Loving and Leaving Uganda

As I looked at this blank page before I began to write this letter I felt waves of emotions. I felt excitement, sadness, joy, grief, hope, fear, strength, weakness, confidence, insecurity, and now, peace. This letter brings a sense of finality to months of intense turmoil in our hearts to determine God’s direction for our family’s ministry assignment. From the moment this letter is sent there is no turning back. I stared at the blankness and just began to pray, praying a different prayer than I’ve been recently praying. I was no longer praying for myself, my family, our team, nor our work. I prayed for you, the recipient. Some of you reading this are deeply ingrained in our lives and our ministry. To some this letter will be shocking and to others not so much. Some of you have been in prayer for us as we made this decision and provided counsel knowing what we are facing. Some of you have been praying for us not knowing what is on our hearts but knowing that we need your prayers. Thank you for loving our family so well. Thank you for magnifying our Lord as you have toiled and strived with us for the glory of God to be declared among the nations. My prayer for you all is that you receive this letter with joy and peace, and that it results in joining us in praise to our King.

The time has come for our family to begin the process of leaving Uganda and return to our “home” in Chipley. We plan to return just before Christmas this year. Until a few months ago I wasn’t sure that this time would ever come, nor did I want it to. As I thought of our future I assumed excitedly that God would keep us in foreign lands for most, if not all of the remainder of our life. As we came to the US for our stateside assignment there was no doubt in my mind that we would return to Uganda for many more years of work. Never in my life have I felt more fulfilled in my work than I have over the past 5 years. Our work there is seeing some very exciting momentum. God is doing massive things among our Ugandan and South Sudanese friends. Lives and eternities are being changed. The Church is growing bigger and deeper. However, as we spent time in the US I began to feel something shifting in my heart. It was not that my desire for our work in Uganda was any less, but that a desire for a different ministerial work was beginning to come to life and that my family needs dictated a shift as the family head.

In the US, I began to see the needs to the American church in ways that I had never seen them before. A burden was growing on my heart for the church and other people in my home culture. I’ve said to pastors many times, that the work in the south is much harder work than sharing the gospel in unreached people groups or even post Christian areas, because most know some of the gospel and think they are saved when in fact many are not. I know many in this state and of course desire for them to know Christ, but I never felt that God had placed that burden on me as my main assignment. The Holy Spirit has now placed that burden on my heart. God has burdened me with a desire for the Church around Chipley, a desire to preach the gospel and to help lead the local church into the work of the Great Commission at home and abroad. I am not yet sure what this will look like, but we are open to God placing us in whatever church or capacity he desires for us to join with in carrying out our calling in this way.  

As a husband and father, my family is my number one discipleship priority. This leadership and discipleship assignment never changes. What can change is how this is carried out. As you know some of our children have loved their life in Uganda and some have not. I’ve always tried not to allow my family’s nor my own happiness in circumstance to dictate life decisions. This is true even now. However, I do have a God given responsibility to lead my family in and through God’s grace. Through much counsel we are sure that it is the right time to bring our children “home.” God has blessed us with 4 great kids. The ones who don’t love missionary life as much still have a Godly understanding of why their life has been this way. With different children come differences in the way that we meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. So without going into the details of a great many events and conversations with our kids we know that it is best to meet some of these needs at “home.” Probably the most major factor with my family is that I can’t lead them well into the hard parts of missionary work when I’m not 100% convinced that God wants me there. So, when you combine a sense of assignment being different with discipling my children I would fail at both. I know that I cannot be a good leader when it comes from insecurity so I know that I must be sure that I am where God wants me to be.       

Our hands have been and remain open to God. We surrender ourselves to Him, willing to go wherever he leads. If you heard me preach over the last few months you would have heard me talk about being “willing servants.” You would have heard me say, “To a sovereign God our [earthly] destination doesn’t matter. What matters is that we willingly go on the journey. Because, in the journey is where we are perfected.” We make plans and have destinations in mind. Sometimes God doesn’t take us there, but we can know that He is the one directing our steps. We remain His willing servants and we thank God for each of you that are on the journey with us. God has worked tremendously in our hearts over these years in Uganda. I would never have wanted anything different. The work in Uganda is tremendously beautiful, challenging, and necessary. The work will continue because it is God’s and not mine. As I think about leaving Uganda I am profoundly grief stricken and yet hopeful. As I think about coming “home” I am bursting with excitement and yet fearful of the unknown. But, what is known is that God is sovereignly on His throne, He is so good, and He is wise. What is known always overcomes the fear of what is not and is my hope through the grief.

