Externally Focused at Watermark

I asked Aaron Graft to share a bit about his team’s recent return from Africa…

…we started the trip by spending Sunday in the capital of Kampala (minus our luggage, but we weren’t really surprised by that…).  We spent Monday morning visiting some areas where Watermark has invested with ALARM.  That afternoon, we flew from Kampala to Pader, where Watermark has financed the construction of a water well and is currently funding the construction of a trade school to train child soldiers that are being rehabilitated into society.  It was moving to see how God is using us to do something tangible half a world away from Dallas.

After visiting Pader, we traveled by car to our ultimate destination of Kitgum.  This is in far northern Uganda and has been a global “hot spot” for many years due to the fighting between the rebels and the government.  Our conference began Monday evening and went through Thursday afternoon.  Approximately 80 men attended – mainly church and civic leaders from Kitgum and the surrounding villages.  Almost all of these men had lost close family members to the fighting that has gone over the past 20 years.

We covered topics of biblical leadership, forgiveness, suffering and the sovereignty of God and conflict resolution.  By the last day of the conference, many of the men told stories about how they had asked for forgiveness at home and from their neighbors and practical steps they will take to apply what they had learned.  It was encouraging to see so many of them genuinely respond to the teaching.  We were also amazed and encouraged by the great faith and joy of these people despite the poverty and hardship that dominates their day-to-day lives.  As I told them the last day of the conference, I am convinced that eternity will show that Christians in Africa have exhibited a faith far beyond that of their western brothers and sisters.  I can honestly say that the Watermark team got as much or more out of the experience than the Africans who attended the conference.  I was personally convicted about how selfish I am and how often I run to God to remove little discomforts in my life while these people struggle to meet the basic needs of food, water and shelter on a daily basis.

In summary, I am honored to have had this opportunity.  God is alive and working all over the world!  It is encouraging to see Watermark expand its focus to participate in His kingdom work all across the world.

by Aaron Graft