A new SALT School

Friends

The commencement of a new SALT School is always a slightly nervous time. How many students will come? Will they be keen to learn or will they be a group we have to push every step? Will they be responsive to our teaching which is quite unlike anything they have received in the past?

We need not have been even a little concerned. A wonderful group of 65 new students arrived on Monday and Tuesday giving us just the right number with which to begin our school. And from the outset, it was clear that this group are as keen as any group we have had to date. We sometimes have students who struggle to stay awake when they are in class. Very little of that in this group. It has been a delight to teach them. Glenda and I are tired at the end of a demanding journey. But their enthusiasm to learn has lifted us and encouraged us greatly.

Even as I write this blog, Glenda is teaching the final lecture of the week on the omnipresence of God. Next session I have to help them understand the homework requirements that they must complete before they come back for the next term of the school. That is always a challenge. You would laugh at some of the questions that we are asked. Things that are so obvious to us have to be explained in infinite detail to our African students who have a completely different set of learning parameters. But they get it in time. Tonight we will enjoy a quiet dinner with our dear friends Silas and Nicola Tayebwa.

Once the School is finished we have a busy weekend of packing up and preparing our home for three months without occupants. Things have to be packed in vermin proof boxes as one cannot be sure just what might find it's way into our home while we are away. Somehow we have to chase the family of rats that seem to have taken up residence in the roof cavity along with the bats. There are some leaking taps to be fixed and curtains to be finished and our SALT School materials and equipment to be serviced and prepared for our next visit. Never a dull moment but thankfully we have a full day on Saturday in which to accomplish the list of tasks.

After preaching in one of the King of Kings village churches on Sunday we will bid farewell to the Tayebwa family and on Monday make our way to Entebbe Airport ready for our evening flight to Nairobi and on to Bangkok. We have booked three days of rest at Pataya Beach about two hours drive from the Bangkok airport. It will be good to enjoy the time together as we celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary. We arrive in Sydney on Saturday 3rd December.

We hope to have our newsletter out by the middle of December.

Thanks for standing with us in yet another of our missionary journeys. Your love, interest and prayers are a real blessing and encouragement.

Gavin and Glenda

Uganda - SALT Graduates Assembly

Friends,

Our second full week in Uganda is the occasion for the SALT School Graduates Assembly. For the past two days we have been ministering to a group of graduates of past SALT Schools here in South West Uganda. As I write, Glenda is teaching on the 'Having a Servant Heart'. My key teaching today is on 'Facing the reality of Temptation'. It has been really great to have this very keen group of men and women come to be further refreshed and equipped. It is great to see the fruit of past ministry standing strong and walking with the Lord in faithfulness.

This has been a good week in many ways. Earlier in the week we have had opportunity to do some preparation and also make some more touches on our home here in Uganda. We just about have our unit the way we want it now. It is so cheap to get items of furniture made so we have been able to get it very nicely set up. It is just so wonderful to have our own space. Being just 5 minutes walk from the King of Kings Church were our main ministry is located, it is very convenient to be a able to take time out when one or the other is not teaching. Thank you Lord.

Tomorrow we have the marriage of one of our former students. Pastor Sempiira's wife died about 8 years ago and he has been raising a young daughter on his own as well as seeking to plant a new church. Now he has found a lady who is willing to share his life and become his wife. They have asked Glenda and I to be their 'parents' and speak into their lives as a couple who have a great marriage. 'We want a marriage just like yours," Sempira said. 'We want to serve God side by side just like you do." Thank you Lord!

Next week we commence a new SALT School. So far there are almost 100 prospective students registered. We know from experience that not all of those will turn up on the starting day, but there certainly is a lot of excitement around and we do expect a great school. It is always challenging as we induct a new group of students into the 'culture ' of SALT School. We need much grace and patience in this first school. It will be a very full week.

So our time here in Uganda is going very well and we praise God for all that He is doing in lives. This is a long term project to raise up dedicated leaders for the Church of Jesus Christ in the South West of Uganda but we are seeing significant advances. Praise God.

Thanks for your interest and prayers.

Gavin and Glenda

From Uganda

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Mbarara in Uganda. Although it is almost a week since we arrived here, so much has been happening that there simply has not been time to write. But here we are.

Since arriving in Uganda we have had two main projects. The first has been to set up our small home here in Mbarara. We have rented a small unit which is part of a triplex in a walled compound just about 5 minutes walk from the King of Kings Church where most of our activities are centered. It is a basic and very simple place but it is our own space and we have our own bed at last. What a luxury to have a bed that suits us.

We had ordered some furniture from a local carpenter before we left last time and he had completed the assignment before we arrived. Nicola Tayebwa was on the lookout for some other items and we purchased our major appliances in Kampala before coming down last Thursday. With some other local purchases we have the basics of our home her in Uganda. We have a few more bits and pieces to purchase this weekend and we will be all set. That was Thursday to Saturday.

