Graduation, Busia, and some Summer dates

So (i), our first year in Uganda is as good as done.  In less than 24 hours, our bags will be packed in the car and we will be on our way to the airport, and then, Blighty!  So (ii), why haven’t I blogged for a while?  Well, there has been no Kajjansi ministry for a few weeks, then there was Graduation, and after that, exams and marking (grading, as they call it here!).  So (iii), here is a pictorial account of the recent weeks :

Senior Banquet (May 28th)

 

Me and Alfred, who I taught on our visit, in 2011; Natasha, me, and Maggie McLinden, our guest Music and Literature teacher; Marlene Schimke, teacher of Speech Communication

         

…with Alfred, Job Mike, Esther Tschappler, Dennis Kalunge, Rebekah Agwang; and again with Garnet Kibongwe

Graduation Day (May 31^st)

       

  

Providence, Angel, Rebeka, Rebekah, Deborah; me presenting the gifts, with Joanna and Palmer Robertson, and Charles Mugasha

  

   

Before and after the ceremony

Then the best bit…eating, with our good friend and neighbour, Bentry Mhango

A great day for students and faculty, alike!

A visit to Busia June 7^th-8^th

Back in April, one of our Second Year students, Ginda Fred, asked Natasha and I if we would visit his village church, in the holidays, and preach for them.  We thought it would a good opportunity to share the gospel, to promote the university, and to see a bit more of Uganda…it was also an opportunity to give our new (1995) Rav4 a good run out!

By the time we left Kampala, Natasha was booked to lead the Ladies’ Bible Study, I was booked to lead the Men’s Bible Study, and then to preach in the Sunday service. 

The journey there took 5 hours, and when we arrived (on the Saturday afternoon), we were introduced to the church…which took an hour and a half…and then feasted, on chicken, fish, rice, and other stuff!  It was really humbling to be treated so kindly and affectionately…from people who have so little.

  

The church notice-board requires a bit of touching-up, but the main building is progressing well.

  

After being serenaded by the choir, and warmly welcomed, we were introduced again, to the church The service started around 10.00am.

     

Then there was a lot of praying and singing

 

The children all sat listening and marvelling at everything (most had never seen a Mzungu – white person before!), and some even sang and danced (here they are lining up ready for their moment.

  

So, by midday, I was leading the Men’s Bible Study (based on lessons from Moses’ ministry, in Exodus 17, 18 & 19) and Natasha was leading the Ladies (from Titus).  Little did we know that we would conclude the studies with tricky Q & A sessions. 

Then, after more singing and dancing, I preached in the main service (around 1.10pm)

  
  

So, when the service finished (around 2.00pm!), we were well fed again, and shown around the grounds.  Fred Ginda stands on the far left, by the church water pump.  The pump is temporarily out of order, as it needs plastic pipes fitting (the metal ones corroded!).  The pump would allow the church to finish their building project, supply two local schools with fresh water, and save the locals a 4km walk to the next nearest pump.  New pipes and labour will cost £125.00 – an awful lot of money for such a poor church.  After the tour, the children (many still wary of us, some still terrified,) all came to see us off (around 3.30).

It was the end of a wonderful, yet exhausting weekend.  Praise God for the work He is doing in the far corners of His vineyard.  Praise Him for the faithfulness of the Elders and Pastor, as they seek to overcome the challenges of polygamy, Islam and witchcraft (as well as all the other stuff all church leaders have to deal with)!  Pray for the women (and men) who are locked in polygamous marriages.  Pray for the children, many uncertain of their future, unschooled and most unloved.  Pray for the pump situation.  Pray for Fred, who really has a heart after the Lord, who loves serving the church, loves working with the Youth, and who still has two years of study ahead of him…the Lord will surely use this very willing and able young man.

Dates for your diary (D.V.)

June 14^th – Back to Britain

June 19^th – Cambridge Presbyterian Church midweek meeting

June 22^nd - Cambridge Presbyterian Church (both Sunday Services)

June 26^th - Cambridge Presbyterian Church midweek meeting

June 29^th – Norwich Evangelical Church (Preaching am; speaking pm)

July 2^nd – Harrold & Carlton Grace Baptist Church midweek meeting (Leading meeting)

July 4^th – Sister Julie’s wedding to Donny Calder

July 6^th – Holbrooks Evangelical Church, Coventry (Preaching in both Sunday Services)

July 10^th - Cambridge Presbyterian Church midweek meeting

July 13^th - Cambridge Presbyterian Church (both Sunday Services)

July 17^th - Cambridge Presbyterian Church midweek meeting

July 20^th - Cambridge Presbyterian Church (both Sunday Services)

July 22^nd – Ebenezer Baptist Church, Chester midweek meeting (Leading meeting)

July 23^rd-27^th – Open Air Mission in Newquay, Cornwall

July 27^th – Carnell Green Church (Speaking after morning service)

August 9^th-16^th EMW Conference, Aberystwyth

August 26^th – Return to Uganda

If your church is not featured here, and/or you would like us to visit you, please let us know.  We’d be only too happy to add you to our list!  So until then, please pray for us, our plans, our speaking, and my preaching.  Pray God will bless all we do, all our travelling, all our visiting, and our time with family and friends.

Thanking you, in His name,

Sean and Natasha