Hey, They Are Singing Our Song…

As we prepare to publish the next Values Module, Forgiveness, I visited the Recording Studio last week to make an appointment for cutting the music master CD. While we discussed the four original music pieces to be recorded, the music technician looked up at me from the console covered with switches and mics. “You know I got such a surprise a few months back as I visited my Eastern Uganda home, deep in the village” he said. "I heard children singing the I Believe Truth song we recorded here!”  Praise God for two Trainings done in that area and obvious fruit God has brought even letting our music technician hear his own song. While recording the songs today, one of the singers said that she teaches the songs to her children. Besides the two Forgiveness songs, we also recorded that same I Believe Truth song, only this time in the Luganda language—the initiative of one of the test teachers!  Please pray with us that children in dozens of villages throughout Uganda will learn and sing these songs proclaiming the truth of God’s Word.

Hold the Press

Indeed life has so many variables which become more complex in cross cultural ministry. As we pray “Thy will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” we sometimes are brought to those “Selah” moments calling for a pause.This morning was one of those times. 

Following a time of prayer, the four of us with VOICE Africa began to discuss plans for publishing the next module, Forgiveness…a discussion which lasted about two hours as some of the challenges of teaching this value began to emerge. Both of our Ugandan staff grew up in abusive families and have struggled through the journey toward forgiveness. They represent a very high percentage of this population. And as one of our friends frequently says, “children who are hurt grow up to hurt other children.” Only a Biblical understanding and practice of Forgiveness can break the vicious cycle. Forgiveness, in this “Christian” country is a common topic, but many of the beliefs and practices connected to “forgiveness” are unbiblical.

Although the testimonies received following the test teaching of forgiveness more than a year ago clearly showed that the lessons (using God’s Word) were effective and brought about transformation, we feel a need to review and make sure it’s the best it can be before proceeding. We realize again how huge of an issue this is and the need to unpack this Biblical value carefully for maximum understanding—both for the volunteer values teachers as well as the students they teach. We are giving ourselves more time for prayer and also inviting key people to join us for a Forgiveness Consultation which will include a review of the module on each of three age levels. Pray that the volunteers of God’s choice will be available for our Aug. 9 consultation, that they will intentionally prepare themselves by reading through the lessons with both cultural and Biblical lenses, and arrive with practical insights for improvement. We all need God’s wisdom. We are so grateful for your intercession that is backing us as we work toward publishing this module to be taught by many (wounded) values teachers to thousands of (wounded) students throughout East Africa. May God's Spirit using God's Word bring freedom from an unforgiving spirit and bitterness to many souls for His glory.

Passing On the Good News

I wondered just how the somewhat “new” puppet team who primarily have worked in rural areas, would do having three performances with two scripts each for the children’s services at an upscale Kampala Church last Sunday. The day before I had coached them as they practiced and then transported the puppet stage to the church. Asmara, the coordinator, was positive but I wasn’t sure how ready they were. Questions such as “Would the three puppeteers, coordinator, narrator, and sound man arrive on time?”, “Would the equipment to play the song work okay with the sound?” and more filled my mind. All I could do was pray and trust God to use His young servants.

The next day, very soon after the third performance, Asmara called, overflowing with joy. Through their presentation, five children saw their need of a Savior and professed faith in Christ alone! Christian children were also challenged as they learned how to use the CrossTalk. “There are so many pagans in my class at school! Can you give me some extra CrossTalks so I can share at school?” The puppet team just happened to have extra copies and gladly obliged. Yet another child immediately started to share the message of the CrossTalk with his parents. And other children eagerly asked them, “Are you coming back next week?” Each member of the puppet team I talked to were so encouraged…and needless to say, I was too.

Thanks for remembering the puppet team in prayer. Ask God to continue His work in each life and to build their capacity to pass on the Good News in creative ways.