On Sunday we ministered in the King of Kings Church as saw a real move of God among the people gathered for the two services. Gavin preached on 'Break up your unploughed ground' and the Spirit of the Lord moved in people's hearts and many responded to the call to deal with issues that are holding them back from a fruitful harvest in their lives. What a delight to minister in such a responsive situation.

Monday morning and we were back to SALT School with 43 students returning for the fourth semester of the program. This week we are teaching on The Person and Work of Jesus (Gavin), The Names of God (Glenda), Prophetic Ministry Today (Gavin) and Evangelism (Ps Silas Tayebwa). It has been a great week and the school will wrap up on Friday at lunchtime. This group have just two more schools to complete before they graduate next June so their excitement is growing. Tomorrow (Friday) we will hand out their progress reports which give them an idea of how they are doing and what they need to do in order to graduate or improve their grades.

It will be good to have some stand down time over Friday and Saturday and do a few of the jobs we need to do around the house to get our set up a bit more functional. Then on Sunday we are out to one of the village churches. Next week we have the Graduates Assembly from Wednesday evening until Saturday morning. We are expecting between 60 and 100 graduates from the previous SALT Schools to turn up for the assembly. It will be a wonderful time and we would value your prayers for this time of mentoring.

So that is it for now. Glenda and I are both well if a little tired at the end of a busy period. Hopefully we can take it a bit easier over the next few days. But the work is going well and we are thrilled to see the progress being made by our students and graduates.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.

Gavin and Glenda

Our time in Zambia

Friends,

In just a couple of days we will leave Zambia at the end of our assignment here. It has been a busy and challenging time as we work with our Zambian friends to see them take a bigger share of the responsibility for the Leadership Development Program. We have been very active in the distribution of Bibles in the Lamba Language and some other projects. Here are some details.

The Bible Distribution Program has been a wonderful success. To date more than 600 bibles have been sold to people at the subsidized price. We have just ordered a further 400 from the available stock in the Bible Society warehouse in Lusaka. Everywhere people have been thrilled ot get a Bible at a price they can afford to pay. We have heard of churches where there was not a single remaining copy of the Bible available. In another case, only one Bible was available. People are coming from far and wide to gain access to copies of the Word of God. The problem has not only been the high price but lack of availability because no one had the resources to purchase bulk copies from the Bible Society.

Last week we were in the Chiwala North area for a Bible Conference and distribution program. People sat listening as we challenged them to read the Word of God personally, in their homes and churches. Many people purchased their first every copy of the Scriptures. Others were replacing battered tattered copies which were missing many many pages. We even had some Lamba people come over the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo to purchase Bibles and enjoy the teaching. It was wonderful.

Yesterday, Glenda, Barbara and I went to Mushili Church about 25 kms from Fiwale Hill to preach in the morning service. As soon as we arrived people began to ask, ' Did you bring Bibles?' One pastor had ridden his bicycle more than 7 kms to come and purchase Bibles for his people. What a joy to share their joy at having the Word of God available to them once more. I hope to put some pictures on our web site in the next day or so.

This morning in staff prayers, Rev Lydon Pensuol said, "This is a new day for the Churches of the Northern Baptist Association of Zambia. At last people have copies of the Word of God at a price they can afford and we have stock to meet the need". He has asked us to pass on his sincere appreciation to all who contributed.

Last week we were in Kapiri Mposhi for the 3rd semester of the School of Leadership Development. Wednesday was scheduled as a Marriage Seminar. Additional couples from nearby churches were invited to attend this special event. Glenda and I shared many insights from our 38 years together. For the folks attending it was a new experience to hear a couple with many years together openly speak their marriage and encourage new levels of intimacy between husband and wife, something that is not very common here. What a joy it has been to hear reports of real refreshment in marriages. One man has invited all his friends to a party to celebrate a new day in his marriage.

A big part of this journey is positioning our Zambian colleagues to assume an even greater role for the implementation of the School of Leadership Development. This year we have given a major imput to see the schools established. We now feel the time has come to stand back a little and allow them to assume a much larger share of the management and implementation of the program. We plan only one visit here next year - in February when we will conduct a Teachers Resourcing and Equipping school to help increase the pool of teachers available for the SLD program. After that, it will be up to the local leadership to apply what we have taugh them and we will only return in response to specific requests for assistance.

So whilst there have been the usual challenges along with extreme heat, lack of water and other organizational frustrations, it has been a very worthwhile time here in Zambia. Much has been accomplished.

On Wednesday we fly out of Ndola for Entebbe Uganda. This will commence the next phase of this ministry journey. We have three schools to teach, our Ugandan home to set up and assorted other ministries. It will be a busy 4 weeks but we are sure it will be very enjoyable as we are with our old friends Silas and Nicola Tayebwa.

Thanks for your constant prayers. God is at work and we are thrilled to be in the middle of what He is doing.

In Christ

Gavin and Glenda

In Kapiri Mponshi for SLD

Dear Friends,

Sorry we have been so quiet for the past week. Internet connection at Fiwale Hill has been incredibly bad. We have had internet for only about 3 days of our time here so far. The weather is very hot and humid as Zambia waits for the annual rains to come. It seems unlikely we will see the rains before we leave next week.

