Life Changer

Get a hold of who the Bible says you are in Jesus and it will change your life forever.


Our mission at The Rock is to create impactful disciples, and we have found that happens only when people know and embrace their identity in Christ.

Enjoy and claim!

I am accepted.

     John 1:12 I am God’s child.
     John 15:15 I am Jesus’ friend.
     Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
     1 Cor 6:17 I am united with the Lord and I am one spirit with Him.
     1 Cor 6:20 I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
     1 Cor 12:27 I am a member of Jesus’ body.
     Eph 1:1 I am a saint.
     Eph 2:18 I have direct access to God.
     Col 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
     Col 2:10 I am complete in Jesus.

I am secure.

     Rom 8:1-2 I am free from condemnation.
     Rom 8:28 I am assured that all things work together for the good.
     Rom 8:31-34 I am free from any condemning charges against me.
     Rom 8:35-39 I cannot be separated from the love of God.
     2 Cor 1:21-22 I am established, anointed and sealed by God.
     Phil 1:6 I know the work God has begun in me will be perfected.
     Phil 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
     Col 3:3 I am hidden with Jesus in God.
     2 Tim 1:7 I have not fear but a spirit of power, love and soundness.
     Heb 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
     1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

I am significant.

     Matt 5:13-14 I am the salt and light of the earth.
     John 15:1-5 I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.
     Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Jesus.
     1 Cor 3:16 I am God’s temple.
     2 Cor 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
     2 Cor 6:1 I am God’s coworker. (See 1 Cor 3:9)
     Eph 2:6 I am seated with Jesus in the heavenly realm.
     Eph 2:10 I am God’s workmanship.
     Eph 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
     Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me.


(From Victory Over the Darkness by Neil T. Andersen)



Please consider joining in the amazing work God is doing through The Rock in Africa. We need $30,000 by year-end to maintain discipleship programs at their current level next year.


Mark and Margaret Noblin

Only Human?

How often have we said in response to shortcomings: “I’m only human” or “He’s only human” or “She’s only human?”

A Kenyan bishop who partners with The Rock has rebuked this line of thinking to his flock.

Bishop Paul says if you are a believer in Jesus, nothing could be more false than saying you are only human. The fallacy is in the word “only.”

Our humanness is not an excuse for sin. I remember a business person in Uganda who cheated me had a favorite phrase: “It’s Uganda!” As if that made cheating and various shenanigans normal and expected. Ungodly practices and customs of a country are no more justifiable than personal ungodly behavior.

As born again new creations in Jesus, sin is not our normal or expected state as it was before. While we are tempted and sometimes stumble, our mere humanness has been transformed by the fact that Jesus lives in us and us in Him. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3)

Imagine that! As a believer in Jesus, you already are “in Him” for eternity! Not only that, but Jesus has taken up residence in your humanness. Jesus says in John 15:4, “Remain in me and I will remain in you.”

We were provided as well with the Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation to reveal our sins to us and lead us to repentance.

So you see as a believer in Jesus, you are much more than human; whereas before in your mere humanness you were trapped. “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Rom. 6:6)

Understanding our identity in Jesus is the major focus now of our teaching to Rock leadership in Africa. We are praying once the leadership is equipped that they will be able to share this teaching to our scholarship students, businessmen and throughout their churches. The freedom they will proclaim is not only from sin, but also from the lies that obscure who we really are in Jesus and rob our joy and effectiveness for the Lord.

Savor these words which are just a sampling of who the Bible tells us we are as Believers in Jesus:

·        I am a child of God. (John 1:12)

·        I am Jesus’ friend. (John 15:15)

·        I am a joint heir with Christ. (Rom. 8:17)

·        I am a temple of God. (1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19)

·        I am a saint. (Eph. 1:1, 1 Cor. 1:2, Phi. 1:1, Col. 1:2)

·        I am the salt of the earth. (Matt. 5:13)

·        I am the light of the world. (Matt. 5:14)

·        I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. (Col. 3:12, 1 Thess. 1:4)

Living With The Gals In Uganda

On my recent trip to Uganda in May and June 2011 I had a different experience. Usually I stay in a guest house or rent a cottage but with all the changes I decided to stay in the apartment we had rented for the scholarship gals. Wow! It was wonderful and so great to really see how they live, the stresses they face and really have a better understanding of things.

