After months of preparation and training, a team of 8 people from New Peninsula flew to Uganda in September 2011 for a 3 week visit to Bethel Baptist in Mbale.
John & Elaine Govan flew out early from Melbourne on 17th Sept to visit a child they sponsor in Uganda and to visit the Watoto Orphanage. Coralyn Paddle flew out on 21st, while the rest of the team (Jamie Edgerrton, Mick & Dorrie Terrington, Helen Lumsden and Judy Rigby) flew out on 22nd.
The team successfully reunited near Entebbe airport and stayed overnight at Jinja. Pastor Vinnie was tour guide showing them the source of the Nile River before driving them to Mbale on Sat 24th.
The team was very warmly welcomed at Bethel Baptist on the Sunday!
Monday saw everyone back on the road, driving all day across Uganda to Murchison Falls for an amazing 3 day safari experience. (This was originally scheduled for the end of their time in Uganda, but needed to be brought forward.) The team finally arrived back in Mbale late on Friday 31st Sept for the main part of the visit.
JUDY RIGBY’S BLOG DURING NEW PENINSULA TRIP TO BETHEL, 2011
We are getting gob smacked by the beauty we're surrounded with. This is an amazing place.
There is so much to take in, I've been taking notes, but it is all soo much.
I'll try to relate what I've experienced and what I've heard, but it will be disjointed.
1ST OCT
We all went to the kids club. It was their shopping day where they could redeem their points and purchase supplies for school. They were all give a bar of soap to wash their clothes as well. There were other items they could purchase like underpants. Amazing how many did purchase these items.
No one left without something. A few of the kids tried to pull the wool over Grace's eyes, but to no avail. She is really sharp. Caring, but strict. She is a wonderful teacher, as is Debra. Good to see.
When we arrived at church, the kids were playing ball. (about 260 children) Mick and the others joined in. I got out my Frisbee and played too. We all had a good time.
After kids club we went to Andrew's and Sarahs for dinner. They live in the slum of Mooni. Sarah prepared so much food.
We ate in a room provided by their landlord, so there was room for all of us to sit. Together, there were 11 of us - and others who mostly weren't in this room.
They showed us their living quarters. Very humbling experience.
As we had dinner, a rat came out from behind my chair. It went out the door, so I didn't say anything
The home is located in a very busy district. Drinking, drugs and a market. No electricity except for the occasional generator. At night time you would think everything would close down, but not here. That is when this area comes alive.
Carol, an abused girl who Andrew and Sarah took in, game me a necklace she had made out of paper. In fact, she gave us all an item of jewellery that she made.
Silas is 18 months old, their son. Faith is a niece of Andrew's who also lives with them. She is one of four. Her parents both died. When she came to them, she couldn't even talk, but I don't know how she was then. She is now a permanent part of their family. Peter, Andrew's brother also lives with them.
The rooms they live in are very dark, and small. For 6 people, there were three rooms I think. That doesn't count the toilet. I didn't see it, but one of the others had to use the facilities where she said there were mice (or rats) and lots of cockroaches. It was dark and she couldn't see all that well. Glad I could hold off.
2ND OCT
Mick preached his second sermon at church. He also preached at the new church plant. He is a very valued member of our team.
At church he preached about facing your fears. When he asked for people to stand if they were dealing with anxiety or fear, most of the congregation stood up. His service was very moving.
At the new church plant, 6 women and 1 man came forward for prayer. Vinnie said this would happen. It will grow quickly.
Helen's quote is that, "They just believe God will work amongst the people, and then He does!" I guess the best part for us is seeing their positive attitudes, their blind faith. They just know God will work.
At Kid's Church there were about 60 children. Grace brought the percussion instruments we bought (we bought a set of instruments for the three churches). The kids had a ball! Grace also handed out extra undies to the kids. They were very happy about this. They lifted the undies in the air and swung them around.
Coralyn brought clothes a friend had made for the children. These dresses were also handed out today. It was like a Christmas Day atmosphere. So much joy!
Today I also met Rosemary (her name is really Rosalind). She is the one whose son was taken for sacrifice. Her son still hasn't recovered, but she is getting on. She is involved in the scheme that loans her money to make a start in a business. She is a tailor and making progress I told her we would continue to pray for her.
The ladies at this meeting were very interesting. They made loans with Bethel and were paying back the first instalments of their businesses. They are allowed to have the loan for one year, but the first instalment is after 3 months.
When it was their turn to ask us questions, they asked what we found different between our community and theirs. I told them I was very impressed with their sense of community. I said that many people didn't even know the people who lived across the street from them. I explained that I knew most of my neighbours because I walk my dogs and meet people as I meet up with them outside.
Vinnie agreed with this. He was so surprised that people drove everywhere they went. If people drive here, their car is filled with people. When he saw that people also drove straight into their garage and got out and walked into their house, he realised that if their neighbour was outside, they still wouldn't be able to talk to them.
