We were lucky this year to have 4 deaf students on the DTS, 3 of these students joined the team to Sudan.
On a daily basis these students taught local deaf and their families how to communicate with sign language using pictures, demonstration and fun games. It was lovely to see all the people come, anxious to learn, with a new hope of communicating to their loved ones and friends. It was also so encouraging for the hearing students to see the patience and willingness of our friends as they taught.
PASTORS AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS SEMINAR
We had 2 sessions with local pastors and government officials. Using what we learned during lecture phase on Leadership and Team Dynamics, we were able to instill some useful ideas and tools to develop the community of Lobone. After the sessions we felt that God really used us to teach these men and women, and we got a sense that what they learned will not be forgotten.
We were all a little bit worried about the potential of being served bush rat for a meal, but as it turns out, it tastes pretty good and we all digested it quite well.
Bush rat restaurant
We went to eat with the local pastors and government officials that we had been teaching about Leadership and Team Dynamics that morning. It was a nice way of getting to know them better, to hear their hearts and to find out what they had learned from us.
FUN TIMES WITH LOCALS.....
We played volleybal atleast 3 times per week with the local youth.
Our kids played and coloured pictures with their kids.
SCHOOL MINISTRY
School ministry team walked 30 minutes, 3 times per week to spend time teaching and having fun with the children. During the morning we taught Bible stories and verses using different methods like drama. After the teaching time, we played games outside with the children. They loved having us there and enjoyed getting their pictures taken.
It never ceases to amaze me how God will use us if we allow Him, if we stand back and let Him work through us, if we give up control and let Him lead the way. I have many stories that I could share about our Discipleship Training School outreach in Lobone, Southern Sudan, I will highlight a few over the next couple of weeks to give you just a taste.
BOSCO
20 Years old, former LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) captive, addicted to alcohol, rejected by family and friends. This boy was found by members of our team sitting alone, looking tired, malnourished and sick. This boy's feet were the home of many worms, called Jiggers. His home was infested, and his feet so badly eaten that he could no longer feel any pain.
I met Bosco one morning and knew right away that we did not have the amount of medicine to help him. The hospital authorities were reluctant to admit him becuase his case was so bad, but we advocated for him, and they finally admitted him to hospital for treatment. Over the next 2 weeks, his feet, although scarred, were free of Jiggers, and his face shone like that of someone who was finally loved...he had hope that life could be different. We spoke to Bosco about Jesus, and told him that he was loved not only by us but by a great big Father God. He never gave his life to Christ while we were there, but I know that Bosco's life was changed. I know that God will continue to work in the life of this boy, He will continue to transform him, He will continue with the work that we could not. Bosco knows that now he is not alone.
My heart's desire is to write a follow-up article reporting that the thief came forward on his own accord to confess, repent and return the money...now THAT would be a story! God is a great big God and quite capable of making that dream come true.
Thank you for your continued prayers! Vikki Wright YWAM Arua leadership team
As an RN back home in Canada I was naturally drawn to the hospital ministry that has just begun here at YWAM Arua. This coming Friday will be the third week, and as much as there are some hurdles to cross, I believe that God wants us to be there and that He will do some amazing things through the team for both the patients and the staff.
Last Friday when we arrived, the staff were busy and did not have a lot of time to spend with us. Now, for a type A North American girl, you would likely not be surprised if I told you that this annoyed me a little bit. Surprisingly enough, even to me, I was not annoyed. I sensed God's presence and His words to my heart saying "Trust me Cheryl, you are all meant to be here because I sent you here".
We were able to spend time with some of the staff, we prayed with them and spoke truth to them from the word. This is amazing to me, because at home you would not be allowed to preach the gospel like that, and even if you were, people would not be open to hearing it. They were open and seemed touched by our willingness to share and pray with them.
After our time with the staff we walked through the ward, laying hands on and praying for patients and family members, it was awesome, the Holy Spirit was doing something BIG. We were all feeling it. I am excited to see what God will do in that ward. I should tell you that we will primarily be working on the TB ward as this is where the Arua leadership team felt this ministry needed to begin. This can be a daunting place as patients are very sick and infectious, but it is where God wants us and so with grateful hearts and masks we will enter those rooms knowing that the Holy Spirit is there doing His work through us.
Another aspect of this ministry is handing out food for patients. We have done some research and know what TB patients require the most and will do our best to provide these foods. I believe God in this area also, He knows, He will provide, He is in control.
I will be sure to keep you updated on all of the exciting things that God will do.
