Never lack the Zeal....with joy, happiness, and determination, press on and do the Lord's work.

I was given the privilege of sitting in on the Sports Outreach Ministries monthly staff meeting where I was introduced to the former Head Coach of the Ugandan National Team, Barnabas Mwesiga. Barnabas is a 60 year old coach who serves as the mentor for 14 younger coaches in the organization, many whom I was able to meet and work with during my time in Uganda. Barnabas was looked up to by these coaches for many reasons, the least being his distinction of taking a Ugandan team to the African finals in 1978, something no other Ugandan coach has ever done. Barnabas conducted the staff meeting and I was blessed immensely as Moses Mawa gave a devotional and shared how our zeal in the Lord's work is threatened by the challenge of a loss of energy, focus, and endurance. So much of what Moses shared I could identify with in my work here in the states in sports ministry. But what stood out to me, was the fellowship that this band of brothers had with one another. I have worked in Christian ministry for many years here in the states, and I can truthfully say, I felt a spiritual comfort with these "strangers" that I have never experienced in quite the same way in all my years in Christian ministry. The determination to serve the slums of Uganda was a shared burden fueled by the power of prayer, resulting in such joy and happiness to serve Jesus. My life has been changed because of the love that these men had for one another and their common desire to reach the unsaved youth through sports ministry. I thank Barnabas, Frank, Patrick, Moses, Samson, Thomas, Ronald, Mitchell, and others that I was able to meet, for teaching me about "vulnerable communion" in the Body of Christ. The fellowship I observed is something I won't soon forget. THEY TRULY WERE AN EXAMPLE OF SPURRING ONE ANOTHER ON TO FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS.

Beth