You may be wondering what is next for you in this case. We still need your prayers. We have always known of your prayers for us. They have been a tremendous encouragement. I could not overstate the importance. Paul asked the Roman church to strive with him in prayer. I ask you to keep striving with us by the authority of Christ and in the love of the Holy Spirit. Here are some ways that you can pray.

• Our hearts during transition
• A local ministry assignment, no matter what full time work I engage in
• Gainful employment around Chipley for me and Mallory (This may be ministerial or it may not. I’m leaving that up to God’s direction)
• Physical provision as we restart our life and home (vehicles, insurance, etc.)
• Our teammates and the continued work of Four Corners
• The hearts of our African friends as they grieve

For those of you who have and are financially supporting us, I weep as I write this, remembering how God has been so faithful to us through you. There is nothing I can say or do that would be sufficient to thank you. You have sacrificed greatly for us and the kingdom of God. Upon our return we want to spend some time with you all. We want to tell you as much as we can remember about what your sacrifice has brought about. We want to answer your questions directly face to face. We want to embrace you physically as you have embraced us financially all these years. Not once have we had any need to worry about our financial ability to live and work. So, We ask that you contact Four Corners and stop your donations to our family immediately. We have plenty in our account to complete our time here. We would encourage you to continue supporting foreign missions. The Great Commission demands this of the Church. If you desire to keep supporting through Four Corners we have teammates that are continuing to work that we would recommend supporting or you could support the work that Four Corners is engaged in by directly giving to specific ministries or the general fund. To stop or re-direct your monthly support please contact Four Corners. I will place their contact information at the end of this letter.

For all of you that have supported our missionary work over the past 8 years from Atlanta through Uganda in so many various ways, you are a part of us forever. We have prayed for you so many times that there is no way for you not to be. I am overwhelmed every time I think of you. There are people all over the world today that you have impacted. There are people in heaven today that are there because of your investment in gospel work. You may know some of them, I know many, yet there are some that you nor I will know in this life. If the Lord tarries there will be generations of people that will join us around the throne simply because you were obedient to God and His Word. I cannot with words overemphasize how greatly God has used you. We will not see it completely until this earth passes away, and oh!, what a day that will be. We will be with people that on earth are completely unlike us but in the New Heaven and New Earth we will be joined together for one purpose. We will exalt our king forever with those God has saved for us and through us. To God be the glory forever.

For His Glory,

Allen & Mallory Corbin

Bo, Laurabeth, Lucas, and Annamarie

P.S. If you have questions or want to talk with me feel free to reach out anytime. You can email, message, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or call.

– allen@fourcorners.org – Email

– allen_corbin@hotmail.com – iMessage, FaceTime, Email

– +256 706562994  – Call, WhatsApp, iMessage, FaceTime

For donation changes and/or inquiries

Four Corners Ministries

202 South 8^th Street

Opelika, AL 36801

334-737-6338

info@fourcorners.org

Wedding Day!

Since moving to Uganda, I’ve experienced a lot of “firsts.” Today I officiated a wedding for the first time and it was especially special to me. I’m sure most ministers can remember their first weddings and I will certainly always remember mine. It’s not only because it was my first or because it was in Uganda but, because of who was married.

Once in a while, we come across people in life that are instantly special to us. Openy Vincent is one of those people for me. The first time I visited here, he was a security guard, between then and us moving over, he had been transferred to being our farm manager. As a big part of my job here is overseeing the farm, Vincent and I began a relationship that quickly turned into a friendship. That friendship has grown very deep over the past 20 months. Vincent spurs me on in my walk with Christ. I lead him and one other guy in a little discipleship group and he asked me and Mallory to counsel he and his wife before their wedding, because there was “a lot they could learn from us.” I know in our relationship he sees himself as being discipled by me but, I can only hope that he is learning as much from me as I am from him.

