The stories of my friends from East Africa have been soul-gripping and heart-wrenching. From Ethiopia through Kenya and Tanzania to Rwanda and forget not Uganda, I have been listening to my new friends tell tales of redemption and of hope for tomorrow. The good thing is that I have had time and opportunities to speak life-giving words into lives of many young people and the old alike. Classroom discussions, chats and lectures have had a profound touch in both my life and those that I have come in contact with in the past few months of my trip around East Africa.
Ethiopia
With the church in Ethiopia lifting it’s hands to the Lord, there is surely revival going on in the cradle of mankind.
“Psa 68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.”
Masses in Ethiopia go to church and are devout. However, it’s the same old obstacle of people bowing before statues and kissing shrines. Religion infiltrates the land of Queen Sheba. Praise the Lord there are new churches in Addis Ababa bringing back the true forms of worship! I am not being judgemental. I am merely stating the facts on the ground. I think we all need to seek the truth and nothing but it.
Kenya
Kenya was filled with work. We came alongside the Partners for Care an organisation based in Nairobi fighting HIV and AIDS and supporting others in child care. We helped them in various ways. Our team spent time serving in the garden; taking the orphaned kids to the clinic, bathing them and playing with them; sorting out medicine into boxes preparing for the forthcoming medical clinic which the Organisation holds frequently; and visiting People Living With AIDS in one of the slums called Mathare.
Before we set out for Tanzania, the team travelled to another town called Nakuru where we taught in Classrooms. I got to teach basic computer skills from fifth up to seventh grades. I was glad to also spend time with some members of staff encouraging them to keep doing the good works of looking after orphans and other vulnerable children. They have have saved and serve them from drugs, prostitution, illiteracy, teenage pregnancy, you name it. These guys are at it working hard 24/7 and all I could do was offer a listening ear and prayers. Take some time and pray for the staff at New Life Africa International for their unfailing love for the children they protect through God’s love. If you are a parent, you know what a daunting task it is to look after one child. What more of several under your care who are not even your biological?
Tanzania
In Mwanza, Tanzania, our visit wasn’t long. However, God used us there as well. During the three days we visited one school and had discussions with pupils on the dangers of HIV and AIDS. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest HIV incidence and prevalence in the world. Young people need to be reminded about the benefits of chastity and abstinence at every given opportunity. So I got to do just that. Infact, this was the third time I shared on life skills and abstinence among youth in East Africa. What a privilege to be an ambassador in the struggle against AIDS in Africa. The other times I talked about this was in Addis Ababa and Nakuru. The topic just pops up almost everywhere. We must fight and win the battle against HIV and AIDS. We have had enough of it.
Rwanda
Let me take you to Rwanda now. I’m almost sure the first thing that pops up in your mind is the genocide. Well, you are not alone. You share the same thoughts that I had before I went there. Worse still when I just got there.
Crossing the border from Tanzania into Rwanda, I was filled with lots of misinformation. Initially, I was expecting to meet people of great grief evidently inscribed with frowns of distrust and despair on several faces. Of course I was absolutely wrong! Secondly, I thought I would easily spot Hutus from Tutsis. Boy some Tutsis look like Hutus and vice versa. Actually, it’s very inappropriate to distinguish people or even talk about differences. So I tried all the time to keep my mouth shut.
And in Kigali we reached. Stepping into that house got me petrified. I felt as though I had once lived there during the genocide. My skin moved every time I opened a new door in the house. I could hear women screaming. I could see children hiding in the bathroom and toilet. I could see dads shutter at the sound of the Interhamwe Militia approaching. I could see the blood running in the tub. I could feel the tremor of someone being forcibly dragged outside the house for eminent murder.
The one day I was was walking to town and saw from a distance smoke arising. Immediately I smelt the stench of people getting burnt. I could see children and women fleeing in numbers. I could feel the rush. I was traumatised. Was the Lord showing me something?
If I could feel the way I did, how about those that actually went through the civil war? How about those whose children, parents and siblings were slaughtered in broad day light? It must be impossible to go on with life after your loved ones are gone especially through brutish means. Those with energy would easily turn belligerent and ballistic. But NOT with the majority of Rwandese.
