Earlier this month, Pastor Frank Tweheyo was scheduled to attend a program in Kenya. Unfortunately, the training was cancelled. Frank however, was undeterred. Besides, his flight was non-refundable. So off he went, to network with Empower’s many new partners in Kenya, and share his inspiring testimony. He was happy to hear about how Empower has impacted Christians all over Kenya. Here is his report.
Early in my trip, I met Nancy Wanjiru, a Master Class graduate who had participated with Pam and I in the group we had at Presbyterian Church of East Africa headquarters. She gave us an amazing interview on what she has been doing with the knowledge she learned, including helping a nearly divorced couple to come back together. They reported that this past Easter was the best in their marriage ever, thanks to the message of redemption.
Nancy is currently leading two groups through the material and talking to pastor Enada Makatia of Karura Community Chapel (near Heart Lodge), who would like to bring the seminar to his church.
On Tuesday, I went to Teen Challenge Kenya, a Christ-based, one-year residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program where we’ve conducted seminars several times. Our main contact there, Joseph, recently moved into a different ministry, so I met with the new designated Empower contact, Joy Karanja, who leads the women’s center. She is very enthusiastic about Empower, having participated in two of our programs there so far.
We talked about future plans with Empower, so that everyone who comes into the Teen Challenge program gets a chance to go through the New Man, New Woman, New Life seminar. They testify that it is one of the most important programs so far for their participants. Whether the participants are single or married, the seminar teaches them what the Bible says about how men and women should relate as equals, which helps them in every relationship.
I also met with some men who are about to graduate from the program, who said that the seminar impacted them dramatically:
Kevin said he has been transformed especially the way he views women. He no longer sees them as sex objects, but as fellow equal partners in the kingdom.
Paul and George equally voiced their transformation and look forward to going home to share the good news with their families.
The men told me that they often talk at length what they studied in the seminar, and reviewing the materials has made it part of their lives. It was most fulfilling spending time with them as they told me their dreams and expectations for the future, once they complete the Teen Challenge treatment program.
I went back to Pastor George Masha’s home, where I was staying, feeling very fulfilled. It is one thing to teach the program but it is another thing to meet people talking of how it has impacted their lives.
Banana Parish
I had a great blessing of being invited by Pastor George Mwaura, of Banana parish of Presbyterian Church of East Africa, in Ruaka area, to talk to his Women’s Guild meeting. The PCEA is very interested in partnering with Empower throughout the denomination.
A few weeks ago, Pastor George had brought a team of Elders to Kampala when I happened to be there, so I visited with them in their hotel. Three of the elders had gone through the training at St. Paul’s University in nearby Limuru, and had reached out to me because they were coming to Uganda. (The pastor will also undergo the training at St. Paul’s this coming week).
I was so overjoyed to talk to the ladies. I began by sharing our twin testimony (which brought tears to many), then talked about how to be a new woman in Christ. I talked about redemption brought by Jesus.
After the meeting, I met with several folks who had participated in our past trainings at St. Paul’s. It was a glorious moment of reconnecting with many of them and hearing from them about what they are doing with the material. They are involved in counseling couples using the material, as well as preaching in church using the material. Beatrice, whose husband is a businessman, told me she was encouraged by my testimony about the birth of my twins. She and her husband have also have not yet had children, and she was so encouraged to know that children are not a commandment but a blessing. She said our testimony that has given her and her husband hope.
Though it was not part of my program, I was happy to meet Dudu, the son of Pastor Esron of Bujumbura, who works in Nairobi. I visited his home and met his family, which is in the vicinity of the church, and we had a glorious moment.
That evening I met with Wendy, a lawyer who became strong friends with Pam and has gone through the program.
She gave me an amazing testimony of what the program has meant to her and how her transformation has led to her family’s transformation.
After she went home from the training, alcohol was taken away from the house (it had been part and parcel of the household). Also her parents have started going to church (if only to give her company) but by going they are also meeting their transformation. She testifies that the NMNWNL program was her first and last program. When she first came to Teen Challenge, she said she was willing to spend few weeks, but after attending our first program last year she decided to stay for the whole program and finish it. And we came back in February 2019 she had only one day left before graduation, and we participated in praying for her. She is a real testimony of transformation. She is truly a new woman in Christ!
New seminars planned
Thursday I met with several pastors who had been connected to me by Mary Matu, our St. Paul’s master class graduate last February. We were able to schedule a couple of key trainings for leaders from several churches, which we hope to hold in the fall.
I also visited Ridgeways Baptist Church in the evening, where my host Masha was preaching. He introduced me to their senior pastor who invited me to the pulpit to pray for the congregation as the service was ending. In his introduction to me, pastor Masha also gave our twin testimony and so many people were touched. Masha and his wife and their two kids, Joy and Abel, visited us last few weeks and spent with us one week. They are truly friends and family.
Friday I visited Africa International University, where I met with the leaders of a couples ministry to discuss the possibility of bringing New Man, New Woman, New Life to the university. There are plenty of details still being worked out, but they were very interested in what we teach.
Overall, it was a worthwhile trip. It was helpful to be able to check on our programs and make new connections, without pressure of also having to lead trainings. I’m grateful to God, who continues to open doors for Empower!
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