this is an amazing ministry in Uganda

Gary and Marilyn Skinner have built an amazing ministry here.  Yesterday, while I was speaking to the staff of hundreds, Marilyn was speaking to the “at-risk-women”… they are all HIV positive and have had the most horrendous lives.  Their church has rescued them and is looking after them including paying for their HIV medications.  I did an interview with Gary today for our ‘Relate’ show and I will interview Marilyn on Sunday – those will be powerful shows!

Last night I spoke at their first “Men of Valour” rally.  They had about 1000 men out and I was amazed to see that about 75% of them were not married yet… that is the time to speak to them about marriage and fatherhood.

I’m off today to teach a married couples seminar and then preach at all their weekend services.  I believe together we are making a difference.  Thanks for your support.

john

early morning in Uganda

I finally arrived in Uganda after a 37 hour trip!  The first thing I wanted to do was visit our boys that have been here for a week now.  They looked tired but very glad to see me.  They had just completed their work of building a teacher’s house for one of the Watoto villages and were feeling good but tired.  I gathered them all together, thanked them and told them the stories of my brother Joe’s last days, of course, which was very emotional again.  It is important that we go through life together and open as family and I wanted them to know how important they are as part of our family. 

This morning I awoke slept out at 3:30 and have spent several hours in prayer and preparation for a big day… teaching seminars, tv interviews, a men’s rally and dedicating the new home our boys have built.  It will be a very busy day which is therapy for me… I’m looking forward to having no gas left in the tank at the end of the day.

The internet is a wonderful thing… being half way around the world and still connected to you all.  It was great to find out how many have logged on to this simple blog.  Thanks, it really means a lot to do life together.  My daughter Angela informs me that we’ve FINALLY fixed our itunes connection so that our podcasts are being uploaded there again.  I just think this ability to connect, interact and grow together is amazing.

john

New Beginnings…

I have never written a blog before so today is a first.

If you have been reading this blog for a little while you would know that our life has been very full – full of things that rip your heart open and challenge you to the core of your being. In the the middle of it all I have never had a greater sense of the awesomeness and wonder of our amazing, faithful God. What a difference it makes to walk with Him and trust Him with everything you hold dear and precious in life. Nothing can steal my peace, no one can steal my joy, nothing can shatter my trust because it all belongs to the ONE who loves me and calls me His very own.

Rom 8:38 + 39 has never been truer in my life… ‘And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. NLT

Yesterday my heart had another opportunity to trust completely as I walked into the oncologists office with my Father who had overcome a hideous battle with cancer. He was going to hear his test results as there was a strong suspicion that the cancer had returned. We were so thankful to hear the beautiful words; ‘no new cancer’. I lifted my eyes and heart to God and thanked Him. It was a moment that I will remember forever.

Thanks for all your prayers – I can’t begin to express how grateful we are for every one.
They have carried us in very challenging times and will continue to as we press forward to some more difficult days ahead.

We love you.

Helen xx

sitting in London Heathrow

I’m sitting in London Heathrow airport on my way to Uganda to meet up with our team of guys and minister for the weekend at KPC… the church home of Watoto.  I managed to get online and read Ashley’s comment to my last post – it started the tears all over again.  I miss my brother and it still hurts.  

Helen and I were very undecided about following through with this Africa trip which had been planned for almost a year.  When Joe got sick and we were facing the possibility that he wouldn’t make it, we called and put the whole trip on hold.  We were to go to Uganda and teach a bunch of seminar meetings plus preach at their weekend services and then leave Monday to go to Zambia to visit our World Vision village, Kolomo.

On Tuesday at 2:00 we heard that the funeral plans were set for next Wednesday and I immediately packed and made plans to fly that night.  We decided that it would be best for Helen to remain at home for a number of reasons but I felt my time would be best used making a quick trip to Uganda returning home in time for the funeral (I had to cancel the World Vision leg of the trip). I know that Helen will have a great heart-felt message this weekend as we celebrate the conclusion of our ‘Journey of a Lifetime’ series.  VCC is also hosting the reception following Joe’s funeral and we are expecting hundreds… what a great opportunity to serve!

I again, appreciate all your prayers and support.

john

Having the right perspective

My plate seems to be overflowing with challenges that could be stressful.

Like: We’ve finished our first 6 ‘Relate’ shows and are getting ready to produce our next batch of 6.  Our shows are fueled by audience questions that are submitted by email or video blog.  Our challenge is that the shows don’t air till September… once the shows are on air we hope they will generate lots of questions, but until then what do we do?  We’re asking our friends to help.  If they can think of any questions regarding relationships – marriage, family, parenting, dating, friendships… please email them to us. 

This is just one of the many things that seem to be crowding my plate.  Yet, in the light of my brother’s funeral coming soon, I’m not very concerned – being slapped in the face with the reality of eternity puts everything in perspective and the would-be mountains in life are seen as mere mole hills.

Remembering Joe

     

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Burns

 

It’s hard to lose a brother. This is the first time I’ve lost someone so close, and it’s been a difficult weekend.  It’s a good pain, though – It hurts because he was so loved.  Joe’s life impacted many and he will be missed.

Your prayers are felt and appreciated – Please continue to pray for Diane, Ryan, Taylor and Mitchell.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/sports/27333274.html

The Surrey Now Article

My younger brother Joe took his last breath last night

It was a very sad and yet, very amazing moment… It was a tremendous privilege to be present, in the room, when my brother took his last breath.  The doctors had met with Joe’s family (his wife Diane, three sons, parents and siblings) and exlained that all the tests had confirmed that there was no hope of recovery and we should consider turning off the life support.  Diane was so strong - her sons Ryan, Taylor and Mitchell amazing as they all expressed their love to their Dad and said their good-byes.  We were so proud of all of them.  She decided to do it sooner than later and we all gathered around his bed for his last moments.  We prayed and sang “Amazing Grace” as he slowly and peacefully slipped away. 

We were all impacted with the truth of eternity, the fragility of life and the strength of love.

Build your life on eternal principles

Build your life on eternal principles. This is likened to building your life on the rock. The Bible is full of eternal principles and Jesus instructed us to build our life on the Rock… He is the Rock; His principles never change. This short clip shot on the cliffs of Oia on the Island of Santorini, Greece will inspire you to build eternal.

My younger brother needs a miracle

On Tuesday morning at 4 AM my brother Joe was discovered by the ER nurse in cardiac arrest.  They resussitated him but don’t know how long his brain was deprived of oxygen.  His heart and lungs are now working but his brain needs a miracle.  The doctors don’t give us much hope but we always have hope in God.  We appreciate your prayers.

We had a full, fantastic, history-making day yesterday.

Over the last two days, we have completed the first 6 shows of our new tv program, “Relate” with John and Helen.  I was thrilled how they turned out and it surprised me on a few fronts… how much work they took, how great the set looked and how amazing our team was.  It takes a great team to do great things!

Our next step is to get these progams on air.  Vision has already indicated their desire to air them Canada-wide and I know there will be other networks in other countries that will be happy to air them.  My goal is to help as many people as possible and  I am confident that the shows are capable to gather an audience and be of help to them.  Everyone deals with relationships and each program hits a number of needs shared by a wide spectrum of society… like: dating, parenting, blended families, physical intimacy, sexual boundaries, marrital issues, communication tools, etc.

Now, on to the next of many more big projects on my plate… our Africa trip, September’s ‘Reveloution of ONE’ project, our Men’s Conference, our new Ministry Training School, building Mercy, our VCC Live TV show, and lots more.