BOOK MINISTRY TRAVEL

Last week, Henry and I traveled over 2,000 kilometers to several towns and villages in southern Uganda we had not yet been. We were very close to the border of Tanzania in the district of Isingiro. We had four different teaching opportunities in well-organized groups put together by people we have previously worked with in other parts of Uganda. Although the trip was quite long with difficult driving conditions,it was very rewarding to present the teachings and the books to these people for their ministries. We were able to present the entire series of 12 books in each of these villages.

The following posts will provide you a glimpse into our world of traveling and teaching, and I hope you will enjoy seeing some of our times on the road. Thanks for your support and prayers which make these distribution trips possible. You are appreciated and loved!

TEACHING THE WORD

Henry and I were glad to receive the teaching help of others on this trip. Dan, a student at a nearby university spent 4 days teaching with us. His friend Nelson, also a college student from Mbarara, has interpreted for us in the past and this time in addition to his translating, he wanted to help out by teaching; he did a great job. Innocent is a Congolese refugee living in Kampala and working with Navigators. We met him at the Orality Workshop last month and he coordinated the meeting at the Congolese settlement. He was a great translator in Swahili. Teaching 12 books four days in a row can be tiring. I am thankful for the additional help Henry and I had.

Becky with translator in Kamwenge village

Dan teaching with Nelson in Nelson's home church.
Innocent, on left, translating in Swahili for Dan with the Congolese.

HEARERS OF THE WORD

We are always encouraged and blessed when we see the captured attention of different age groups as they listen to the Bible stories, hold the books in their hands, or study the illustrations.

This young boy stayed for the entire teaching

Our first teaching group.

Visiting Pastors to the Host Church

Last group

THE "HEARERS OF THE WORD"

No matter how far we travel or the size of the group, we are blessed by great "hearers of the Word."

Group 4

Group 3

Congolese Settlement

Group 3

Group 1

AFRICAN PRAISE AND WORSHIP

Certainly, a very special part of our travels and ministry has been to participate in and enjoy the traditional African worship experience. There is dancing, singing, drums and much expression and joy. Unfortunately, these few pictures don't adequately tell the story.

These young people in yellow made up a youth choir who performed for us.

These girls below could really play the drums. These drums were metal drums cut in half with cow hide coverings.

VILLAGE CHURCHES

Over the years, we have been in many different churches in Uganda. This recent trip shows well several examples of the churches we see and visit.

Fourth Village Church (sorry, I don't even know the name of the village. We were 2.5 hours off a main road.) The orange tarp on the roof gave a beautiful glow inside. This hosting church is grateful that they had recently moved to this new area because no vehicle could get to the previous location! I loved this church.

This is the inside of a typical village church. It was small and had plastered walls. This church was not too far outside of the large city of Mabarara and was the first place we met last week.

We learned several interesting facts about the church pictured below which is in the village of Kamwenge. When this church was started the members faced a great deal of persecution from the Catholic churches and the Anglican churches because they were threatened by the loss of some of their members. But these people were steadfast and their church is established and they are building an enclosed mud building behind this open area. They told me I was the first white person to visit in that area. (A local photographer with a very old camera came to take my picture with many members and families!! My claim to Fame!)

The church below is located in a very large Congolese Refugee Settlement Camp. There are several refugee settlements in Uganda. This was our first time at this one. The church building was actually constructed in the past by Ethiopians. Most Ethiopians have returned to their country and many of these Congolese had only been here about 6-8 years. As you can see, this building is quite large and substantial.

TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

I continue to marvel at God's protection as I have traveled by vehicle thousands of kilometers throughout this beautiful country. A small percentage of the roads are paved. Although the main roads from Mityana to Mbarara in southern Uganda were good for the most part, the travel from Mbarara each day to four different locations was on dirt roads. Some were rough as a washboard; others were muddy; some were okay. Travel is always an adventure and sometimes a harrowing experience. On this trip we were almost to the Tanzania border in a place called Isingiro. I am always thankful and grateful to God for safe journeys!

STUCK!

I suppose the amazing thing is that this was the first time I have gotten stuck in the mud in all of our travels, and we have been on MANY DIRT ROADS. This particular incident happened after leaving the third village group. We had already driven over 2 hours on dirt roads when we came to this one where the mud was particularly soft after a light rain. The moment we entered that section, the vehicle just slid to the side as though it were rolling off a tray. Grateful to have 4Wheel Drive, I didn't expect a problem getting out, but the shoulder was deeper than it appears and the vehicle could not get back onto the road. After 10-15 minutes, Henry suggested that I try to drive the shoulder till it ended and get back on the road. That worked and we were back on our way.

The coordinating pastor, Pastor Bennon with the hoe and Dan in the red shirt trying to fill in the shoulder.

The car was stuck up to the lower part of the window. Yes, I am missing a spotlight.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Further ahead, an African traffic stall, as the prisoner in yellow to get the cows off the road. There was a nearby prison and various prisoners were out tending herds. I didn't notice any supervision in this place.

AFRICAN FOOD!

Everyone looks forward to the meal at the end of each teaching workshop. Women start early in the day preparing the food, cooking it and then serving us in the late afternoon. In three of the villages, they were able to get a few forks or spoons together for the visitors to use. If none are available, I eat the Ugandan way, with my fingers--- hot beans and rice can be challenging!! But, in case, you are wondering, I find the food good, and I am always able to eat a respectable American portion although there is no comparison to an African's full plate.

THE COMPLETE SAMPLING OF UGANDA FOOD

The last village provided us with a huge feast of many Ugandan foods: G Nuts (small peanuts), Irish potatoes, greens, beans, millet, cassava, matoke, cabbage, boiled beef, and even pasta cooked in tomatoes!!

Henry on right; Pastor Bennon who organized two of the village groups, left of Henry. Pastor at the head and one of the women who prepared the food.

PLEASING THE AMERICAN PALATE

In the third village, these women prepared a small portion of French Fries, along with the boiled potatoes, rice, cassava, beans and other foods. The Fries were greatly enjoyed!

PREPARATIONS AND COOKING

These church women were peeling cassava, a root plant and a staple Ugandan food.