When life is metaphorical hurricane. Face it boldly and stand firm! That's what I am doing in Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:13.

He has now seen me through. Thank you Lord! I trust you.

I went on a motorcycle safari with some ministry friends in Uganda. It was an adventure. See the video below!





Embrace the trenches, get dirty and have fun.

For the past two years I have been fighting a strong desire. I want to be famous.



I shared it today with a missionary Bible study group. One guy laughed... and almost spit out his coffee. But he was more shocked by my openness then the actual desire.

It is funny. I'm a missionary with a desire to be well known (read liked), respected by multitudes and greatly influential in God's work. Not that those are all bad. However, the driving force within me is a selfish desire for fame and recognition admist the success of a fruitful ministry. It seems easy to justify popularity when it is for Christ's Kingdom. But it is not Biblical. I don't see it in Jesus or Paul. The cross was their glory: suffering, shame and sacrifice!

Lately, I have returned to scripture passages that deal strongly with our worldly desires like Psalm 73, James 1:14-15 and 1 John 2:15-17. I have even recently preached on them. My spirit longs to be freed from the weight of a dead sinful nature.

God, smash down my pride, pour in me humility. May I serve you in great works with a pure motivation from your grace.

There are signs that you only see in Uganda. With the free nature of African men (and occasionally women) there are extra notice requirements. I took this picture in the capital city of Kampala at a parking lot near a very nice shopping mall. The fine is equivalent to $4. I wonder if anyone has been caught... or prosecuted.

But the reality is that the sign is there for a reason. It was a legitimate problem!

So here is a photo of my son Asher and I traveling on an ABIDE ministry outreach. Like father, like son. At least it was in the middle of the African bush. The problem is when we visit the US and he still behaves like an jungle boy. It has happened a few times when we go out for dinner at a nice restaurant and nature calls. We have often found one of our children with pants open and peeing in a bush on the sidewalk!

It is amazing! The word of God is living and active. Yesterday Stephen was having a difficult afternoon disobeying and throwing a huge tantrum on his bed. I took everything away as a consequence and laid down on the bed next to him, attempting to calm him down. Nothing worked. Until...

I began to recite scripture from memory. Immediately, Stephen stopped screaming at the top of his lungs and laid still, listening. I was shocked again (this was not the first time it happened), and had forgotten how God's spoken word gave Stephen peace. I recited as much as possible from John 13,15 and Psalm 23,51 with other individual verses. Whenever I would pause to remember, he would start up again. As soon as he heard the scripture, he calmed down. It is by far the most effecient tranquilizer I have known. But then I ran out of verses from memory. Now it is a renewed challenge for me to memorize more scripture!

Nothing else in world has the power of God's Word. It truly transforms people (even rebellious four year olds). I am thankful to experience that again.

Ministry in Uganda is full of incredible opportunities to serve. You realize that there is a constant battle waging in the world. And our fight is not in the physical realms, but spiritual powers and principalities. It is sometimes easy to forget that, especially coming from a secular/scientific western culture.

But there are experiences here that remind us of the reality. We have an enemy who is seriously at work to steal, kill and destroy. I believe one of the most effective weapons used against Christians is to create division and conflict in marriage. It is the old war montage: "Divide and Conquer." If Crystal and I are not united, we will easily be defeated.

So recently we had one of those moments. Life was busy. We were welcoming a new child, Rachael, into our family for the first time. She had been abandoned around six months old and lived in a babies home in Kampala since then. Now Rachael is a beautiful two year old girl. The transition has been good, but tiresome and at times challenging. One evening Crystal and I were giving Rachael her medicine. She would accept the pills and chew them in her month easily at the babies home. We expected nothing different. The first night was perfect. The second a disaster.

The first round of medicine she refused, cried and spat out all over the floor. I got a second dose to give and this time we were ready for anything, Crystal and I together to work the pills into her mouth. As they were dissolving, Rachael began to spit them out again. We pushed them back in and held her mouth closed. Both of us totally frustrated with the situation then now spilled over to each other. Until Crystal said, "I think this is spiritual." Thank God for a discerning wife.

I began to pray immediately for peace in the name of Jesus over Rachael and that she would accept the medicine. Instantly, seriously instantly, when I began to pray Rachael stopped crying and fighting, laid down on the bed calmly and chewed up the entire medicine in peace. It was amazing! Immediate answer to prayer. There was a spiritual battle raging in the bedroom unseen. Jesus conquered it victoriously and now Rachael takes her medicine from our hand with her own precious fingers, puts it into her mouth, chews it up and swallows with a smile!

