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Well what motley bunch to head off together on an african adventure, a minister and his daughter, two 18 years fresh out of school, two 'oldies' in their late twenties and a family of four! But what a great time we had. Our main goal in going was to help out and encourage our sister Diocese of North Kigezi, in south-west Uganda. But the real blessing is that even in doing that, we ourselves we stretched, encouraged and challenged by our mighty God. I've had the privilege of leading three different short term mission teams, and this one once again lived up to expectations. For me as a leader, one of the real excitements is seeing my team's eyes opened to our God, who is God of the WHOLE WORLD, not just white, middle-class Australia. The people of the Diocese of North Kigezi made this process much easier with their warm and friendly welcoming and a schedule that kept us busy, but with some time for reflection. I am excited to think about how this partnership between Armidale and North Kigezi can continue to grow in ways of mutual encouragment.
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(The following introductory comments are provided because very little is available in atlases or on the Web about Rukungiri. This in itself tells something of the place.)
The Diocese of North Kigezi covers the District of Rukungiri of over 300,000 people in far south-western Uganda. The district population is scattered across the many small villages centered on the town Rukungiri of about 20,000 at the end of the bitumen road 375km from the capital, Kampala. Although very close to the equator, at around 1600m elevation it has a pleasant year round climate. Situated on rolling hills with good soils and rainfall subsistence farming sustains a growing population - a local joke suggests that if you plant a pig’s tail in the evening you will eat pork the next day! The hills and valleys are covered with banana plantations and eucalypts introduced by the British for firewood and timber.
As with Uganda as a whole, Rukungiri faces many challenges in its pursuit of development. Although the rich countryside is suitable for grazing and intense agriculture there is currently minimal exports to earn capital for further investment and development. The population has boomed. (Uganda had about 5 million people at independence in 1961 and now is approaching 30 million. Over half the population is under 18 which will sustain a population blow out over the coming generation.) This places enormous demands and strains on the provision of education and jobs and it hard to imagine how the economy can grow apace. This population explosion has also severely damaged the environment. The District is all but cleared of native vegetation - replaced by bananas and eucalypts. This has severely impacted soil and water quality and the rivers. The famed African animals have disappeared over the last 50 years with this habitat destruction and are now confined to National Parks - still very much worth a visit!
The Church of Uganda was founded on the work of missionaries in the late 1800s. It took great impetus from early martyrs - young men in the king’s court who after conversion refused the king’s homosexual demands. This background, as well as a strong commitment to the biblical ethic, stands behind the Church’s decision to break fellowship, at great financial cost, with E.C.U.S.A. (U.S. Anglican) when that Church moved to ordain and consecrate practising homosexuals. North Kigezi Diocese now includes three breakaway parishes in the U.S. and recently consecrated one of the breakaway ministers as an assistant bishop to provide episcopal ministry to these Parishes. (Nigeria, Kenya and South America have recently done the same.)
The Diocese is led by Bishop Edward Muhima who gained post-graduate education in the U.S. after having to flee Idi Amin’s regime. There are about 75 parishes (plus the new breakaways in the U.S.). These are poor and struggle to support their ministers who face great workloads and pastoral demands. As well as leading parishes with several centres and hundreds of parishioners in great need, they also share in the oversight of diocesan schools, Compassion projects for hundreds of needy children and development work.
Chapel’s senior minister, Martin Trotman, had the opportunity to provide the Bible studies at the Diocese’s Clergy and Spouses Conference and follow up with sessions with students and staff at the Diocese’s bible college.
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The Clergy and Spouses’ Conference gathered 230 people. Bishop Edward Muhima had particularly requested biblical exposition to accompany the Diocese’s theme - “Salt of the Earth”. Martin worked through 1 Peter - “Living Away form Home” highlighting how Peter addressed his churches as heavenly outsiders in this world. These sessions not only worked through 1 Peter and modelled reading and teaching the Bible carefully in context but led the clergy to practice the same in small work-groups. The clergy expressed much appreciation for this input and the gifts of Two Ways to Live gospel tracts and Just for Starters introductory bible study booklets along with detailed notes on 1 Peter.
