Trip Report for Sarah and David Nutter
Countries visited: Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda
July 7-23, 2011
Sarah and I have recently returned from Africa where we facilitated the Empower International Ministries seminars. Immediately after our return from Africa, we traveled to Colorado on a family outing, so please forgive the lateness of this report!
Sarah and I facilitated five seminars (four New Man, New Woman, New Life seminars and one master class for those who had already partaken in the NMNWNL seminar) – with the assistance of Frank and Phobice Tweheyo in Uganda and Rwanda. In Karen, Kenya we worked very closely with Stephen Olang of International Justice Mission (IJM). There, we facilitated a seminar for IJM affiliated pastors and for clergy of the Free Methodist Church. Frank Tweheyo, our Empower International Ministry Pan-African Director, organized a seminar that was hosted in Mbarara, Uganda. Following this, we moved on to Kigali, Rwanda where we facilitated two seminars simultaneously: a master class and a NMNWNL seminar. These were the scheduled events that were attended by wonderful folks from whom we have learned so much.
H I G H L I G H T S
An Empower Chapter at Bishop Barham University College in Kabale, Uganda
Frank Tweheyo has worked with the Bishop Barham University College (an Anglican college) in Kabale, Uganda to create a chapter comprised of students who desire to live in a redeemed way. During our visit, we met with Rev. Canon Jovahn Turyamureeba and Rev. Travis Hines, Lecturer and affiliated with Global teams to formalize the creation of the Empower Chapter there on campus.
New Man, New Woman, New Life and Justice
Our first seminar in Kenya was designed for church leaders who are working closely with IJM in and around Nairobi. It is amazing that the Empower material that teaches Biblical principals about men and women has so many linkages to justice issues. The breakdown of the marriage relationship that occurred at the Fall sets the stage for great injustice. Women are treated as subordinates, property, and sexual objects while men need to control many other men and women and exert their dominance over their communities and societies. For example, if women are themselves property, then how can they inherit property (even if the laws now require this)? Jesus comes and redeems the curse on the ground and reverses the consequences of the damaged relationship between men and women. He gives women value that is far beyond their reproductive abilities and tells men that they must no longer look upon women as objects and that they should seek to serve and not be the big man.
The International Justice Mission recognizes that even though there are laws that regulate human behavior in countries around the world, they seek and hope for a transformed society. It is this Gospel to both men and women that will have the lasting impact in this world. We at Empower are excited to announce that Empower International Ministries and International Justice Mission are jointly seeking to formalize a relationship in late 2012.
Divine Appointments
Probably the greatest surprise during our trip was how often we met other individuals along our way. Many of whom were actually outside of the seminars for which we were sent to Africa. Our first two seminars were held at the Scripture Mission Conference Center in Karen, Kenya. As we entered the compound for the first time we left Lengata Road and drove back a lane past the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church World Mission headquarters for East Africa. Sarah was raised in the Missouri Synod and said that if we didn’t visit these folks, then her mother would be angry with us. So mid-week, we walked back out the lane and stood at the gate calling for anyone to let us in.
Inside, we met with Shauen Trump who is the director of this office. During our conversation, we shared our Empower message and he said that he had a need for this message right now in Zambia. We told him that we had a team that would be in Zambia in August!
In Uganda, we met a British man named Jon who would describe himself as a ruffian who, seven years ago, gave his life to Christ and has since worked with the British government to bring young people who are in trouble with the law to come to Uganda. There, these young people engage in building hospitals and clinics. While working on these projects, Jon offers the young people to take a recess, stay at a nice hotel, eat excellent food and to take the Alpha course. Not surprisingly, everyone opts to participate in the Alpha course. Curiously, the director of the Alpha program for East Africa attended our first seminar in Karen. John was very excited to hear about NMNWNL as it would augment his ministry.
When we arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, we met Thomasine Laib who is Stephen Olang’s counterpart for IJM in Rwanda at the very church where we scheduled to teach the Master Class. When we arrived, Thomasine said “I have heard of you and your work…”
Finally, we met a young lady at the AEE Guesthouse in Kigali where we stayed who works for … We later met her on the day we left at Hôtel des Mille Collines (Hotel Rwanda) where we were eating lunch. She works in a town about an hour from Kigali. We were able to provide her with NMNWNL materials. We are hoping that one of our Master Class graduates can go and facilitate a seminar for her young people. To meet her the first time was interesting. To see her again before leaving was amazing. What a God we serve!