As we arrived

at the Entebbe, Uganda airport Tuesday, September 11, the custom official

asked us (my partner in ministry Rev. Richard Green and me) if we had

heard the World Trade Center and Pentagon had been bombed. Of course,

we were devastated upon our arrival for teaching and training ministry

in the areas of marriage and pastoring the church.

Everywhere

we have gone, the people have expressed their sincere sympathy. Prayers

have been lifted for the United States of America in every house of worship.

In a country used to terrorism (remember former Ugandan Edi Amin terrorized

this nation killing more than 800,000 innocent victims), the Ugandans

can understand something of the horror holding us Americans today.

Being more

than 8,000 miles away from the United States, we are only privy to little

snatches of news from the States. As The Rev. Billy Graham was about to

give his message at the National Cathedral, the signal was lost due to

heavy rains. We have yet to learn what the President said in his address.

It is a strange feeling to be so far away from home when the home folks

are hurting and grieving.

As we pass

our hands over our hearts as we see the United States at half-mast. We

also see a large sign posted out front of the guarded entrance to the

embassy: "No appointments."

We are scheduled

to leave Uganda a week from tomorrow, but no one is promised anything.

As I write I understand that flights are still grounded in the United

States. To think deeply about this, no one is promised that he or she

will successfully make it home. Whether you are in Uganda or in the World

Trade Center. No one is promised another day.

The Word of

God has a special promise for the horror of these weeks: "God causes

all things to work together for those who love God and are called according

to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). No, God did not bomb the World Trade

Center. But God will bring good out of it. Hopefully, the world will be

rid of terrorism. But more than that, we pray. The terrorists did not

know the skyscrapers of love and compassion and benevolence, which would

be constructed when they crashed into our symbols of democracy and freedom.

They just did not know. They thought they would cripple us and force America

to crutches. Not so! They have made America stronger and much more reliant

upon Him in whom there is real security. The Psalmist says, "Unless

the Lord keeps the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain." More than

ever, American looks to God as our watchman.

Think back

2000 years ago. "They" tried to terrorize Jesus and his followers.

However, the word had already been released, "If I be lifted up,

I will draw all men unto myself." "They" ignorantly lifted

him up on a cross and brought redemption to the whole world. The terrorists

of last week acted in ignorance. "They" did not know what they

were unleashing for good.

PS: It's Monday

morning in Kampala, Uganda. In a minute I am leaving to go 50 miles into

the bush to train often forgotten pastors. I write you again next week

from Uganda. Hopefully and prayerfully I will be home afterwards.

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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