Jesus says, “…I will make him [the lost son I found] a pillar in the temple of my God [mentor him as a priest-son in My own Father-focused vocation], and he will not go out of it anymore [living with Me in Father’s nest of rest]; and I will write on him the name of My God [share My surname with My beloved, adopted brother], and the name of the city of My God [teach him to be a kingdom citizen]…and My new name [impart and perfect in My new little brother My own delightful nature/DNA]” (Rev 3:12).
Pictured above with Eric and Suzanne is their Ukrainian daughter Vicka (22) and their new Ugandan son Daniel (10), whom they received July 28th. Vicka is the first college graduate among Father’s children entrusted to us; she earned a degree in social work with honors. Before emigrating into our family and then into the kingdom, Vicka grew up homeless in Ukraine; that life-experience has equipped her with the most unique and effective ability to reveal Father’s no-nonsense compassion! We call her Father’s red-hot-chili-pepper! She has been spearheading our family’s ministry into a vast, dark slum in a wetland of Kampala called Namuwongo where she received Father’s burden for Daniel.
When Daniel’s father died five years ago, his mother left him and never returned. He has since been living in a “Cinderella” situation with a harsh aunt who sends her own three children to school while keeping Daniel at home to work. The aunt happily relinquished the burden of him. Having been despised and oppressed, Daniel rarely smiles, but Father will get to work on his joy-factor right away through all His crazy kids and the love of his new mom and dad! This sweet, broken boy was a bit freaked out entering Father’s House, as our enormous family, speaking multiple languages, was abuzz in typical fashion. He met his new brother and room-mate Vincent (10) who is ecstatic to have a brother the same age, and Rick (14) who was practicing radically on the drums! Misha taught him how to eat with a fork and to use a sit-down toilet; many new things to learn!
Before receiving Daniel, Eric and seven of our kids traveled to northern Uganda to get birth certificates from the district where they originated, and to teach the Agape Road to a group of 60 Anglican youth leaders. As a family, we sat in the presence of the Lord and chose middle names for each one from the Bible, Father’s family heritage, reviewing the glory of God revealed in each of the characters! Now, four of our children have received a “new name”: Keren Esther (14) and Jen Hannah (12) Mumford, and Bosco Daniel (13) and Rick Gabriel (14) Mumford. Curiously, Daniel, “man of high esteem,” and the angel Gabriel worked together!
The youth leaders feasted on the revelation of eros and Agape. An elderly leader serving among the Anglican churches joined us for all 17 hours of sessions over two days. At the conclusion, he literally “walked with a limp” to the front testifying that he recently suffered a stroke. The man gave the most exquisite glory to God. It was evident the stroke had radically “emptied” him, making room for his inner man to be filled with the glory of Agape. Though I had not touched on the subject, he spoke of the need for an Agape reformation of the church! He was profoundly aware that this rare, treasured message was being unveiled in such a remote and seemingly forgotten place as northern Uganda, perhaps like the crown jewels or King Tut’s regalia being sent on a museum tour not to New York or Shanghai, but to an impoverished community of refugees! Satan labored to derail this; our van broke down for over three hours twice in the exact same uninhabited spot both going and returning! Nevertheless, Father saw it all through, imparting Himself to the “last” as those whom He esteemed “first.”
Pray for the camp we are facilitating for 50 street and slum children August 24-28; we will teach Delighting Father through art, music, dance, drama and sports. Also, Bob and Eric would love for you to join them as they open an awesome theme, “Eating Jesus” now developing for the Lifechangers Learning Center in Cookeville, TN, October 9-10.
Remember, the Name of the Father and the Son is written on you!
