Some Old, and New Faces

After missing last Thursday, it was seemed a challenge to find the motivation to go to Kajjansi, this week, but I’m glad I did.  Open Air work can be tiring and when it’s hot, it can sap your energy.  The apathy of some, and the open hostility of others, can be very discouraging, but in some ways, that is our lot, and the challenge we must all overcome, in these latter days.  Also, the team has lost a few members, now, as many from last year are in their fourth year, and do not always have time for outreach.  Other valuable former members have also been poached by other outreach teams, so we are blooding in valuable newcomers – who I will introduce as we go.

The ‘new core’:  Adima James (2^nd Year), Ssendikaddiwa Frank (3^rd Year), Tembo Emmanuel, Alimo Agnes, Otim Fred (1^st Years), Nyirenda Naomie (3^rd Year), Apilli Eunice (2^nd Year), Kamlopa Chisomo (3^rd Year), me, Ocen Francis and Okello James Murphy (1^st Years) just out of sight!

The singing now seems to be led by Apilli Eunice.  She has certainly got the voice for it, and the enthusiasm.  I know that many of the songs might seem simplistic and repetitive, but frankly, I’m glad, as I wouldn’t be able to join in – me, and many others!  And it is always so encouraging to see the market traders joining in, too.

Then, James, the new leader of Team Kajjansi, gave testimony of how God had saved him from a life of selfishness and self-pleasing, to a life of service to God and his fellow man.  He mentioned his love of discotheques and how he has given them up, but the dancing, he still does, for the Lord.

Mulyampiti David being introduced to the people of Kajjansi.  He had never interpreted before, but the Lord was very helpful to him, and me.

When we moved down the hill to preach, Bongomin Ben was on camera, so the team with me was made up of First Years: James Murphy (yes, honestly), Emma (short for Emmanuel), Francis and David.  David had never interpreted before, but he did a very good job for his first attempt – with much help from the Lord!  The ‘lads’ then joined me as we sought to make conversations and contacts with our busy listeners.

Some people just insist on being polite and friendly…even if you are in the middle of something important!

It was great to see Bonny again, and Geoffrey.  Both insist they want to come to church (Geoffrey says he is going as often as he can), and Bonny says he will see me Sunday.  When I told them, my many friends (!!!) back home were praying for them, they seemed very touched by this…as were Stephen, William, Fiona and Peruth – more regulars.  David managed a short conversation with the lady whose name no-one can work out, and I spoke to Annette, who asked if I would pray for her.  Sometimes when I’m asked to do this, I’m concerned that they want me to pray, and not one of the African students.  I remind them that I am not magic, nor more effective, but still, am glad they are bold enough to ask in public – and that God has given me much liberty.

  

Robert’s smile, Stephen’s words, and Annette’s prayer request were a great encouragement to me today.

It was great chatting to Bonny, again, and his customer, the lady in red, also asked, ‘What church do you go?           Where is it?’

On the way back to our taxi, I bumped into Swahib Sali, the Muslim young man who I met last year, and who featured in our ABU presentations, back in England.  In contrast to the chilly reception we received last time, Sali seemed genuinely pleased to see me – though he tried not to show it to those around him (or the camera).  For me, it was a kind of confirmation that last time’s prayers were answered, regarding hostile Muslims, but also, that this is a good work to persevere with, and the right place to be.

Swahib Sali, hiding from the camera – and the taxi we use, there and back!

So until next time, thank you for all your prayers and encouragements.  Please continue to remember our regular and new listeners, and pray for our diminished team – especially the newbies!

Many blessings to you all,

Sean

From Kajjansi to Calvary!

Yes, friends, we are back in sunny Uganda.  The doctor has given me a clean bill of health (to my American friends, that means I’m fit – he didn’t give me a bill, because we have the National Health Service, to which I am eternally grateful!), we have installed an exercise bike in the spare room, and besides, God and I have unfinished business in Uganda!

So, part of being back, is being part of the Kajjansi student outreach team.  And last Thursday, was the first time the students were out, so naturally, I accompanied them.  I still don’t know all the songs they sing, but I am slowly getting used to clapping my hands and dancing (well, it’s more of a shuffle really – but a cool shuffle, at that!).

After the usual song and dance warm-up act, led by second year student, Eunice, Frank introduced new boy/man Vincent to the listeners, who shared his testimony, as I interviewed him.

Then, a few of us headed down the hill, to our usual spot, opposite the clinic, to preach the gospel.  New boy David was official board-holder (easel, for short), Paul Magala our translator, and Ben Bongomin, official photographer.  The message was all about ‘Who Will Help You?’, and lists sources like the government, banks, NGO’s, family, the witchdoctor, and religion, with the conclusion being, only God will supply your every need, according to His riches, in Christ Jesus.