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The Bible College trains about 20 students and has a staff of 5. Martin worked through a series of sessions on the Ministry of the Word - Gospel Preaching, Bible Teaching and Ministry Training. Gospel preaching covered introducing and practising the Two Ways to Live gospel outline. Bible Teaching covered introducing and practising the Just for Starters series and much practice at reading the Bible in context and not reading ideas onto the text. A visiting pentecostal pastor glowed, “In Uganda we have done much in evangelism. But now I am responsible for many churches. These struggle to develop. I need to be taught to teach them the Bible.”
Martin also found opportunity to repeat these sessions with the Diocese’s Youth Minister and the local youth leaders.
Martin also took the opportunity to share in and preach at the two main parishes in Rukungiri. Both had developing English speaking congregations and overflowing local language congregations. Again people welcomed the visitors and the teaching of God’s word.
Several opportunities for ongoing support for the ministers stand out. In terms of material needs - Many clergy are often under-paid. Many support not only their own children but several others as well - often orphaned from AIDS or other diseases. Many are in large debt to fund these children through their education. In terms of ministry support - Prayer and personal contact is eagerly sought. As is better training, especially in good Bible teaching. Many clergy acknowledged that although they had received and maintained good biblical doctrine expository Bible teaching was not their strength and asked for more help to handle the Scriptures well in context.
The Bible Colleges is very short of facilities and resources - sponsorship for students, further training for staff, books for the library (Martin would have as many in his own study), computer and internet facilities, teaching equipment and improved dormitories.
The Diocesan Youth Minister is seeking training in training others to lead and train local teams and to provide greater biblical input into their youth ministry events and activities. Sponsorship of an internet cafe would provide great opportunities to train local youth and reach out to others.
It was very pleasing to be able to provide valuable and appreciated support in person. On the other hand, the enthusiasm and warmth with which St Marks team was received was matched only by the local brothers and sisters’ enthusiasm and warmth for the Lord Jesus and his glorious gospel. Sharing this more than outweighed whatever the team offered.
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As the majority of the team which travelled to Uganda had some training or experience in youth ministry, it seemed to make sense to focus in that area during our time in the North Kigezi diocese. The coordination of organised youth outreach and focused ministry in the diocese, and indeed Africa in general, is still relatively new. This is because it is only recently that church leaders have recognised and addressed the generation gap which has opened up in the churches. Over the last decade or so young people, disillusioned by an institution which does not measure up or compare to the enticing images flooding in from the Western world, have left services they do not see as being relevant to them.
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The youth worker for North Kigezi is a pastor named Enoch, who has held the post since January. At forty, he is the youngest pastor in the Diocese, and has found the age gap between him and the people he is reaching out to just one of the hurdles to be faced in attracting young people back into active Christian living. A very enthusiastic man, he has, together with Bishop Muhima, come up with various strategies for addressing the challenges he is facing. The Bishop especially recognises the need to incorporate, and not condemn, Western influences such as guitars into services in order to appeal to a younger demographic. One of the biggest achievements made this year has been the formation of 213 youth groups in parishes throughout the diocese.
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As it was school holidays during our stay in the diocese the team travelled to various parishes conducting youth services for the local children. During these services, we would tell them a bit about Australia, teach them some Australian songs, and present a talk and a testimony from various team members. Often they would also perform a special tribute to us, as well as teaching us some of their songs. The services were always a hit, with most of the church buildings full, and with many adults joining the congregation by the end. Many of the children had never seen a white person before, never mind a group of white people, which made the visits even more special.