I have been telling people that if you want to know what transformation means and if it is possible, go to Rwanda.
There is healing in the land which was once an empty nation when all it’s inhabitants fled into neighbouring countries. There is greater than hope there. God is raising up servant leaders in Universities and colleges through Student fellowships countrywide. There is an army of youngsters spreading the Word, activating and stimulating further healing and restoration in the land of a Thousand Hills. I am optimistic that history shall not repeat itself in Rwanda. We will hold on to that promise for those of us who believe because there is discipleship happening.
Would you not be grateful to have a part to play in all these wonderful miraculous transforming roles? Well, you have because you have been praying for me while I represented. I am so thankful to have been a source of encouragement to those working on the ground and also for providing incite for the future and present leaders. I am glad we could impart some leadership skills in those that needed it. But most of all, praise be to the Almighty for His unfailing love and fulfilled promises.
“Mal 4:2 But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun’s rays. You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall.”
“Jer 33:6 But I will heal this city and its people and restore them to health. I will show them abundant peace and security.”
Uganda
We were in Uganda for 35 days doing what the Lord wanted us to do and went wherever He led us to. Our first ministry point was in the capital Kampala with Watoto Church. This is a big ministry rescuing children and raising them up in leadership. They have a Baby house called Bulrushes which receives abandoned or neglected children from age zero. Meaning even premature babies. My team served there mopping floors, washing baby-chairs and of course babysitting.
One of our visits to one of the villages where older children live was tiring when we played soccer and many other games. Children need to be shown love and that they are cared for. That is what we did. We communicated love, indeed, without boundaries. We are following Jesus’ ways. He would not deny them His attention. I don’t think so.
It’s like the Lord has been up to showing me that transformation is really possible. I have been teaching transformational leadership for the past five years. This is the year when He has said go and see and come back with good news of restoration and how I AM is. Northern Uganda was ravaged by civil war for over 25 years. Only two years ago did the LRA rebels flee into the DR Congo and Central African Republic after the Ugandan Government intensified their fight against these child-abducting, mutilating psychopaths.
So we visited Gulu a town near Southern Sudan. Over there, God is doing amazing works through His servants. One of them are our friends from the Sports Outreach Ministry training locals in sustainable development and domestic food security. Our mandate there involved leadership training and teamwork basics. I got to preach the Word on a Sunday and everyone of us got to lead devotion. Someday I helped with ferrying desks to their new school and transported sand and crushed stones for building extensions.
After Gulu, we got back to Kampala where we went to help out another dear friend called Raphael. The kids who comprise his soccer team enjoyed our match and fellowship which saw me into teaching on respect for elders and having the fear of God by having a sound relationship with Christ while they are still young. Raphael took us to various ministry points including high schools and a college. Every other time we taught on different topics ranging from integrity in day-to-day life to sexuality, but all relating to the love of God and the building of His Body.
Our last leg in Uganda was in Tororo which is a town almost bordering Kenya. We linked up with the Heart For Children. This is a reputable organisation involved with orphaned children. They have a great school building project going. We painted three rooms and window frames. We also did plumbing work in the boys and girls ablution block which involved installing 22 cisterns and pipework. Now you can call me a plumber. I thanks the Lord for revealing what a handyman He created me.
Kenya part 2
We are now back in Kenya. Our fisrt stop was in Chwele. Our hosts are keen on the Simple Church model and very open to the Word. Our time with them was wonderful. We got to share on the fundamentals of faith based on Hebrews 6:1-3. I am expectant of fruition in Chwele. Many ministry opportunities abound. There is need for leadership development and discipleship as well as caring for widows and orphans whose lives were greatly disturbed during and after the 2007 Kenya Post-Election violence. Trusting the Lord to send workers there.
What next? We are done with ministry around Africa and now reflecting on what the Lord has done through our expedition. We fly back to South Africa next week on 4th November 2010. Global Challenge Expeditions will be conducting the second Training to help transition and reintegrate or move into places where God is calling us next.
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