The training itself was very encouraging. As we continue to handover the CHE ministry to the local church, they are doing more and more of the teaching and preparations themselves -- which is why (sorry!) we don’t have many pictures. The encouraging report which we received from the facilitators is that this group of trainers was the best prepared of any of the groups trained; they knew what they had come to learn, and they were eager and ready to put it into practice. We pray that this dedication will carry over from TOT1 to TOT2 and TOT3, and then to the ministry in their communities. We also recently heard an encouraging report from one of the groups that we trained in 2014. Reverend Patrick went to Odokomit to follow up with the team, and he found that 75% of the homes have achieved a healthy home award and the church mobilized themselves to finish roofing their new church building! It’s always encouraging to hear these stories, and see the ways in which God is using CHE to bring changes to Northern Uganda. |
We're a bit behind on our blog posts, and a lot has happened since our last ministry post! Schools opened for the third term, and the Understanding True Love course was restarted. Bishop Lee (the theological college we have been teaching at) is in full swing, with final exams finishing this week. We had a residential training for 19 church leaders to prepare for the restart of the Jesus Film ministry, and the launch of discussion based Bible study groups. And in September we started a new set of Community Health Empowerment (CHE) trainings in Lamwo West. In fact we're so far behind that this post about the first training is coming out just after we finished the second training! But we have to start catching up somewhere, and the other updates will have to come later... This CHE training was an exciting one for us, because it was our first venture into the northern end of the Diocese of Kitgum. Our venture began back in June, when we had a vision casting training for the areas north of Kitgum, and then last month we went to Palabec Kal (spelled wrong on the map...) to have our first CHE Training of Trainers (TOT1). It's quite the drive -- only about 100 km, but more than three hours of driving -- and quite remote, but it's a beautiful place with a vantage point that lets you see all the way to the border with South Sudan. And when we go we go fully loaded! (see the photo at the top) Unfortunately the vehicle broke down when the team went for TOT2, and Reverend Patrick was stuck there for three extra days before we could get him back, but we're glad to say that the vehicle is up and running again (and by a true miracle of God...but that's another story!).
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We find ourselves in the middle of a very busy season! (Hence the lack of posts, sorry!). So busy, that we have to celebrate two things at once... Well, not really! It just so happens that two very special days coincided - Elias' baptism, and Ugandan Independence Day with the deaf community. First, Elias' baptism... So we both come from different traditions when it comes to infant baptism. However, we decided that we would follow the tradition of whatever church community we found ourselves to be part of when children finally came along. Here in Uganda, we are partnered with the Anglican Diocese of Kitgum, who practice infant baptism. Marianne attended baptism classes for about 5 weeks before the big day, which happened to be Ugandan Independence Day. She attended most classes by herself, but sometimes Elias came along with her, and Mike was able to make it to the last class. Finally, Sunday, October 9th dawned. The big day! Elias woke up a bit early, which was good because then he'd be able to get a full nap in before the 9AM service. (We usually attend the 7AM service, which is in English, but the baptisms were taking place during the second service, which is in Acholi). Well, he didn't stay down for his full nap. When Elias is tired, he's a bit easy to startle. When the baptisms started, people started ululating after each child was taken forward. This frightened Elias, in his groggy state. So between each baptism, there was Elias, in full cry! Marianne took him outside to help him try to re-gather himself before his name was called, but there was only one child before his turn. So inside they came, and we went forward with Elias' three godparents; Tom, Charles, and Grace... ...the momentary calm did not last... However, a "successful" baptism (if you can call it that) isn't about whether you cry or not, thankfully!. In the Anglican tradition, it is an opportunity to families to stand in Christ, and to publicly promise to raise a child in the faith. One day, Elias will have the make the decision for himself. The second celebration of the day was that of Ugandan Independence. We had the great opportunity to be invited along to the big lunch organised by Tom and Milly for the Pader deaf community. It all started last year, when Tom had it on his heart to do something special for the deaf students at PaiPir Primary School, who, even though the school is Catholic, all attend our church regularly due to the availability of interpretation in sign language. The deaf adults also all joined in, and we had a great time! Elias seemed to enjoy the afternoon much more than the morning. No loud noises for starters, and lots of other kids to play with and enjoy!
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October 2021
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