He is risen indeed! This is by far, thee most special Holiday weekend. It has been a time of reflection and meditation on the work the Jesus Christ accomplished so many years ago. Passion of the Christ has again helped to bring the reality of this season with its deep importance and seriousness. There are two characters from that film that grab me most... and it's not Jesus or Satan, nor any of the disciples or Mary's.

The first is Barabbas. A criminal, convicted of murder and rebellion. A ruthless, condemned prisoner. He is set free and Jesus is crucified in His place. I am Barabas, a condemned sinner set free by an innocent Savior.

The second is Simon. No, not Peter. Simon of Cyrene. When asked/forced to carry the cross of a mutilated Jesus, he declares unknowingly for his record, "Let it be known that I, an innocent man, am carrying the cross of a condemned criminal." How mistaken he was... it was exactly opposite. Imagine helping Jesus Christ fulfill His mission to save the world, me and you. What a privilege! I am Simon, a servant to help Christ fulfill His mission of saving the world.

...or the lack there of. Each one of us is on a different schedule. This has been the hardest time of adjustment back to Uganda. The kids are all waking up at different times throughout the night. I crash at 7pm and then wide awake by 3-4am. We have all some sort of allergy or sickness. It's been tough!

Please pray for divine rest, strength, energy, health and SLEEP!

One of the best experiences on our furlough was the opportunity to Skype with President Obama (right).

We were invited to share our experience as Americans living in Africa. It was an enjoyable discussion. We laughed a lot and swapped stories of our recent Thanksgiving. He is really a nice guy.

Hopefully that conversation will bring an end to the deficit, initiate new jobs, provide a quality health insurance, banish adoption, and open the way for Jesus Christ to reign as King.

We'll see...

It's now time. We go back home to Uganda on Friday. It has come up quick.

I continue to understand each time we visit America that it is not better to live here, it's just easier.

From Walmart to garage door openers. Everything is easier.

But real life is hard no matter where you live. Parenting, promoting, working, marriage, loving, serving, living. It's the hard seasons in life that make it good.

Off to Uganda!

Yesterday was fun. We took the kids to an airplane museum in the area. Old war craft from many different eras. I remember building model planes and drawing pictures of the messerschmidt, P-51 and F-4 Phantom. They were all there. I then took the boys out for a walk to play in the sand with little diecast planes that Nana bought for them.

It is easy, with the busyness of life and parenting to be too tired to engage in the play. I can be present with them without participating. I understand the value of just being there, many don't have that opportunity with a father. But it is more influential to get down and dirty in the sand with them and participate in the imaginative activities that they create. I was convicted. Even when I'm tired or mentally distracted, I need to be more than present. I need to be actively engaged.

One of the worst smells in the world...

The Old Wet Sponge: slightly mildewy, sticks to your hands for hours. Attempt eating with caution. When the food gets closer, so does the rank odor. Not appetizing.

Scrubbing with soap, ironically enough, does not get the smell off your hands. Try washing it in the dishwasher or using bleach. If those fail... just throw it out! It's a sponge. Walmart has them for 67 cents.

Just found this video on google. It was uploaded years ago from the infamous 2004 mission trip to Uganda where God united Crystal and I together for His purpose. We have been serving with Juna Amagara Ministries in Uganda ever since. God knows how to orchestrate amazing stories!

I am so satisfied. It has been an honor to speak at the SHYG fall retreat with Syler Thomas and the youth of Christ Church. We saw God work in students lives to bring restoration, hope, love and recommitted faith. Christ was glorified.

On Sunday, at the morning services I had the opportunity to share a faith story about our work in Uganda and specifically our care of abandoned babies with HIV. It was orphan Sunday. A nation wide effort to raise awareness for the needs of disadvantaged people in the world and Christ's call to serve. We have so much to give, even as missionaries. And we have a greater eternal inheritance, forever with Christ.

So now we can live simply and generously to make the most impact in the world that needs Christ and the Church to love and care for them.

Hey Facebook People,

We are on a campaign for creating awareness about ABIDE. It is a transformational youth discipleship ministry in Uganda.

Come like the ABIDE FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Abide-Juna-Amagara-Ministries/146571732053356

Share your thoughts and post something about it on your wall to be an ABIDE Ambassador! Thanks for your help.

I canNOT believe Rush Limbaugh's ignorance to the longest war in Africa that has terrorized villages and lives throughout central Africa by the Lord's Resistance Army:

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2011/10/14/obama_invades_uganda_targets_christians

Which is worse? The violence of 'wicked' people or the ignorance/complecency of 'good' people.

