Yearly Report November, 2014

Banda Namayingo and Lusenke Kyunga missions

Nile Baptisms

The Eternal decision of Lomuja Iva

           Here is our yearly report including our missions to Banda Village, Namayingo Eastern Uganda----- twenty five miles into the countryside from Namayingo Town and Lusenke Village, ten miles into the countryside from Kyunga Town. The road to Banda was "one great driver short of impassable". We were warned not to venture beyond one particular point but another fellow was convinced we could make it. The alternative route would have added an extra day to our trip. The photo shown does not adequately represent the deep ruts and threatening water we encountered.

a better part of the road

Arrival at Banda, Namayingo 1st venue

our accommodations

Brian Huggins of Evans Georgia, U.S.A., and village kids in front of our house. Where ever Brian goes, kids are sure to follow.

           Bishop Bita explaining how "Bibles for Uganda works". He details how we at New Testament Fellowship International U.S.A. raise money to purchase native language Bibles specifically for Uganda, then transfer funds to Bishop Bita in Entebbe who then purchases new Bibles in Kampala. He then organizes a teaching conference in a remote village where he teaches New Testament Christianity with a special anointing, gifted understanding of five languages, and solid understanding of the Christian Faith------nothing added, nothing-- taken away. He teaches the "Born again experience"-----Water Baptism and it's meaning ------Foot washing and it's importance-------the Lord's Table and it's importance-----Redemption through the Blood of Christ-----the sinful nature of man----and many other matters that time will allow in 4-5 days of intense teaching. He does this four times per year, distributing 100 Bibles at each conference. Each recipient is hand chosen by area Church leaders based on their need for a new Bible, service to the Body of Christ, and ability to read their new Bible in their own tongue.

My favorite topic-----"YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD"!

teaching "foot washing"

Pastor Egessa Nimrod -----foot washing. This man is also our hosting Pastor. He provided housing and meals for our team for six days while we ministered in his village.

observing foot washing for the very first time

After teaching the healing of the sick according to-----

James 5:14-15
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
KJV

-----------the Elders gather to pray for the sick. Many have never participated in this Biblical practice of  praying for the sick.

healing line begins

what a great experience, learning how to responsibly pray for the sick and to believe that God will keep his promise

An appeal on our "NEEDS" page resulted in a gift of three Road Master Bicycles to Church leaders in Banda and Lusenke villages

Pastor Ogen Gecus

           This Elder is truly the workhorse of this assembly. If there is a job to be well done, this is the man that the Pastor calls on. He travels many miles on foot or boda to organize, spread the word of coming events, deliver good news or bad. He is the "all around" great Elder. He is a very humble Servant of the Lord. For this reason he was chosen to receive a new Road Master bicycle donated by a donor from Augusta Georgia, U.S.A.

Brian Huggins of Evans Georgia, U.S.A. presents the new bike on behalf of our donor.

Bible distribution at the Banda Assembly 60 native language Bibles.

Preparation

getting ready for Bible distribution

Brian with proud new owners of native language and KJV Bibles

Bishop Bita, Brian and proud new owners of Bibles-----Thank you faithful Donors of the U.S and U.K.

prayer for BFU team

a parting gift from a village Saint-----on to Lusenke

Lusenke Kyunga Uganda

Home of the Church of Jesus Christ, Lusenke Kyunga Uganda

Isakwa George William ----LC1 Chairman, Lusenke welcomes Bibles for Uganda Team at the Church of Jesus Christ, Lusenke

Sub County Councillor Busuka Sam welcoming our team

Sub County Councillor Gertrude Wakoowa welcomes us as well.

Presentation of a letter from the Board of Directors, New Testament Fellowship International/Bibles for Uganda to the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ---Lusenke Kyunga Uganda

Presenting the Catherine and Ronald Shelton story to the Church

Lusenke Elders receive photos of donors who funded the construction of this Church-house----Catherine and Ronald Shelton of Sandy Ridge, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Bishop Bita teaching

More great teaching from our gifted Bita James Oloo [Jimmy]

Those who received Jesus on the First Day

children in praise and worship

Children who received Jesus

These five young men were notorious local hoodlums. They would drink and steal anything that wasn't locked down. They had foul language and cared nothing for your opinion of them. They repented and came forward to receive the Lord on this remarkable evening.

