PEAR: (Pioneers international East Africa Retreat)
It was on the theme of disciple
making ministries; Matthew 28:18-20 'Then
Jesus came to them [the disciples] and said, "All authority in heaven and
on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptising in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I
am with you always, to the very end of the age" '
I was incredibly encouraged and
energised to get back to Karamoja and continue our work there. I'd love to see
a regular Bible Study of interactive, deeper learning of God, started up with
some of the people we know who may be interested.
I am being challenged to look at
the whole picture of a ministry like ours. To see that we all must play a part
and work together to do the best we can. I am important to the team for the vet
work even when I wish I could be doing more of the ministry side, I need to
remember that what I am doing is just as important as the ministry side,
because it opens the door for that to take place.
Over the week we heard from each
country represented about the work they do there; from Uganda, South Sudan,
Kenya and Ethiopia. Although not in East Africa, from South Africa, an Aussie
woman is working with vulnerable women and children exposed to the trafficking
industry there, helping them heal through group counselling with other women
who have been through the same experiences and may still be living with the
horror of it today. It was amazing to talk to her and to gain a small
understanding of the incredible work she does. It is very emotionally draining
for her as you can imagine and some of the stories she hears just break her,
but she said to me 'what right do I have to say, "no don't tell me!"
when these women have to face it every day and sometimes are even trapped in
this life'. She is an ear, a shoulder, and when she can be, a refuge of escape
for women in danger. Not only that, she, like all of us are voices of hope into
the lives of the oppressed people we live with. Jesus is the hope, not the
wishy washy word for hope you might use if you are hoping to win the lottery
but the confident hope of knowing that there is victory over death, conquest
over the sin and pain of this world that human-kind brings everyday with our
actions. Victory by the grace of God, the gift of life and love, fought and won
for us by our loving Father God. Every tear that falls, he feels more deeply
than we know.
I am now going to Kenya for a short holiday and a time of rest. PEAR
