“Thanks for the Opportunity”

Due to Ruth being gone for 3 weeks last month, we are late getting the Honesty module “off the ground,” especially considering that we’d like it ready to be test taught by the beginning of the second term of school which begins in mid-May. Last Friday, the two of us plus Susan (who hadn’t yet officially begun her new duties) met at our friend, Beth’s, home—in her absence since she’s in South Sudan—to discuss the Honesty module with two writers (both former Scripture Union workers) whom Beth has referred to us for this project. Martha is a German language teacher and Editar is a free-lance Christian Educator who has worked with top writers in David C. Cook, and does Teacher Training for the Church of Uganda. Although we enjoyed the exchange of humor at our meeting, and appreciated their keen insights into the lessons from an East African point of view, our greatest joy was to see their vision and passion to prepare these lessons for the children and youth here in Uganda. There’s Susan, who was under no obligation to be there, and both Editar and Martha whose presence was purely voluntary…but all three so determined to see this developed and taught. In the end, Editar eagerly accepted the invitation to work on the Upper Primary revision and Martha seemed to rejoice at the chance to work on the Secondary…and to push toward completing all six lessons by the end of the month. Later that day, we received a text message from Editar saying how much she enjoyed the meeting and “Thanks for the opportunity.” And today, we received an email from Susan saying she’s delighted to be part of the team. Editar has also given us an artist contact that I hope to meet tomorrow and get a sample drawing. The partnership and investment of these ladies is another encouragement from the One who called us to come here and help in the harvest.

A Wonderful “Birthday Gift”

“Ask the Lord of the harvest…to send out workers….” Matthew 9:38

For more than a month now, we have been sensing an acute need of someone else to work full-time with us, especially in areas of our weakness due to lack of the language, culture, and experience here in Uganda. As an example, despite our best efforts to follow-up some of the test teachers, we often didn’t understand each others accents, especially over the phone, and we mispronounced their names so badly that some didn’t recognize it! PLUS, time spent “fruitlessly” on the phone meant time away from other responsibilities. This need became even more intense during the three weeks that Ruth was with her family last month. And so we prayed, discussed our need with Scripture Union leaders…and waited. Little by little this need was becoming more evident to others and a few possibilities were suggested to us. We also asked you to pray about recruiting possible help of a Ugandan just last week in our “Pearl Of Africa” newsletter. Further discussion and prayer with our Ugandan co-worker, Beth, helped us to draft a Job Description.

Throughout this process, one person—Susan—continued to be dominant in our thinking. The more we learned/heard about her, the more we were convinced that she would be an excellent fit. She formerly worked with SUU re-establishing Scripture Union ministry in the north (a remote and difficult area) and opened up the Primary School ministry there for the first time. After several years ministry, for various reasons, she resigned from SUU a couple of years ago, leaving as a highly respected worker. Just before going abroad late last year, we met her when she volunteered to revise the Secondary Lessons on Truth, and did a good job. We also worked with her during an Evangelistic Christmas outreach in Beth's community. But would she be available and willing? She was just returning from being abroad and we didn’t know what her plans were.

Susan teaching the CrossTalk during a Christmas Outreach;
Dec. 3, 2013

Quite suddenly, she got in touch with us and we invited her to an April 3 curriculum meeting at our home. We both were impressed with her comments about various issues and her insights. Once the other people had left, we broached the subject with her and prayed together. The next day, in answer to her request, we emailed the Job Description to her. During the next phone call, she agreed to come to the Scripture Union Uganda office Monday morning and be interviewed by the Director, Dickens.

So yesterday, April 7 we enjoyed a precious time of interaction with Dickens and Susan. And…she accepted the position of Administrative Assistant for VOICE East Africa!  How we praise God for this answered prayer and Susan’s willingness to begin working with us on Monday, April 14. So God gave a special birthday gift yesterday to me; an answer to prayer and we feel a huge boost to this ministry that is seeking to reach the children and young people in this very ripe harvest field. Praise God with us, pray for Susan as she gets started, and pray the Lord of the Harvest for additional workers, including a host of volunteer teachers, for the harvest that is plentiful.

Welcoming Of Godly Values

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”  Psalm 111:10

As I reflect on the past month, in spite of the “pause” God allowed in the Curriculum production (due to Ruth being out of the country), God has encouraged me! Here’s a few ways:

·         I had the opportunity to share the program/curriculum with several Christian Educators here in Uganda during the past weeks and each time witnessed their enthusiasm.

·         God also allowed me to travel with Uganda co-worker, Beth, to Nairobi to be introduced to Scripture Union (SU) Kenya and explore Nairobi printing costs. While there we had opportunity to present to the SU staff the program of teaching godly Values that we are starting here in Uganda. I could feel the rising excitement of the four staff members Beth and I presented to. Time will tell how the Lord will open the doors for Values to be part of the ministry of SU Kenya.

·         While running to appointments with Printers in Nairobi, we also met the founder of WordAlive Publishers and were blessed by this brother who God has led to produce a Bible especially for students. He generously offered to share with us his printing contacts, even those in India.

·         Friday, I was blessed to receive an e-mail reply from a major U.S. Christian publisher giving us permission to incorporate a story of theirs, with art work, into our Curriculum.

·         Yesterday Beth revisited a Primary School to distribute Bibles to those desiring one. When she asked if they had any questions, one asked her, “when are you coming back?” 

·         Next week, Beth will revisit South Sudan and take with her, Lord willing, 10 sets of Values Curriculum. The reason: the Ministry of Education has given permission for SU to teach Values in the Primary and Secondary Schools of Juba, the capital.

We wait upon God for His plan and pray for laborers for the great harvest.