Vincent is a young man compared to me in years. In humility, confidence, wisdom, conviction, and resolve he’s got me by a longshot. Anyone who knows Vincent gives him almost instant respect. He’s just that kind of guy, the kind of man you meet and instantly know there’s something different about him. He’s quiet, but when he speaks people listen. When I got here, he was included in our weekly church leader meetings and after just a couple of months we all knew he was ready to be ordained as an elder. Because of his humility, he was shocked that we’d want someone so young but he took the task because he was sure that if God was leading him there that he would be okay. I even watched him wash the feet of an intern who worked on the farm during her time here. Vincent reminds me of my Grandaddy. (If you know me, you know that’s high praise) He has strong convictions between right and wrong and wields a resolve to hold those convictions unviolated. I drove his parents back to their home today after the wedding. I couldn’t help but share with his dad my thoughts on Vincent. He of course, beamed with pride but made sure to tell me that who Vincent is, is a gift from God. I pray that God grants me children who grow up to be like that.

God has great plans for Vincent and his new wife Christine. God is going to use them for His glory. I look forward growing our friendships and watching them grow in their love for one another and Christ. I was humbled and honored to lead them into marriage today. It’s truly an honor to work alongside Vincent in the farm fields of Abaana’s Hope and even more in the heart fields on God’s mission. Please join me in praying for these two as they begin their lives together.

One Year in Uganda

So, it’s been a little while. Time flies when you’re having fun and we have been having fun. On September 7^th we had been at Abaana’s Hope for 1 year. I (Allen) wrote down my thoughts and have decided to share them with you.

This first year seems to have flown by. Some days are long but the year(s) are short. God has been gracious to us in so many ways. He’s kept us from serious injury or illness. He’s helped us all adjust very well. He’s sanctified me through swift discipline when I step out of line. Our marriage like any other has it’s bumps but God has used them to help me see myself better and know Him and my salvation more.

We’ve had family visit 3 times. We’ve built some amazing friendships here and we’ve missed our friends in the U.S.A. We’ve met new friends visiting with teams from the U.S.A. and then we’ve said goodbye. We’ve said hello and goodbye to our home church. We’re humbled every time someone visits because we understand the cost, time, and difficulty of the trip.  We’ve learned to depend on God for relationships as well as provision. He’s surrounded me with a group of elders that sharpen me and one another with God’s word.

God has given us financial partners that have provided for every need we have. I am incredibly humbled every month when I read our list of partners. We’ve received care packages through the mail and delivered by visitors that have brought us to tears, tears of happiness and/or humility over a jar of syrup, hoop cheese, grits, and barbecue sauce. When I cry over a bag of grits I know it has nothing to do with grits. Instead, it’s over the person who sent them with care and love in the box. He’s used receiving to help me be a better giver.

We’ve seen real and pure despair on the faces of children and adults alike. I have found myself in situations without answers. They’ve driven my face to the ground pleading with God for help. He’s come through with answers only He can give, glorifying Himself with His perfect timing and ways. Some situations are still difficult and we’re struggling through them with our friends. We’re trusting Jesus because we’ve “proved him o’er and o’er.”  We’ve poured our hearts into people and been rejected, we’ve also had it reciprocated. We’ve seen people surrender to Jesus and reject Him also. We’ve seen many grow deep in their relationship with Jesus.

I’ve looked around and been so awe struck by where I live that I’ve sobbed and said “I never want to leave.” I’ve missed home so terribly that I’ve hidden myself away to mourn the losses and talk myself out of jumping on a plane. Most days are in the middle and they’ve become our new normal. I love the life I’m living on those days. I love the conversations and daily grind. I love going to bed tired and knowing that I’m right where God wants me to be.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. We love you and thank God for you daily. Here’s a link to a blog post of pictures from the last few months if you want to have a look, May through September in Pictures. 

 

 

We Are Home!

