It is not common to see couples make 50 years in marriage in Uganda. Not necessarily because of divorce. In fact divorce is not something common in our country even among unbelievers. Even culturally it was always "until death do us part". A marriage covenant is taken seriously and not matter what struggles a man and wife may go through they always tend to stick together. They have a saying back home that the devil i know is better than the angel i don't know. And besides this, traditionally a man pays a big dowry depending on the family and girl he is marrying. Divorce means that the girl's parents have to pay back all the cows. Therefore it bad news for the girl to come back home and her parents do not want to see her back. So if a girl is finding difficulty living with her husband, parents always call the two and talk to them into reconciliation and if this fails they talk their daughter into perseverance.
But any way despite this, it still uncommon to see couple celebrate 50 years in marriage because most couples don't live to make more than 30 years in marriage. Most people in our country die at the age of 40 to 50, due to diseases, poverty and hard life. And normally when a woman dies first the husband too dies shortly after. Women tend to live longer even after the passing on her husband.
Last week September 17th 2011, Pastor Bill and Shirley celebrated their 50 years in marriage. It was a great joy to celebrate this 50th anniversary with them. Bill and Shirley have been a tremendous blessing to many people. It was a joy to hear the great testimonies one by one from the many people who call them Mum and Dad whose lives they have touched.
They are a blessing to me and are very supportive to me and ministry as well. They accommodate me and transport around every time I am in the bay area in California. It was a blessing for me to attend this day and celebrate with the lives of such a man and woman that have been a blessing to me.
Most of their friends came to attend this great day in their lives. Their children Tom, Tim and Willy together with their families worked together to make a big dinner for their parents. It was great. I mean this is not a common thing even in America.
I enjoyed every bit of it and had a few lesson to learn from this man and woman who have gone through the wind and waves of life but kept true to the covenant they made fifty years ago.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
THE CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL-SAN FRANCISCO
Apart from the Hurricane Irene, my visit to Virginia was good and enjoyable.It was great to spend time with my friends Tom and Sandy and also preach at Pastor Walt's church.
Sunday i visited a new church called New Beginnings Outreach church led by Pastors Robert and Barbara Gibbs. We had a great time. It was good to meet and make new friends.
Tony took me for a visit to San Francisco, we took a Bart, which is kind of a train that is powered by electricity. It is so fast.
On this beautiful day we chose to visit the China town. This place has everything Chinese you can think of. From stores to food, clothes, jewelry and so many other things that are popularly used by Chinese.Years ago, the Chinese came to this country and for some reason they decided to live and work together from this small location in the heart of San Francisco.
On this particular day, it was a big day for the Chinese. So the Chinese here made a festival, they had a parade to join their brothers and sisters back home to commemorate the moon festival. Whatever that means, but this is kind of moon worship and they do this on a new moon once every year. They put out stalls, make shows and put out many things to sell food, clothes etc..it was kind of a trade fair. And then this band was praying music through the China town street. It was amazing.
We visited a few other areas and before we knew it, it was coming to evening and time to go back home.
Revival Outreach Ministries partners with New Life Christian Church to help receive support for our orphanage and children. Our plans are to register the ministry as a Non-profit organisation in the USA. But until then, all our partners, donors and sponsors for children send tax deductible support to us through New Life Christian church. This has been a great blessing to us and has helped us to get more children sponsors. It means much for a child in our village to go to school as that is the only way they will be able to get a good future. In our country education is paid for right from Kindergarten to college and these orphans and poor children have no way to get money to go to school unless they are helped. $35 in enough to make a dramatic change in a child's life. This pays for tuition, medical bills, lunch every day, school uniform and a pair of shoes every year. It is such a great blessing to give a child hope and a future. We still have hundreds of children that need help, if anyone is interested to help a child or know more please write to me at: jbakashaba@gmail.com or call New Life Christian church at (510) 889-1304.
I got opportunity to speak at another church on Wednesday night. God has given me a message of encouragement and about the hope which can be found in personal relationship and fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Every where i go, you feel people hurting and almost lost hope because of the bad economy in the US now. In Africa we are kind of used to hard conditions and can do without a few things, but no so with most Americans, God has blessed them so much so that it is hard for them to live with out the comfortable, good living. Unfortunately things have changed and many have lost their jobs and homes. It is always a joy to speak a word in season to people whose attention is focused onto the sovereignty of God. In Africa, people have need for God because that is all they have. Whereas in America people bless and pray over food, ordinary people in Africa cannot afford a meal per day and always pray for food.
