A Journey Completed (almost) and Another One Starting

It was a moment to pause briefly and thank God, December 14, 2017—the final submission of Obedience marking the near-completion of our goal to develop and publish six modules of Biblical values curriculum on three age levels.  We began this journey of contextualizing a Values Curriculum for East Africa 4½ years ago.  As always, one never knows what will be involved in a journey, but God has been faithful through all of the computer glitches, electrical outages, machinery breakdowns or malfunctioning equipment, offset printers doing a poor job or not completing the job or making a fatal blunder or learning that our printing job has been padlocked inside the printer’s office due to non-payment of rent (and the landlord has the only key) or learning that the printer ran out of money because he lowered the quote to get the job without doing all the required math—all part of the process of identifying reliable printers, learning the ropes of publishing and adjusting to such realities as no built-in quality control, volunteers transitioning to other jobs and careers, protection in flooded roads and massive traffic jams with some caused by political unrest, being stretched about where the money would come from to publish and then being amazed at how God provides, being stretched even further when the reality set in that quick assurances that storage would not be a problem proved incorrect but once again seeing God work it out, and who would have ever guessed the number of meetings involved with consultants and test teachers and leadership and more consultants and on it goes. Although not all is off the press and into storage yet, our printer (an exceptionally reliable one!) is aiming toward everything being delivered before Christmas…a much-appreciated Christmas gift!

On that very same day, the 14^th of December, we were also celebrating the marriage of one of our staff members, Esther. She introduced us to her husband-to-be about a month ago—an owner and Head Teacher (Principal) of a Primary School who also loves the Lord. He seemed fairly quiet and reserved but wow, he certainly came alive as he and his wife danced to the front of the reception hall! We couldn’t help but think of the journey they begin…without knowing what they may encounter in the days and months and year ahead, but also confident that God will be faithful. We pray there will be people to stand with them and support them through the ups and downs…just as you have stood with us through prayer and encouragement as we’ve traveled this journey here. Thank you so much and celebrate with us the completion.

Passing On the Good News

“…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of 
David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord….”

Praise God for countries where the Good News of the Savior can be freely shared among old and young alike. Uganda is such a place where even the schools open their doors to the preaching and teaching of Christ. Among other outreaches to children and youth, Scripture Union is well known and respected for their ministry in many of the schools throughout Uganda.

However, here in Uganda, the school year has come to a close and December and January are vacation months for students. Do Scripture Union workers take a break? NO! They turn their energies toward reaching children and youth through camps which are also referred to as “Conferences.” With the only exception being their beautiful camp property on Lake Victoria (where a Primary camp is currently running in which our helper’s son and driver’s daughter are participating), all camps are held in boarding schools. During a 2-week period beginning late last week, at least eight camps are being conducted by Scripture Union in various places around Uganda. Just over half of them are for Primary/Elementary students and the rest cater to the Secondary/High School students. Virtually every Scripture Union staff member, even those in the office and administration, are recruited for camps as well as many volunteers.

Today I had the opportunity to visit one such “Conference” being held at the Gayaza High School, just north of Kampala, and witnessed a group of over 500 youth having lunch.  It was a joy to meet a number of puppeteers and others we know well who are pouring their hearts into those young people this week.  In talking with one puppeteer who also is a VOICE champion, Steve, he shared that his highlight was seeing God work in several dozen youth who responded to the invitation to trust Christ as Savior earlier this week. Initial follow-up for them, primary using the "Welcome to God’s Family" tract, is being done to prepare them for returning to the “real world.” He was telling me that each morning the youth are divided into groups and engage in serious Bible study.  Music, worship and preaching are also part of every day, plus plenty of energetic games, Christian movies, and competitions.  What a joy to see so many young people being taught the Word of God…just as the angel announced on that first Christmas morning—“good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” You are part of that privilege and joy as you partner with us in prayer and financial giving—thank you!