Saturday Highs and Lows

It was one of those cloudy Saturday mornings when Ruth and I raced to load the water and milk thermos, sugar, bananas, cold water jug, cups, and books needed for the Debrief Meeting. Soon after 7:00 a.m. we headed west in moderate traffic. The steering on our 10 year old vehicle seemed rough and I stopped to check the tires but noticed nothing unusual, and so proceeded to Scripture Union, arriving in record time. People were already there for other ministries and some helped us carry our stuff to the room we were assigned to use. Slowly our test teachers gathered. Following a short devotional on Psalm 78 led by Ruth, and a prayer time, we opened the meeting up for test teachers to share with us their highlights. Lazarus, a professional Kindergarten teacher himself, was one of the first to share about his class of 50 plus young children (Lower Primary). “Let me tell you, Lesson 3 “You Are Special” made such a difference. My students so loved to hear that they were created by God and were precious to Him!”  Lazarus continued, “they were so thrilled with the truth of this lesson that they all crowded around my desk after class and wanted to be near and touch me. Their academic performance has actually improved and I attribute it to the teaching of the Truth lessons!” We praised God as a group for that testimony and heard several other wonderful stories of other lives being touched. After tea, samosas, and bananas, we moved into debriefing/evaluating each lesson. Although numbers were small, good insights/suggestions were given for improving the modules they test taught. It was definitely a “high”—the best debrief we have had so far.

After packing up the car again, we headed home with two test teachers who live on our side of the city. After dropping them off, we realized we were very close to a garage where the mechanic we use for oil changes works. “Let's get the bumpy steering checked.” What a surprise when the mechanic quipped after inspecting the front wheel, “how did you get here with this wheel?” Making a long story short the mechanic searched Kampala and finally found a used front right brake caliper and brake pads. Things were put back together and 5 hours later, just as the sun was sinking, Ruth and I with lighter wallets wheeled our vehicle toward home. Despite the “low” of car trouble, we counted many blessing…including making it to the garage without accident and that the vehicle was once again in working order.

God’s Truth Brings Transformation

Three of the five consultants who participated today in the Lower Primary consultation meeting on Honesty, had test taught the first module on Truth. We gave them an opportunity to share some highlights from their first ever experience in teaching VEC (Values Education Class). The stories they told, and especially their smile and glow, were so encouraging. Let me share just two:

Joyce a 12 year old in a Primary Two class is easily the tallest and oldest student and felt anything but special. When her teacher, Justine, taught the Truth lesson “You are special,” her incredulous response was, “Me special?  But that’s not what my family says.” Justine continued, “But God says you are special, let’s look at His Word the Bible….” That lesson changed Joyce, according to her teacher. Her attitude and behavior have been transformed by the truth that she is special to God. She is motivated to do her best because she is special. She keeps her desk neat now, because she is special.

Another test teacher recounted that when she offered to teach the Truth module at a nearby school, the Headmistress chose a Primary Three Class that was known for their rowdiness. The transformation in that class just after 6 weekly lessons was nothing short of amazing—the kids loved the songs and stories, and begged the test teacher to return and teach again. The Headmistress thanked her for teaching and has given an open invitation to return and teach Values to more classes.

Yes, God’s Word…especially when taught by God’s children…makes a difference! Praise God and pray that this program/curriculum will indeed be taught in many schools throughout East Africa and bring much glory to our God...the God Who considers each person as “special.”

The House Exchange

Our master-mind God never fails to amaze us with His ways! As you may know, God used two of our Canadian missionary friends in the Philippines to connect us (albeit a bit indirectly) with Uganda. People from their ministry continue to spend several months in Uganda serving on behalf of children at risk and they make their base about 2 hours east of us.

As you know, about two months ago, we were startled to learn that Laura’s book, The Forbidden Book, was being published and would be launched. We made plans to return, driven in part by the desire to visit our two VOICE Philippine co-workers who were battling cancer. Meanwhile our friends confirmed their dates for Ugandan ministry and we were a bit chagrined to realize that our Philippine trip would happen while they were here in Uganda. Once they knew we were coming to the Philippines, they asked a couple they know well who are currently in Canada if we could stay in their home…and an invitation was generously extended.

Before we left for the Philippines, our friend and a Filipino coworker spent a night with us and some plans were made for them to use our house a couple of nights before we returned to Uganda. Once we were in the Philippines, it became evident that they needed the use of our house for a longer time, not only for them but a doctor's family (5 Filipinos) who were serving with them for a short time! As it turns out, our home became a “refuge’ for our friend to do some unexpected and urgent written communication work! So while we enjoyed the use of the house they arranged for us in the Philippines, they enjoyed the use (and quietness) of our house in Uganda. To top it off, they met us at the Entebbe airport (another coworker of theirs arrived about 30 minutes before we did on another flight!) and brought us back “home” while they continued on to their base further east. Who could figure all that out but God!