Having spent some time this morning sorting out getting a PCR  ready to travel tomorrow, we had the privelege of ministering along Pastor Richard and Imelda. We were able to visit a number of the projects that the church were involved with. We began by speakimg to the widows and teenage mothers.  Anne shared powerfully about being hidden in Christ, using the  illutstration of  the Russian Dolls and Neal continued sharing the good news of  reconciliation to Jesus, using the sketch When Doreen, Sarah and Grace came forward to recieve Jesus into their heart for the first time, we were overjoyed. The rest of the group stood and promised  to pray daily for these three. We were then given opportunity to support the widows and teenage mothers by buying some beautful items they had made to help clothe and feed themselves. On our way to the widows outreach project, Pastor Richard showed me the dairy initiative, where we met Peace selling milk to help support the vital work of the church in the community. We then stopped off briefly to see where the radio was set up. Pastor Richard gave a quick update through the radio and  I had opportunity to say a few words too. We moved on to spend some time with the widows, encouraging them and sharing the gospel. A number of the widows responded (8 widows and 5 grandchildren). and were prayed for. It was a joy and privelege to worship together with these widows. We moved on to share the gospel with the Friends of Jesus where  children and Adults engaged in songs and drama as together with Pastor Richard, we shared the gospel of Jesus: (13 adults and 10 children made decisions for Christ) What a significant day! We have been so blessed to join in with the ministry that Pastor Richard and Imelda lead. Wow Wow Wow. We finished by sharing a meal with Pastor Peter and his children Precious and Roy; Jude and Rita; Juliet and of course Anne and myself. This was a special time in which we we had the oppotunitty to say thank you, what an awesome evening!!!

Today we had the opportunity to meet Pastor Elisha at the Rukunjiri Community church main campus to pray for with them for the ministry at Rukunjiri, in the West Region. We prayed over the land next to the church and put a stake in the ground to mark where they are believing for growth. We then travelled with the local team to the prison to minister there. It was only in the last week or two that the prison had been open to visitors and we were the very first visitors that the prison recieved since the pandemic began two years ago. As a team, we shared the gospel in word, testimony and song. We invited the people to respond and 89 people chose to follow Jesus for the first time, Praise the Lord! How awesome is that? VERY! As we left we were able to pray with and  give a bible  to the Deputy Officer in Charge.

We moved on to share and pray with those working and ministering at AMC bank. The vision behind this entrepreneurship is to reduce poverty , create jobs and sustainable income both for the local community and the church. An excellent project that was clearly accountable and well run. What an brilliant idea of supporting people out of poverty.

We were then able to visit Misseo Deo Secondary school where we were able have an immense time of worship, sharing and ministry. 18 young people gave their heart to Jesus which was incredible. The young people were ‘on fire’ as they sang Waymaker which was so powerful. What a transformational day!

Juliet, our much loved sponsored ‘daughter’ from NVI, who has become an excellent and  valued part of the team ministering in song and encouragement. has celebrated her birthday today. Througout the day, we took the opportunity to simg Happy Birthday a number of times, and with a number of people. These included over 500 prisoners, and over 100 young people at the school. We finished the day by suprising Juliet with the biggest cake I have ever seen. We finished off the day by giving thanks to God, who has done immeasurably more than all we can ask or immagine. Thank you Jesus!!!

Wow wow wow, what an incredible day! Having arrived in the early hours after a 10 hour plus journey, we began today with prayer and breakfast together, When Junior and Pastor Elisha walked in to greet us, it became clear that Pastor Peter and Pastor Elisha had know each other for some time and were delighted to have this opportunity to renew their relationship. It began raining heavily, which though slightly delayed our planned programme, gave us opprtunity to pray, share stories and encourage one another with how God has connected us all together to join in mission to share the gospel of Jesus ‘for such a time as this’. We arrived at the church and recieved yet another incredible welcome from all there. As we began the conference it was clear that there was a deep unity, which made room for the Holy Spirit to move in power. Neal, Anne Richard and Peter all shared the word powerfully with Juliet sharing a beautiful song and testimony, before going into workshops ministering to the Men, Women Youth and Children. A powerful time was had by all . It was clearly a very significant day as we ministered as team in the power of the Holy Spirit in unity together. Once we left the conference, Anne received the news from Alan that her precious Mum had been premoted to glory, dying peacefully in hospital. Anne’s Mum was so supportive of the ministry and though so so painful for Anne, it was clear throughout the evening that Anne was being comforted by the Holy Spirit and as we shared stories and drank tea together, it was clear that there was no place that we would rather be than in His will. Our time at Rukunjiri has taught us all so much and brought a deeper understanding of the person of the Holy Spirit. Surely once we encounter the Holy Spirit, we can never remain the same again

CEPHAS, which literally means ‘Rock’ is a recent ministry set up by ‘Bishop’ Peter Mugabi to encourage, train and support local Pastors in their re within the connunity. As a team, we were invited by Bishop Peter Mugabi to speak at the 5th ever Cephas Prayer breakfast. The welcome we recieved was exceptional. We spoke on ministering as TEAM, following the exampke of Jesus. The leaders were very receptive and eager to receive. This was a very encouraging morning for the leaders, Peter and all the team as we shared fellowship together.