I am always amused by the great difference between our culture and the American people. There are many things that are so different. There is this couple that are signing for a divorce; reason, the husband is not cleaning dishes and laundry!!! To a common person in Africa, it is hard to understand. We are not used to that. My wife can never ask me to clean dishes. She one day told me that i am getting spoiled and learning bad manners because i found her in the kitchen and wanted to help her as i saw Americans do. "You have no business coming to my kitchen, go sit, relax and let me serve you..." she said.
Sunday i visited a new church called New Beginnings Outreach church led by Pastors Robert and Barbara Gibbs. We had a great time. It was good to meet and make new friends.
Robert and Barbara took me to the air port the following Monday September 5th on my way to California, where i plan to spend another four weeks.
It was a long days trip, we arrived in California a few minutes after 4:00 p.m.
My friends from New Life Christian church, Tony and Joe were waiting for me at Oakland airport and we headed for Tony's home. His wife Grace is a good cook, so you can imagine how i have gained more weight since.
SAN FRANCISCO
Tony took me for a visit to San Francisco, we took a Bart, which is kind of a train that is powered by electricity. It is so fast.
San Francisco is so beautiful with a lot of history behind it. It has so many good sights to view including the beach, bay bridge, the China town, the most crooked straight, the Golden gate bridge, the ocean and sharks...
On this beautiful day we chose to visit the China town. This place has everything Chinese you can think of. From stores to food, clothes, jewelry and so many other things that are popularly used by Chinese.Years ago, the Chinese came to this country and for some reason they decided to live and work together from this small location in the heart of San Francisco.
On this particular day, it was a big day for the Chinese. So the Chinese here made a festival, they had a parade to join their brothers and sisters back home to commemorate the moon festival. Whatever that means, but this is kind of moon worship and they do this on a new moon once every year. They put out stalls, make shows and put out many things to sell food, clothes etc..it was kind of a trade fair. And then this band was praying music through the China town street. It was amazing.
We visited a few other areas and before we knew it, it was coming to evening and time to go back home.
On Sunday i preached at New Life Christian church. I was glad to meet all my great friends that go to New Life Christian church.
Revival Outreach Ministries partners with New Life Christian Church to help receive support for our orphanage and children. Our plans are to register the ministry as a Non-profit organisation in the USA. But until then, all our partners, donors and sponsors for children send tax deductible support to us through New Life Christian church. This has been a great blessing to us and has helped us to get more children sponsors. It means much for a child in our village to go to school as that is the only way they will be able to get a good future. In our country education is paid for right from Kindergarten to college and these orphans and poor children have no way to get money to go to school unless they are helped. $35 in enough to make a dramatic change in a child's life. This pays for tuition, medical bills, lunch every day, school uniform and a pair of shoes every year. It is such a great blessing to give a child hope and a future. We still have hundreds of children that need help, if anyone is interested to help a child or know more please write to me at: jbakashaba@gmail.com or call New Life Christian church at (510) 889-1304.
I got opportunity to speak at another church on Wednesday night. God has given me a message of encouragement and about the hope which can be found in personal relationship and fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Every where i go, you feel people hurting and almost lost hope because of the bad economy in the US now. In Africa we are kind of used to hard conditions and can do without a few things, but no so with most Americans, God has blessed them so much so that it is hard for them to live with out the comfortable, good living. Unfortunately things have changed and many have lost their jobs and homes. It is always a joy to speak a word in season to people whose attention is focused onto the sovereignty of God. In Africa, people have need for God because that is all they have. Whereas in America people bless and pray over food, ordinary people in Africa cannot afford a meal per day and always pray for food.
