God Has a Good Plan

Just after dawn this morning, three of us headed to the other side of the city with the aim to join Scripture Union for their morning devotions (8 AM). With a heart-felt prayer of thanks for safety through all the “jams”. Following singing from the Chorus Book with the drums, we had a great discussion in the Book of Ezekiel, and then a time of prayer—oh how we enjoy their daily devotional time. 

Joanne with Laura, showing the visual
of the Nelson Mandela story

While chatting with various staff, I asked Joanne how her test teaching of the Truth Module was going with her Primary 5 Class at Mengo School. A big smile lit up her face as she described the hope she felt from the children as she told the story of Nelson Mandela. “They all got so quiet as we discussed the truth that God has a good plan for each of us.” “Have you seen any changes in your students?” I asked. Quickly, she shared, “Yes, there is a big difference from the first class I taught when I struggled to get their attention…now they so look forward to my class.” What a joy to see Joanne’s enthusiasm and love for the children. Praise God for the amazing door He is opening for volunteers to reach into the lives of students in the school classrooms with God’s love and truth.  Thank you for your part in what God is doing here!

First Fruits

Susan joined us the middle of April as a Scripture Union Uganda staff member, assigned to work with us full time as Administrative Assistant. She’s been a huge help in many way. But…she hadn’t had the opportunity to actually teach the program and curriculum that she’s working so hard to help produce.

So a couple of weeks ago, she walked from her home to a school quite close by (which “happens” to be almost on the other side of the far wall of our compound), and received permission to teach not one but three classes of Primary 5 “because they are the naughty ones.” Although the program is designed to be taught once a week for six weeks, because of Susan’s busy schedule in the coming weeks, she arranged to teach it three times a week. She finished teaching the 6^th and final lesson (a Gospel presentation) last Thursday, June 12. From the school she came to our house (which also serves as the VOICE East Africa office) and plunked down a rather high stack of papers in front of us—evaluations from the Classroom Teachers, parents, and pupils. Just a casual glance at some of those papers sent us in ecstasy…and convinced Ruth that she needed to summarize/document what was written for future use. Many (exciting) hours later...with 12 pages to show for the work…she finished the project and could hardly contain the joy God had given. Here is a very limited selection of written comments from the 3 classes that were taught Honesty (and yes, it was hard to choose which ones to include):

From Parents

In answer to the question as to whether they have seen any difference in their child’s behaviour which may be a result of the Values Education Class (VEC):

•          My child stopped lying.
•          My child now gives me respect and behaves well at home.
•          She is honest and she stopped pretending.

Actually all but 2 of the 64 parents who returned the evaluation sheet answered “yes” to this question!

In answer to the question as to whether they would like the VEC to continue:

•          I would like the VEC (Values Education Class) program to continue because you   have taught my child to be honest.
•          It should be extended to most schools in Uganda as it instills discipline.
•          It is a programme that is so good for the future of our children.

It should be noted that every one of the parents said they wanted the programme to continue!

From Classroom Teachers:

•          They [my pupils] got the heart of being honest.
•          Please give us more lessons about other topics.

From Students:

•          I am writing this letter to inform you that I have liked your studies, like the songs, stories. Thank you teacher very much.
•          We thank you for teaching us about being honest. I promise you that I will be honest and the VEC has been interesting. God bless you.
•          I love you so much. Thank you for teaching us about the Bible verses. I will be missing you if you go….
•          I thank you because if it was not you to teach me, I would steal, cheat, lie, and pretend. Please I am kneeling down to pray for you to come and teach us again.
•          I want to thank you for teaching me about the Bible and to be honest to people. I promise always I will do all the orders you taught. Thank you.
•          I would like to join the SUU (Scripture Union Uganda). I thank you because I learnt much in the VEC. Come back to teach us in 3^rd term at least all of it. Good bye.
•          I would like you to meet my parents; they are pleased of what is happening. Thank you for teaching me how to be honest and truthful. I will teach my sisters and brothers how to be honest. I wish you can come to our home.
•          I would like to ask you how God came into a human being and how He created the world.
•          Thanks for teaching us. We shall miss you when you are gone. Please have a talk with the Head teacher [for the purpose of asking him to continue the programme]. We miss VEC stories and parables.
•          Thank you for changing my life. I stopped cheating and pretending. Thanks very much. I love you teacher.

Today at lunch Susan shared that on the last day as she gave a Gospel presentation, a significant numbers of students in each class got up from their desks and knelt down as she closed in prayer. We have started praying that a near-by church will “adopt” this school and follow-up these pupils, visit their homes, etc.

Praise God for this encouragement literally right from our back yard. Pray with us that God will continue to enable us to prepare the curriculum, provide funding so that it can be published and made available.  Pray for expansion and God's plan and His glory.

White Out In Uganda

It’s still rainy season here on the equator, but life must go on. Now that the Uganda work permit was finally stamped into my passport, I could proceed with securing a Uganda driver’s license…hopefully before my international driver’s license expires! Today was my third day of going through the seemingly endless maze/process. After waiting in lines for more than two hours, standing for most of that time, the lady behind the desk smiled as she looked at my newly taken photo and shook her head. “Our cameras here just don’t pick up your white face and hair; you will have to return to the other side and try another camera.”  Oh no, it’s true, I thought, I am just too white. Although somewhat disappointed/frustrated, I reached in my purse and passed her a ‘God’s Offer” tract/booklet.  “Do you know Scripture Union?” I asked.  She gratefully took it and I smiled as I turned around to head back to yet another wait. Finally I was called to Cubicle B for another picture. As the young man behind the computer finished working with the applicant in front of me: photo, fingerprints, and documents, he took my documents and looked puzzled. Why was another picture needed…then responded, “Some of us are brown like me, and her, and some of us are black, and some…” I finished the sentence for him…“Some are too white like me.” Then I added, “And God loves each one of us.” Our smiles met this time. There was another line and yet another payment but before I left, two more people behind the counter, having seen the booklet, asked for another one. Finally the Temporary Permit was in my hands, and my wallet was emptier still—driver’s licenses are not cheap! As I proceeded to exit the building and lines, I reached to grab another booklet and realized my stash was gone.  “Lord, please use Your Word today and speak by Your Spirit to draw all—black, brown, yellow, or white— to Yourself.”