We were due to rush off to begin the 10 + hour journey to Rukunjiri however the van needed some attention which gave us opportunity to pray with Bishop Peter over his new premises and return to P.D.N. where we met Ronnie who is brother to Richmond and on the board at P.D.N. We then set off on an epic yet excellent journey to Rukunjiri, crossing the equator on route. We arrived in the early hours and whilst all exhausted and expectant on all God is going to do in the next few days.

The team were so warmly welcomed at the church by Pastor James, Pastor Ruth and the youth pastor Joseph. We were given hospitality under the shade of a tree. The need for rain was evident and we were told they had been praying for it, and God answered their prayers as we went into the church building and worshipped. The sound of the rain, and hail stones on the roof, combined with the glorious sound of worship was very special. Pastor Rose spoke powerfully on a woman’s identity and the fact that we don’t have to be defined by our birth, childhood or other factors. Our identity is found in and through Jesus. Anne spoke on being rooted in Jesus followed by Bishop Peter who spoke about being open to receive the powerful word that both Anne and Rose shared. Neal concluded by encouraging and affirming the women as valued and loved by Jesus. All the women came forward to be annointed and prayed for by Rose and Anne before Juliet came forward  and sang a beautiful song of worship. After the conference we were able to visit the Kamuli Education project and  be welcomed at Jude and Paul’s mum’s home to meet the family. A truly precious day!

Today was significant and transformational. We spent the day with FACT and arrived as the children were having their haircut. The children seemed so pleased with their new styles. The director of the school, Paul Tenywa then gathered the children where we introduced the school to some of our friends and partners, Pastor Peter Mugabi, Juliet our sponsored ‘daughter’ from NVI, Pastor Richard Tumwesigye and Pastor Deus from from Habanahaba. We were wonderfully welcomed by the children, and they were all very excited to learn the song “Be Bold, Be Strong for the Lord your God is with you.” We were then able to present the teddies and blankets that were kindly made and knitted by a number of friends from the UK. It was great to see the children’s faces as they recieved these gifts. They were so grateful. We then had the opportunity to have a meeting with Pastor Deus who volunteers for Haba Na Haba, meaning “little by little” a food programme supporting projects with great need with potential to participate in collection and distribution. We were overjoyed to be able to witnesss the recognition of both the huge need and great work that is happening at FACT and to witness the signing up of the partnership which will cost only £50 a month to enable FACT to recieve this food. As a result of Richard and Deus meeting the market director, this work process can begin immediately with the first delivery happening this weekend. What an answer to prayer.

Future After Child Trauma is the project that Paul Tenywa began in 2003, to support young people who had been abused. A number of brass instruments were sent over from the U.K. So Paul began a brass band to offer the children a new activity and build their self-esteem. Paul both looked after and encouraged these young  people and cared for them as his own.  These young people have now grown up under the excellent care of FACT and have had chidren who are today part of FACT. Paul has formed a school named Jehovah Jirah in 2018, and began with 11 nusery children. This week when we visited, we were introduced to 168 children who form Jehovah Jirah school. These are divided into 6 classes. 3 nursery and 3 primary. As Director, Paul is supported by Aisha (Bursor), Betty(cook), Susan(Matron),  Martha (Pastor/Teacher), Mercy, Agnes, Christine, Maureen, Viola (Teachers – Primary 1,2, 3 and Nursery 1, 2, 3) Each are committed and do a wonderful job teaching and discipling the children.

Today the team arrived early at Nile Vocational Institute (NVI) where we had the opportunity to preach and share testimomy to  1200 students on not forming wrong alliences during crises. It was a real privelege to return and we were so blessed by the warm welcome we received. We were able to see some of the excellent developments around the campus, including seeing many of the different vocation classes including hairdressing, mechanics, plumbing and agriculture. We were impressed by some of the new developments despite the challenges of the last two years.

In the afternoon we moved on to visit FACT and see the tremendous work that Paul Tenywa and his staff are doing providing for the children at  Jehovah Jirah School which is part of what FACT offer. An incredible presentation and prrcious time was had by all.

What an awesome priveldge to wake up in the capital of Uganda. As we shared breakfast, we took in the awesomse surroundings. Refreshing warm rain, time to pray and reflect on all that has happened to bring us to this point. Such rich relationships which flourish through prayer and partnership no matter how far we are physically. On the way to Jinja, we stopped off at the Bible Society to buy some children’s bible stories. We were also able to buy some pinaples to bring to the children at FACT. Such a difference in the way shopping happens here. Such beautiful hearts here in Uganda….

Having rested and recouperated from the long journey to Kampala, we were overjoyed to have the opportunity to spend some time with the team that will share in mission over the next couple of weeks. We had the immense priveledge of spending time with Bishop Peter and Rose Mugabi, with their daughter Precious and Pastor Richard and Imelda, before welcoming Juliet and Doreen and her son Keith who was collected by the awesome Jude. We shared in a wonderful meal together and had an immense time of sharing. THANK YOU JESUS for giving us this time together