God Forgives And He Says “Forgive!”

The title of this blog represents the last line of the theme song for the module featuring “Forgiveness.” It’s a song we sang many times during the recent residential Forgiveness Module VOICE Training One as we also learned the actions. The aim of the training was to prepare the participants to teach this module to children, especially in schools, where many have been abused and hurt by adults, which has resulted in deep bitterness.

However, several of the participants gave testimony that they first had to deal with their own unforgiving spirit before they could teach others. The most dramatic testimony came from a 43 year old English Teacher from northern Uganda. Very soon after arriving at the training, he received a phone call informing him of a family crisis involving his teen daughter. In the darkness of night, he went outside to voice his anger with bitter tears. As only God could do, our VOICE worker’s small child was agitated and so he took the child out for a walk…only to find this distraught man pouring out his feelings. Chris offered to help and as they talked the situation through, he gave the burden to the Lord. By God’s grace he was able to forgive and release all of that bitterness. Twice during the training he testified to the huge difference forgiveness made. He likened unforgiveness to holding the weight of a building on his head and with forgiveness came the relief of that weight! Both time he stated, “This Training was especially for me, instead of going back so bitter and taking someone to court, I have forgiven and I am free!” Another participant had been unjustly treated by family members a couple of days before the training and vowed to never do anything else with the family. He, too, made a U turn by God’s grace. Yet another female participant left the training early to welcome back a wayward daughter with whom she had lost contact since last year. Praise God that He does indeed forgive and gives the strength to obey His command to also forgive.

May Her Tribe Increase

So far, Ugandans have been reticent, for the most part, to believe that volunteers can effectively teach the values classes in schools; they continue to feel that professional teachers are essential. However, we do see a few breakthroughs now and then…which is what happened at our recent VOICE Training in a nearby church.

To back up a bit, several weeks ago we were privileged to present the values teaching program to the about 150 ladies who attend Bible Study Fellowship with us each week. As a result, a number of them have shown interest in being trained and a training was set for later this week which will feature the first module, Truth. However, we also mentioned several other trainings here in Kampala including the one just finished that featured the 2^nd module, Honesty.

What a nice surprise when several Bible Study Fellowship ladies joined that first training, Honesty, on the first day. Unfortunately, for different reasons, only one was able to return for the 2^nd day of training—an 81 year old retired nurse, Florence! When asked the question, “Why did you come?”, she answered, “I feel the call of God to serve Him in passing on godly values to the next generation.” How humbling! When her ride did not show up on Saturday, she traveled from the other side of the city by public transportation. Following the first day of training, participants were assigned a lesson to demonstrate during the 2^nd day which was a week away. Dear Florence chose to teach the Secondary level and took this assignment so seriously that she went to the Scripture Union headquarters last week to get further coaching in how to teach her lesson.  And would you believe it, among the four who demonstrated lessons, Florence was by far the best. She even included an amazing example of how she corrected a dishonest act in her past even though it was costly. She plans to attend the training later this week and even bring another lady with her!

Earlier today, testimonies were shared as part of our
final Bible Study Fellowship meeting. Florence (the one
speaking) stood to share how God has been working
in her life through the study of the book of John--what a
lady!

What a testimony she was as almost all of the other participants were either full-time Christian workers or professional teachers. God is calling out His people, including volunteers, who have a passion to pass on His truth to the next generation! May Florence’s tribe increase!

Care Package

Remember college days or when you found yourself far from home base for a period of time...and then you received one of those wonderful boxes filled with handy items and familiar tastes?  It happened for me in the form of two Canadian nurse friends returning for their third short-term mission to Uganda.  As they have done for previous visits, they graciously asked what they could bring; one quipped “you call, we haul.”  Indeed they collected and brought everything on our list and then some…an envelope full of cards and hand written letters from family, dulse (dried sea weed which only those who grew up with it crave), Chicken Bones (candy made only in eastern Canada) plus a carefully wrapped painting of my New Brunswick homestead growing up.  What a surprise!  Mixed in with the surprise gifts was a continuing celebration of my early April birthday complete with a delicious huge chocolate cake with blazing candles and a rousing edition of "Happy Birthday." Our neighbor who “happened” to join us even chipped in some ice cream from her freezer!  Like a long drink of cold water were the news and updates…almost like a visit home.  I praise God for another year of life and the many ways He has blessed me.