Nasser Road Opportunity

Nasser Road…one of the busiest and most crowded streets in Kampala where most of the printing in Uganda happens.  Imagine a street lined with stationary and school supply shops, photocopiers, paper companies, tarpaulin banner printers, risograph, duplicating, CD and label duplicating, binding and lamination shops. (It’s also quite an infamous street because it houses the experts and machines for creating fictitious legal papers, certificates, diplomas, etc.) It is always a bustle of activity with people “moving up and down” with printing and supply purchasing.  Just last night, the computer repairman who was here working on Ruth’s computer expressed absolute amazement that I am regularly on Nasser Road as we publish the VOICE curriculum—he avoids that section of the city as much as he can!

Early on when we first arrived, I bounced from shop to shop looking for reputable, quality, and reasonably priced places to photocopy, do graphic designs, and print.  I have become acquainted with a number of people and learned much on this street as each of the VOICE Modules has been published as well as the CrossTalk and other evangelistic literature. 

Last week found me waiting in a shop I often frequent to get final adjustments and colored photocopying done.  Brenda, the girl that helps me there, had gone to get her work printed for me. As I waited for her to return, a girl with head covering, seated near me complimented my Walmart bag/purse I had brought back from Canada.  I responded that it reminded me of some of the bags marketed in Uganda from Dubai.  We introduced ourselves and B responded that she was struggling to make ends meet in her small business there on Nasser Road but her dream was to visit Dubai as a tourist for a week.  Having passed through Dubai (airport) a few years ago, I picked up the conversation that I was actually looking forward to a more amazing city than Dubai…heaven.  We proceeded to spiritual conversation and I was pleased to see her reaction when I mentioned “Scripture Union.”  She had encountered the Scripture Union Club in one of her Primary Schools, “the ones with the happy songs.”  As the minutes ticked by, we discussed her Muslim background, who Jesus is and the problem of sin.  I then pulled out a “God’s Offer” booklet and read through Scripture by Scripture God’s gracious plan of salvation.  Just as she slipped the booklet into her bag, Brenda returned with my printing.  Upon payment and working my way through the crowds to go up the steps to street level, I praised God for the amazing spiritual conversation I had and prayed “Lord, work by your Spirit to draw B to yourself.”

God’s Spiritual Garden

Today after being in meetings all day, I decided to push myself a bit and walk a few laps around House 3 on our Compound.  Despite no one living in this house and no one caring for the plants around it, the red hibiscus bush, white gardenia plant, and purple flocks grow cheerfully as well as several royal palm trees.  In addition both the mango tree and lemon tree are bearing some fruit.  We continue to be so grateful for this compound with all of its greenery, flowers, and birds within the borders of the capital city.  

Even more valuable to our great God are the people “in His garden” who respond to His love.  Yesterday while visiting the Scripture Union Headquarters, I sat with staff member Joan as she shared stories of transformations she has witnessed as she taught the VOICE Curriculum.  Back in September, she accepted the invitation of a Christian organization to teach the module on Purity to 50 of their project kids from Grade 7 – grade 13. A 17 year old male student was among those deeply impacted.  “I am choosing to change my life” he confessed.  From multiple girlfriends and pornography, he put his trust in Christ as his Saviour purposing to live the Purity value promise “I’ll wait for God’s time with no regrets.”  Praise God for this young man and several others who accepted God’s amazing offer to be in “His garden.”  We pray for more faithful spiritual “gardeners” like Joan and more fruit as precious young people respond to the Word of God and His Holy Spirit.

Come Apart

With the push to see the 6^th and final module of curriculum published before the end of this year, Ruth had decided that she would simply consider that she celebrated her birthday when she joined Laura some months ago (we were born in the same year) for a special trip to visit a missionary friend in Madagascar…there just wasn’t time to do anything special right now. But Laura looked at the calendar, saw that the birthday landed on a weekend with a meeting scheduled for the Friday and the following Monday and decided to work with the time that was available. Sure enough, she found a weekend special at a resort close to Kampala…and the rest is history!

It truly was a wonderful 48-hour retreat from the busyness of life with time to be renewed and refreshed—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The grounds were so beautiful nestled right on the shoreline of Lake Victoria. Although the compound where we live is quieter than the vast majority of Kampala, this place surpassed that peacefulness and gave us wonderful sleep…in an air conditioned room! Few people were there and even fewer took advantage of the beautiful Olympic size swimming pool. Sunday found us enjoying a time of singing hymns together and listening to a sermon from Ruth’s home church plus some extended times of prayer.

Laura made plans with the manager to provide a delicious Black Forest Cake compliments of the resort! It was delivered at the end of our evening meal, complete with candles. She also brought roses and balloons to make the celebration complete! Two more smaller celebrations followed Monday and Tuesday with other friends. Praise God for another year of life given to Ruth…bringing her to that “golden” age of potential retirement—how did that happen?? ...God’s grace!