Pools To Quench their Thirst (Psalm 84:6)

Women in worship at Kayunga

The children sat quietly and listened attentively.

Last week Joe and I had the privilege of visiting the recently developing Mennonite churches in Uganda, a marathon 10 day trip including two days of teaching in two different locations. We were accompanied by one of our Kenyan bishops (Moses Otieno), another newly arrived missionary to Nairobi (Evie Hershey), and the coordinating pastor (Simon Onyango) of the Ugandan churches. At the first location (Kayunga, near Kampala) the congregation was primarily women from three various churches who enthusiastically welcomed us with music, ululations, and dancing. We no sooner were in the tin building structure, and they broke out into simultaneous prayer as a group, worshipping and praising God. Some of these women had walked 6 kms and had slept in the church overnight in order to be there. We could literally feel and sense their commitment to Jesus even though we could not speak to many of them because of the language barrier. Their intense desire to learn and know more was conveyed by their attentiveness to the teaching given and through the questions they asked during the response time. We also introduced our study materials to about 10 groups of women who expressed a desire to study the Bible together, some who were from other denominations. The coordinator’s wife, Alice, will continue to provide leadership and encouragement to these groups. Joe met with the men to discuss and encourage them in strengthening their leadership. Our hearts were blessed and our eyes were opened to the deep need for spiritual nurture and growth. 

Nshure Mennonite Church, with a new addition being built

Women studying the TEE materials

Men in Bible study

The second location was a days drive across Uganda to the western and southern tip to a town called Rukungiri. This was the first place a Mennonite church had been established about 10 yrs. ago. The churches in this area have been struggling because of some conflict among leaders. Although this group was much smaller and less glamourous, we also felt the presence of the Holy Spirit working in their hearts and sensed a deep longing for becoming a people of God. 

During our church service on Sunday, several people felt the need for repentance and prayer. We feel certain God will begin a new thing among them and provide a pool to quench their thirst as they come to him seeking and obeying what he will teach them through the study of the Bible. In these churches, it is the younger people who will be key in helping the older ones to use our materials because they are the ones who know English. Uganda does not use Swahili, so we could only offer English materials that will need to be translated as they work in their small groups. This should produce an interesting interaction and sharing between the young and the old! Pray for the leaders of the groups as they begin to work together in strengthening the church. We have planted the seeds, may God provide the water to quench their thirst!