There was a full schedule for me with the dairy project and all the changes with the scholarship program. We had to be very careful to stabilize the ten pregnant heifers we bought that were transported from Western Uganda. And in addition we totally reorganized the living arrangements for our scholarship students and their internships and schedule working at the dairy.

The cows were healthy but we had to acclimate them to the new warmer climate and make sure they didn’t bring any disease into the existing herd or that the herd did infect them. All went well and within a few days they were adjusting to their new surroundings. Ken Mollo, the Rock Uganda Project Coordinator along with all of us on the dairy team learned a lot about the scientific side of running a dairy.

Meanwhile John Mugowa, Rock Scholarship Coordinator negotiated a lease for us on two apartments in the same building; one for the ladies downstairs and one for the guys upstairs. When I arrived John and the other students had done a great job coordinating the purchase and delivery of the furniture, beds, mattresses and appliances so at the beginning of the term the students’ accommodations were organized. In the picture the students are having a "family meeting" to discuss the food budget and how to handle lunch expenses for the students unable to come home for lunch. We wanted them to have a budget and learn how to discuss, come to consensus and consider all options. John did a great job moderating the discussion and bringing things to a conclusion that worked for all the students. As I sat quietly in the background, one of the guys said "I trust John to help us sort this out". It made me smile because this is what good leadership is all about...having trust that the leader will consider your perspective along with the rest and make a good decision. I have to say they were happy with the final decision and said it worked.

It was a first for me to stay with the students other than when we had "sleepovers" with the gals at a cottage I used to rent sometimes. The gals were so cordial and helpful. By the end of the trip we were sharing lotions, soap, shampoo and it was just like any other roommates. Part of what I did was discuss the importance of learning how to budget, keep receipts, plan weekly menus and working as a team to cook for the scholars each evening and clean up afterwards. Living there for almost a month I was able to show them how to do things and discuss the whys behind what we were doing. This way we were able to collaborate and come up with some joint solutions especially with the power outages. I was so thankful we had an all gas (propane) cooker! Praise the Lord or we wouldn't have been able to eat! I remember cooking with a flashlight several nights.

Several of the guys had great ideas for organizing the kitchen using a storage rack that stacked so washing the dishes in a small area would be more functional. They were so creative with their problem-solving skills.

Before I went to Uganda one of the ladies told us that several students had been sick and no one knew it or even called and she thought that wasn't right. "We need to know these things and be sensitive to our spiritual brothers and sisters."

As a result of her comment our goal was to foster more of a spiritual family, cut expenses and train all the students in household management, meal planning, relating to different work styles and teamwork. As usual God was multi-processing big time!

Each week one lady and one guy would plan the menus, shop for the food, cook and clean up after dinner each night. Then the following week they would rotate and another guy and gal would plan and implement. This gave all the students an opportunity to communicate with the opposite sex on routine household decisions, good communication, budgeting and learning about navigating planning and considering others likes and dislikes. One week a student announced, “We won’t be having fish this week if she is doing the planning because she hates fish!” (Claire doesn't like fish) Quickly they learned to work around class schedules, staying within the weekly food budget and considering each others’ food preferences.

Planning like this was a new experience. Also learning how to cook on a regular gas range or "cooker" as they call them in Uganda was new. Many people still cook outside on charcoal stoves. Having a refrigerator and cooking to save time with their busy class schedules was another adjustment. Imagine if you never had used a refrigerator or cooked only on charcoal. Gorret one day said, "Mum did you used to cook on charcoal outside when you were a little girl." I responded, "No I never have except when we barbecue and even my mother and grandmother had inside gas cookers." She was really surprised and you could tell by the look on her face.

After a week they were settling into a routine and the evening fellowship was full of teasing and laughter as everyone sat down each night for dinner. One of Gorret's friends had been over for a visit and we were teasing one of the guys that she was so cute.

One day I told them I would make zucchini muffins and they looked at me like I was crazy. I told them they tasted great but they were skeptical. Needless to say after one batch they were hooked and wanted them every week after that...especially Clarie and Gorret. We also made homemade sweet bread and it was so good except that the oven was a bit of a challenge and didn't cook evenly but we adjusted.