Our Bible distribution conferences are going very well. The previous weekend at Katembula in the Western Region more than 280 Bibles were purchased by eager people very happy to have a Bible after more than 5 years without. This past weekend we were in Chiwala, near the city of Ndola, for a Bible Conference. More than 170 Bibles were passed into eager hands. We heard of one church were there was only one Bible in the whole congregation. Praise God that situation has been rectified by this very important program.

We are continuing to work along side our Zambian friends in the implementation of the School of Leadership Development. After more than 16 months of heavy input, we are planning take a lesser role in 2012 and encourage the Zambian leadership to take a more proactive role in running the program. They seem very keen to do so.

This week, I (Gavin) am in Kapiri Mponshi with Pastor Kayambwe for Semester 3 of the School of Leadership Development. Sadly our student return rate is less than we would have anticipated. We are assured that one or two more are on the way but the low numbers mean that the school is not viable financially or numerically. Each school must cover it's own costs through student fees. We will return to Fiwale Hill on Tuesday to collect Glenda for a Marriage Seminar which is part of the School on Wednesday. She will return to Fiwale Hill on Wednesday night. Jack Kayambwe and I will complete the school on Friday. There is another Bible Distribution Conference on the weekend.

As one would expect with a program as vital as the Bible Distribution Program, we are conscious that we have stirred up some demonic opposition. Please pray for our safety and health as we press through.

Thanks for praying

Gavin and Glenda

In Zambia

Friends,

Who ever suggested that internation airlines were luxurious. It was more than 30 hours and 4 flights from home to Fiwale Hill Zambia - but we arrived on schedule with all baggage in tact.

An hour later I went to touch base with our host Rev Lydon Pensulo of the NBAZ. Plans have changed. Instead of the Bible Conference and distribution close by this weekend, we are going west over 200 kms to Katembula. Memories of that road still send shivers down my spine. Positively the worst we have ever travelled - and it has got a whole lot worse since last time I went there. Two and a half hours of vehicle shattering, bone and muscle torturing travel just to cover about 50 kms. We arrived at 10.30am to find the people waiting to commence the first of 3 sessions for the day. The speaker: Dr Gavin. Jet lag was not in the calculations of those who planned this program. But the Lord was gracious and sent His anointing as I preached and taught. There was a real move of God on saturday night as I preached on 'Breaking up you Unploughed Ground". A good group of the young people present responded to the invitation.

The Sunday morning service was scheduled to commence at 9.00am. Things kicked off at 10.30 and the benediction was pronounced at around 2.00pm. My message was item 9 on a 20 point program. That did not include the many Chiors invited to sing. And once all of that was over, we set about selling the Bibles once more. A total of about 270 Bibles in the Lamba Language were passed into the hands of very happy people.

Then it was time to head out onto that tortuous road again for the trip home. It seemed even longer this time as my accumulated tiredness mounted up. Still, a good nights sleep back at Fiwale Hill and I was largely recovered. My sore neck and shoulders will take a few more days to recover from the battering.

This week is preparation for SLD and another Bible confernce a little closer to our base next weekend. Lots to do. Glenda is teaching in the Women's class at Fiwale Hill Bible School and Barbara Burns is busy in the Fiwale Hill Clinic. Never a dull moment.

Must send this off before my internet time is exhausted.

Thanks for your prayers. They keep us going.

Gavin, Glenda and Barbara

Z

At Sydney Airport

Thursday 13th October. Departure day.

We have packed carefully. Checked our weight allowance and packed accordingly being careful to keep to the limits indicated on our tickets. The final departure from home and trip to Sydney airport are uneventful thanks to our pastor Tony who graciously drove us from home to the airport.

Now comes the nerve racking bit. We front up to the counter and dutifully smile at the lady at the desk presenting our tickets, passports and other things. 'Please put your bags on the scale'. We hold our breath. Were our scales accutate? No problem. We are one kilogram under the allowance on stated on our tickets.

'Sir, you are allowed 60 kilograms between you and your wife. You have 79 kilograms!' My heart skips a beat. We have been so careful to make sure we are well inside the allowance stated. I show her the printed ticket with stated weight allowance. 'That is not possible!' she says. The maximum allowable is 30kgs per person a total of 60 kgs.'

She trundles off to speak to the airline representative. Muffled conversations and careful perusal of our tickets. 'I will have to speak to the head office about this!' she says as she takes our tickets away. I phone our travel agent. His phones go to answering service. My heartbeat is now way up and the worst nightmare of our travels is unfolding before us. What will we do with 20 kgs of books intended for Zambia and Uganda?

Just when all looks most grim, the lady at the desk returned. 'Boy someone must be looking after you!' They are going to let you take it!' My pulse rate begins to drop and my blood pressure comes back a few notches. The joys of international flights.

So here we are at the boarding gate, our baggage all consigned through to Ndola, Zambia. And as a bonus, we have four seats across the centre of the plane all to ourselves. We just might get a bit of sleep on this leg.

Gavin and Glenda