Ethiopia & Uganda

As many of you know, Janice & I spent several weeks in East Africa earlier this year. 

First of all, in Ethiopia, with G in the Afar. Simon from SIM and Gerald and Cas from Gentle Shepherd Community Church in Fleserton, ON (another Vision Ministries Canada Church) were also on the team.

We began by ministering at a pastor's and leaders' conference. It was great to connect with these folks who have become passionate about reaching the Afar. 

When I first met some of these folks, several years ago, they were not sure the Afar could become Christian, because of their reputation for being a violent people.

Now they are actively reaching out.

One of the things we heard from many Christians was: 

As long as we hated and were afraid of the Afar, they rejected the Gospel.
But when we started loving them, they are open to hearing the message.

There are Afar who are asking for prayer, because, as they say, "We know your God hears your prayers."

Even some Imams are asking for prayer. God is at work!

We also had the opportunity to visit an IDP [Internally Displaced Peoples] camp. These are people who have had to be relocated because of the tectonic activity [earthquakes, new hot springs, steam vents, and mud volcanoes]. 

The camp we visited, which is funded by donations to FSA, housed about 600 families (close to 3500 people). 

FSA [Friendship Support Association] work in conjunction with WFP [World Food Programme], WHO [World Health Organisation], UNICEF, MSF [Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières], and others, to provide care and support to these families. 

Then we spent time in Uganda.

We started with Tim and Janessa Cyper and Cultivate Discipleship.

I had a week with two groups of previous students. This was a refresher, renewing week for them. They have all gone through meeting for a week together, once a month, over the course of a year. They are now living in various villages and towns in northern Uganda. During their time at Cultivate Discipleship, they start a small Bible Discovery group, with the goal of seeing that group multiply and start additional groups. One of the young men from 3 years ago was very hesitant about starting a group. He shared that he was able to start 3 groups, and those groups have now started 10 additional groups. Disciples making Disciples who make Disciples. God is at work.

They also teach some farming methods that are less labour-intensive and produce a larger crop. They use this as a way of connecting with their neighbours and communities.

We then moved into Gulu for a pastor's conference with ILA - I Live Again Uganda. Simon, Rob and Matthew from Pemborke were with ILA while we were at Cultivate Discipleship. We overlapped for a few days.

On our first Sunday in Gulu, I was not scheduled to preach, but Rob was sick, so I preached at the last moment.

Janice had the opportunity to visit our sponsored child, Faith, with World Vision. That was certainly a highlight for her. 

While she went there... a several-hour drive, involving an overnight stay, I taught, for the 3rd year, at the pastor's conference. There were some pastors from previous years and some new pastors to meet. I love teaching and interacting with these men and women (there were only two women this year) who serve in tough places - Acholi Quarter slum in Kampala, resettlement camps with South Sudanese, and rural churches in northern Uganda. Many of these pastors and their congregations deal with trauma. 

It's hard to communicate all that we experienced and the privilege of connecting with people who are on the front lines in ministry.

Here is a video of our report to Orillia Community Church. 

You can give to ILA Uganda through SIM Canada. If you include a note to the "finance office" for "Pastor's Conference" it will go to that annual ministry and follow-up.

To give towards ministry in the Afar, you can do it through this link at SIM Canada.