As we write now, one team (led by Polycarp) has already gone and come back, and the second team (led by Concy) is coming back tomorrow. A third team (led by Walter) will likely go in late May. Below are some pictures received from the first two teams.
They were visibly shaken by the conditions that these other tribes live in - with water scarcity, virtually no food, and in constant fear of neighbouring clans coming to raid and steal their livestock. Yet they were also very surprised at how welcoming the communities were to them - not at all like they had been taught to think about the tribes in Karamoja region. Polycarp commented that the very harsh living conditions have made people open to the gospel, because they are looking for help.
They were all deeply touched by the teaching that Timothy and Ian did with them each evening, which was drawn from the Xplore course. Rachel said, "What we're doing in salvation is not even a half of what God wants us to do." She emphasized the point which struck her deepest, that we as Christians often miss the "so that" clauses that accompany God's promises and blessings in the Bible. If you read God's promises of blessings in the Bible attentively, you will notice that each blessing is followed by a "so that", which calls us to be a blessing to others. She said, "Whatever we have is not for us. It is a blessing to share with others. The salvation we have is for others also to enjoy. And yet there are many millions of people with no access to the gospel. [In Kaabong] people are crying for a single church to reach there." She went on to say how she couldn't even imagine how people are born and grow up with nobody to tell them about Jesus. "People in the villages are asking, 'God, what am I doing in this world?'".
Sharon said the course taught her to "forsake everything you have. Just follow God." She continued, "Even if you die while on God's work, it's not bad even. Even if they kill you, you will just feel happy that you've done what you're supposed to do in this world."
We look forward to hearing from Concy's team (Concy, her husband Peter, and Grace) after they come back tomorrow, and we hope to share a video with you soon so you can hear some of their passion yourselves. But for now, join us in praying for these teams, that as they come back, God will use them mightily to share what they have seen and heard, so that whole congregations will catch the fire that they are carrying in their hearts! And pray for Timothy and Ian, to have endurance, wisdom, and to be protected physically and spiritually all their days.