we want to focus on some new things as we come to the end of our time in Vegas.

SPEAKING AT CELEBRATE RECOVERY TONIGHT

I am getting myself ready for my talk this evening.I will be speaking on Romans 12:1-2 and exploring the reality of living a fully surrendered life to God.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

As many have said the problem with several living sacrifices is that we jump off the altar when the fire gets hot.So we never really get fully burned hence becoming a pleasing aroma to God and those around us.

Part of the reason is simply because we often lose the view of God's mercy...we forget where God picked us from but even more catastrophic is we lose focus of where God is taking us.

So lets pray and after praying stay on the altar long enough to experience a 'burning' to the Lord as a living sacrifice.

SP Onaba

A WEDDING SONG

There is this popular song that is sang at weddings(the ones I have attended atleast).I only know one line...Jesus makes beautiful the things of my life.....
This song for whatever reason has been in my heart and it wont give me leave as yet.But yes I do know that Jesus has made beautiful the things of my life indeed.

MY LIFE WILL COUNT

As easter comes to an end and life kind of returns to 'normal' several things, specifically one, continues to re-echo in the depth of my being......My life will count!

Of all the awesome reflections of easter the most outstanding piece for me is the story of one life that counted;Jesus' one life that was offered up for all.No wonder we celebrate easter.

Life has a routine......almost like a default setting

We are born.....
We go to school.......
We find a job......
We get married (perhaps)
We try this and that before we retire and finally....
We die.....

I have chosen to reset this default setting.I desire for my life to count.Jesus' one life did and today from generations past many lives have and continue to benefit from his one life.

If my life were a debit card with a million dollars to be spent,I would want God to spend it to the last penny.

In Luke 9:24 Jesus says,"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."

May we lose our lives for Him and in so doing may our one life count for Him.

SP Onaba

THE DEAD COME TO LIFE-my understanding of Easter

As I reflect on easter and its significance,I am personally grateful for Jesus Christ He not only died for me but also died because of me and today His death and resurrection brings me an abundant life.

I am also encouraged (very strongly) that this is a time of the dead things coming to life.The certainity of death is 100% for all of us.There is a sense in which death seems to say this is the end...but think about it,the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ defies this notion and from hopelessness there arises a whole new level of hope....the dead can come to life.Jesus conquered death.As Paul says...oh death where now is your sting?

My prayer this easter is that the things that have experienced a certain type of death(relationships,marriages,business,economies,etc etc) would experience a resurrection and second life.And yes it is possible.In John 11(when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead)Jesus says to Martha,"Did I not tell you that if you believed,you would see the glory of God?"

Let us believe God for the resurrection of that which has died in and among us.

Happy easter.

SP Onaba