I am always amused by the great difference between our culture and the American people. There are many things that are so different. There is this couple that are signing for a divorce; reason, the husband is not cleaning dishes and laundry!!! To a common person in Africa, it is hard to understand. We are not used to that. My wife can never ask me to clean dishes. She one day told me that i am getting spoiled and learning bad manners because i found her in the kitchen and wanted to help her as i saw Americans do. "You have no business coming to my kitchen, go sit, relax and let me serve you..." she said.Sunday, August 28, 2011
MY TRIP TO THE USA
San Antonio
My trip started on August 19th, 2011, when I boarded from Entebbe to Dallas, Texas through London
This was going to be my first time to fly British Airways. We left at 9:00 in the morning and reached London, Heathrow airport that evening at 4:00 pm, London is 2 hours behind Uganda time. I spent the night in
This was going to be my first time to fly British Airways. We left at 9:00 in the morning and reached London, Heathrow airport that evening at 4:00 pm, London is 2 hours behind Uganda time. I spent the night in
London, though we could not be allowed out of the airport since we did not have a British visa that allows us, so we spent the night at the airport. This was my first time to be in London. It is such a beautiful city, though I only saw part of it.
evacuate the low lying areas by Friday when the Hurricane was said to “arrive”. Later it was said that the storm would hit on Saturday morning.
The Hurricane hit the land at 7:30 in the morning but thank God is lost its momentum as soon as it hit the land and caused the least damage. A few homes were lost in North Carolina and Virginia and some people lost their lives especially from falling trees that would hit houses. One child died when the tree hit the house where he and his mother were sleeping with a baby, the tree ripped off part of the house killing the boy. By 6:00pm most the roads were closed as the floods kept going higher and several roads cut off by fallen trees. Power was cut off to most places; our house
By 11:00 am we had boarded the British airways plane to Dallas FW airport. We reached Dallas before 3:00 pm. Dallas is 5 hours behind London time and 7 behind Uganda time. I went through the customs security detail which took less time than other times. And soon I had boarded American Airlines on my way to San Antonio. It took us 1hour to get there. Johnson Nantawumbwa, my Ugandan friend who ministers in Maranatha Bible church, was at the airport waiting for me and we headed to his home where I stayed for the fi
rst 4 nights. He and Monica his wife and their two daughters Chloe and Elisa are amazing people. We went to church together and than evening we had the house full of friends and family members. We had a big meal, which was my first time this round. It is typical of Americans to treat their guests to big meals; as a matter of fact every time I travel I put on a lot of weight.
The following day, I joined pastors at
Maranatha church; the pastor has a program he calls Pastors’ nurturing. Several pastors from the neighborhood come to this discipleship program. Pastor Draper shared some good teaching with us. It was a good experience for me and I plan to do this when I go back home, there are many young pastors in Kabale who look to me for guidance, counseling and nurturing. Tuesday I visited Martha to share about the impact Discipleship Tape Ministries is having in our region. We had a good time.
Wednesday, I relocated to Pastor Draper’s home. He has a beautiful home! That evening I
preached at Maranatha Bible church and shared about the great things God is doing in Kabale. On Thursday, I was glad to be part of the BIRTHDAY lunch program prepared for the church staff that celebrated their Birthdays the month of August, Sister Draper was among them. We had a great time. Frank, the accountant then took me around the new church building, he taught me a lot about church finances. Pastor Draper has such a good and dedicated staff. It was a joy to spend some time with
them. I learnt a lot.
Friday morning, my friend Keith Gordon picked me up from church and we headed for the airport, it was time to go to Virginia.
THE HURRICANE
Before I left for Virginia, every one was talking of this big storm that started from the west coast of Africa and built momentum on its way through the Atlantic Ocean. This storm code named
Hurricane Irene was predicted to be the biggest storm ever and was going to hit areas around North Carolina, Virginia, the Washing DC and New York on its way north. This was said to cause a big surge on the waters of the ocean and the many rivers in the area causing a flood that would go up 6 or even 8 ft high. There were warning every where for people to
evacuate the low lying areas by Friday when the Hurricane was said to “arrive”. Later it was said that the storm would hit on Saturday morning.
I left for Virginia on Friday morning and arrived at Richmond airport after 6:00 pm. My friend Sandy was waiting to pick me up. And we headed for Pastor Walt’s residence, where I would stay for the first few days as I mean while wait for this Hurricane thing. Every one was talking of this great Hurricane Irene. Many were predicting that many lives would be lost and property destroyed. We prayed that God would protect us and all people in the areas in the hurricane’s way.