By the time I left in June to return to the U.S., the students were managing the two apartments very efficiently, working as a team and having fun experimenting and cooking in the kitchen. With bacterial infections so prevalent in Africa I also trained them how to wash the fruits and vegetables so they can avoid infections. It was a great time with many spontaneous conversations, early morning “boda boda” (little motorcycles) rides to milk the cows and dinner conversations about relationships, family, what honors God and other cultural and social issues. After almost a month of hanging out with the students it was tough to say goodbye as everyone hugged and said the time was over too soon.

Joplin Tornado

Rock Chairman Dan Vick emailed me: “I am thinking about leaving later this week and driving to Joplin, MO for a couple of days. I would probably take a load of water and chain saws … and I wanted to check with you to see if you could make it.“

YOU MAY CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE


God has blessed Dan and me with a great friendship and ministry partnership. Although I had felt no leading to go to Joplin, I had no hesitation because I knew God had put it on his heart.

Off we went, along with his son-in-law Westin. We were overwhelmed with what we saw and glad to be foot soldiers for Jesus. We were privates in an army to respond to overwhelming need. Dan and Westin used their chainsaws to clear debris from salvageable homes; I answered phone calls on the volunteer hotline.


We were amazed at the outpouring of help and humbled by those serving in Jesus' name. We met one guy from Denver whose ministry is sharpening chain saws in disasters. He was returning from the devastation in Alabama when he heard the news about Joplin. As he sharpened Dan’s chainsaws, he said, “Take something from the bucket of life.” A plastic bucket held tracts and new testaments.

When I started a conversation, he shared, “I got one salvation yesterday.”

God used the experience to reinforce a few truths to me. First, Jesus is our only Rock. Everything else can disappear in the bat of an eye.


Second, even though the devastation was beyond anything I had seen firsthand, it was limited to what really amounted to a tiny geographic area in the scope of the world. I could not help but think of what the end times will be like when the whole world is convulsed. I’m glad to know I (and all fellow believers in Jesus) won’t be around for that.


Finally, we serve an awesome God. There is no way we can pretend to understand what happened in Joplin from a worldly perspective. God is sovereign. We trust Him. Our only hope is in Him. Without Him and the knowledge that through faith in His Son Jesus we are promised eternal bliss, we are just victims in a tragic crap shoot.



-- Mark

New Thing

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19)

God continues to amaze. He is doing a new thing at The Rock.

Recently, we shared that our university scholarship program to make leaders and disciples in Uganda was in financial jeopardy. We foresaw a potential dilemma when tuition came due May 1 between paying fees now or having students sit out a term or two while we launch a dairy project that could sustain students for generations to come.

We resolved to trust the Lord and seek His perfect will. We invited supporters like you to be a part of the process. God moved and many of you responded through prayer and generosity.

The result is The Rock now has 10 dairy cows and all of our college students are continuing class uninterrupted! And we can see how God used the financial challenges to strengthen our faith and improve our ministry.

Margaret is in Uganda now helping to launch the dairy operations conducted in partnership between The Rock and Uganda Christian University. All of our students now are contributing to their educations and gaining valuable experience by working on the farm. Margaret also is helping the students set up housekeeping. The financial squeeze prompted us to consolidate our students’ housing from various hostel accommodations to putting the men together in one housing unit and the women in another – both in the same compound.

Not only does this save money, but it promotes more teamwork, fellowship and basic life and relationship skills among our scholarship students.
It is a good example of one of our favorite Bible verses.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the Lord.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Also, it is proof of another favorite:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

To Him be the glory!

Change Grows Faith

When unwelcome change is knocking down the door, how do you respond? Do you resolve to do whatever it takes to have your way? Do you give up? Do you deny and pretend nothing is happening? Do you pray and wait for God to accomplish what you want? Or, do you trust God’s sovereignty and find contentment in your circumstance, seeking His perfect will in everything?

The Apostle Paul put it this way: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Jesus gives us the peace and strength to accomplish His purpose, even when that purpose may be obscure or confusing to us at the time. We want what we want when we want it but often God knows better and intervenes.

At The Rock, God is taking us to school in trusting Him at a whole new level. Our university scholarship program in Uganda to develop leaders, disciples and role models is in financial jeopardy. It appears we may have to make a tough choice by May 1 between exhausting our scholarship fund to pay for one more semester or have the students take a break from school and help us launch a dairy program at the university. This cooperative dairy arrangement with Uganda Christian University which has been in the works for a year has the potential of producing income to fund the balance of the students’ educations as well as future scholarships.

