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.”