The Hurricane hit the land at 7:30 in the morning but thank God is lost its momentum as soon as it hit the land and caused the least damage. A few homes were lost in North Carolina and Virginia and some people lost their lives especially from falling trees that would hit houses. One child died when the tree hit the house where he and his mother were sleeping with a baby, the tree ripped off part of the house killing the boy. By 6:00pm most the roads were closed as the floods kept going higher and several roads cut off by fallen trees. Power was cut off to most places; our house
too was left in darkness. Now electricity in America means much unlike Uganda. They depend on Electricity for almost every thing; for refrigerators, TV, phones, internet, air conditioning, cooking, warm water, microwave, opening the garage door, laundry, dish washing to mention but a few. Where as I was not so much affected recalling our “Umeme” times back home, when sometime we spend more days without electricity than with it, but anyhow I felt the pinch, because before we knew it, we had lost all phone lines, the internet was off and though we used a generator for lighting and keep the refrigerator food from spoiling, soon the TV too got off. Most of the restaurants closed and churches called off Sunday morning services, anticipating the worst to come and of course most building lost electricity.
It was such an experience! This is nothing like we ever see in Uganda! For most of the night the wind blew so hard and the rain poured down so heavily that you would literally feel the house shake. Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night wondering if we were still around and alive! It was so scaring! This was my first time to experience the hurricane. My hosts told me that in the previous hurricane they lost 21 trees with one almost hitting the house, it missed it by inches, “that must have been God” they said. Well, this time, they did not loose even one, but there were several trees that fell down in the neigh hood, with one hitting the house slightly, thank God no body was hurt. By morning, tree branches and leaves were scattered every where, trees lying down, some across roads and low lying areas flooded.
There was a sign of despair in the atmosphere, but thank God
we were alive and Irene was long gone! To my surprise, by 9:00a.m the sun was up and the place warm again and everything back to normal as if nothing had happened!!! In my heart I said, thank you Jesus! Farewell Irene!!!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
THIS MUST BE GOD!
Yesterday reminded me of the Bible days when food (manna) used to fall from heaven. The children on Israel would see food come from no w
here! We got almost the same experience.
here! We got almost the same experience.Because of the current tough economic situation in our country and with little support, we have been having a hard time to feed our children at
Kabale House of Hope. This has d
riven us to our knees daily praying for God's provision.
As
God's ways are higher than ours God brought our way his angels. Rick Gray and Plant a Seed Foundation team came to Kabale to work with a certain school but
are sponsored by Rick's friends.desired to visit our children home. We have been friends with Rick, besides 6 childr
en in HoH
Last Monday Rick and his friends came to visit Kabale House of Hope and gave lots of gifts to our
children including sports equipment, crayons and coloring books plus a clothes. The children as their way to entertain guests sang several songs and recited bible verses before the visitors. They also told their stories of what the Lord has done for them. All of the 20 children here have amazing stories to tell. Most of them had never slept in a bed before, all of them could not eat food for days with some of them the only food available was trash. Andrew says,"I would enjoy eating rotten food and my best meal would be pineapple peelings". All these children were not going to scho
ol since all of them are orphans with no one to pay their tuition at school. They first put on shoes and good clothes when they came to Kabale HO
H. These children are so grateful for what the Lord has done for them through the generous gifts of many friends.
Later on the visitors prayed with children and went back to their hotel rooms. But they headed back, something spectacular happened. "The Lord spoke to us to do something more for these children" said Rick. He and Ashley plus a few members on their team decided to buy food stuff for the children. T
hey called all the children for dinner at Kabale White Horse Inn yesterday and after dinner they took us a side and asked us to close our eyes, when we next opened our eyes, there lay before us food that will feed these children for the next four month!!! There was 200kg of rice, 200kg of posho(maize flour), 200kg of beans. 3 bunches of matoke( green banana) 4 loaves of bread, cooking oil, 1 box of soap, several kgs of tomatoes, onions, green pepper, carrots to name but a few... All the children leaped up and shouted for joy!
As usual, John Twesige said, "God has remembered us!!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
GREAT KABALE HARVEST FESTIVAL
Last week was a great week in Kabale. The church of Christ in Kabale was hosting visitors from USA working with A Light to the Nations Ministries, who came to Kabale for a gospel crusade.
The Visitors came Tuesday 5th July and the Crusade started on Wedenesday 6th July 2011 up to Sunday 10th July 2011.
People came from as far as 200km away just to hear the word of God. Many brought sick people for prayers.
