Tears, fears and plenty of cheers!

Some people say that rugby is a game of blood, sweat and tears, and they may be right. But last night’s football was definitely a game of tears, fears and cheers, because we certainly had our fair share of all three!  Read on to find out more. 

Goy and the Super Bullets kicked us off with a twelve goal thriller, with Goy coming out on top 9-3!  All 5 outfield players scored for Goy, but it was Robert Mulanzi, who took most of the plaudits, with his first hat-trick of the tournament.  For the record, Ginda,  Yoram, Frank, and Jona, with two, helped finish the bullets off.  I don’t have the Bullets scorers, but I know that Sam Kasirye was on hot form and later scored a hat-trick of his own against Bonya!  Burt more on that later.

The second game saw second-placed Brothers United play bottom side, Hard Rock.  What looked on paper to be a straight forward win for the Brothers turned out to be the upset of the night!  With Hard Rock scoring in the opening minute of the match, and Danny Mickoh out injured, defiant defender, Sean Kinsella, was forced to take up the role of striker.  He did score with a left-foot poke to the bottom corner, but it was too little too late.  Brothers concede a penalty and then 14 year old Ssembojjive Martin (Martin, for short!), hammered the last nail, and his third for the game, into the coffin of the Brothers United.  There were plenty of cheers from the ABU Workers Union, but only tears for the Brothers, whose only consolation was the appearance of their super-sub, Max Ssali.

Game three, was a real thriller, and the upset of the night.  Goy, still fresh from their 9-3 thrashing of the Bullets, took on the low-placed All-Stars.  Yet it was the All-Stars who showed all the class.  A brace each for Masese and Kolungi were sufficient enough to outplay, outclass and outscore the boys of Goy.  One might say the cruel injuries to Frank and Jona didn’t help, but they would just be making excuses.  The All-Stars were hot last night and bolstered by the crowd cheering them on, were fully deserving of the 3 points.

The ‘fears’ part of the headline, came in the last game, where high flying Bonya took on the weary  Super Bullets.  When Sam Kasirye opened the scoring after three minutes, panic set in for some of the Bonya boys.  Clearly unfamiliar with being behind in a game, they rallied hard and pushed forward with venom and fire in their eyes.  So when Omo pulled them level, and Brisaac fired them in front (dubiously, after referee Dennis missed a blatant penalty for the Bullets), they were cock-a-hoop with delight.  So much so, they missed the quick-fire restart from the Bullets who immediately fired in the equaliser!   So again, panic set in amongst the Bonya players, and it only increased, when their goalkeeper stepped out of his area and conceded a (not missed this time) penalty to Bullets.  But inform Kasirye hit the post!  And though he was to claim his hat-trick later in the game, it was to no avail, as a second goal by Omo, a neat finish by Tamandani, and a goals each for Alfred and Stuart, guaranteed the Bonya another deserved three points.

So with three rounds to go, it looks like Bonya are nailed on to take the title, but as we’ve seen with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool (not Manchester United, they are too good!), it’s tough at the top, and many fall away.  I’m not saying Bonya will, but to see their fears, their tears and their final cheers, last night, this writer for one, hopes there are plenty more twists and turns to come!

ABU Premier League

ROUND 4

TEAM	PLAYED	WON	LOST	DRAWN	FOR	AGAINST	DIFF.	POINTS
Bonya United	4	4	0	0	23	5	18	12
Goy F.C.	4	2	1	1	13	8	5	7
Brothers United	3	1	1	1	5	3	2	4
All Stars F.C.	3	1	2	0	10	10	0	3
Alpha F.C.	3	1	2	0	6	12	-6	3
Super Bullets	3	1	2	0	11	19	-8	3
Hard Rock	4	1	3	0	4	15	-11	3

Latest Results: Goy 9 v 3 Bullets; Brothers Utd 1 v 3 Hard Rock; All Stars 4 v 1 Goy; Bullets 3 v Bonya 6

Upcoming Fixtures:

29^th Nov: 1. Goy v Alpha; 2. Hard Rock v All Stars; 3. Bullets v Brothers; 4. Bonya v Subs (Please note: Matches may have to start late, due to the possibility of the Christmas Crusade finishing late)

6^th Dec: 1. 1. Bullets v Hard Rock; 2. All Stars v Alpha; 3. Bonya v Brothers; 4. Subs v Goy;

13^th Dec: 1. Bullets v Alpha; 2. All Stars v Brothers; 3. Bonya v Goy; 4. Hard Rock v Subs

Sorry there are no photos this week, but due to Thanks-giving celebrations, our resident photographer decided to have an early night!