After the services, we would do various activities with the children, ranging from Duck Duck Goose to soccer and netball. These were even more well received than the services, as many of the parishes did not have simple equipment like soccer balls or skipping ropes, and so the kids delighted in the opportunity to play with those donated by Armidale Diocese members to Enoch and the Youth Ministry. At some of the parishes, we were also able to spend some time training the youth leaders in concepts such as Two Ways to Live, although language presented an obstacle without the help of translators.
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The services were a great chance not only to see the enthusiasm these people had for God and his word, but also for the team to be pushed in terms of ministry training and ability. All team members had an opportunity to present various segments of the services, with most doing a talk and their testimony. We grappled with that rather difficult skill of speaking through a translator, as while English is the official language of the country, most Ugandans speak local tribal languages and their English proficiency is dependent on their education level, with most not continuing schooling beyond primary school.
The mission also gave us a better understanding of our own skills in ministry, and made many of us question how we might use these skills more effectively, whether in terms of returning to missionary work, or back in Armidale.
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Although we did not spend a whole lot of time in each parish, one thing that became obvious was that Enoch faced an enormous challenge in coordinating effective and Christ-centred ministry in a diocese that encompassed 75 parishes in a very isolated region. Travel, both for Enoch to the parishes, and for the leaders to Rukingiri for training, is difficult and very expensive. Funding is always a problem and in short supply, as is the ability to obtain basic supplies for groups such as Bibles and paper. Despite an enthusiasm for Jesus found throughout the diocese, it was evident that many of the leaders and even pastors did not have a firm understanding of concepts such as reading the Bible in the context of the whole. There is a real need for good Bible-centred ministry training for the youth leaders in North Kigezi. With Enoch leaving the role of Youth Worker at the end of the year to continue his theological training, there is an opening which the Bishop is finding difficult to fill. This problem is amplified by the fact that the church has an increasing difficulty in attracting young people into ministry when the pay is not enough to support a family.
For many of us, the experience of seeing a church building full of kids singing clapping and dancing to God is not something we will forget in a hurry. Something we commented on often while in Uganda was how encouraging it was for us to see so many young people enthusiastic about God, despite the challenges ahead of them. Even being able to help in small ways, such as the donation of the guitars and sports equipment, was an important gift to the continued work of Youth Ministry in the region. Now that we are back, our thoughts are on how we can continue to support this vital ministry in the region. It was, without a doubt, one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences we were able to participate in, and we thank God for the opportunity to do so.
While in Tanzania with missionary couple Meg & Ian Hazelton, we visited a local high school for girls in which Ian teaches divinity as an optional subject for the seniors. In this area there is real need for scripture teachers in schools, and to start voluntary groups in the schools. We rolled up to the girls’ high school on a Saturday morning to share of ourselves with them, and to share the bible with them. More and more students started to join the group as we got started, ending the session with over 150 kids. After a Hannah & Simon shared their testimonies, Martin explained the parable of the sower (with the group illustrating the different soils!), and songs were shared, the girls were encouraged to create a group of their own, meeting, learning from the bible and singing together, which was well received.
There are many schools like this one in Tanzania who have a great need for someone to encourage the students in God fearing ways. They need our thoughts and prayers.
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In Rukingiri, Uganda, we had the youth minister tell us for his schooling years. When he reached senior school, he could no longer attend to school close by. At 13 years of age, he would roll up his mattress, gather up his school supplies, pack the few pieces of clothing he had and walk 60 kilometres to school. There he would find somewhere to stay, and attend school during the week. On the weekends he would work to earn enough money to survive the next week. At the end of term, he would gather up everything he owned for the walk back home where he would be put to work on the family plot for the holidays.
This isn’t the circumstance of just one, but of many who attend school. Government schools are massively under-funded, which is evident. School wasn’t in session during our time in Uganda, but we did have a tour of a highly regarded local high school. A library containing all of 2 small bookshelves with a smattering of books, a chemistry room with no functional gas system, and glassware enough for a few was just the start of the great need we saw. To count as a blessing, many schools such as this have resident chaplains who teach divinity.