Many of our usual listeners were there, and seemed glad to have the gospel preached again, in Kajjansi, but the Muslim contingent certainly didn’t seem so happy.  Their faces were hard to me, and ignored any efforts of mine to make conversation.  With many issues going on around the world, and in Africa, involving Muslims, I will try to ignore them and preach Christ, and Him crucified, only.  But pray for them, and us, as we continue with the business of winning souls.

      

It was great to see, and pray with Geoffrey, Agnes and Fiona again.

  

‘Me old cobbler’, Stephen, woke up especially for me, but this lady, who was seriously ill, could only manage a smile, as we prayed for her.

New boy, David Mulyampiti, had a very encouraging conversation with ‘Barbaretti’, who requested we pray for her.

On Sunday afternoon, I was invited to Calvary Chapel, Entebbe, to speak to the Youth about Sports Ministry.  Frank and Joseph , who often come to Kajjansi attend this church, and asked if I could be their guest speaker.

         

I chose to speak on the subject, ‘Win or lose, it’s all the same’, and focused on three particular verses:  Proverbs 11:30, ‘He that wins souls is wise’; Luke 9:25, ‘What does it profit a man, if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul’; and Philippians 3: 10, ‘My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection’.  The message seemed to be appreciated, but not as much as the volleyball game after, I think! 

The children come from very poor homes, but spend all day at the church, where they know they will find love, kindness, and forgiveness of sin, through Christ Jesus.





And so to today, Monday.  I joined the girls at Rounders, and after a run of three ‘golden ducks’, got my mojo back, and scored four rounders!  The girls, here, can throw a ball pretty well, so I had to do plenty of running.  It was hot, humid and at high altitude, but praise God, I had the heart (and stents) for it!

So until next time, keep praying, and many thanks.

Sean

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

Bonny and Geoff

One of my favourite talks is my ‘What If…’ talk.  It focuses on the life and death of Jesus Christ, from His conception through His miracles and words, to His death, resurrection, and return – each time asking the question, ‘what if?’   Today I only used the last three and a final application, ‘What if you die tonight?’  I then directly asked this question to Bonny and Geoffrey, who I have spoken to many times.

Bonny, back in February

...and Geoffrey, with his New Testament in hand!

Both have made promises that they would meet me at church, and both have not showed, so today was a good opportunity to share some quality time with them.  Both confess a strong desire to be saved.  Both see that there is a difference between their belief and my assurance.  Both desire to have the assurance of sins forgiven.  But both also need to work, and that means some Sundays.  Both believed me when I said, going to church will not save you; being good will not save you (because you never will be good enough); believing in God will not save you…you must have a personal relationship with Jesus, where you know Him, and He knows you.  Both agreed.  Geoffrey even commented that, even with all the money one can desire, you still will not be happy, or at peace, and Bonny agreed.  So you can see, these two young men seem so close to the kingdom.

…and today…Bonny is in the pale green shirt, and Geoffrey (with his back to the camera,) in the black pin-striped shirt.  Both are never too far away from the preaching.

I told them I had no magic words or simple steps for them to take, but could only commend them to God in prayer, which I did.  I told them they must pray and ask God to forgive them their sins and give them a new life and a new heart that desires to love and worship him.  I told them to do it tonight.

So please, pray for Bonny and Geoffrey.  My heart feels heavily burdened for them, and I have a deep compassion for them after talking to them today and seeing the need in their eyes.  Pray God will open their eyes and help them to see Him.  Pray they will know assurance of salvation, and a new desire to worship God with His people, on His day, with hearts on fire for Him and His wonderful Son.

If we ask, we will receive!  When I worked on the streets of Tenerife, 20 plus years ago, a Christian couple from Scotland (William and Mary Bingham) would regularly bring the gospel to my attention, as I accosted couples on their holidays.  Through their witness, I became curious, went to a young people’s meeting and was eventually saved.  I never got the chance to tell William and Mary until four months later, as they had returned to Scotland, but when I did, they said they knew it would happen.  I was stunned, because I didn’t even know it would happen, so how could they?  “We were praying for you,” was there simple reply.  Such faith!  Such belief!  Oh, if we only had the same.  Please, join us in prayer for Bonny and Geoffrey…if we don’t, who else will?

Many thanks, in Jesus’ wonderful name,

Sean and Natasha Kinsella

Daphine holding the board, and Frank translating…you’ll notice, he even translates the hand and arm gestures!

This man believed he would go to heaven because
 he was good! When challenged with the words
 of the Bible, ‘There is none good, no not one!’,
 he quickly departed!

It was another busy day, and many passed us by. 
But notice the unknown boy listening attentively,
for quite a while, as the word was preached! 
Praise God.

I'm not quite sure what they are singing about, but I liked it, 

and it will give you an idea of our audience...and how close some are desperate to get!