Natasha’s November News

Thank you all so much for your encouraging messages and prayers; we have been truly blessed by the Lord in these past months.

Back in October I had a busy month helping Joanna and Justus with grade reports. Joanna has asked me to assist Justus with some of the Registrars tasks whilst she is away next semester, and so I have been learning the ropes. Next semester will be busy with graduation, as well as completing all the grade reports, so please pray that I would be a blessing to Justus as he takes on all the Registrars duties.

Ramanzani and Natasha (in her CPC Oulton Broad t-shirt),
praying by the gate, before the visitors arrive.

I also had the privilege of helping at a medical outreach clinic. A doctor and nurse came from the States and worked alongside Ugandan medical staff to bring care to local people who lack the resources for simple medication. My job was to greet people at the gate, explain the procedure and give out numbers for all who were prepared to wait. I was thankful for Ramanzani (a student who speaks Lugandan) who helped me for most of the day. Once the people were inside and awaiting, a team of ABU students were handing out tracts and sharing the gospel. We believe nearly 300 people were seen that day and trust that our heavenly Father will use the tracts and conversations to save sinners.

Nusre Shireen Mathai giving treatment

Dr Mike MacDonald in consultation
(at the Reformed Students Organisation headquarters)

  

            

      

I would like to share an experience I had whilst at the clinic. Two children were playing outside the gate and when they heard the fun and games going on, as different ones sought to play and share the gospel with the waiting children, they ventured inside. Sometime later, the boy came across the road and held my hand, his name was Roland. After a while I realised that Roland had no intention of letting go of my hand and I walked him inside to encourage him to play with the other children. Roland then explained to some of the students that he was unhappy at home and had decided he was coming home with me!  Two of the students quizzed him about his home life and decided he was unloved and suffering, with a very serious look they turned to me and said “Will you take him home with you?” As you can imagine I was shocked and said I could not, Roland had a mother who loved him and she was the best person to take care of him.  Home life can be very complicated here and many children grow up in tragic situations, but I told the students Muzugus (whites) aren’t the answer, Christ is the answer. Please pray for Roland, he is very vulnerable and at high risk of abduction for child sacrifice, which is a weekly occurrence here in Kampala.  Yoram, one of the students even said he feared for Roland, for if he would go off with me after one day, he was a prime candidate for witch-doctors, who regularly steal children for sacrificing!

There were many mums and toddlers, who came for the free treatment on offer

And the staff had a great day - even though it was a very long day - and never stopped smiling.  These two are volunteers from our church (New City, Kampala), sisters Naomie and Martha.

  

Next week, we will have a Christmas Crusade across the road where we hope to reach out to our neighbours, please pray for God to be in all our plans and preparations, pray that he would bring many to hear the gospel and be saved.

Finally I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for my Proverbs classes. The Lord has helped me and the students to grow in the knowledge of him, and after much struggle we have now got to a place where we can share ideas, feelings and difficulties. Today two of the students thanked me for the course saying they felt it should be compulsory for all the ladies, and that they did not leave the classes as they had come in. I believe that is a direct answer to your prayers and I praise God for his goodness to us.

Natasha

Kajjansi Christmas Message No.1

Things are never dull here in Africa; there always seems to be something going on, particularly on Thursdays.  It is also, never cold, especially this Thursday!  As you can see from the pictures, there are no umbrellas, no raincoats (yes, they wear them, saying it’s so cold!), only sunhats and sunglasses.

Omo (Joseph) and Alfred, the Bonya
defence on the gospel offence!

