Empower Uganda President Joyce Ouko, alongside her husband Rev. Julius Ouko and minister Tonny Opio, led a New Man, New Woman, New Life seminar at Bread of Life Church in the Bundibugyo District of Western Uganda.
Empower Africa Director Frank Tweheyo noted that Bundibugyo borders Congo, where many women have suffered at the hands of many different rebel groups. Insurgency and insecurity leads to women being raped and homes destabilized.
“An Empower training there for NMNWNL does not only bring hope to Ugandan families but also helps Congolese Women who are refugees in Uganda as well as a spill over to those who are still suffering at home,” Frank wrote. “Recently, ADF rebels attacked Kasese and killed over 40 students about 17 of whom were young girls. When NMNWNL message takes root, such rebel activities are defeated because man realizes the futility of patriarchy and seeks to be a New Man in Christ. By so doing, lives are changed and communities are transformed.”
Here is Joyce’s report of the impact of the seminar.
.We always do not have words to say thank you to:
- Dr. Carrie Miles with your family
- Rev. Frank Tweheyo, African Program Director
- Empower USA family
- Ugandan team, for your tireless support to redeem the church from the bondage of culture.
God is faithful in all His ways.
We left Kampala on Tuesday 20th June, we spent that night in Fort Portal town because it was already late to move the mountainous roads. We continued on Wednesday morning directly to the training.
We could sense the power behind the success of the seminar, is your prayers. The Ugandan team is very grateful for your commitment towards EIM.
Our host was Rev. Kapipa Isaac Bahati and his wife Scovia. He is the overseer of The Bread of Life churches in western Uganda.
We were warmly welcomed by Rev. Isaac and his team.
39 pastors and their spouses attended the seminar. This made our presentation quite easy because of the good and gender-balanced turn up. This is good especially in the discussion groups.
Here are the testimonies of some of the participants:
Rev. Kapipa Isaac Bahati, the host pastor
He expressed his joy by saying he has always attended couples seminars, but he has never seen such a life impacting seminar. He said that the Empower seminar is very practical and Bible based teaching.
It leaves people with good application that revives individuals, families, the church and community, it makes God’s love very evident.
He said that he saw pastors who had big gaps with their wives, genuinely bridged during and after the seminar.
Pr. Makolo Vincent (Army officer)
He testified that the Empower teaching reveals the true picture of Jesus’ ministry and intention to His church through the attitude of being willing to go low so as to obtain victory together as man and woman.
Sr. Harriet Katusiime
She told us she learned that being a helpmate is not being a sex object but rather it means to support her husband in love, to worship God, and to not make fun of her husband. As a result, he gives her the support she needs.
Pr. Patrick Mbeki
His marriage had broken, and they were at the stage of divorcing. They’d been separated for two years. He thanks God who brought him to the Empower seminar. He told us he clearly heard God speak to him to reconcile with his wife. Further, he asked if we would bring the NMNWNL to churches in Congo. He said that the church seriously needs this teaching, because families are dying.
Pr. Kyaligonza Alosius
Is a trained theologian but had never known that Adam was with Eve when the serpent tempted Eve.
Abraham Bamutirebye (Local Council 3 Chairman, Bundibugyo town and church Elder)
He testifies that his eyes were opened, like the boy whom Jesus opened his eyes, when we discussed Genesis 3:6, and he realized that Adam was present with Eve at the time of eating the forbidden fruit.
Pr. Deo Agaba
He told us that before the seminar, there was a lack of transparency about money between him and his wife. The very day both Pr. Deo and his wife Immaculate attended the training, they started opening up to each other, now each of them knows all their finances. Within one week after the seminar, they are living happily and ministry has become more effective.
Here are some photos of happy couples whose marriages were transformed by the training:
Thank you all for your prayers and sacrificial giving.
Compiled by:
Joyce Ouko
President, EIM, Uganda.