If we spend available funds just on tuition for next semester, current giving trends suggest we might have no further funds for them after that anyway and The Rock would have to suspend the scholarship program indefinitely. If we purchase the dairy cows, we could leave a legacy for generations of students to come.

On one level, the thought of asking the students to sit out for a term or two and help get the dairy program going breaks our hearts because we so much desire to be a source of stability for these amazing young people, many of whom come from very difficult backgrounds.

On another level, we can see perhaps God’s hand is at work. A major focus of The Rock is teaching Africans to be spiritually and economically free. Perhaps this experience will point out the importance of them trusting God first rather than The Rock. Also, there is no better opportunity for The Rock to model the self-sustainability we teach to Africans than for us to involve the students in helping launch the dairy venture which can fund their educations. That’s in addition to them learning the value of hard work and sacrifice. (We would pay their living expenses during the dairy start up, but not their tuition and fees.

Please pray for us. Perhaps God will provide additional funding for the students to continue school uninterrupted. (Two students are only one semester away from graduation.) Or perhaps God will provide donors who want to get behind the dairy program so we can serve more students for generations to come.

If you would like to participate, please go to www.rockoutreach.org.

Matters of the Heart-Next Trip to Africa

As parents it is hard when you don't see your kids and I have the same feeling about the students that are part of the Rock Family in Africa. Several of them are in transition now and need my presence, guidance and help. Please consider if God would have you be a part of their lives as well by helping top up on funds that I need to go see them.

Joanitah graduates from university this month and is a little nervous about what is ahead. Not having immediate family to be a safety net is scary. It makes me think of how blessed I was when I stepped "out of the nest". My parents were there to encourage me each step of the way. Juliana and John are finishing university in October and we have resumes to write, practice interviews and contacts to make with companies that might want to consider hiring them.

This is just a small picture of the heart connection we have with our scholarship students. It really is a family and the new students who have just joined us are getting to know me and what our expectations are of them. Time spent with them in the cottage will help me understand the hurts they have experienced, their dreams for the future and the plan God has for them.

On past trips I have arranged to rent a cottage where all the students can come and go, cook, and just hang out. On one of the earlier trips all the girls had a sleep over and did “girly things” like our nails and stuff and it was so fun. Making time to listen and encourage in a relaxed environment is what develops the heart connections and allows me to really get to know the students.

While in Uganda we have so much developing at Uganda Christian University with the agriculture project. Our first crop of maize was harvested and sold and we are expanding into dairy cattle.

In Kenya the preschool we helped start in January 2010 is fully self sustainable and Pastor Peter tells me they are adding more teachers this year. He is leading the Rock agriculture project in his village Bouye, and we hope it will support a home for 16 orphans this year.

Below are the specific things I plan to accomplish on this trip:

Kenya
• Work with Pastor Peter and Joseph, The Rock EA Project manager, on reviewing progress of the new agriculture program in the village of Bouye. Planning the cash flows, marketing, expansion of land and progress towards self sustainability so we can build the home for orphans.
• Meeting with the village committee to discuss the commercial tailoring project, preschool progress, possible expansion of livestock and research that has been completed toward self sustainability and job creation in the village.
• Visit Rock Kingdom Builder families of the business people who have Rock loans.
• Encourage the kids in AWANA at our partner Deliverance churches.
• Teach and encourage the ladies in women's ministry.
Uganda
• Work with the Uganda Christian University Holding Company team and Ken, the Rock Uganda Project Coordinator, on the cash flows, next crop cycle, and expansion of the dairy cow project. Research the repair and retrofitting of a tractor.
• Meet with Kampala businesses to set up internships for graduating university scholars.
• Encourage recent graduates and discuss future who ministry opportunities. Meet with Emmanuel regarding his plan to help ladies who decide not to abort their babies. He and his wife Sarah both nurses are showing great initiative in developing a self sustainable plan for these young moms based on the Biblical principles we teach at the Rock. Research church community garden to help the moms.

It is easy to donate online at www.rockoutreach.org since time is close for me to travel. I have frequent flyer miles for my airline ticket but need $1,800 for all the other costs associated with the trip and care for our Rock family in Africa. Your prayers and financial help are greatly appreciated.