Pastors of over 15 churches in Kabale city came together to host this big crusade and each pastor was so committed to the success of this great event.
Every day would start with a conference where the visitors would take time to teach the word of God to the believers and leaders. And then the afternoon more people would join in worship and praise. The choir would lead praise and worship for some time as more people would be ferried in. Many especially those who come from very far were ferried in with trucks but others walked despite the scotching sun. I watched in amazement as people walked in tired but happy, hungry for the word of God! Some carrying or helping sick people.
After several hours of praise and worship then Ev. Dana Morey the leader of the team would come on the stage to deliver the message of the day. As he preached you would see that people are very attentive and taking in his message from God word by word. And them he would make an alter call inviting all those who would love to receive Jesus and hundreds would lift up their hands in total surrender to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus. By the end of the crusade there more than 13,000 people who had committed their lives to Jesus for the first time. This brought a lot of Joy in our city as we saw hundreds every day fill up the decision cards.
Then the Evangelist would start to pray for the sick, i was surprised to see the multitudes of people who put up their hands in need of prayer! We saw so many people receive miracle healing in the name of Jesus. There are many who had not seen for years and they received they sight again, the lame walked and several people who were mad were delivered. Many people in Kabale still practice witchcraft and many people run to witch doctors seeking for help and they end entering into covenants and soul ties with evil spirits through witchcraft. Sometimes these people run mad. But as the preacher started to pray for the sick, many people were delivered from the powers of darkness.
Then the preacher did something incredible, he called out all the people who had witchcraft and fetishes to bring them forward, he called for a big container and asked for petrol and they were set on fire, people started to rejoice and celebrate and to the amazement of every one people started to be set free left and right.
By the end of the week, there was great joy in the city. When the crusade ended, people went back home rejoicing in the Lord, saying that we will never be the same again.
Our visitors went to back to USA on Monday.
Thank you Jesus for this glorious week and for the great harvest of souls that came into the kingdom!
The Visitors came Tuesday 5th July and the Crusade started on Wedenesday 6th July 2011 up to Sunday 10th July 2011.
People came from as far as 200km away just to hear the word of God. Many brought sick people for prayers.
Pastors of over 15 churches in Kabale city came together to host this big crusade and each pastor was so committed to the success of this great event.
Every day would start with a conference where the visitors would take time to teach the word of God to the believers and leaders. And then the afternoon more people would join in worship and praise. The choir would lead praise and worship for some time as more people would be ferried in. Many especially those who come from very far were ferried in with trucks but others walked despite the scotching sun. I watched in amazement as people walked in tired but happy, hungry for the word of God! Some carrying or helping sick people.
After several hours of praise and worship then Ev. Dana Morey the leader of the team would come on the stage to deliver the message of the day. As he preached you would see that people are very attentive and taking in his message from God word by word. And them he would make an alter call inviting all those who would love to receive Jesus and hundreds would lift up their hands in total surrender to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus. By the end of the crusade there more than 13,000 people who had committed their lives to Jesus for the first time. This brought a lot of Joy in our city as we saw hundreds every day fill up the decision cards.
Then the Evangelist would start to pray for the sick, i was surprised to see the multitudes of people who put up their hands in need of prayer! We saw so many people receive miracle healing in the name of Jesus. There are many who had not seen for years and they received they sight again, the lame walked and several people who were mad were delivered. Many people in Kabale still practice witchcraft and many people run to witch doctors seeking for help and they end entering into covenants and soul ties with evil spirits through witchcraft. Sometimes these people run mad. But as the preacher started to pray for the sick, many people were delivered from the powers of darkness.
Then the preacher did something incredible, he called out all the people who had witchcraft and fetishes to bring them forward, he called for a big container and asked for petrol and they were set on fire, people started to rejoice and celebrate and to the amazement of every one people started to be set free left and right.
By the end of the week, there was great joy in the city. When the crusade ended, people went back home rejoicing in the Lord, saying that we will never be the same again.
Our visitors went to back to USA on Monday.
Thank you Jesus for this glorious week and for the great harvest of souls that came into the kingdom!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
KABALE REVIVAL CONFERENCE 2011
Kabale will not remain the same!!!
Every year around this time our church puts together a revival conference, when we invite people
from all over western Uganda to Kabale for an entire week.
