Singing the Truth above the Pounding Rain

Stella teaching the VEC

This was the final week of two Values Education Classes (VEC) in a Primary School on the outskirts of Kampala. I had arranged to join the two volunteer teachers, Stella and Paul for this important class—the presentation of the Gospel. When we arrived, we found out that due to exams, the two classes were being combined into one classroom—wall to wall students! Not ideal, but at least we could still go ahead with the class. But then, another hindrance took over—heavy rain poured on the uninsulated tin roof of the classroom—deafening. How would the pupils hear anything?

Stella was not bothered! She started the class by singing the Truth Song. I could hardly keep the tears at bay…the voices of these 50+ students, dressed in such bright yellow T-shirts, overpowered the rain as they sang “I believe everything God says is true, I believe God made me special, I will believe God has a plan for me….” Obviously that song, and the truths included, had been embedded into their hearts over the past five weeks!

Paul teaching

As usually happens, the rain slowed down and Stella and Paul were able to proceed with the teaching. While they taught, I was writing the names of the pupils on the Truth Bookmarks—due to a mix-up, that hadn’t been done before class. As the teachers finished the Gospel presentation, hands of response were raised and Stellah led in prayer. Only God knows their hearts, but I'm suspicious the angels of heaven were partying! Smiles graced faces as we passed out the bookmarks on which were written those same truths they had been singing about. As we made our way outside to the refreshed air, I was overwhelmed with all that I had witnessed. Is this not why we came? Is this not why we are doing our utmost to complete the tool for volunteers to use in many such classrooms? And as I write this, I ask you the question…Is this not why you so faithfully support us through your prayer and financial gifts? God is at work and nothing can stop Him…not even thunderous rain showers! Praise His name!

The Big Wedding

During our weekly puppet practice, the puppeteers have bonded as we regularly share together in Bible study, give testimonies of God’s faithfulness, and exchange prayer requests. Most of the group manage to keep in touch and we all applaud God as we see Him answer prayer.  None of the puppeteers are related except three of the girls, two sisters and a cousin.  

A month or so ago one of the sisters, Mary (not her real name, dressed in navy blue), wrote on her prayer slip “Pray for me…I am finished my course in media but feel kind of lost….”  Earlier this month, she “happened” to learn of a contest being run by a local radio station calling for people to write and submit a love story. The deadline was very close but she decided to give it a try. Since she had no story of her own, she chose to write her parents’ love story. 

From over eight hundred submissions Mary came in the final 20, then the top 5 and then was selected as the winner. The prize – a big wedding!  Her parents had never had a church wedding so what a shock to hear they were to have an all-expense paid ceremony and reception complete with a stretch white limo…with only two weeks’ notice! They didn’t believe it was true until the radio station called to confirm it! The big day happened this past Friday, the 19^th of August. Although I have never met her parents, their daughters warmly invited and urged me to join the festivity. The ceremony was in an Anglican church. When I arrived at the time specified on the invitation, very few people were there. I learned that the bride was still in the “parlor.” About an hour later, the wedding party arrived and things got started. I knew no one but the two sisters and their cousin, one of which sat with me with their youngest 20 month old brother. It’s always interesting to observe weddings in another culture; I didn’t understand too much of what was said since Luganda was the language of choice.

Ruth joined me for the Reception a few hours later. The two girls were thrilled we could join them—we were the only non-Africans. Again more than an hour beyond the stated time, the wedding party arrived, amid festive music and happy dancing by virtually all of the 300 guests…as only Africans can dance! Many speeches (mostly in Luganda) were shared during the joyful celebration (which included some English Sunday School songs such as “if you’re happy and you know it…”). Finally, three hours later, we excused ourselves…darkness had long fallen and the food was yet to come! Friday night traffic is usually frightening, but praise God for safety during the 1½ hour trip home on the other side of town. 

Although tired and hungry, we couldn’t stop praising God for His love and encouragement for these precious young people. Mary told us that she was constantly fighting the tears of amazement and joy at what God had done for her and her family…it will be an event and day that family will never forget. God certainly confirmed Mary’s gift of communication and used her talent to honor her parents in such a unique way. We all wait to see what else God has planned for her.

Values Impact Entire Families

After a long day interacting with printers, designers, hardware shops, custom made cartons, the storage container, consultants and colleagues…I’m a bit “brain-dead”. So, Ruth directed my attention to a newsletter written by one of the VOICE Philippine workers. One of the stories came from the Central Philippines where VOICE has expanded in recent years. As Pastor Reuben and his volunteer values teachers followed up their students and their families, they witnessed a dramatic transformation of a father who was a drunkard and gambler trusting Christ as Savior. The entire family now attends Pastor Reuben’s church and a weekly Bible study is held in their home.  Praise God for His amazing power and grace to transform lives.  Pray that churches here in Uganda will soon seize the opportunity to teach the Biblical values classes in schools and begin to see such transformations in families here.