rothwellsmission: December 2014

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Psalm 98 : 4-6

Ok, so there was no harp, trumpets or ram's horn, but there were guitars and African drums

, and New Life church Romsey certainly helped Wobulenzi Town Academy to burst into jubilant song and shout for joy before the Lord!

What an amazing time it has been, not only with worship and testimonies but with such varied items as mask making, bracelets, computer lessons, health talks, fun science such as water rockets and solar powered cars, English, sewing lessons (the machine remains for ongoing use), films, a multitude of sports and of course Wobulenzi's Got Talent!

The subject of the 'Ignite!' talks was Bible superheroes, introduced by two well known comic book superheroes (aka Amanda and Phil). Through the week the talks covered Joseph, Gideon, David and Esther and finally, the ultimate superhero, Jesus.

The programme culminated with a prayer walk around the site and the community and a celebration lunch doubling up as a Christmas celebration as most of the students would be leaving the day after the team, apart from a handful still taking their A Level exams.

Flexibility was the key to the success of the programme, the 'base' for all the talks and worship was changed at the last minute to the library as UNEB would not allow use of the hall, explaining that it was the only location approved for the A Levels, even though only a handful of students were affected. This will change for next year as Charles has decided to register every classroom in the place!

However, the change of location proved to be a great success so we thank God for sowing that seed.

Other changes to the programme also had to be made but New Life rose to the challenge, and the students (and I think the team) all agreed that it had been an exciting, interesting and thought-provoking time.

On only their first day here a problem with a birth at The Rock prompted us all to remain outside to pray for the young girl (only 14) in difficulty, and Michele and Amanda were on hand to support our midwife Lilian and accompany mum and baby to hospital, Jerry's car being the ambulance. On the journey the baby had to be resuscitated but thanks to prompt action mum and baby are recovering and have now left hospital. Please do keep them in your prayers.

The team left on Wednesday afternoon for some well-deserved R & R at the Ziwa rhino sanctuary and then Murchison Falls game reserve for a safari, and returned to Entebbe on Saturday for the night flight back to the UK.

We wish them well and we know from what many of them have said that they have gained as much from our students as they have given. Elspeth quoted this proverb which fits perfectly with what the team have just seen and done, and hopefully will be an encouragement to anyone thinking of 'going and doing', both here and elsewhere, whether in Africa or in their own villages and towns.

'I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand'.

Sadly Stan had to leave suddenly last week as his mum had been taken into hospital and the decision was made that he should return to the UK. She is still in hospital and is very poorly, please keep her and Stan in your prayers.

The students have now all returned home, please pray for their safety, and Jerry, Elspeth and I are now trying to complete a long 'to do' list. More difficult for them as many items on their list involve driving backwards and forwards to Kampala, at least all of mine concern things here!

Jerry has managed to change my flight so that I can travel back to the UK on Saturday on the same flight as them, so will see many of you sooner than you thought!

And finally please pray for the three of us and Charles as we discuss arrangements at the school, The Bridge and The Rock for next year, budgets and plans in general, for the teachers as arrangements are made for renewals of contracts and replacement of staff, for Deborah , Brenda, Stella and Linus at The Bridge as they plan for the holiday club and for Efrance, Lilian and Annet at The Rock as they look after the community patients and in particular the ever growing group of expectant mums ready to give birth at The Rock.

Blessings for a peaceful Christmas.

Sue xx