We have been at our new home in Uganda for about 2 weeks! It’s been a really great couple of weeks for us. The children have adjusted well so far. There are now 15 children living inside of our compound and they play hard every day until sundown. Mallory and I are doing well. It’s a new life for us and with that certainly comes adjustments and learning to balance all our new roles and responsibilities along with our responsibilities to our family. We are beginning to figure some of it out and some of it will take some time of trial and error. It hasn’t come without its share bumps along the way but out team mates and God have given us a lot of grace. We are trying to make sure as a family that we give each other a lot of grace as well.

A lot has happened already since we’ve been here and we’ve been busy with ministry, unpacking, and homeschool. I’ve run into some things that you really don’t think about very much when you come to the mission field. Navigating employee issues and such aren’t really what comes to mind when you think of missions but they are a necessity. Getting to know our Acholi friends better has been great and we are meeting new friends every day. We have felt welcomed with open arms. They have loved on us and we have loved on them. I’ve loved watching our children play and interact with new Acholi friends. They don’t understand a word that each other says but they still know how to play with a toy, kick a soccer ball around, or jump rope with each other.

We were quickly exposed to some of hardest parts of this calling already. A few days ago, we were made aware of at the time 6 children, living right down the road in our village center, that had been abandoned by their mother. These children come to our church sometimes and have been involved in our children’s ministry. Their father died a couple of years ago and their mother left them 2 months ago. The village center is an unsafe place for these girls. It’s where they are easy prey for anyone with an inkling to do them harm. The oldest is a 13-year-old girl and the youngest are 5-year-old twins. By the time we got there the only brother in the bunch had been taken in by an uncle that lived far away. So, there remained 5 sisters that had no legitimate way to provide for themselves. To make the long story short, I was able to pick them up and bring them here to Abaana’s Hope. They are currently being cared for by the mothers in our Women’s Refuge Center. I was able to take Lucas with me to pick them up. It was a joy to watch him play with the kids as we met and discussed hard things. We knew the story couldn’t end there and tougher decisions lay ahead.

We are searching for a long-term solution. Today we learned more much more about the situation these girls and their mother are facing. We discussed a few options but today nothing seemed right. I became so overwhelmed that I nearly broke down in our meeting. I’m a decision maker and a problem solver. I generally feel like I can solve the issue, make the decision and stand by it. Today, I was at a loss. We all were. We are fervently praying that God will give us clear direction and wisdom as we seek a solution. Now I am asking you to pray with us. Today, God reminded me of my inadequacy apart from Him. We need His wisdom. These are decisions that we can’t possibly make on our own.

 

Some ways you can pray for us specifically are:

 

• Wisdom and discernment in the decisions we make daily
• Focusing on the Gospel alone
• Homeschool – It has started and it’s tough with all the daily demands
• Kids and their hearts as the time grows since leaving family and friends behind
• Ministry/Family Balance
• Cultural adjustments
• Family that we’ve left behind
• Genuine unity of our team around the Gospel

 

We are excited about the future that God has for this place and beyond. We’re grateful to God for this calling and placement. How cool is it that God who doesn’t need us in the least, has graciously invited each and every believer to be involved in His work? We thank God daily for all of you that are praying for us and supporting us in this ministry. Without your faithfulness, we would not be here and we don’t take one bit of it for granted. We love you all and are praying for you.

A Short Trip

Uganda! I got a call a few weeks ago inviting me to help lead a team from Mississippi over to Abaana’s Hope. I knew it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass on. I knew that it would be a great help in our preparations but I didn’t realize just how helpful it would be. Of course I was excited to get back over there for even a short time to see some of our Acholi friends we’ve loved and longed for over the last year and a half, to meet our teammates that we will be serving with, and to go on the safari that the team would be going on. God had better things lined up than I could think of.