Latif leads the worship

                

This week, the team were boosted in number, by a few students who usually attend school outreach, but as school has broken up for the year, they came with us.  They certainly helped with the singing, as you can see (on the blog).  The singing was led by Lotif (in the tie), who also gave testimony of how the Lord saved him from the prison that is Islam, alcohol and drug abuse.  He writes many of his own songs, which are all filled with many scripture references – all that he has committed to memory.  It is his brother’s Muslim school that we visited the other week and arranged for their students to come to ABU for sports and Bible studies.  Praise God!

Edrine translates for me, interviewing
PGJ, translated by Rebeccah!

PJG tells it to him straight!

          

As you can also see, Praisegrace Joy was back with us.  What a swift and blessed answer to prayer that was.  Not only was she no.1 photographer, but she was also my first interviewee, in the open air!  After I had preached on ‘What are you doing this Christmas?’ (yes, it’s only a few weeks away, you know – even here in sunny Africa!), she then was interviewed about her Christian life and conversion, sharing the joys to all the nearby listeners.  A lot of the ladies were touched by her story, particularly Agnes (from a few weeks ago) and Mercy.  As one photo shows, both ladies desired we pray for them, and Mercy asked that she might be saved.  She said she knew of Jesus, but did not know Jesus.  How many others are like that?  Pray for the two ladies, who were encouraged, and said they would attend ‘Abiding Life Church’ or ‘Deliverance Church’.  Also, Pereth listened, believing all people go to Heaven, if they pray, regardless of how they respond to the gospel.  We asked her if she’d heard that Jesus said, He is the only way?  She said she had, but hadn’t really thought about it seriously.  When we offered to pray with her, she said she would appreciate it, so we did.

It was good to see and speak with
Agnes again...

...and to meet Mercy

...and better still,
praying together.

   

   As for the Christmas talk, well it’s a new one I was trying out for the first time.  I’m hoping to use it at our Christmas Crusade, next week.  It’s based around the characters in the Christmas story, and why they didn’t worship the infant Jesus.  The inn-keeper was too busy, what with the census and a full house, he never had time for Christmas.  To the people of Jerusalem, Mary was just another pregnant lady, on a donkey, who’s come for the census!  Why should they be concerned for her, and even later, they said as much about Jesus; “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?”  The Romans were too religious to see the importance of this new King; The Priests and Scribes were too hard-hearted, even though their scriptures told where He was to be born, and Herod asked them, they refused to worship Him.  Herod, he really had no excuse.  The wise men told him they had come to see the King, but he refused to go and instead asked them to come back after and tell him where to go, but they never came back, and he left it too late!  Finally, the shepherds…well, they Worshipped Jesus.  The application is that these old excuses, are still relevant today, and sadly many, will use any excuse not to worship King Jesus, and find one day, they’ve left it too late!  I’d like to say it was my original idea, but that would be wrong.  I heard John McArthur speak on the subject, on Radio ABC, so really, he should get the credit.

What are YOU doing this Christmas?

The missing piece (from your life, too?)

So, although there are only a few names to pray for, please remember Sali, as we saw him again and he smiled and waved back.  And pray for a bus, for Agnes, Mercy and Pereth, and give thanks that PGJ is back and her brother is on the mend!

Your brother in alms,

Sean

One lady is covered in disguise...

...another lady (Pereth), is covered in prayer

     

"Me, Jim Reeves? Don't see it myself!"

As you can see, I've been pretty productive, this morning, that's because the Ashes are back!  England v Australia, in Australia, And well worth getting up for: Just after lunch there, just before 7am here, and Australia already in trouble at 116-5.  Super, as Geoffrey Boycott would say.

Anyway, back to the title.  One of the workers here, the welder to be precise, stops me at the gate the other day, and tells me I look just like Jim Reeves!  Now if you don't know who Jim Reeves is, shame on you, but just imagine: smooth silky voice; suave appearance in a gentlemanly fashion; brylcreemed hair, side-parted; holy-looking - no, I'm not talking about myself, here, but the Francis the welder might think so, but no, I'm describing 'Gentleman Jim', as he was popularly known as.