Last week, we had this such conference, over 1000 people came to attend this annual event at Kabale Primary school grounds. We invited different preachers and teachers of the word who taught and preached the word of God for the whole week.
Hundreds of people gave their lives to Jesus and many believers in Christ were revived and strengthened in their relationship with God.
Most people came from villages, where there is a lot of witchcraft and idol worship. Many people in these village are still bound by evil spirits.
As the church, we believe God has called us to transform these communities with the love and power of the word of God. We have planted 50 churches in villages across the western part of Uganda.
However these people still need a lot of teaching and grounding in the word of God. There is a big need of discipleship in these remote places. Many people leave alone leaders cannot afford to buy themselves a Bible.
As a church, we feel it is our responsibility to train these people in the knowledge of God. Once every year we organize a revival meeting to help train these people in the word of God.
T
his is one time in the year that people from every corner always look forward to. It was exciting to see people come in one by one and in groups carrying their mats and belongings, hungry for the word of God.
During the conference, many were excited to be part of the great move of the spirit of God as many were delivered from evil spirits and many gave their lives to Jesus. Many were healed from different diseases and ailments. There was excitement as musicians led to praise the Lord, many people took to the floor jumping and dancing for the Lord!!!
By the time we came to the end of the conference, many were heard saying, "i wish the conference was going on and on, we can't wait for next year's conference"
Thank you our friends for praying for us. We appreciate all who were part of this great awakening!
Every year around this time our church puts together a revival conference, when we invite people
from all over western Uganda to Kabale for an entire week.Last week, we had this such conference, over 1000 people came to attend this annual event at Kabale Primary school grounds. We invited different preachers and teachers of the word who taught and preached the word of God for the whole week.
Hundreds of people gave their lives to Jesus and many believers in Christ were revived and strengthened in their relationship with God.
Most people came from villages, where there is a lot of witchcraft and idol worship. Many people in these village are still bound by evil spirits.
As the church, we believe God has called us to transform these communities with the love and power of the word of God. We have planted 50 churches in villages across the western part of Uganda.However these people still need a lot of teaching and grounding in the word of God. There is a big need of discipleship in these remote places. Many people leave alone leaders cannot afford to buy themselves a Bible.
As a church, we feel it is our responsibility to train these people in the knowledge of God. Once every year we organize a revival meeting to help train these people in the word of God.
T
his is one time in the year that people from every corner always look forward to. It was exciting to see people come in one by one and in groups carrying their mats and belongings, hungry for the word of God.During the conference, many were excited to be part of the great move of the spirit of God as many were delivered from evil spirits and many gave their lives to Jesus. Many were healed from different diseases and ailments. There was excitement as musicians led to praise the Lord, many people took to the floor jumping and dancing for the Lord!!!
By the time we came to the end of the conference, many were heard saying, "i wish the conference was going on and on, we can't wait for next year's conference"
Thank you our friends for praying for us. We appreciate all who were part of this great awakening!
Friday, March 18, 2011
PASTORS GLAD TO GET BIBLES
TRAINING LEADERS THAT WILL TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
Last week we had a good time with our friends, Tom and Sandy from Virginia, they were here for a leaders' conference for five days. Tom and Sandy McElfresh started a ministry called The Pastor's Friend International, which partners with our ministry to reach out to pastors especially village pastors to train them and equip them to serve God effectively and efficiently. Tom and Sandy come to Kabale, 
Uganda once every year for a leaders' conference and each time they come with bibles as a donation to pastors and leaders that cannot afford buying a bible. Our mission as a ministry is to transform communities and one of our goals to achieve this is to reach out to villages and communities with the saving gospel and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and plant churches. It is important to plant churches in these villages for a place of worship for the new converts and a place where people come for 
fellowship, prayer and studying the word of God. Every time we preach Christ, people believe, they need to learn and follow the ways of the true and living God. Most of our communities still practice witchcraft and idol worship, drink a lot of alcohol and do a lot of evil. We thank God many communities are being transformed as we preach Christ and plant churches in these villages. However the pastors and leaders need training to be able to lead and serve God and his people in these villages. What happens is that when a new church is planted, we appoint a few people to come back to teach the new believers and the one who pick up quickly is 
appointed leader of the rest. These pastors with no formal training cannot teach much to the people in the church. Many times they don't own a bible, bibles are very expensive for these pastors who earn very little from their crops and casual labor. Our churches in Uganda are so poor, they don't pay salaries to pastors. Three years ago Pastors Tom and Sandy started annual leaders conferences in Kabale and our pastors have been so blessed that they always look forward to this important week every March of the year! Many have said they almost gave up ministry because of the hard situations they were going through. These pastors serve God in very tough places 
and hard situation and yet are very poor that they cannot afford to support their families. It means so much to our pastors when visitors come along side to train them, love them and pray with them. Last week conference was exceptional as Tom and Sandy took these pastors into in-depth teaching and the pastors were excited to know more truth that will help them to serve their flock and communities. They also brought more bibles for the pastors and leaders without bibles. One pastor who attended this conference for the first time said; 
"I have been praying for a bible for the last four years, I am so happy to own a bible for the first time!" A bible is a treasure in the hands of these precious pastors and leaders who have a passion to serve God and their people in the hard to reach areas. There are places where only one bible is shared among church members and many pastors use borrowed bibles to study the word of God. It is always horrible to see pastors with bibles which are too old, bible pages falling off, 
and some books missing especially Genesis and Revelations. Friends, please pray for these pastors and their families and in case you want to put a bible in the hands of these pastors; each Rukiga (our local language) Bible costs $10.