 

I reconnected with many of our Acholi friends. We’ve been praying for these folks and loving them from afar for a while. I was able to shake hands, hug necks, and catch up on their lives. I didn’t even realize just how much I had missed them until I was there. I was constantly reminded of their love for relationships and people. I was again amazed by their community and was again blown away by how much of the gospel they are learning. I lead the Bible study time for our elders meeting and couldn’t get enough of the questions they were asking and listening to the answers they offered each other. These men are immersed in the study of God’s word and what a joy it is to see. We evangelized in a couple of village centers and I watched with joy as our Acholi friends shared the gospel with their neighbors. It was such a great reminder that our purpose there is not to do all of this work on our own but to disciple Acholi believers so that the Gospel goes all over the world through them.

 

I was finally able to meet the other American missionaries that we will be serving and living with! Sure, we’ve FaceTimed a few times and emailed back and forth but there is always some uneasiness when you’re going to be doing life with folks you’ve never met in person. Through this opportunity we were able to have some real conversations that quelled any fears that we were having. I really think God has put together a team that will be able to build into one another and work together as a body with different strengths that mesh with all our weaknesses. They were able to show me things and have conversations to help us be better prepared that could only happen in person.

 

I was able to spend a day in town with Jamie and get my phone registered, visit the pharmacy to see what medications we can get over there, visit the grocery store to see what supplies we need and need not take with us, see which stores sell what, meet some shop owners that we will frequent, attempt to have a Gospel conversation with a stubborn man named David and eat an awesome lunch at Alulululu Pork Joint. (I’ll be glad to go to town around noon anytime people need something) I was able to take 5 totes and 1 suitcase of our stuff and leave it over there so we could take other things in September when we move.

 

We’re 34 days away from boarding the plane! We are filled with a lot of emotions as we draw closer. We appreciate all of your prayers. We still have logistical things to take care of such as selling vehicles, doctor appointments, making final decisions on what stays and goes, and getting everything packed. We have so many people that we want to hang out with that I’m not sure how to get it all in. Overall, we are super excited about the move! There’s a pretty consistent weird feeling in my gut that just kinda stays there because of the unknown. When we’re having fun with family and friends there’s the constant thought about missing those people. Thankfully we serve the one true God that gives us peace that is unexplainable. In the most anxious times He continues to give us reminders of who He is and His faithfulness to us and to His mission.

 

Thank you all for being a part of our team. With all of us working together to share the glory of God among the Acholi people we are confident that God is going to bless that work for His name’s sake. As of my last report we are still about $1500 short of our monthly budgeted needs. All of our upfront costs and obligations have been met! We are confident that God will handle the shortfall in His perfect timing. God owns the cattle of 1000 hills and will do what is necessary to further His mission.

 

Also, I have a new phone number. If you want it please send me an email and I’ll be glad to send it to you.

 

 

For His Glory,

The Corbins

Leavin’ on a Jet Plane

Our one-way tickets to Uganda have been booked for September 5th! We are beyond excited to have reached this milestone but, also comes a flood of other thoughts and feelings. There is a lot to get done in the next few months. My heart and mind are so full right now that I could babble on forever. So, I’m gonna keep this short and to the point.

We are so thankful for all of you who have been praying for us. Please continue to do so. There are so many who have given and sacrificed time, talent, and treasures. Thank you for your investment in God’s Kingdom. If you were investing in me I would quickly tell you “that would be a mistake,” however, your investments into God’s kingdom and His work pay dividends beyond anything we can measure and last for eternity. As long as the Lord tarries generations will be impacted through you.

All of our upfront costs have essentially been met! However, we are still short about $2,000 per month on our monthly costs. We are confident that God will provide what we need before we go. There are many ways to partner financially if God is leading you to do so. You can do so monthly, quarterly, yearly, or even still make special gift donations as God leads. All of these ways will be used to close that gap. You can go ahead and start your support now if you would like or if you are planning to begin partnering at a later date you can let us know your pledge. Knowing this allows us to get our budgets lined up and straight. As always I’d love to sit down with you and discuss our work or any specific questions that you have. If you’d like that please email me or give me a call and we’ll get it set up. Click here to give or set up giving online or checks may be mailed to Four Corners Ministries, 202 South 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. (Just make sure to designate “Corbin Family” in the memo line)

We have loved so much making friends in new places as we’ve been traveling to share our story. I can’t thank you all enough for your hospitality, sharing pulpits and classrooms, sharing our story with others yourselves, putting together parties and events, and more. We’ve shed tears of humility for all that you have done.