Is the Libyan dictator Gaddafi captured or really dead? Surely, I would like to believe so but there is as of yet no independent validation of the rebel claims. It could be propoganda or false identification. Gaddafi may be hiding out in a sympathetic refugee nation around the world.

Then comes the reality of his eternal destination. Does anyone's crimes warrant them to be undeserving of God's grace, who wishes all to come to repentance for salvation? I want to have the same heart as the Father. But how can we stand against authoritarian rule and atrocities with the grace and love of God?

Struggling to undestand my response and responsibility in a situation like this, Joseph Kony and the LRA in Uganda (right), and Osama bin Laden with the Al-Qaeda. Kill for justice or die for grace? I'm torn.

See one man's decision on the LRA here: http://www.machinegunpreacher.org

A variety of things have come together to make this Thoughts post. I turned 30 on wednesday, October 5th. Now happily older, I feel like my age has started to reach my life phase. Secondly, I have been reading the book Radical by David Platt. Finally, we have been in the states for just over a month on furlough from Uganda. All these things and more have made me look at the value of life.

The main topic of this post will be insurance. Why? It has always been a controversial idea for me. As independent missionaries, we do not have insurance. One of the challenges that the book Radical brings to the reader is based on the concept that we must not ask what can I spare to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, but what will it take? And then to do it!

As I observe the American culture, I can honestly say that I believe sacrificing insurance would be the most valuable personal transformation and financial benefit to the work of making disciples in all nations. It is a multi-billion dollar industry based on chance. Not trust.

Let's break it down by looking simply at life insurance (don't even get me started on pet insurance). Insurance is the collection of money from a fellowship (group) of people by a business which is invested for profit and then dispursed according to any one in that fellowship who has an approved need. In other words, people all giving different amounts of money into one growing pot and then sharing it with those who qualify. And the insurance companies make millions!

While insurance is not directly opposed in scripture, neither is it supported - only the principle that the father has responsiblity to care for and provide for the family. Does this mean those without insurance are somehow irresponsible? Surely not, most of the world lives without it. Then what is the expectation? How do we remain responsible to our families and sold out to Christ and His mission?

Community: the body of beleivers, family of God, bride of Christ. We as brothers and sisters in Jesus must be the fellowship of people who share responsibility for the provision of families in need. We should not be forced to rely on a secular business or government to cater for the needs of our own. It would be an incredible opportunity to show the glory of God and the unity of believers when we sacrifice our own resources to serve others. Remember Acts 2 and 4, they sacrificed and shared everything. There was no one who had need. This distribution among churches (individuals in the body of Christ) continued throughout the New Testament. Let us be the Church body who cares for orphans and widows. Does that sounds familiar? Not just in Africa, but even in our suburban neighborhood.

My questions is not about the value of insurance - I understand that it does have value in this world. But my question is in light of eternity, which is more valuable? The Gospel to the nations for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ or a families financial provision in the chance of an untimely death. Imagine if believers instead gave insurance money (billions of dollars annually) to the Church that shares the gospel in the world.

I know this is controversial to many of you, especially with those who have insurance. But let's be honest, we are all going to live, die and be judged. What will have the most value in the eyes of God, Jesus and you then. I don't think you will stand before the throne and hear "Well done my good and faithful servant. But I'm disappointed with you and wish you would have not invested money for my sake and the gospel but had good life insurance for your family."

By the way, God is sovereign over your death and your family.

What do you think?

There is an amazing and vast variety of birds in the small nation of Uganda: over 600 different species. From huge ugly storks to crested cranes to small kingfishers, all of them are unique and beautiful. But the Malachite Kingfisher is my favorite. I have seen it on numerous occassions throughout our time in Uganda, mostly on the Queen Elizabeth National Park boat ride. It is small, overly colorful and rare.

Welcome to Target UG, located in the dusty area of Rwebikona. This is our superstore where we can find one stop shopping for grocery, clothes and household needs but you have to pay as you go. It is among our most frequented places, but sorry, no starbucks attached. Oh, and the meat may be fresh. It's been hanging there since morning, at least. Take your shillings and go have a ball, finding new deals and special "mzungu' taxes on every item. Everyone you meet is your friend, if you buy something from them. As you shop, be prepared to carry everything around with you. There are no carts, strollers, baby seats, escalators, elevators or even floors. It's the new Target UG, for anyone who wants life to be a little bit more difficult!

Expect less. Pay more!

So the end of the world prophecy failed. It was even extending to the deepest parts of the world, reaching the ears of villages throughout Uganda. Local radio stations were discussing it, billboards proclaiming it and vehicles postering the immenent Judgment day. Well, as I expected, Jesus did not come... yet.

