rothwellsmission: November 2015

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8 : 38-39

I suppose we should have realised that after the special days and blessings of baptisms and communion the evil one would be trying to get a foothold...........

The month started with an amazing communion service which included the remaining baptisms – Patience and Madam Sue – and concluded with the giving of cards and gifts to the S4 candidates who have now started O Levels – they continue until 14^th November.

The students asked 'why did you wait until you were so old to be baptised as an adult,' and were delighted with Sue's reply that she just felt this was the right place and the right time, to make her pledges in front of her second, African, family.

Also this month worthy of mention –

The ambulance is now at The Rock – and has been used a number of times – what a blessing – thank you New Life Church.

Stan's History revision sessions – that started with 6 and has grown to 20 as it gets closer and closer to A Levels (starting on 6^th November). He has enjoyed it as much as them and it has been fun to see where they could find a space – it has gone from library, to a banda, to a set of steps and lately under the mango tree!

The rains are here – lots of thunderstorms and heavy rain – so everyone madly digging and planting. But it's still hot, and steamy, lots of mud and many mosquitoes!

Observation of the teaching of Ajok Jackson Denis – the maths teacher at The Bridge. As recently it had all been phonics and English teaching and observations we thought it was only fair that Jackson was not left out. He was delighted to be observed and we hope delighted with the feedback. It is so good to see an OB of WTA teaching, and teaching well and with enthusiasm and showing knowledge and love of his subject. Sue couldn't see herself how anyone can love Maths, and did tell him that if he had been her teacher this view may have been different for her.

Activate lessons since the exams started -we have tried to make them less 'active' as Biology practical exams going on in the room next door! We showed instead films of Louis Giglio talking about the enormousness (is that a word?) of God. We had complete silence and all the year groups were truly amazed at what they saw and heard.

Visit north to Gulu -we were delighted to make this journey for a number of reasons.

Firstly to visit the school (Mercy's Village) of our dear friend Melissa, and to meet at last Grace, who works there as a teaching assistant and soon as a qualified teacher. Grace's story is one that both we and Helen Richardson have used as an example of the challenges people from this area have faced. Despite the trauma in her past she is the gentlest girl with a happy smile and is clearly a born teacher. She says she can still smile because of God's grace.

Second reason – because many of the WTA students come from this area and were so pleased we would see 'their other home' – and so were we. It is clear even now that the town was badly affected by the conflicts (it is only 45 miles from the border with South Sudan) and is taking time to catch up. However there are several aid agencies working within the area so we pray that it will continue to have peace so they are able to progress.

Third reason – to look at a possible site for a 'Bridge 2' (answers on a postcard if you can think of a better title but please not....'A Bridge too Far' or 'Bridge On the River Kwai').

The Bridge here in Lukomera has been so successful with topping up English and Maths (and introducing computer skills) to help the local primary schools, and thus to help children pass their all-important P7 exams,it is an ideal model to plant in other areas.

A possible site has been identified which is within walking distance of a number of primary schools, so with God's grace and subject to Ugandan planning laws (or lack of!) we pray this will progress - prayers please.

Electioneering visit from potential MP candidates -only worthy of mention for it's amazingness (another dodgy made up word!). The candidates made all sorts of promises that they clearly cannot deliver, and gave 'gifts to encourage you to vote for someone' to the students, many of whom are of voting age and many who have now decided who they are voting for – and all for the cost of a few sweets and sodas!

Unexpected fallout from this visit -one of the election 'promises' was that the school should have DSTV Sport (think Sky Sport) – something that clearly they never could and never would even if they could afford it. The candidate gave the students 200,000 to buy sodas for the school, which soon became (in the students minds) the deposit for installation of DSTV Sport.

This issue would never have got any further but sadly was further aggravated by the sports coach who collected contributions from the students, went to Kampala and signed up for the installation (all without authority), clearly because he wanted it! You really couldn't make it up.

After a few minor skirmishes the installation was reversed, the monies returned to the students and peace eventually sort of settled. Oh – and the sports coach had a visit from the police who promptly arrested him and took him away following the theft of a camera in Kampala - completely unrelated to the DSTV saga. He has since been dismissed.

There are a few other challenges at the moment that need wisdom and prayer for resolution, but the good news is that the exams are going ahead without any problem, the students are settled and happy and looking forward to a visit from the UK team, now only 2 weeks away.

In addition we also ask for your prayers for Charles and his family. His nephew was beaten at his school by the principal and then the askari, for late payment of school fees. He died as a result. Despite corporal punishment being illegal in Uganda it is, sadly, still used in many schools.

Charles is currently in the north to attend the boy's burial and also to speak to the police about taking action against the school involved. Please pray for wisdom in his dealings and God's protection and comfort for his family.

Despite all that has happened this month, or maybe because of it, the school church rose to protect their 'brothers and sisters' in Christ' at Sunday's service to remind everyone present that they were all part of the same family, regardless of their tribe or religion, and to urge them not to take advantage of the lack of supervision (one of the challenges!) by rioting (as happens in some schools).

And on a more positive note, we mentioned last month that Stan had been invited for coffee with the new Bishop of Luwero, ex-Redcliffe. It was such a success that both the bishop and his wife accepted our return invitation, and spent Monday morning with us. They were both delighted with the school, The Bridge and The Rock, and he has asked to return to speak at assembly. They were a genuine, humble and godly couple who prayed for us and the school before they left.

So now we have had bishop-standard prayers we are expecting big improvements.....

And on Tuesday evening, at The Rock, a new birth! Head of Security Baptiste and his wife Molly have a beautiful son. Baptiste's mum is staying here at the moment to help with daughter Faith. The new baby is still to be named but Mum and Dad very happy. And despite the fact that many of the challenges are falling at Baptiste's feet at the moment and he is working about 20 hours a day – he is still smiling!

And finally – particularly directed at UK teachers – has this ever happened to you as part of your exam preparation?

Instructions from UNEB (Ugandan National Exam Board) for preparation of Biology O Level practicals..........

Obtain 152 grasshoppers for dissection. (Problem – grasshopper catchers have got wind of this and price has now gone up from 500 shillings (about 1p each) for 20 to 500 shillings each!)