We love you all and thank God for you every day.

The Corbins

Corbin Family Update

With 6 months left before we depart for Uganda I am quickly realizing more and more just how far in over our heads we are. There is so much to be done in the next 6 months that I get completely overwhelmed at times. God always finds a way to remind me that he is the one in control and that none of this has anything to do with what I can do. We need your prayers as we continue to travel and share. We are still living in Atlanta, working full-time, and traveling almost every weekend. There are days that we are completely exhausted but, God continues to give us the energy we need to continue.

September is rapidly approaching and the past few months have flown by. We have had several opportunities to share our story and what God is doing in Uganda and we are incredibly grateful for those who have invited us into their homes and churches. We’ve shared in Tifton, GA; Marianna, FL; Chipley, FL; Atlanta, GA; and Houma, LA. We have plans to speak in Bonifay, FL; Panama City Beach, FL; Bristol, GA; Birmingham, AL; and again, in Atlanta. So many have committed to pray for our family and the Acholi people and many have been led to support our family and ministry financially. The love that has been shown our family will forever be a part of who we are.

I’m writing this to give you all an update on our financial status. I was raised to never discuss money. Well I think that’s good advice, until God sends you out on the mission field and your only means of financial support comes from what He does through His people. I know that everything belongs to God but, there have been times when getting a regular paycheck that I could almost believe that it was my money. As I’ve gone through this process I’ve quickly realized and been very humbled by the realization that nothing of what God has given me financially belongs to me. In a very real way every dollar that we have raised and ever will raise belongs to God and will be used to bring the Gospel to the Acholi people. I am very aware of the sacrifice that many have made to support our family in this work and we are very grateful.

We are currently at 21% of our up-front costs ($43,000) and at 10% of our monthly pledges needed ($4,500). We would like to be fully funded within the next couple of months. Not just to remove the burden (although it would be a weight lifted) but, because there are things that need to take place before we get over there. A major part of the upfront cost will go to purchase a vehicle in Uganda. Things don’t happen in Uganda like they do in the US. Finding the right “very loved” vehicle at the right price ($25,000) and getting everything done necessary takes a considerable amount of time. The other major component of the upfront costs are our plane tickets. It costs our family of 6 about $12,000 for flights and everything that goes with that.

We are praying some big prayers right now. Don’t underestimate what $10 per month could do. Just 400 people with $10 per month would take us where we need to be. We know that some will not be able to offer their financial support. However, your prayer support right now would be awesome! I am a firm believer in the power of the prayers of God’s people. I’ve seen that power at work in my own life and in the lives of others. The goals we have are big and the time in which has been set to reach them is growing short. However, I know this God I we serve and I know who owns the cattle of 1000 hills. Please join us in calling out to God to accomplish this portion of our work.

Another very significant way to be involved is to be an ambassador for us. Please share our information with anyone and everyone. If you are already supporting us please tell others about what you’re doing and why. If you have contacts that you believe would be interested in what we will be doing please pass along our info to them or their info to us. Through your prayers, financial support, and ambassadorship you are being the very real hands and feet of Christ. We would not be able to accomplish the work that God is calling us to without you. If The Lord tarries generations will be impacted for the Kingdom through this work that God has called us to together. We love you and thank God for you every day.

 

To make a contribution online please use the following instructions.

Click: http://fourcorners.org/donate/

Then click on Missionaries

Fill out the form (make sure to put the amount in the Corbin Family box)

You can use a card or an electronic check

 

To donate by mail you can send a check Made payable to “Four Corners Ministries” to the following address: (please write “Corbin Family” on the memo line of your check)

Four Corners Ministries

202 South 8th Street
Opelika, Alabama 36801

 

If you would like to speak with me personally about contributing or if you would like to set up a meeting please contact me.

Email: allen@fourcorners.org

Phone: 770-710-3301

 

For His Glory,

Allen & Mallory

Bo, Laurabeth, Lucas, & Annamarie