The decision of Lomuja Iva

the young man with the blue and white striped shirt just over the left shoulder of Pastor is called Lomuja Iva. He confessed Christ as his Saviour before many witnesses on the evening before this photo was taken. He is 16 years old in this picture, a young village boy full of laughter, friendship, teen mischief, and loved by all-------

He is now forever with the Lord. He died mysteriously in his sleep the next night.

an Anglican priest gives the eulogy

Even as the mother wailed in grief you could hear the clinking of the shovels behind us . What a mixture of emotions. What sadness-----what Joy!

1 Thess 4:13-14

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
KJV

Friends and relatives from near and far have come at very short notice. Even the County Commissioner came to offer condolence to the family. Such is the closeness of the African village.

Back to the Church-house

work continues on a somber day

Back at the Church compound work continues on a somber day. Jimmy is putting finishing touches to the doors of the Church-house. He is driving deep set screws into the frame. The screws have special "star drive" heads to discourage removal. Every effort is made to make this building secure. The screw holes are filled with wood putty to make it even more difficult to remove the screws. There are no external handles or attachments, The doors and windows have bolt action locks inside.

front and side doors-------finished product  [doors and windows funded by a donor from Augusta Georgia, U.S.A.]

As night falls, women gather inside for evening worship and prayer.

They often bring their mats and bedding to spend the entire night in the safety of this building.

covered well to discourage mosquitoes

Often there are as many as seven women [sometimes children] inside this building at night.

Ready for meeting # 2

Note sleeping accommodations for our team

Many Many decisions for Christ at these meetings

Foot washing begins

Faithful Church Elder

principle Elder who helped build this Church-house

faithful to this small fellowship from the time when the Church met under the jackfruit tree

Where hundreds of meals were prepared

cook house built on the spot for this conference and building dedication

Elders anointing the sick with oil, praying the prayer of faith according to------

James 5:14-15
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
KJV

Elders pray for the sick

Presentation of Bicycle #1

presented to the Elders for service to the Saints

Elder Federisi was elected by the board of Elders to care for the Bicycle. She will assign the bike to individual Elders as needs arise

Afoot no more!!!!

bicycle # 2

Pastor Kukiriza Stephen receives a new Road Master bicycle. A man appointed by the Local Commissioner to travel from village to village to settle local disputes because of his humble spirit and unusual wisdom.

Pastor Kukiriza shows off new bike to Mom

"on the road again---I just can't wait to get on the road again" "WHAT---you never heard of Willie Nelson?"

Latrine Especialle

[Bita Construction---Entebbe]

featuring inward opening doors for your privacy

Pamper yourself with a hot shower-----NO, REALLY!

refreshing on a hot dusty day---water heated in the cook-house

The Experience of a life time

Baptizing in the Nile

there were ten candidates for baptism. All were taught the importance of baptism-----their individual profession of belief in the newness of life and the resurrection at Christ's return..

Rom 6:3-5
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
KJV

Col 2:12
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
KJV

a procession downhill to the Nile.

the Church observes----notice the pristine sand at river's edge

comming down the hill-------the entire village watches

Lily-----I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Elder Lily buried with Christ

look at that smile as spectators look on

Brother Danny drenched

Bibles for Lusenke, Kyunga

Time to tear down and head back to Entebbe

we'll spend some time with friends in Entebbe then the long flight back to the U.S.A.

 Read the story of this remarkable Church at the link below

Elders move out with New knowledge and confidence

After returning to the U.S I recieved an e-mail from Bishop Bita. He reports that the Elders at Lusenke heard of a sick village woman who needed prayer. The Elders set out with determination. They anointed the sick woman with oil and prayed the "prayer of faith". The sick woman was invited to accept Jesus and to follow him for the rest of her life. The woman accepted and the Elders returned in great rejoicing.

already these precious Saints are putting their new found faith and doctrine to work in the village.