Hello everyone!! Spring cherry blossoms have given way to the buzzing bees of summer. We had some special family time over spring break. Our hearts are full and refreshed!
Good Questions
We have just finished a two week visit with Steve, a friend from the States. He wanted to come to see what we’ve been doing the last two years in Uganda. We had explained a bit about our training and equipping our friends and new neighbors in the local churches. We shared how enthusiastic believers have responded to the gospel but too few knew how to go deeper in their study and comprehension of the Bible. God wanted us, as Pastor Moses says, to be a “walking stick” so to speak and lend a hand with discipleship.
Two years ago, Steve had questions, the same questions some of you had. For example, “Why go to Africa when people in your own hometown need this training? Why can’t Ugandan pastors train their own congregations (or for that matter, start their own businesses, begin their own fellowship groups, or make their own gardens)? Why do you think you have to go?”.
While Steve didn’t ask this question, others have…..”Aren’t you just another white couple, of ‘do-gooders’ trying to help the “less fortunate” with something they haven’t asked for?”.
These questions are good questions and honestly, they are ones we wrestled through the years prior to our arrival in 2023. These were questions we had asked our host, Pastor Moses, a decade before we came to live in Africa.
In an effort to help you, our friends back home, we want to take you on a trip to Kiburara, Uganda through the lens of Steve’s experience these last two weeks.
Some of what we share will be very foreign to you, some will feel familiar to things you have experienced in your lives … .but when we ‘see’ things through someone else’s eyes, it can be beneficial for all.
Steve’s Visit
Upon Steve’s arrival, we brought him through the insanely busy city of Kampala, which rivals Las Vegas with its twenty four-hour bustling of activity. At our hotel he was able to rest a couple days adjusting to the new time zone. He experienced the warmth and hospitality of the Ugandan people as he conversed with the staff who we now consider friends.
Then came our seven hour journey to the west. Driving in Uganda is a tad different from the states, as large trucks are stuffed beyond capacity, cars in disrepair, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians all sharing the narrow asphalt or dirt roads. “Traffic Laws” are thrown out the window and are mere suggestions. Imagine main street in the “wild west”, add more traffic congestion with a few ‘gun slinger’ style drivers, and you may evoke a bit of what it feels like as we drive.
Upon reaching our village Kiburara, we settled into our rooms. Steve was welcomed as family. At the house, he was quickly initiated into our normal routine. We were up early in the morning for our daily exercise as we walked to different villages. He had plenty of ‘meet and greet’ opportunities with dear friends, acquaintances, and children calling out to us and coming for a fist bump or hug. Then home for a Ugandan breakfast of katogo (a plantain like steamed green banana with a savory ground nut sauce) and on some days a hard boiled egg with cooked greens. We made sure to have two pots of hot coffee, though that is not typical Ugandan fare.
Daily Activities
Our daily lives, include gardening, and Steve had a taste of the produce. He was also awakened by chickens squealing their displeasure as they were transported from their containment to the kitchen to be our evening meal.
He joined us on our weekly market shopping in town as well as the small grocery to get essentials. We visited Hope Community Primary and Alpha and Omega Secondary schools as they prepped for their students’ return from spring break. Along the way he met our Kiburara neighbors living and investing in their growing community.
As we moved about with our weekly activities, we introduced Steve to Mary’s baking club (he enjoyed samples of their products). He met the guys at Paul’s Saturday Men’s Group where he got to enjoy the rich fellowship of young men who’ve gone deeper into friendship with each other and God’s purpose for their lives.
He was able to join us for our trip to the village of Kanara and see the newly finished church building. We admired the determination of the congregation taking six long years for completion, saving and building bit by bit. It was here Steve also participated in a home group meeting led by Alex, one of our bible study trainees using the inductive study method we taught. We watched and marveled as Alex introduced this new way of learning from God’s Word. At the end of our day we returned with a HUGE jackfruit as a present for Steve.
The following day, Paul and I introduced our friend to others who came to continue their C.O.M.A training and practice what they’d been learning as we started our third module with the Gospel of Mark. Together we learned more about context, the author, who the book was written to etc. Then everyone took time to make observations, looking at the text’s meaning and considering personal application. All done by translation from English to Runyankore and then back.
Other Experiences
Steve was able to have included:
- Attending an wedding anniversary party
- Sharing his story of Christ’s transforming work in his life as he taught and preached at church
- Going to see a relatively new, but advanced Ugandan training vocational farm where students come for three weeks to learn better dairy production, farming, basic baking, and new gardening techniques. They even offer courses in making cheese, ice cream, yogurt and coffee roasting and being a barista.
- Engaging with Godfrey, a local organic farmer, who’s been using the training received through another organization for F.A.I.T.H. (Food Always In The Home) gardens to expand his farm and garden…and help others do the same
- Participating with us as we visited the house and land of SMI, the project we’ll be helping to reinvigorate.
- We were all able to discuss future options with our Ugandan SMI partner Okelle Andrew, for possible new initiatives and plans for further development.
Finally, he was able to have one-to-one time with Pastor Moses to hear his amazing story. We enjoyed spending time with both Sarah and Moses to reflect on thirty years of ministry and God’s faithfulness to bring just the right people at the right time to help him and the Mission of CGM…of which we have played a small part.
Chimpanzee Trek
And as a special treat, we were able to make arrangements for Steve to see a bit of the natural wonders of Uganda as he got to go on a Chimpanzee Trek to meet these habituated species in the wild. We ended his time by taking a short safari (spending a night in a sheltered ‘glamping’ style tent) before making an early morning trip across the wild savanna to see zebra, giraffe, warthogs, water buffalos, impalas, and an impressive variety of antelope, butterflies, birds and even the elusive bush baby.
Paradigm Shift
This undoubtedly has been a paradigm shift experience for Steve as our first trip was for us. Living full time in western Uganda has evolved our thinking in more dynamic ways as we minister here.
The last two weeks, we’ve heard phrases like; “Wow, I’m blown away!”, “This has affected me deeply—way beyond what I expected.”, “I have a lot of processing to do.” or “I feel like I’ve had a front row seat to everyday life in Uganda and how God is working as Lord of the nations.”
We’ve been refreshed as we’ve heard Steve’s feedback and seen his face as he’s experienced moments of surprise, perplexity, joy, sadness, astonishment and wonder over what he’s seen and the culture and people he’s been able to engage with.
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What is the pearl we take from it all? Our God is ALWAYS on the move! He didn’t just create us and leave us to ourselves. He designed each one of us and set us on our own unique journey. He’s continuously involved, actively drawing us closer to Him and helping us walk that journey out. He never leaves us to our own devices (no matter what the circumstances or pronouncements of the nay sayers). He will take us on paths of growth we never saw. He walks shoulder to shoulder with us showing the way.
We are so grateful for friendships like ours with our Ugandan friends, with Steve and with so many of you. The Lord has gifted us as we walk this path of faith together!
Praying you all can see your own God gifted adventure in a fresh way this summer too!
Up With Uganda 