The other thing I mentioned was the readiness people had to take in children who had no home, or other neighbours or family who needed assistance. They basically adopt others into their family. It seems pretty common here, everyone helps out where they can.
2nd Church meeting at new church plant on Sunday:
Vinnie talked about his knowing there was a need for Christ here. He said although Muslims were here, the real challenge was witchcraft.
Reflections...
On arrival, the church members were out visiting the community. Doing a door knock.
Our three team members met Stephen's 83 year old mum with a heart condition. She is very sharp. They prayed for her.
People from Bethel have an expectancy the Holy Spirit will move.
During the service they prayed with arms raised in every direction to reclaim the area for Christ.
The area is like an untapped area, people who haven't had much exposure to Christ. Many are Muslims. During the service, 6 ladies and one young man were moved to give their lives to Christ. One lady who gave her life to Christ, also had asked for prayer for her knees. Grace spent much time praying for her. Later she was dancing around afterwards.
One of the cultural differences, we would sit down and help them understand the gospel. The Bethel people let the Holy Spirit minister to them.
There is always a spirit of passionate worship and great joy. There is much dancing and clapping.
Our team has a real sense of the book of Acts chapter 2. They worship, they celebrate. The Lord added to their numbers those that were saved.
There was an empowering of the body. When it came time for praying for others, it wasn't necessarily the leaders who prayed for the new people. The young people came forward and started ministering to people.
There were new people at the church meeting, but some faces were missing from last week. Perhaps about 30 people.
Vinnie says that although the church will grow and if we were to come back in about 2 months, we would find a congregation of about 30 at the new plant. Not all who come forward and make a commitment will stay, but the numbers will surely grow. Praise God!!!
4TH OCT
Today has been a day of great beauty. The countryside is lush tropical green. Banana trees everywhere, roosters, chickens, goats, roads full of pot holes, mud, roads that shake your teeth from your gums, friendly children yelling, "How are you, Mazungu?" Mud huts with thatched roofs, mud-brick schools, kids in uniform, women carrying huge loads of what looks like weeds on their heads. Joy in our hearts.
Tonight, after a trip around Wanale Mountain, we went to the home of Stephen and Esther Khaukha, long time friends of Vinnie, for dinner and worship.
Stephen and Esther are members of Bethel. It is at their home that the newest church plant is being started.
Dinah, the oldest daughter, brought her family to Bethel. At that time, they were a part of a cult. Dinah sings in the church choir and wants to some day record a CD of Gospel music.
There are 6 children and a 20 year old girl who the Khaukha's have taken in. All glow with the love of the Lord.
The whole evening was very moving because God's love shines through these people. Even the 8 year old, Shedrak, has such a loving and gentle nature.
Emma, the 17 year old son, was telling me how he tells his Muslim friends at school how God loves them and how Jesus shed his blood for them. At first his friends just thought he was wrong. But now they are beginning to understand how he might be right.
Dinner was chicken, beef, cabbage, gravy, rice and potatoes. It was quite a feast for the eight of us and Pastor Vinnie. These are people who are poor, the meal was a real sacrifice for them. This is all such an honour.
Tonight I gave the Khaukha's the photo and card from the Evans family from New Peninsula, Mt Martha. They have sent prayers and best wishes back to the Evans family in return. It gave the Khaukha's great joy to know that the Evans family have prayed for them.
7TH OCT
Today we went to see the goat program. We went out to a house and they showed us the type of shed they keep the goats in. The shed is built up a few feet. The goats feel more comfortable and then their poo falls between the floorboards.
A goat is given to a widow. She raises it and then breeds it. When the goat has kids, she returns one of the goats to Bethel (combined with Jenga) and then the new kid is passed on to another needy widow.
So far there have been 96 returns of goats from widows. It gives them a start to an income and also some goat milk or meat for their family. It's a great program.
Later we went off to see the craft group at Bethel. This comprised women from the church and also local Muslim women. Helen Lumsden brought greetings from the Rosebud Craft group and three different activities to teach the ladies.
After a nervous start, things went wonderfully. Helen showed them some applique and supplied all 22 women with their own packet of materials so that they could go home and finish their own project. They were very grateful for this. In their words, the seed was not planted on stone. It met fertile land. She was a blessing.
Helen also brought bridal hanging decorations, hearts that hang from the wrist. The ladies thought this was a novel idea, something new to them. There were kits for this as well.
Lastly, Helen, Dorrie, Coralyn and Elaine showed everyone how to knit. They broke into groups and everyone had a wonderful time.
Please include Jamie, Mick and Judy in your prayers. They are preaching on Sunday. Of course, Mick is an accomplished preacher and his sermons have had a great impact in Mooni already.
