Your prayers and generous support are making a difference in Uganda!
As more and more people in the United States are vaccinated, and states have begun to loosen restrictions, it’s easy for us to think of the pandemic as a difficult time that is now behind us.
In some African countries, however, Covid-19 is still a very real threat that is causing lockdowns, rising prices and real suffering—even to those who have avoided infection. Uganda, for example, facing a sudden and quickly spreading second wave of Covid infections, has returned to strict lockdown. Churches are closed and our trainings are on hold.
Unable to meet in person, people stuck at home are listening to the radio. Empower’s Africa Director, Pastor Frank Tweheyo, who hosts Empower’s radio program, wrote to us recently about the impact of Empower’s biblical teachings during lockdown. Here is his report, edited for length and clarity:
The Empower Radio program, New Man, New Woman, New Life, has become so popular especially in these times of lockdown. Multiple thousands (if not millions…because the area of coverage is over 10 million potential listeners) listen in each week.
In the month of June alone we received more than 90 text messages and 103 calls from listeners. This is amazing. Many of them appreciate it when we discuss Biblical Equality (what I love calling Biblical Redemption) from the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul.
Here are some of the text messages we’ve received:
Dafin from Bushenyi in Ankole region of South West Uganda says: “You make me laugh every time I listen to your teachings. I am so humbled to learn God’s will for my life!” Dafin says she has never heard these expositions anywhere else. I am humbled. She doesn’t know I learned all these from Dr. Carrie A. Miles!
Rev. Akoramazima Obed (an Anglican priest and chaplain in Kizinda Secondary School in Bushenyi wrote: “I was so blessed by your exposition of the Word today. In Christ we are more than conquerors…”. Obed did his Master’s Degree in Divinity at Uganda Christian University Mukono but he has testified to me over and over again that what we teach makes him so humbled as he never learned these things in his theological and divinity studies.
Brenda from Kabale town wrote: ” Ooh! What shall I render unto the Lord?! All blessings upon you! God never fails. I was listening to you with a smile on my face…I have learned a lot from God’s redemptive plans for me.”
Amos in Katuna near Kabale says: ” Good evening Pastor Frank. Today’s message blessed me. I’ve learned that I have my portion so I should not fight for the portion of others. I’ve understood what redemption means…”
These and many others keep us going as we share the good news of redemption in Jesus Christ and God’s plan of man and woman (and family) and how understanding this contributes to human flourishing and the common good of all.
One couple who had been separated for three years came back together after following our program.
May God bless you and all those who support this weekly broadcast.
–Frank
We are so grateful that the work goes on despite the lockdown, which was recently extended for another 45 days. Still, we do not want to make light of this distressing situation. Most people in Uganda are day-wage earners, and as they cannot go to work during lockdown, many struggle to put food on the table. Please pray for them.
Although Empower’s tax documents do not have an allowance for food relief, if you are interested in learning how you can provide more tangible support, please reply to this email.