We all need, long, desire, and strive for the feeling of being loved. Whether that feeling of being loved is from a hug, pat on the back, kiss on the forehead, being held or just holding hands. As humans we all long for that. Many of the children here in Uganda don’t even know what it really means to be loved. A lot of the children are orphans or their parents are sick or once they turn five they start having to look after the younger siblings. When I look at the children here I can see their longing to be loved. Coming here to Uganda I knew that God was going to use me to love on...

               Uganda. Day Twenty-Two. I will astound you with wonder upon wonder… Isaiah 29:14A-side. Welcome to Uganda.  A lot has happened in the past few weeks and it has all been the Lord.  His wonders are being released upon this team and I am incredibly thankful to be a part of it.  We have prayed over the sick, declared healing, spoke life, drove demons out of a girl, preached in many churches, visited hospitals and a prison and it’s not even over.  Heck, I am thankful it’s not over.  At the end...

Friends and family reading this already know I had malaria, and you have been praying for me which I appreciate so much. What you didn’t know is that I was praying for YOU guys! I know in a lot of situations it’s easy to become angry with God, I’ve done it countless times. However, this time was a bit different. Usually I would be saying “Why me, God, REALLY?” But that didn’t even cross my mind honestly, because I immediately knew He had a purpose for it, He was going to teach me something. Then I remembered what I had been reading from my bible the day...

Today is a free day and our team took a matatu into Tororo so we could spend a day together and connect with home via the Internet.  For those who don’t know, a matatu is an African-style taxi.  They are similar to a “down by the river” van, and they’re supposed to seat roughly 14 people safely….But this is Uganda, so I sat on a young African man’s lap as we rode with 24 people and a baby into Tororo.  It’s times like that when I thank God for his sovereignty.  For Mark Draper, I’m thankful for Calvinism 🙂  I just wan...

The title of this blog, “The Roads are Bad but God is Good,” is a quote that one of the pastors said yesterday while our vehicle was bumping up and down through all the holes in the road.  It’s kind of silly, but it’s essentially the attitude I’ve had to adopt here in Uganda.  I’d be lying if I said every day was easy and super fun, but I’ve learned that the words easy and good are not synonymous with one another.   Yesterday we moved ministry locations and said goodbye to our first home in Uganda.  It was kind of a sad day, as I...

“Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord.” they replied. Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith, it will be done to you.” And their sight was restored. -Matthew 9:27-29 I want to see miracles in Africa. Do I believe that God is able? I acknowledge that apart form Him, I can do nothing. My prayer is that He continue to use me to reveal His glory and power to the people of Africa. And I have full confidence and faith that He will.  “Come, follow me.” Jesus said, “And I will make...