In one week,

I am off to Uganda in East Africa. Sir Winston Churchill once referred

to Uganda as the pearl of Africa because of its vast, lush beauty. Uganda

is indeed beautiful, but even more are its people. They have the sweetest

voices and some of the most willing attitudes.

But, unlike

the traditional evangelist who goes into African countries for souls (and

yes, often for dollars), I am on mission to teach Biblical principles

regarding marriage. It's my niche. God has demonstrated here in states

and in Africa that I can hit a lick in the area of marriage and be understood.

So, that's what I am off for.

One of the

sensitive issues that I have addressed is romance. Ugandan husbands know

little of the need of their wives for romance in the act of physical sex.

Most men there (and ignorant ones here) simply think of the women as a

sex vending machine: coin in and drink out and out of there.

Through the

use of Holy Scripture, I make a case for taking time in the sex act and

loving one's wife enough to permit her to find pleasure also. Believe

it or not, this is liberating stuff for women and totally revelatory for

men.

Another issue

revolves around the dowry. It is still very much a cultural practice that

the man pays her parents a dowry in exchange for a wife. The dowry can

be shillings or cattle: something of monetary value. Again this subject

cannot be approached from the perspective, "Now in America we do

it this way ..." It has to be approached from a Biblical perspective.

Many Christian

couples live together in sin (without benefit of marriage) because the

man has not been able to pay the dowry. While others, although married,

are so in debt because of paying the dowry that they are unable to set

up a household of their own. So, how does one approach the subject? I

am able to share the Biblical perspective that blessings go forward, not

backward. A father is to bless his children and children's children with

material blessings in order that they may have a good beginning in life.

While addressing

these and many other subjects, I have discovered that Ugandans are eager

to hear the truth. I remarked to my traveling companion of last year that

I have never been "heard" as closely ever before in my ministry.

Truly, I was received as if I were an angel (which my wife can tell you

I am not because angels do not marry nor are given in marriage).

On this trip,

I am blessed that my daughter, Anna, a recent graduate of Starr's Mill

High School, will be going with me. She will be teaching Ugandan teenagers

on the subjects of Godliness and moral purity.

The next time

you will hear from me I will be in the bush of Ugandan and by the miracle

of Internet's e-mail, I will be able to dispatch my column. How amazing!

Please whisper a prayer for me and Anna that we will be effective for

our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. That's what we want

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

is pastor of

River's Edge Community

Church

1091 South Jeff Davis Drive

Fayetteville, Georgia 30215

770-719-0303

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