EPI Report: Kaberamaido, Uganda

Pastor Samuel’s son was bitten by a snake on Sunday night. We were scheduled to be on the road to Kaberamaido by 11 am Monday but this was only one of several complications. Our ride was late due to mechanical issues, and I needed to discuss several things with the Green Pasture leadership – one of whom had been struggling with malaria all during the conference. Also, we needed to check on Rich, Pastor Samuel’s boy. His foot was quite swollen, but they think he will be fine, and were as stunned as we were that it had happened. So, it was nearing 2:00 pm by the time we left Mbale.
The road to Kaberamaido took us northwest into cattle country. We often saw young boys whacking their cattle with a stick or controlling a huge bull by a rope tied to its hind leg. The African cattle are quite distinctive with a shoulder hump like a Brahma, but also with HUGE horns that seem all out of proportion to their lean, tough bodies. And when a herd of them decides to cross the road (as they often do) they quite literally stop traffic. When passing them, our vehicle would slow down just in case one decided to jump on to the road. None of them did, though, because they were well guarded. Cattle are VERY important to the Teso and Kumam peoples since they are seen as a form of wealth. Every young man must accumulate some cows if he ever hopes to get married: even with their cell phones and email addresses, the bride price in this region must be paid in cattle. The usual minimum, we were told, is 5 cows – a huge investment.
The topography changed as we traveled, moving from the lush tea and coffee plantations of Mbale to the acacia scrub and grazing lands of the Teso region. We drove through Kumi to Soroti (where the pavement ends) and then endured another 20 miles of rutted, slippery, pot-holed one-lane “road.” Kaberamaido isn’t on the way to anywhere, so there is relatively little vehicle traffic on this road and no incentive on the part of the government to improve it. It’s no wonder that few people from the outside have been there. But its very isolation makes it an important EPI venue. The pastors there have had no training except what EPI has provided over the years, and they greatly appreciate our willingness to come. These pastors in the Pentecostal Assembly of God are hungry for God’s Word and recognize that they need it desperately. John, one of the leaders, told me at supper on Tuesday that our topic (Biblical Stewardship) and even our illustrations were divinely appropriate. “If we don’t teach our people doctrine,” John said, “We will be held accountable.” They see EPI’s ministry among them as a great help in this area. And, of course, we are thrilled to see God’s hand moving to stir up an African Reformation.
We taught on Biblical Stewardship on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning. As we worked through the material, the Lord clearly indicated that the section on Biblical interpretation was the most needed. So, we expanded that section to provide them with examples and illustrations. Dick Hannula and Doug Bond were both very effective in their presentations as we worked through the various principles of hermeneutics and illustrated them directly from Scripture. God greatly helped us and, I believe, guided our thoughts and words to point us in the proper direction. It was a wonderful experience – as encouraging to us as it was to them. And THEY were WONDERFUL students! Serious, thoughtful and insightful, they listened carefully and asked excellent questions. Even on some of the more controversial issues, they were willing to listen to the Word and to follow where it led them. On Wednesday we broke them into 10 discussion groups (there were about 250 church leaders attending) and appointed them to bring back a summary of the teaching on Biblical interpretation and to ask for clarification on any areas they didn’t understand. What a joy to hear them speak of becoming humble before the Word, interpreting in context, comparing various versions and using the “W questions” (Who? What? When? Where? Why?) to dissect a passage! They ‘’get it.” We concluded on Thursday with some thoughts on Stewardship of possessions. I also analyzed some of the errors of the so-called Prosperity Gospel to offset the strong appeal it has for them in their extreme poverty.
Under EPI’s influence, the PAG leadership in the Kaberamaido area is now planning to begin a pastor’s training institute in October. They asked us to help them by providing books – especially books on Biblical interpretation. All three of us promised to do what we can to get some books in their hands asap. Also, they want Martin Odi, EPI’s Ugandan director, to do some teaching in that training institute. What a providential opening! God is moving in remarkable ways.
As soon as lunch was over on Thursday, we climbed in the van and began the trip back to Mbale. Aside from some damage to Doug’s expensive camera, the trip was largely uneventful. We spent the night in Mbale and left early the next morning for Kampala, which seemed to be one immense traffic jam. But we persevered and were able to do some shopping and arrive in Entebbe on Friday evening. Since we had to be up at 2 am to make our flight, we hit the sack early. All of us flew together to Nairobi and then went our separate ways – Doug and Dick to Seattle via Amsterdam, and I to Ghana for another two weeks of ministry.
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The enemy has been particularly busy during this trip. Seeing the remarkable responses to the Word that have occurred in the first two weeks, it’s not surprising that Satan would seek to discourage or sidetrack us. Many of you have already heard that within a few hours of landing in Ghana, my hotel room was burglarized and I lost my new laptop, my camera (hence, no picture to head this post) and my Global cell phone, along with a number of other items. In addition, the thieves also took my passport. We have filed a police report and I have completed the paperwork for a new passport, hoping to receive it before I return home on September 1st. Although I will miss these items, they are only things and can be replaced. They were a gift from God to begin with, and He is free to use them – and us – for His glory in whatever way He chooses. We are not discouraged and the new team (John Herberich, Ken Aull and me) is looking forward to what God will do in these next two weeks. As we seek His Kingdom first, we know that He will supply what we need. In fact, the hotel has already made arrangements to loan me a laptop while I’m in Ghana. Thank you for your prayers and for your expressions of support. I am humbled to think that so many of God’s people are praying for us, and I am amazed at the size of the “network” that has emerged in these last several days. Please continue to pray that we will remain focused upon the work God has for us. We want Him to receive all the glory.
Grace and peace,
Dan.