I told Francis, I don't see it myself, but then I googled one of his albums - a very good album, by the way - I have it on vinyl, back home (vinyl means a foot in diameter, round, heavy and crackly!), and now I'm not so sure.  You check it out for yourself, below.  And if you get the chance, YouTube 'Across the Bridge', by Jim Reeves, and I guarantee you'll want the album.

No, I still don't see it!

(Just to add to this, I saw Francis yesterday and told him I'd mentioned him on my blog, but called him Frank!  "No, he says, it's Francis."  

"What is your name?" He then asked me. 

"Sean."

"Whaat?"

"Oh, just call me, Jim!")

Premier League News

The league table is beginning to show signs of serious moving and shaking, and it appears that the two Uniteds (Bonya and Brothers) are the movers and shakers!

 

The All Star (lovely) girls and friends: (from far left) Chisomo (Grace), Shiba, Salem Shalom, Linda, Rebecca and Esther

Bonya came back from Missionary exile, last week, to record their second and third straight wins.  In their opening game, they were up against the ABU All Stars, featuring Linda, Faith and Esther!  The All Stars put up a good fight, helped by Kalingi’s brace, but it was the hat-trick of Stuart and the goal by Omo, that proved decisive.  There were a few incidents that seemed to light the torch paper, and decisions were not taken too easily, so the referees will need to be tougher with players who show dissent, or step out of line – and the players, they’ll have to learn that the referee’s decision is final!

A man under pressure?  Not this referee, Mr Cool - Paul Esambo!

In the third game, Bonya cast aside Hard Rock, 4-0.  Hard Rock look the strongest, as they are now holding up the other six teams in the league, but though they played hard on the night, they were more than matched by the brilliance of Bonya.  Stuart added to more to his earlier hat-trick, to make that five on the night; Omo scored a second of the evening; and Braisaac was rewarded for his hard work with his one goal.  It was a tough game, and not one for the faint-hearted.  This writer has decided that when the Brothers play Hard Rock, he will be wearing his shin pads.

Another cool dude, Yoram, our official scorer.

The night’s other game, featured Alpha FC, who last week appeared as though they’d come back from the dead with Lazarus!  Beaten in the first game, 8-0 by Bonya, they bounced back to thrash Hard Rock 6-0!  But last night, normal service was resumed, as a depleted side, aided by Dominic Iverson, lost 4-0 to Brothers United.  The Brothers too, were short of key players, but managed to kit up a few fans to play for them: Gomez, Miko, and Innocent.  Miko helped himself to two goals, and regular teenage prodigy, Kenny also scored a brace.  But, again, the star of the night was 13 year old Murray Robertson, who is now the only goalkeeper in the league, yet to let in a goal.  There is no doubt that Brothers would not be where they are in the league if it were not for Robertson.

Below is the league table, and next Friday’s fixtures.  With Bonya playing the subs, the other teams have a chance to make up the difference between them and the top team.  Will Brothers maintain their unbeaten record?  Could Goy take a maximum six points to go into Round 5 one point ahead?  Or will there be some surprise movers and shakers, in Africa’s premier Premier League?  Stay tuned to ‘thekampkins.blogspot.com’ to find out!

ABU Premier League

ROUND 3

TEAM	PLAYED	WON	LOST	DRAWN	FOR	AGAINST	DIFF.	POINTS
Bonya United	3	3	0	0	17	2	15	9
Brothers United	2	1	0	1	4	0	4	4
Goy F.C.	2	1	0	1	3	1	2	4
Super Bullets	1	1	0	0	5	4	1	3
Alpha F.C.	3	1	2	0	6	12	-6	3
All Stars F.C.	2	0	2	0	6	9	-3	0
Hard Rock	3	0	3	0	1	14	-13	0

Latest Results: Bonya Utd 4 – 2 All Stars; Brothers Utd 4 – 0 Alpha FC; Bonya 5 – 0 Hard Rock

Next Round: Friday 22nd November:   (7.00: Goy v Bullets);   7.30: Hard Rock v Brothers;  

8.00: Bonya v subs;   8.30: Alpha v Bullets; 9.00: Goy v All Stars