Book Ministry--New Places, New Friends, Fellow Laborers

October and November brought opportunities to visit new districts in Uganda. We also had the pleasure of receiving a great group of five volunteers from Grace Church in Austin, Texas.

In early October I met with approximately 50 pastors studying at the Baptist Seminary in Jinja. We distributed the first six books and teaching study guides to pastors from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Congo and Uganda!
In late October we traveled to southwest Uganda to Bushyeni District where Dan Douglas had coordinated a training and distribution session. The pastors there received us and the books with great enthusiasm, and we enjoyed being in this beautiful, fertile section of Uganda.
In mid November we traveled with our volunteers to meet with a church in the Rift Valley and participate in a walk-about to invite new people to a book ministry group the church was starting.
Last weekend, we traveled to Masaka District about four hours away for training with pastors from four to five different nearby churches. Henry Lutwama and I had the privilege of preaching Sunday in two of the churches. Our contact person there is Pastor Abel who is the Vice-president of the Baptist Union of Uganda. I look forward to working with him in 2011 for distribution planning. There are 2,000 Baptist churches registered in Uganda!!
Many people have been reached, much love has been shown, friendships have been forged. Thanks to all who gave of themselves to the Ugandan people!

Trip to Masaka District November 26-28, 2010

Becky and Pastor Abel

Teaching

Pastors attending the teaching

Trip to Bushyeni District in October

Henry making preparations.




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Becky, with translator, giving overview of series

Becky with Praise Team Leaders





Honored guest and new friend



This pastor was in his 80's and had suffered persecution and prison for teaching the Bible in earlier years of strife in Uganda. He carries many physical wounds of his tortures. It was very sobering to be giving this man of God teaching resources. We had much to learn from him.

Teaching Distribution at Baptist Seminary in October

Pastors from Tanzania

Students at Seminary


Students from Uganda

November Brings Guests, Good Times , God-Sharing

On November 12, my sister Sally from Austin along with two members of her church and their young daughters arrived for a whirlwind of activities. It was a pleasure to host them in my house, and I am pleased to report that no one ever complained about power outages, trickly showers, or food. These five poured themselves out for the people of Uganda and gave of themselves tirelessly. They spent hours at the orphanage teaching children, visiting with them, playing games with them, and doing amazing art projects. They traveled great distances over sub-standard roads participating in book ministry trips, walked locally in door to door visitation to invite people to an on-going book ministry group, and even sampled the local delicacy--Grasshoppers! They brought a bag full of sweaters to distribute to children living in the colder region of the Rift Valley. They made S'mores with the children at the orphanage, kept score and cheered at the Bible Quiz Bowl, and invested in the lives of the children and others by giving lovingly and willingly of themselves. They brought Light and Love to all of us and we thank them.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

We continue to thank God for the provision of our vehicle which allows us to travel throughout Uganda seeing the sights and beauty of creation as we share our book ministry with the people.

Sally with Ruth, Kate, Timo and Henry on the trip to Bushyeni.

Another traveler

Feeding on the side of the road!

Baboons hoping for bananas

Visitors Put Personal Touch on Art Project

Bonnie Alford brought two art projects for the students to enjoy. The pictures below show the development of the beautiful banner which now hangs in the dining hall. Every child had a "hand" in this project which made it all the more special. Thanks, Bonnie. Bonnie Alford and Bryan display banner to be decorated

Bryan helping Jack add his personal touch

Ruth and Kate given a "guiding hand" by Lillian

Bonnie supervising--Children participating

Beautiful banner now hangs in Dining Hall!

Bible Story Quiz Bowl

We had a great time with a Book Series Quiz Bowl with the children. Bryan served as the facilitator and visitors participated , kept score, and offered encouragement to all. After a fierce competition, the boys won by 1 point in a playoff! Ruth answering a question

Boys proudly display their ribbons!

Guests Provide Good Times

Ruth Alford, center, with Isaac and Sandra

Kate Alford playing games with children


Demonstrating Marshmellow Roasting

Monica, Sally, Bonnie putting S'mores together.

Volunteers in Book Ministry

My sister Sally preaching at a Friday night service in Bushyeni, after after a long car trip.

Dan, Monica, and friend on door to door in Rift Valley


Bonnie, Peter, Ssemakula Henry visiting Ugandans

Bonnie and Ssemakula Henry door to door in Mityana.

Sharing with Others

On one of Dan Douglas's visits to the Rift Valley in October, he saw that many children there had no sweaters although the temperature is much cooler there than other parts of Uganda. We sent the word out to our friends at Grace Church in Austin who brought a duffle bag full of sweaters for the children. After we left on Saturday, Timo and Dan met with the children on Sunday to bless them with a sweater. So much fun to give to others!! Timo distributed sweaters in Rift Valley

Timo gives out suckers and sweaters

Perfect Fit