If there is anything good that can come from this ridiculous prophecy, it's this:

I am fully confident in Christ!

Even at the thought of the Lion of Judah returning to the world in judgment, I have no fear. There is nothing in my life that I would change in order to "get ready." I am ready, every day! I live my life by faith in Jesus Christ fully for His service. Not that I am perfect, but that I perfectly rest in the gracious work finished on the cross. And now I am a bond servant to the one who gave up everything for me, I now give everything for Him. His perfect love casts out all fear in me.

So if He returns today or tomorrow or the next day, I am ready. Anytime. Anywhere. It is an awesome realization. Let's all live like there's no tomorrow every day!

Every so often during daily business, there continue to be humorous observations. While driving, we see many signs or advertisements in Uganda with wrong spellings. They never get old. On the right is an armored vehicle parked in front of an international bank. They are often used to transport money throughout the country. But this one caught my eye and I had to slow down to take a picture on my phone: "No Anauthorised Passengers." Great, thanks for the info!

In our growing town of Mbarara, new businesses open up. As I was walking to my bank and then to pay our electricity bill, I noticed a new sign post on the other side of the street. It was for a restaraunt I had never seen before. The sign (inset below) made me laugh.


Who would want to name their new business Lick-n-bite? Sure, I understand the meaning but common. It makes me want to run away from it, just a funny combination of words.

You know you're a missionary in Africa when:


1. You have to fish out mosquito larvae before your bath (above)
2. You dry your clothes on the furniture inside
3. There is a reason why you accidentally carried a mattress across the country
4. You go to kitchen to get a cup of water for brushing your teeth
5. You flush the toilet once a day
6. You can't count the number of rats you've killed
7. You self diagnose and prescribe your own drugs
8. It takes days to download an update of itunes
9. The bottom of your feet are as dirty as the bottom of your shoes
10. Everything falls apart

Over the last few months, I have remembered a post that I shared during our first year on the mission field called "Where Death is Reality." We were so young then. It has come to my mind many times through the journey that my family is now passing through. Today, I went searching for it. It has much deeper meaning now, having lost our own baby, Jerusalem, in Uganda... to HIV/AIDS. She is daily on my thoughts.

Here is an excerpt:

where DEATH is reality

a boy played in joy
a girl sang about love
a woman dug with hope
a man built for the future

      where DEATH is reality

malaria strikes
accident flashes
AIDS consumes
poverty destroys

      where DEATH is reality

who will play in joy
who will sing about love
who will dig with hope
who will build for the future

      where DEATH is reality

You can read the entire post HERE [+]

Matt Kehn is super pumped about ABIDE 2011!
19 hours ago
Alisha Carr, Kaity Elise, Seb Allwright and 5 others like this...
Tashobya Medard "He wil be wz u till the end of the world. AAA (Abide Alumni Asociation)family is hapy as wel" 17 hours ago


Matt Kehn Adelynn at three weeks with daddy. First time wearing a skirt! She is precious and will be so beautiful.
August 22 at 11:16am via Facebook Mobile
Anna Kirk Marsh, Cindi Snyder-Swanson, Joan Reilly and 6 others like this...
Beth Kehn "LOVE IT!!!" August 22 at 10:38pm
Tom Kehn "What a cutie!" August 23 at 8:00am
Tom Kehn Matt "hope you are feeling better? Look real tired." August 23 at 8:01am
Barbara Kehn "What a cute pair!"

Matt Kehn loves to go on adventures with his boys: ABIDE, City Top Indian restaurant then to a waterfall retreat all in one hour!
August 21 at 7:06pm
Joan Reilly, Karla Rascón-Garcia and Amelia Kridler Sunderland like this...
Tom Kehn "Hope you had a great time!" August 23 at 8:08am


Matt Kehn lacks a certain amount of time management skills.
August 20 at 11:45pm
Bill Slater "Time management with multiple children is a bit of an oxymoron. One of the Abbott reps in CA had a license plate bracket that read, "Once I had time - now I have triplets." August 21 at 12:02am
Ray Prigodich "Hey, in Africa you're supposed to be more event-oriented than time-oriented, anyway." August 21 at 1:32am