Hi there! I would like to introduce myself to you, my name is Cheryl Cook and I have come to Arua from Brockville, Ontario, Canada for the CDTS. The young girl in the picture (yes, we are both young, but one is much younger than the other!!)is my daughter, Mackenzie. Mackenzie has joined me here and will do her studies through homeschooling curriculum which I will be needing much prayer for....just putting that out there for anyone who may feel led. I won't bore you with my life story, but I will tell you that since I was a young child, I have had a heart for Africa. My heart for Africa, and my love of Christ is what led me here to Arua to take the CDTS. I have been asked to update the Arua blog once weekly as part of my community responsibility here, and I have cheerfully accepted the challenge. I hope that these posts will give you a glimpse into our world, and perhaps inspire some of you to take this journey of discovery with God as I have.
I feel that it is an important thing to mention, especially to those who are perhaps deciding whether or not to embark on a journey such as this, that all of the staff are so welcoming and supportive. Not once since I arrived here, have I felt alone or without someone to talk to. As you can imagine, life in Arua is a little bit different from my life in Canada, and I feel that I can be open about the challenges that I have faced and will certainly continue to face as the 6 months go on. For this support and encouragement, I am truly thankful.
Now about the school. In total there are 15 of us here as CDTS students, we are all different, and all have something God given to offer. Of the 15, there are 4 deaf students, it is a real blessing for all of us hearing to learn some sign language and they have all been very gracious.
Last week was our first week going out and serving in our chosen ministry. I have naturally gravitated to the hospital ministry as I am an RN at home but I hope also to be involved with the prison ministry if time allows. I will post more detailed info about each ministry on another post.
For now I will end. Please know that again, I will do my very best to convey important information as well as allowing you all to experience a little bit of what we are experiencing here in Arua.
Painted faces and oiled skin glowed in the late afternoon sunlight as feet stomped and drums beat to welcome Loren and Darlene Cunningham to Jinja, Uganda, for YWAM's 50th Anniversary celebrations.Africans consider it a great privilege to welcome honoured guests, and our brothers and sisters from all over Eastern Africa danced, sang and clapped with all of their hearts in welcome.
<---- The Busoga from Uganda swirled their hips in dizzying circles;
the Kenyans stomped their feet and clapped their hands; ---->
<---- and the Masai from Tanzania jumped straight up and down.
<------- Several young girls balanced stacks of clay pots on their heads, and led the Cunningham procession into the conference hall.
On stage, our team from YWAM Arua base opened the celebrations by dancing and singing about the unity in diversity that characterizes YWAM.Coming from the nations of Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, America, England and Australia, the Arua team built a bridge together to demonstrate their vision to be a bridge of healing to the nations.Then they crossed the bridge with flags of Sudan, Congo and Central African Republic, and called others to join them in reaching these nations for Jesus.A Masai brother crossed the bridge to the whoops and cheers of the audience. ------->
Over the next 2 days, Loren and Darlene shared many encouraging testimonies of God’s faithfulness right from the days of their childhood to the present moment.They encouraged us to be God-loyal:that no matter what happens around us, we should not give in to self-pity but should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and be loyal to Him, no matter what the cost.They challenged us to say “Yes!” to Jesus with radical obedience…even when we don’t know the extent of that commitment.And never to give up, no matter how hard things get…we should not negotiate in our commitment to hear and obey the King of kings.
<----- Darlene encouraged us to hang out with people who celebrate us, and commit to walk in unity.She also challenged us to be humble servant leaders…there is no other way to lead like Jesus than to submit ourselves to the will of the Father and seek His kingdom, not our own.
Loren updated us on the state of world missions and declared, “Jesus is winning!”We saw the growth of YWAM and the spread of Christianity.We also heard the heart cry of the Father for Africans to “Arise and Shine, for our time has come!”God has a place and a purpose for Africans in the Great Commission, and it is time to take up that calling and GO! ------->
<---- With that exhortation, we lined up to light our candles from the torches held by Loren (on the left) and Methode Kamanzi (Eastern Africa Regional Director, on the right in the white shirt).
With our candles held high, we agreed before the Lord to be part of taking the flame forward into the nations, to reach the unreached and disciple the nations. ----->
Finally, after all the Cunninghams had imparted into us, we were able to bless and honour them.We dressed them in the traditional style of the Rwandese,
<------
and then the elders of YWAM East Africa presented them with traditional African gifts…a strong he-goat and a richly colored rooster. ----->
<----- Then the elders laid hands on this faithful couple, and prayed blessings over them.
We closed the event by committing ourselves to the Christian Magna Carta, and the Jubilee Covenant.Then we shared the Lord’s table together, and asked God to help us hear His voice, and follow Him with radical obedience wherever He leads.
It was a very special time, and we give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for us.
We are a small but thriving community here in Arua, Uganda, made up of different cultures, ages and backgrounds. We are passionate about being part of God's transforming, healing work not only here in Uganda but in South Sudan, DR Congo, Central African Republic and beyond.
