Your Labor is not in Vain

As we’ve traveled with Laura’s brothers this past week, we’ve had many opportunities to pass out evangelistic tracts to those we meet along the way, especially to those who serve us in restaurants and the places where we’ve overnighted. Since our arrival in Uganda, no one has ever refused our offer of a tract. More often than not, they ask for additional tracts to give to others…which also happened this past week! 
 

While chatting with a staff member of a lodge just outside the Queen Elizabeth National Park, I was asked a fairly common question—what am I doing here in Uganda. When I mentioned Scripture Union, his face just lit up. He had been very active in the Scripture Union Club in his Secondary School days. I couldn’t help but smile. Here was yet one more who had been impacted through having Scripture Union Clubs in his school—where Christians students meet usually once a week during their free time for worship, Bible study, prayer, Scripture memorization, and fellowship. I also sensed rising excitement and anticipation within me as I thought of the increased and wider impact as Scripture Union now mobilizes and equips church volunteers to teach Biblical Values in the school classrooms during school time to students of all faiths. Praise God that His Word is living, powerful and changes lives! Our labor as we share His Word is never in vain! We never know the extent of the impact!

Refreshing Rains!

Dry season represents hotter than usual temperatures and lots of dust. Sometimes that seems to describe the ministry too…hot, hard and parched soil, and seemingly little new growth. Certainly there have been and are signs of God at work, but we always wish to see more…wish for those rains to soften and bring new green. This week has brought some refreshing rain.

Laura’s two brothers arrived after midnight last Sunday and within 3 hours of their arrival, the first rains came with lots of wind and thunder. Instantly the temperature lowered and there was a freshness in the air. Both brothers have been long term donors and prayer partners and this was their first time to visit Africa.  Today we traveled to two schools and heard scores of Primary 5 pupils recite the Values Promises they memorized last year and sing the two Honesty songs (which they learned about 7 months ago!).  Several pupils gave testimonies of how learning godly values has made a difference in their lives.  To the delight of all, we distributed more than 300 New Testaments.  Family and friends in Canada packed 160 zip lock bags filled with school supplies and dental hygiene.  What smiles came to faces as they received their own mini pack which included a “sweet” (candy—sort of anti-dental but so enjoyed!). My brothers remarked how quiet and sharp the classes were.  The day was quickly spent and overflowed with many blessings.

Beyond that “shower,” we received an email from a Scripture Union staff saying that during a Training last week, one of the trainees personally trusted Christ as Saviour. Just today we’ve heard that an Invoice had just gone out for the sale of 120 Modules of curriculum!  And another email from our colleague Beth informing us that a Foundation is interested in translating and printing the Biblical Values modules in two East African languages and needs a proposal to be written and submitted. Indeed the Lion of Judah loves the millions of children and youth of East Africa. How we thank God for the refreshing rains, both physically and spiritually…may they produce much lasting and God-honoring fruit!

Smiles and More Smiles

It was a moment not soon to be forgotten…looking into the smiling faces of 31 participants, most of them coming from one of three Refugee Camps where smiles and laughter are sometimes lacking.  Most had traveled at least half a day over extremely bumpy and dusty roads…and were also aware of others who had wanted to come but couldn’t find transportation, not even a motorcycle that would take them. So what caused the smiles? Having a variety of food as opposed to their ration of same-same day after day? Beds and mattresses to sleep on? A ready supply of water without having to fetch it from a bore hole? An opportunity to fellowship with other Christian refugees? No doubt all of those, but we witnessed those smiles grow as they were introduced to puppets (including Ernie) and then made their own sock puppet—some could hardly believe that it was theirs to keep…bringing bigger smiles.

Since our time was too short to allow white glue to dry, the week before we left, the Scripture Union Puppet Team had cheerfully glued a mouthpiece and tongue in each sock, made hairpieces from yarn, and put together a kit that included a needle to sew the hair on with plus wiggly eyes that we attached with a glue gun.  As we helped the refugees create their puppet and then shared with them simple puppet manipulation guidelines, they eagerly began to introduce their new friends to each other. The giggles and laughter couldn’t be smothered. And now it makes us smile to think of those puppet friends being introduced to children and youth back in the refugee camps bringing smiles to their faces too as well as a fresh method of sharing God’s good news.

To be honest, however, the widest smiles came when we gave each one a Scripture Union Daily Devotional Book plus a Bible (thanks to gifts from our supporters). Now doesn't that make you smile?