Matt Kehn hates snakes.
August 19 at 2:06am
Irene M. Phillips "me too!!! Did you get a picture of it?" August 19 at 2:07am
Anna Kirk Marsh "Scary, where was it and what kind?" August 19 at 2:13am
Jesse Fox "I feel like you should be raiding a lost ark as you say that." August 19 at 2:28am
Barrett D. Hendrickson "Show a little backbone, will 'ya?!!" August 19 at 3:33am
Ray Prigodich "Our shamba boy once killed a green mamba in our yard in Kampala." August 19 at 4:11am
Tracy Sharp "it's ok Matt I can't stand snakees or spiders.... they give me the willies lol" August 19 at 4:20am
Rebecca Evenson Van Horn "I am guessing based on your location, this was not a little cute garden snake. Just thinking about it gives me shivers..." August 19 at 4:43am
Tom Kehn "Did you find one at the house?" August 19 at 8:08am
Mike Susan Boyett "Do you know what kind it was?" August 19 at 9:34am
Matt Kehn "Well, it's a mystery. We found a long snake skin just outside our home and then discovered pieces of skin in our bedroom next to our bed. This was after seeing a huge forest cobra in a lake nearby and also after visiting a snake park near Kampala where they displayed ten species of dangerous snakes found in Uganda. On the tour the next one was always described as more deadly by our guide. Just comforting!" August 23 at 9:46am
Mike Susan Boyett "Did you go to the snake park by the mcneills house. we have been curious about it. how much did they charge?" August 23 at 9:56am
Tom Kehn "My comfort is knowing that, ultimately, you all are in God's hands and protection." Tuesday at 6:19am

In Uganda, there are countless moments of humor and we wanted to share a few with you. First, this advertisement in Kampala: My Baby - ON SALE NOW!!! She looks so happy to sell off her baby. We never knew it was legal to publicize child trafficing. What is their target group? The only thing missing is the price!

On our journey home from Kampala, we met this public bus: PERFECT Portential. The public transport vehicles often have interesting advertisements, funny quotes or religious sayings on them. This one was too good to pass up. The common and blatant misspelling of words is atrociously funny in Uganda, especially when it corrolates with the message. What's the purpose in writing potential on a bus anyway, what are they wanting to say? How much portential does this bus have to win a spelling bee? How perfect is it really? Well... no one is perfect, but if you are going to write it on a bus (for whatever reason) and drive it around the country just check a dictionary first.

Most cars in Uganda come imported directly from Japan. Toyota is the most popular vehicle. In our recent purchase of a new (used) Regius family van from Japan, we have another funny quote on our car (our previous Toyota, now traded in, also had a humorous quote): "I love to have fun. I love my family and friends. I love this beautiful planet earth. Reason why I choose this car is because it will totally satisfy my requirements for outdoor living. Well... tomorrow where shall we go?" Emphasis mine. The Japanese love their eco-friendly English propoganda and are totally satisfied by their luxury vans! Click on the picture for a bigger view of the quote.

It's a hard thing to sit and wait. Especially when there is something so wonderful and precious on her way. We long to be able to hold our new baby girl, look into her eyes and see how beautiful she will be.

But here we wait... trying to be patient, anxious about the delivery but so expectant of the outcome. During three weeks of bedrest and a few complications, doctor's were afraid she would be born premature. Now we are getting close to full term. Just come little girl. You are already so loved, Adelynn!

See more prego pictures from Crystal's Facebook page HERE

Why do some people think that they can live in the grace of the new covenant and expect the exact blessings of the old? They should choose either to live under Christ and follow His life teaching and example or remain under the law and strive to fulfill all its commands in order to attain its blessings. Good luck with circumcision and sacrifices!

There is a gross message of wealth and prosperity that many Pastors and Christian teachers in Uganda promote from the old testament with a nuance of the new. "Come to Jesus Christ and receive a life of luxury, comfort and promotion in this promise land!" As if Jesus is simply a spiritual genie who forgives you of your sin and then gives you everything you want. In a country that is devastated by poverty, this is obviously quite appealing to the masses but exchanges the truth of the gospel for a perverted get-rich-quick scheme with a spiritual twist. It destroys the very fabric of the new life that we are called to live as disciples of Jesus, as the early church exemplified. We are exhorted to expect challenges, trouble and persecution in this world, even to receive them with joy, knowing that we are sharing in fellowship with our Lord and Savior. But these foundational truths are silent on the pulpit.

The new testament does offer a promise of blessings and a reward/inheritance in Christ. But this is given with an eternal perspective where we store treasures that cannot be taken or destroyed. It is not to be fulfilled in this world, but in the new heaven and earth where Jesus is King.

There is so much false doctrine in the Church that it makes me sick! Week after week, for years, it has been propagated into peoples minds and hearts. It is overwhelming at times to face such a giant problem one message at a time. What else can I do?