Roberts Family

"Water, water everywhere - but not a drop to drink!". I forget who said that, but it is an apt quote. We have run out of water in our holding tank a couple of times in the past week.  Once was due to a burst pipe. This time, we are not sure of the cause but the pumps for the town water don't work when there is no electricity and the power has been off quite often lately.  Dave and Ps Edward are using the ute at the new Akanyijuka land today so we had to send our gardener down to the well at the bottom of the hill to fetch water in 2 jerry cans so we could have some water.  However, even though the town water supply is erratic, the heavenly supply is very consistent! It has rained heavily every day now that the rainy season has started. 

 

Yesterday, there was a special service to say farewell to Dave and Kathryn as they are leaving in a few days to go home for 3 months. Dave preached and talked about his call from God to come to Kabale. Luke and I went to this (at Pastor Edward's church) and Graeme went to Ps. Frank's church as he was preaching the first of a 4 week series on Worship. Frank is still in Nigeria. 

 

At Ps Edward's church, 3 new boys came along.  Two boys had turned up at Henry Manzi's home, saying that the grandmother they had been living with had died. The other told his story. His family were refugees from the Rwandan genocide. His father had gone away to try to find work and the mother had nothing to feed the children. She even cooked a blanket! When she heard her husband was coming home and that he would want to eat, she hanged herself. On arrival to find his wife hanged, the father hanged himself. The boy was being cared for in a family but there were too many children to care for properly so he tried to get back to Rwanda but only made it to the border and was turned back.  The congregation was stunned and overwhelmed by these tragic tales. Ps Edward said he would investigate further. He said "This is our responsibility". Not knowing what else to do, we gave a little money for food for the boys as a temporary measure.  It seems that God is saying that a Boys' Home is immediately necessary. Please pray with us for provision for a home for these and many, many others with similar stories.  

 

This morning, Kathryn came to our place to use the oven to bake 2 cakes for birthdays at Akanyijuka tomorrow. They are now staying with Pam and Eddie Ward. 

 

We're watching a storm rolling in through the pass between the mountains across from our place at the moment and the temperature is plummeting.

Church on Sunday was great as usual. Ps Edward asked me to lead worship but I was glad of Pamela's help because the congregation responds so much more in their local language, and they love to worship. I only know a few songs in Lukiga but thankfully I was able to lead out in one and Pamela helped me.  I preached as well and I received the feedback that it was a very 'Pastoral' message.

 

On Sunday night, Dave and Kathryn came over for dinner and we watched a movie on laptop together. They are leaving Kabale soon for 3 months and when they return, they will be taking over our house, so we discussed what they wanted us to leave for them and what they don't need.  In fact, they need just about everything that we bought to set up the house!!  It's good to know that we won't have a major job of moving, selling or giving away lots of stuff, before we leave Kabale on 19th January.

 

Today, Dave and Kathryn were moving out of their big house up the hill, and they brought some gear around to our house for storage and/or for our use.  They had to use our ute because their car is out of action in the Garage.

 

We visited with the Speaker of the Kabale Parliament this morning at the Little Ritz. We had an interesting discussion around his hopes to re-commence a Micro-Enterprise program which he started a couple of years ago but which has wound down due to lack of funds for further development of businesses which have started up.

 

This afternoon, we went to the newly established Kabale Tea Nursery near Lake Bunyonyi with the Project Manager, who we met at one of our seminars. He showed us all around the project and explained how it will all work. They have identified 5,000 individual farmers to grow tea in the area and are employing 500 people at the nursery. It's a massive undertaking and fantastic for the development of the Kabale area, as the farmers receive 50% of the profits.

 

The seminar due to be held in Rukungiri in  mid-October has been cancelled. Seminars/conferences require a lot of fund-raising because food and sometimes accommodation are supplied to the participants. Apparently, money couldn't be raised for the food for this conference, so we're praying that their fundraising will be successful and the seminar is only postponed to a later date.

Well another week has passed and this time, it's been my (Lisa's) week to minister.

 

My sermon at Word of Faith church on "Have Faith in God" went well last Sunday and Pastor Obed invited us to his home for lunch afterwards.

 

This Friday, I went with Harriet Manzi and 2 other women from Kabale to a village called Rwentobo, in Ntungamo district to preach at a church conference. It was the first time I had heard Harriet preach - she was good! I spoke after her on "No Fear" - that we don't have to fear anything because nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8: 35-38). It was received very well. We are experiencing some spiritual attack at present and preparing this message spoke to me personally and helped me a great deal.

 

The Pastor at Rwentobo was so enthusiastic that he had visitors and very apologetic that people came late (but you get used to that in Uganda, especially on the first day of a Church Conference). Harriet wanted me to drive us home in her car but my glasses were accidentally left in Shinyalu, Kenya, when we were there and I haven't received them back yet, so I couldn't see well enough to drive, especially since it was raining HARD. So Harriet crept home at 30 kms per hour, and we reached home at 8.30 p.m. safe and sound.

 

This morning, Graeme and I attended the Victory Board meeting where the coming Networking/Promotion event for VCCS was discussed. They plan to invite senior government officials, other NGO representatives and local businesspeople. During the week, Graeme met with Pastor Victor who is the Promotions Director on the Board to discuss strategies.

 

Tomorrow I will preach at Pastor Edward's church.

 

Please pray for the plans for our trip to Nairobi. We believe that God has great things in store when we go to minister in these 2 very large city churches, because of the attacks and problems happening on our side and on George's side. George has requested prayer and so do we. Thank you for your support. 

 

 

 

Forgot to mention that Graeme preached at PAG church on Sunday (both morning services).  Also, at the Conference on Tuesday, there were 10 people who came forward to the altar call for salvation.

 

On Sunday afternoon, we were the 'Guests of Honour' at a Christian CD Launch, where we had to give a short speech and officially launch the CD.  It was very interesting to see people attending and many choirs from many different churches there to support Emily's program: another example of a supportive community in action.

We've been experiencing beautiful warm weather lately, which is quite a change from the usual cool weather here in Kabale. The wet season has not started in earnest yet, with only a few thunderstorms so far (sometimes 2 or 3 on one day).

 

Graeme was preaching at the Living Ministries Conference here in town on Monday and Tuesday. We attended the Victory Community Care Services' Board meeting on Tuesday night and there are some good plans and visions for future ministries and networking. Ps Edward has asked me to do some research for a proposed program.

 

Luke is at Dave and Kathryn's place learning keyboard from Kathryn at present (his usual 4 pm Friday lesson).

 

It's been a quiet week all in all. We had planned on taking a holiday in September so no appointments were made for us, but we haven't gone away. Anyway, October and November are shaping up to be very busy. Graeme is pacing like a caged lion! If anyone has some good books, we'd appreciate receiving them.

 

I've been preparing my sermon for Sunday. I've been asked to speak at Word of Faith church.

 

There is a fund-raising African Trivia Night for us on this Saturday night at The Gap Uniting Church at 7 pm, so feel free to go along. It is being run by a good friend of ours and he always organises a fun night. He's also organised some fantastic prizes and auctions.