Short-Termers Equal Blessing

Although in some people’s opinion, money and time spent in facilitating short term missions exposure could be better used for other needs, we can whole-heartedly testify this short term team was a great blessing and encouragement. (Of course, one might say we are biased since the leader of the team was Ruth’s nephew!) Although it involved work, we praise God for all the seeds planted during that time which would not have happened without their participation. As we tallied the Lesson 6 Evaluations by the Kiswa Primary 100 pupils to whom they taught the VOICE Honesty module , we were delighted to see that:

•  65 chose “interesting” as one word to describe VEC (Values Education Class)
• 70 chose “helpful”
• 69 chose “liked by parents”
• 59 chose “life-changing”
• 87 indicated that their practice of honesty had improved as a result of VEC

As part of the evaluation, the pupils were asked to choose two of the following Values Promises which were the most difficult for them to follow:

I will be honest

I will not cheat or steal

I will always tell the truth

I will be honest even if it is difficult

I will admit when I am wrong

When asked what they wanted to do as a follow-up of VEC:

•  62 indicated they would like to talk to a Values Teacher about God and the Bible
• 83 said they would like to be more active in a Scripture Union Club in their school
• 55 checked that they would like to introduce their Values teacher to their parents
• 77 revealed their plan to continue reading the Bible at home

Wed., 7th of Dec., Group picture of Kiswa Primary
pupils involved in the VEC (Values Education Class) program.

Of course, these last numbers represent a weakness of short-term ministry in that they cannot follow-up these children, except through prayer which I know they will do. But we praise God that one of the Kiswa Primary teachers, Madam Jennifer, has agreed to do what she can to fulfill these pupils’ desires; we will give her the Evaluation and summary within the next couple of weeks. The absolute best answer for sustainable follow-up would be a near-by church to take Kiswa Primary School as part of their Mission Field…an urgent prayer request.

Once the VEC ministry was finished and after 3-day sight-seeing trip, the team was willing to spend 24 hours of their final hours at the Scripture Union Camp on beautiful Lake Victoria. The camp staff expected about 150 campers—somewhere around 350 came! Although a good number of campers slept in tents, the Canadians were grateful for one room where all 7 of them slept on 3 mattresses, side by side! The next day, the campers were divided into four groups and each of the four Canadian team adults taught an introduction to Honesty. Bonding happened as the Team ate, played, and washed dishes together. “It seems like these people have been in Africa before” was the comment of one Scripture Union camp staff.

How fun to see the culture and sights through new eyes and have our burden and work shared by this delightful Team. We are confident there will be many ripples of transformation resulting from their ministry.

Now as we turn our attention to other things on our desk, God surprised us as I chatted by phone with a friend in Eastern Canada.  This generous friend has provided the funds to purchase a second container which will provide for storage for the remaining 3 Values Modules to be published.

So Many Children Matched by God’s Provision

It was with some fear that we chose Kiswa Primary School, the closest government school to our home, as the place to attempt a new venture—a Canadian short-term team (with their non-Ugandan English accent J) teaching two VEC (Values Education Class) daily, Monday-Wednesday during the final week of the school year. We knew no one from that school; a true “cold-turkey” step of faith. Although we were assured by both the non-Christian Head Teacher/Principal as well as Madam Jennifer, the teacher assigned to work with us, that everything was in place, we still had our doubts…would children indeed come Monday through Wednesday since their final exams were finished and all they needed was the Report Card on Friday?

God answered prayer and provided around 100 Primary/grades 5 and 6 pupils, 50 for each class. Most of them arrived early each day with excitement and eagerness. As we and the team interacted with them, we were once again reminded by God of the preciousness of children. Each day the two teams of teachers each taught two of the Honesty module lessons. During the hour break between the two classes, the Team also provided other fun activities such as a “wind catcher craft,” coloring projects, and group games. On the final day, the SU Puppet Team gave an Honesty-related performance much to the children’s delight.

Written evaluations from the students on the last day tug at our heartstrings:

•  After coming you have changed my life through songs and Bible verses, thank you. Enock
• I have enjoyed the VEC because it has helped me to be honest and my parents have liked it. Gertrude
• Thanks a lot if it wasn’t for you I was not going to learn more about Jesus.  Even though it was just for three days it changed me, thanks. Prossy

Will God allow volunteers from a nearby church to continue teaching values at this school??  Join us in prayer for labourers. 

As if this was not enough excitement, God showered us with good news. The Canadian Foundation Grant has been matched (meaning that $10,000 additional gifts have been received) and the American Foundation has approved the second installment of their Grant! We anticipate that these gifts will cover the cost of publishing the next two modules, Purity and Self-Control. We now look to God for champions in churches with a vision to reach students in the classrooms and for volunteers to teach the Biblical Values Modules we are publishing. Join us in thanksgiving and prayer to the Lord of the Harvest.