The Empower Uganda team recently conducted a training in the Lukalu Buvuma Islands, in Central Uganda. Here is a report from Pastor Joyce Ouko, President of Empower Uganda, editing for length and clarity.
We bless the Lord for His continuous faithfulness and love for His servants. We conducted a training at Lwazi Baptist Church. It was facilitated by Rev. Julius Ouko, Pastor Opoya Mukisa Alone, and myself.
We left Kampala on November 26, hoping to reach our destination for the training, unfortunately the kind of transport on the islands and the time dictates the time of movement. We were slightly delayed with the public taxi and missed the last boat at 2:00 p.m., so we had to spend a night on the landing site (Kasenyi).
Friends, thanks a lot for your prayers!
Please never underestimate the power of your prayers, support and any kind of contribution towards God’s work.
The transport on water by engine boat just raises your faith to another level. Because the boats are parked several meters from dry land, passengers must be carried to the boat by a strong young man! Although transportation was challenging, above all God was glorified.
Lwazi Island is one of the sub islands within Buvuma Island in Buvuma district in central Uganda in Africa. The people there work in fishing, burning charcoal, and a bit of agriculture. Islands in Uganda are one of the hard to reach areas because of the kind of transport on water. Further, because of their level of education, much time is spent in translation. Nevertheless, the training was very successful.
A well-facilitated training in meals, facilitators, and materials made a difference in the participants’ commitment to the training sessions. We had 29 pastors and church leaders from eight different churches.
One challenge (in addition to our transport experience) was that the church structures are in a very sorry state as you may see in some of the photos. The building is incomplete, with half-mudded walls and a half-finished roof, and therefore very dusty. The church had only six chairs and four wooden benches, so participants had to take turns using them. The islands are very dusty. Our view of ministry was impacted, challenged and encouraged as well. Glory to God!
How the Empower training is impacting the islands:
Two weeks after the training, we received the following feedback from some of the participants.
Pastor Joel Mutebi said he was inspired to love his wife with unconditional love after understanding how Jesus willingly died for the church. He also said he learned to take time to intentionally study the Bible, not just as a routine but to know God, to grow in his relationship with God and to not to misinterpret Scripture. He added that he appreciates Empower training because he was able to understand the true meaning of submission, that his wife being his helpmeet is a special gift from God, not property to be used and dumped.
Pastor Florence Nakiyaga reported that she felt an ongoing dedication to serve, and experienced the clear voice of God through scriptures, internal peace, and have continued studying and sharing through the NMNW manual and she and her spouse are discovering many new things that are building them spiritually and socially.
Pastor Mukisa Alone Opoya discovered that both man and woman are equal before God, both are created in God’s image; this has bridged the domestic gap that has been causing a lot of uncalled for conflicts. Now he and his wife are living peacefully, serving God and each other with respect. Attending the training, they said, has renewed their marriage relationship, and as a result, there is revival in their ministry.
Each of your contributions has made this great outreach possible.
Our special thanks to Dr. Carrie Miles for your never-ending sacrifice towards strengthening the Church in Uganda. Not forgetting our dear partners of Empower ministry for your prayers, finances and different kinds of contribution. Also, thanks to Dr. Frank Tweheyo for your encouragement and support.
May God continue using each of you and blessing you mightily.