In an immediate way, there wasn’t much our team could do, but a penpal link between this school, and schools in the Armidale Diocese is in the process of being established. Hopefully this can be the start of a link between our schools though which we can support those who are in need.
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Compassion is an organization that works worldwide through sponsorship and partnership with local churches to release children from poverty.
They sponsor children to live with family members that couldn’t financially provide for them without help. Compassion equips children with education and learning assistance, life skills, healthcare, hygiene training and also their spiritual needs.
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Compassion plays a major role in Uganda supporting thousands of children all over the country. Within the North Kingezi diocese there are 9 compassion projects, each with over 300 sponsored children. A large percentage of these children are orphans, some from AIDS. There are over 1 million AIDS orphans in Uganda.
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While we were away we got the chance to visit a few of these compassion projects that were linked with the local church. We joined in and helped run youth services, doing some talks, testimonies and songs. We also spent some time just playing with them outside. On one particular day we had the opportunity to work closer with some compassion children at the Cathedral and teach them how to do “two ways to live”.
Compassion provides very well for children’s physical and educational needs. They also regularly hear the gospel and learn about Jesus.
One thing I think that is needed though is more training for the project workers to be better equipped to teach these children from the Bible and to help them read the Bible for themselves.
There is also the constant need for Bibles and other Bible learning materials.
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The team took 5 guitars in hard cases with spare sets of strings, tuners and lesson material to get budding Ugandan guitarists started. Black Dot Music Armidale gave us a great bulk deal and donations from generous diocese folk paid the bill in no time at all.
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Matt and Simon used two of the guitars in school, college, church and youth gatherings before the team formally handed them over on behalf of the Armidale Diocese to Bishop Edward and his congregated pastors (circa 125) at the close of their clergy conference. They were rapt to receive them. Bishop Edward then stunned all present by strapping on a guitar and launching into a lively African gospel song. The place went off! Clapping, dancing, and singing are never far from the surface in African churches.
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Bishop Edward then revealed that he had been praying for some 30 years that modern music and guitars in particular would become a part of the Ugandan church so that young Ugandans would be drawn in and remain where they would grow in Christ. "Today the 11th Commandment, 'Thou shalll not play guitar in church', has been broken!" he said. He then called his archdeacons forward and in a symbolic gesture, presented the guitar to them with the solemn command, "You must use this tool to reach and welcome in our young people. If you don't, we will lose them."
Very exciting and moving stuff. Well worth lugging the things halfway round the world!
In Uganda it is compulsory to attend primary school. Many of the poor however, can not afford to continue with secondary school. Mother's Union Vocational Training Centre (MUVTC) aims to assist orphan girls who have had to leave school, receive training in either sewing or computing skills, in order to be able to find employment.
If the girls have been able to complete two years of secondary school, they are eligible for the computing course. At present there are about 20 doing this course. The vast majority however have had no secondary education and therefore undertake the sewing course. There are about 50 girls doing sewing. The computer course is 2 years long and they sit a national exam at the end. The sewing course is only 1 year.
Resources at the Training Centre are very tight. There are only 3 working computers (none connected to the internet as this is too costly) and 9 sewing machines. Even with running split classes, the girls still must share and take turns. Progress is therefore very slow. Providing consumable items such as paper and ink, needles and thread, is always a burden and one way MUVTC tries to keep expenses down is by using used concrete bags instead of material for the girls to practice their sewing. Concrete bags however are tough and often still gritty and needles break daily. Despite this limitation, the girls make some amazingly good and intricate items of 'clothing' (see pics). The girls get real material for their final exam and often complain the material is too stretchy and soft!
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Accommodation, meals and tuition are included in the course fees and although these fees are very low (about $90 per 3 month term - less than the actual food expenses per girl), many are still unable to pay. When a girl arrives for a new term and begs to be allowed to recommence even though her family has not been able to pay last term's fees, MUVTC still takes them back - "What else can we do?", says Penninah - the Mother's Union representative we spoke with - "this is, after all, the very girl this Centre is here to help."
