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My friend Cheryl's sister and brother-in-law have been missionaries in one part of Africa or another for close to 25 years. There was a lovely picture of them with the people the article talks about,who recieved the certificates, but it didn't show up here. But folks, if you don't think that God is at work all over the world, this is one small example for you.
Dear Family and Friends,
Mark’s role as the AIM Central Regional Administrative Officer can seem mundane and often even legalistic. It is events like last Sunday’s that reminds us of the bigger picture – we are serving those AIM missionaries here in the middle of Africa who are out there doing to the “grunt work” – teaching the classes, loving the unlovable, digging the wells, translating the Word of God, reaching out to the unreached. One of our roles has been in helping the ministry described below develop their “Vision and Strategy Paper” that will help guide the future direction of this ministry.
Last Sunday we accepted an invitation to attend a church service in Jinja, Uganda - a two hour drive from Kampala. At the end of the lively, vibrant service, one of our AIM missionaries, Julie Propst, presented certificates and books to 11 members of this small congregation who had successfully completed a year-long course she had given on ministering to the disabled. Not only was it nice to get out of Kampala and fellowship with these fine folks, but it was a joy to see the work of the Lord in that place! This was not a just a celebration of their accomplishments but of what God was doing in their lives and in their community. Several of those receiving certificates gave short testimonies of what God had taught them and what the class meant to them. Their comments included:
· " We used to believe these disabilities are a result of witchcraft. Now we know these kids are made in the image of God! We need to reach out and help them as we can."
· " How can we as a church help them? 1) Be there for them – they have been rejected and abandoned. Go visit them; show love; help them! 2) Psychologically they are abandoned also – we need to encourage them and invite them to church. 3) Give them hope – teach them that God loves them and their life has value. They can also go to heaven when they die. (Note: traditionally the belief is that those with disabilities are cursed and can never go to heaven!) 4) Tell them they are important – just because their legs or eyes don’t work, doesn’t mean their mind isn’t functioning. They are able to contribute to society by working on computers or through music, etc. Build them up so they will know their worth!"
· " I used to think I was normal and these people were refuse (garbage). Now I have learned that I was part of the problem! We are all the same spiritually. We all sin and so none of us are “normal”. It is only because of Jesus that we can have our sins forgiven and be “normal”. It is our job now to teach the community the scriptures about how important these people are. (These words came from a young man who is studying in seminary to become a pastor!)"
· "We did not take this course to get a job and get paid but as a ministry to the community. We want to help others. (Originally, 30 people signed up but many dropped out when they discovered there was no promise of employment at the end.)"
Knowing that the African culture hides and / or abandons anyone with disabilities, it was such an encouragement to hear these testimonies! The goal of the class was not to teach the participants how to do therapy or other medical answers. Rather, it was the goal to teach them what the Bible says about disabilities and our responsibility towards them. They learned what Jesus’ response was to the weak, the lame, and the blind. They learned to “take the Messiah to the disabled.” It was an incredible blessing to us to hear how they have learned and taken to heart this message! At least one of them is now going weekly to visit homes in the community where a disabled person is living and minister to them. Some days this includes doing their laundry or cleaning the house!
We pray that this attitude and expression of love, hope and service will not just be an isolated case in one small congregation but that it will be a small spark igniting a wildfire in Uganda and Central Africa!
Mark and Lisa Sudman
P.O. Box 4008
Kampala, Uganda
Dear Family and Friends,
Mark’s role as the AIM Central Regional Administrative Officer can seem mundane and often even legalistic. It is events like last Sunday’s that reminds us of the bigger picture – we are serving those AIM missionaries here in the middle of Africa who are out there doing to the “grunt work” – teaching the classes, loving the unlovable, digging the wells, translating the Word of God, reaching out to the unreached. One of our roles has been in helping the ministry described below develop their “Vision and Strategy Paper” that will help guide the future direction of this ministry.
Last Sunday we accepted an invitation to attend a church service in Jinja, Uganda - a two hour drive from Kampala. At the end of the lively, vibrant service, one of our AIM missionaries, Julie Propst, presented certificates and books to 11 members of this small congregation who had successfully completed a year-long course she had given on ministering to the disabled. Not only was it nice to get out of Kampala and fellowship with these fine folks, but it was a joy to see the work of the Lord in that place! This was not a just a celebration of their accomplishments but of what God was doing in their lives and in their community. Several of those receiving certificates gave short testimonies of what God had taught them and what the class meant to them. Their comments included:
· " We used to believe these disabilities are a result of witchcraft. Now we know these kids are made in the image of God! We need to reach out and help them as we can."
· " How can we as a church help them? 1) Be there for them – they have been rejected and abandoned. Go visit them; show love; help them! 2) Psychologically they are abandoned also – we need to encourage them and invite them to church. 3) Give them hope – teach them that God loves them and their life has value. They can also go to heaven when they die. (Note: traditionally the belief is that those with disabilities are cursed and can never go to heaven!) 4) Tell them they are important – just because their legs or eyes don’t work, doesn’t mean their mind isn’t functioning. They are able to contribute to society by working on computers or through music, etc. Build them up so they will know their worth!"
· " I used to think I was normal and these people were refuse (garbage). Now I have learned that I was part of the problem! We are all the same spiritually. We all sin and so none of us are “normal”. It is only because of Jesus that we can have our sins forgiven and be “normal”. It is our job now to teach the community the scriptures about how important these people are. (These words came from a young man who is studying in seminary to become a pastor!)"
· "We did not take this course to get a job and get paid but as a ministry to the community. We want to help others. (Originally, 30 people signed up but many dropped out when they discovered there was no promise of employment at the end.)"
Knowing that the African culture hides and / or abandons anyone with disabilities, it was such an encouragement to hear these testimonies! The goal of the class was not to teach the participants how to do therapy or other medical answers. Rather, it was the goal to teach them what the Bible says about disabilities and our responsibility towards them. They learned what Jesus’ response was to the weak, the lame, and the blind. They learned to “take the Messiah to the disabled.” It was an incredible blessing to us to hear how they have learned and taken to heart this message! At least one of them is now going weekly to visit homes in the community where a disabled person is living and minister to them. Some days this includes doing their laundry or cleaning the house!
We pray that this attitude and expression of love, hope and service will not just be an isolated case in one small congregation but that it will be a small spark igniting a wildfire in Uganda and Central Africa!
Mark and Lisa Sudman
P.O. Box 4008
Kampala, Uganda