Thank you Tom and Sandy for being a special blessing to our pastors and leaders, you have surely made a difference in our communities.
If you want to know more on how you can help our pastors please write to us: jbakashaba@gmail.com or write to Tom and Sandy at:sandy.mcelfresh@gmail.com
Last week we had a good time with our friends, Tom and Sandy from Virginia, they were here for a leaders' conference for five days. Tom and Sandy McElfresh started a ministry called The Pastor's Friend International, which partners with our ministry to reach out to pastors especially village pastors to train them and equip them to serve God effectively and efficiently. Tom and Sandy come to Kabale, 
Uganda once every year for a leaders' conference and each time they come with bibles as a donation to pastors and leaders that cannot afford buying a bible. Our mission as a ministry is to transform communities and one of our goals to achieve this is to reach out to villages and communities with the saving gospel and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and plant churches. It is important to plant churches in these villages for a place of worship for the new converts and a place where people come for 
fellowship, prayer and studying the word of God. Every time we preach Christ, people believe, they need to learn and follow the ways of the true and living God. Most of our communities still practice witchcraft and idol worship, drink a lot of alcohol and do a lot of evil. We thank God many communities are being transformed as we preach Christ and plant churches in these villages. However the pastors and leaders need training to be able to lead and serve God and his people in these villages. What happens is that when a new church is planted, we appoint a few people to come back to teach the new believers and the one who pick up quickly is 
appointed leader of the rest. These pastors with no formal training cannot teach much to the people in the church. Many times they don't own a bible, bibles are very expensive for these pastors who earn very little from their crops and casual labor. Our churches in Uganda are so poor, they don't pay salaries to pastors. Three years ago Pastors Tom and Sandy started annual leaders conferences in Kabale and our pastors have been so blessed that they always look forward to this important week every March of the year! Many have said they almost gave up ministry because of the hard situations they were going through. These pastors serve God in very tough places 
and hard situation and yet are very poor that they cannot afford to support their families. It means so much to our pastors when visitors come along side to train them, love them and pray with them. Last week conference was exceptional as Tom and Sandy took these pastors into in-depth teaching and the pastors were excited to know more truth that will help them to serve their flock and communities. They also brought more bibles for the pastors and leaders without bibles. One pastor who attended this conference for the first time said; 
"I have been praying for a bible for the last four years, I am so happy to own a bible for the first time!" A bible is a treasure in the hands of these precious pastors and leaders who have a passion to serve God and their people in the hard to reach areas. There are places where only one bible is shared among church members and many pastors use borrowed bibles to study the word of God. It is always horrible to see pastors with bibles which are too old, bible pages falling off, 
and some books missing especially Genesis and Revelations. Friends, please pray for these pastors and their families and in case you want to put a bible in the hands of these pastors; each Rukiga (our local language) Bible costs $10.
Thank you Tom and Sandy for being a special blessing to our pastors and leaders, you have surely made a difference in our communities.If you want to know more on how you can help our pastors please write to us: jbakashaba@gmail.com or write to Tom and Sandy at:sandy.mcelfresh@gmail.com
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