MUVTC is doing a fantastic job on a less-than-a-shoestring budget in assisting about 70 vulnerable girls gain some sort of independence in the North Kigezi Diocese each year. With more funds and resources it could do much more. They have plans to one day expand their operations. They would like to be able to offer a course in Home Management, access land for growing vegetables and flowers, and complete some half finished buildings to house more girls. If you would like to assist the Mother's Union, please contact Kaylene Knights to find out how you can do this. (n.b. A sewing machine costs about $150.)
The North Kigezi and Kinkiizi Dioceses Water and Sanitation Program (NKKD WATSAN) co-ordinates water and sanitation projects in the two dioceses in south-western Uganda. The program covers an area of 2, 500 square kilometres, with a largely rural population of almost 495,000 people. 55 percent of the region’s population lack access to a safe water supply. Collecting water is primarily the responsibility of women and children, some having to walk up to two hours and descending more than 200m to their nearest water source. Addressing water and sanitation issues within the poor rural communities assist in poverty reduction and health and social improvements.
To set the context, the average Australian uses more than 300 litres of water every day, which is readily available simply by turning on the tap in our houses. The Ugandan Government’s standard for Rural Water Supply states that an adequate and safe supply of water is 20 litres per person within 1.5km radius.
NKKD WATSAN is primarily supported by UK WaterAid, TEARFund and the Ugandan local government. Simple yet effective community facilities to provide clean water include; protected springs (US$1, 750), gravity fed water supply schemes (US$140, 000) and rainwater catchment systems (US$750).
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Unprotect spring (used for collecting drinking water, wash clothes and water animals); collecting water from a protected spring
Maintenance training is provided whenever a water supply project is installed, and a Community Water Committee established to manage the water facility. Hygiene education and sanitation improvement activities are also carried out concurrently (such as the installation of sanitary platforms in toilet blocks and hygiene promotion campaigns, including the use of toilet paper/ leaves and hand washing).
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Projects are implemented on a ‘demand driven’ approach, with project responsibilities divided between the WATSAN team (technical advice and materials, training and education) and the local community (locally available materials, labour, ongoing maintenance and monitoring). This approach ensures the project is supported by the community.
NKKD WATSAN also seeks to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in practical ways. Its focus is to demonstrate God’s love through meeting the basic physical requirements of communities and households who are in greatest need. WATSAN are currently implementing a five year Water and Environmental Sanitation program, which is expected to benefit an estimated 557, 921 people by 2011.
The WATSAN program has adequate technical capacity, and is limited only by financial constraints. The supply of clean water by WATSAN is the entry point into many rural communities, providing the opportunity to talk with and share the gospel of Christ while providing something we take for granted - clean water for living. Our challenge is to consider how our resources can be used to meet the physical and very real needs of our brothers and sisters in Uganda.
Dear Ben & Team,
Greetings from all the people of North Kigezi Diocese, especially Youths.
I am writing to thank you and your team of those lovely young people, for the wonderful ministry you rendered to the youth in our churches here. As you know, I did not have the opportunity to travel with you as you visited our churches, because of my heavy schedules, but your ministry amongst our youths is now speaking volumes of good news.
It is true you now live many miles away from us, but your love, actions, voices and testimonies are still fresh in the hearts of our youths. I have had several opportunities to meet many of them since you left here, they all continue to talk about the wonderful time they had with you all. Praise God for the gift of sharing His Gospel with us.
Kindly please, pass on my warmest love and best regards to those lovely young people and to all the members of your church, who were praying for you when you were here.
We shall always pray for you, that God may enable you to continue sharing His Gospel with all the youths in various parts of the world, and if possible, to come and minister to us once again.
May His blessings be upon you.
Yours in His service,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward Muhima
BISHOP OF NORTH KIGEZI DIOCESE