About thirty years ago, I watched a movie, a true story, about a missionary who had made his home among a particular people group in one African village. There he daily taught the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. However, when he taught them about Jesus’ death, the people went home sad and disillusioned. The following day the people returned to hear the good news of Jesus’ resurrection; on hearing the entire village erupted in dancing and sang for joy.
On 25 November my dream came true. Through a translator, I had been going through a visualised gospel presentation with the Luganda-speaking women in our church – firstly, to clarify their own understanding of the gospel, and then to give them a way to share with others. In our weekly meetings, we had begun our studies with man’s separation from God, followed by the attributes of God, finishing with his requirement that man be perfect and holy.
The next week, we concentrated on the characteristics of man, focusing on his inability to meet God’s requirements. Each week, we reviewed our studies, while adding another step in readiness to share that Jesus is our solution. One woman asked a perfect lead-in question, “Scripture says we have to be perfect and holy, so what can we do since we are not?” I told her to listen carefully for the answer to that question, as I explained who Jesus was from the New Testament, with matching scriptures on how he fulfilled all our needs.
The women were jubilant and responded … with loud clapping and joyous, exuberant praise.
I clearly identified that man is a sinner who cannot rescue himself, that we are dead in sin and will face God’s judgement, which is death. But God, rich in mercy, loves us dearly and sent his perfect Son, Jesus. He took our sin and its punishment – God’s judgement – on his shoulders, so that we might have a relationship with him. When I finished explaining these verses, I said to the women, who were listening intently,
The women were jubilant and responded in the only way they knew with loud clapping and joyous, exuberant praise. I felt as though I had died and gone to heaven – I certainly felt ready for it.
Pastor Bosco, Heidi, and I have watched our church, Ssenge Baptist, grow exponentially as God’s truth is taught from the pulpit, through all the weekly Bible studies; and together as we honour him in song. People in our area are hungry for truth and find the gospel answers their search.
There is one major problem: we have outgrown our tent!
Plans are being drawn for a church building. We long to see the day of the ground-breaking ceremony and ask that you join us in prayer for the necessary funding. May the glory go to God for all he is doing as we wait, fully trusting, and for his moving upon the hearts of people to help. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Liz Payne serves in Kayunda, Uganda working alongside Bosco and Heidi Bukeera. She is involved in church-based women’s ministry and hospitality.
Photos: Main – Holiday Bible Club at Ssenge Baptist Church. The Bukeera family. Installing water tanks.