Phyl Penner
AIM

Originally I felt the Lord speaking and saying that now was the time to go. After Dennis passed away, I started journaling and documenting whenever I felt a scripture, message, or feeling within me. I did a lot of praying as I looked to if the Lord would have me return. This is what I shared as I visit people and churches.

Back in 2001, when I felt the Lord calling me to full time service overseas, I answered and gave my life to serving the Lord with Africa Inland Mission. That was my living sacrifice. (based on Romans 1:12)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

It did not involve a specific country or a specific field of ministry. I accepted that call, not for two years or for ten years, but for however long the Lord has. If I had felt Him redirect the path to some work here in Canada, I would follow that. Instead, I have felt Him redirect my path within AIM... to a new thing.  Why Uganda? In 2001 when we joined Africa Inland Mission, we said that we would serve where they felt we were best suited and where the greatest need was. AIM asked us to serve in Uganda. Thus, I have returned to where the Lord led.

First we prayed, prayed, talked with our pastor, explored different mission groups, prayed, made contact with different groups, prayed and applied where the Lord opened a door. There were interviews, paperwork, evaluations, and more prayer. Once we were accepted with the mission and accepted an assignment, we put together a presentation to give to individuals and churches as we looked to raise prayer and financial support (AIM is a faith support mission and we would rely on the Lord to provide friends who would freely give monthly to our support). There was more prayer. We were given 6-8 books to read concerning missions, learned about Uganda, attended a 2 week preparation course in Toronto and got to know our home office people. Traveled to visit churches, people and family. I enrolled in a Bible College for distant learning as I had no formal Bible training (I am still working to obtain 30 credit hours of study). Housekeeping things like closing down a business, disposing of and packing up possessions took time. There were lots of other things as well, but will not mention more.

Presently I do administrative work with the Short term program as well as relief at the guest house