Jesus, Name Above All Names

Can you see the box "God's Offer" in the pile?

Sunday June 26, Scripture Union (SU) trucks, loaded with laborers, Bibles and literature headed to Hoima, 3 hours drive west of Kampala for the annual 10-day Mission. Previous to this day, much preparation, prayer, and fasting were invested. The Mid-West Regional Coordinator and volunteers had contacted more than 100 schools and without exception, they were given permission for Scripture Union to share God’s Word in their schools.

As they reached Hoima, the SU staff joined local volunteers, now some 30 strong, and were divided into six teams. Each team was assigned 3-4 schools a day to visit and a church, home or local facility to sleep in at night. Our own VOICE staff member, Chris, was given the responsibility to drive one of the vehicles and lead one of the teams. 

Earlier today he related how the first day went. Because their schools were quite a distance away, they had to leave before breakfast was served. The lunch hour was spent packing up from one school and heading to the next school…so no lunch either. Once the last presentation was finished, they were rejoicing over what God had done…and eagerly looking forward to dinner as they set out for the 3-hour return drive. Then…in the middle of nowhere, their vehicle broke down at 7:00 p.m.  They prayed and waited for help. Fortunately a boda (motorcycle used for public transportation) came by and one guy jumped on to buy some water and bananas at the nearest village to bring back and share. The SU administrator finally arrived at 10:00 p.m. and towed them to a make-shift garage where the vehicle could be left in a safe place and be repaired at day break. Finally around mid-night they gratefully gathered around for dinner which had been graciously saved for them!

The day started at 5:00 a.m. with team prayer; a few even rose for prayer at 3:00 a.m.  They knew they were in enemy territory; at least two team members succumbed to attacks of malaria, but praise God they recovered. But worse than that was the spiritual battle against a local cult that has confused and deceived hundreds. Resistance was experienced in numbers of schools from teachers and students blinded by false teaching.  But SU Staff armed with the Word of God and prayer, specifically sought out students and teachers trapped in the cult and lovingly shared the truth; some responded and took off the rosary-type necklace with the picture of the man who calls himself god. Meanwhile, other staff members shared the Gospel with the bulk of the students, often using the tract, CrossTalk and sometimes "God's Offer." (We learned that about 50,000 CrossTalks were distributed into the hands of students and teachers during those ten days!) Several thousand “Welcome To God’s Family” follow up tools were also given to those who seemed to be sincere in their desire to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.   

Chris & Joy sharing the CrossTalk

By the end of the ten days, the Gospel had been shared in 120 schools! During the afternoon of the Sunday of the Mission week, the staff held Trainings in several churches for leaders and children/youth workers. Some implemented their training immediately and several new SU Clubs in Primary and Secondary Schools were started the very next day!  Heaven will reveal the souls God brought to His Kingdom.  What a privilege to have a small part (providing the evangelistic tracts) in this huge endeavor of lifting up the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names, and bringing the Good News and hope to so many needy souls. Praise Him!