STEPPING OUT PROGRAMME CERTIFICATION
For the first time we had a formal certification for the ministry training Stepping
Out Programme in Evangelism, Discipleship and Leadership development. This training
covers 39 weeks and over 200 pages of material. It is both simple and comprehensive.
We had 30 prison pastors and 60 leaders from over 15 churches complete the training.
The prison pastors cover 15 prisons in northern Uganda and what we are seeing in
the prisons is nothing short of transformational.
We are implementing a clear reporting system this year so we can identify genuine
commitments, growth in the local churches, people growing in their faith and leaders
who know what it means to take responsibility for another person who has come to
faith.
LITERACY GRADUATION DAY
We held a Literacy Graduation day for learners who are part of the Functional Adult
Literacy programme. During the ceremony the Community Development Officer announced
that our students had received the highest marks in the district! It is one thing
running a school so people can read and write. It is quite another taking people
who are illiterate of various ages and achieving excellence.
Quite literally while doing the Certification I had to apologise for being late
because one of our Boer goats gave birth to twins! In Africa you have to be adaptable
and ready for anything at any time.
GL12 CHURCHES LITERACY CLASSES
We have also started Literacy Classes attached to local churches and there are 15-17
in total; six classes have already started.
SEWING CLASSES
The Sewing School certificated its first students after 2 years of learning. They
then put on a wonderful drama and song to demonstrate their passion and appreciation.
SITE WORK
Our site just outside Gulu is so beautiful. It is the centre for much of our development
projects and over the years has much growth. During the mission we were able to
set in place a stronger infrastructure which is so important in our growth.
We have connected internet access at the site and obtained another motorbike to
facilitate the ministry. These things are such cost savers in time as people are
then not reliant on local systems.
10 bee hives are now occupied and we are expecting our next harvest at the end of
March.
HEALTH CLINIC
We have set up a pilot health clinic on Site that provides treatment for the Agape
children and immediate staff. The churches are developing their village health teams
and we have set up a year's programme to serve church communities initially to pilot
immunisation and community health initiatives. The hospital visitation team had
a further time of training but it's their compassion and ministry to the sick which
shines through so clearly.
All our team members on this mission were extremely busy and highly productive.
I am proud of their commitment and love of the local people. Our vision is there
to serve and support the vision of the local people and the unity and relationships
which have built up over the years is unique.
Please do commit all these things and indeed the people to God. The biggest battle
is sometimes not in times of war but in times of peace when wars cease.
There are always many needs but change begins with HOPE. Let's begin with hope and
then move into faith where anything IS possible.
In love and appreciation
Dr Liam Chapman
STEPPING OUT PROGRAMME CERTIFICATION
For the first time we had a formal certification for the ministry training Stepping
Out Programme in Evangelism, Discipleship and Leadership development. This training
covers 39 weeks and over 200 pages of material. It is both simple and comprehensive.
We had 30 prison pastors and 60 leaders from over 15 churches complete the training.
The prison pastors cover 15 prisons in northern Uganda and what we are seeing in
the prisons is nothing short of transformational.
We are implementing a clear reporting system this year so we can identify genuine
commitments, growth in the local churches, people growing in their faith and leaders
who know what it means to take responsibility for another person who has come to
faith.
LITERACY GRADUATION DAY
We held a Literacy Graduation day for learners who are part of the Functional Adult
Literacy programme. During the ceremony the Community Development Officer announced
that our students had received the highest marks in the district! It is one thing
running a school so people can read and write. It is quite another taking people
who are illiterate of various ages and achieving excellence.
Quite literally while doing the Certification I had to apologise for being late
because one of our Boer goats gave birth to twins! In Africa you have to be adaptable
and ready for anything at any time.
GL12 CHURCHES LITERACY CLASSES
We have also started Literacy Classes attached to local churches and there are 15-17
in total; six classes have already started.
SEWING CLASSES
The Sewing School certificated its first students after 2 years of learning. They
then put on a wonderful drama and song to demonstrate their passion and appreciation.
SITE WORK
Our site just outside Gulu is so beautiful. It is the centre for much of our development
projects and over the years has much growth. During the mission we were able to
set in place a stronger infrastructure which is so important in our growth.
We have connected internet access at the site and obtained another motorbike to
facilitate the ministry. These things are such cost savers in time as people are
then not reliant on local systems.
10 bee hives are now occupied and we are expecting our next harvest at the end of
March.
HEALTH CLINIC
We have set up a pilot health clinic on Site that provides treatment for the Agape
children and immediate staff. The churches are developing their village health teams
and we have set up a year's programme to serve church communities initially to pilot
immunisation and community health initiatives. The hospital visitation team had
a further time of training but it's their compassion and ministry to the sick which
shines through so clearly.
All our team members on this mission were extremely busy and highly productive.
I am proud of their commitment and love of the local people. Our vision is there
to serve and support the vision of the local people and the unity and relationships
which have built up over the years is unique.
Please do commit all these things and indeed the people to God. The biggest battle
is sometimes not in times of war but in times of peace when wars cease.
There are always many needs but change begins with HOPE. Let's begin with hope and
then move into faith where anything IS possible.
In love and appreciation
Dr Liam Chapman