The First Week

My view from my porch. There are waterfalls on the mountain
I can see as well.

 I made it!
          I arrived at the Pentecostal Theological College (PTC) last Saturday. Uganda is similar to Ghana in many ways, but has it's differences too. The people are very friendly and there is less western influence here than what I was used to in Ghana. I am glad for this because it is easier to join in with the people.
A beautiful Overview
         PTC is in the town of Mbale, Uganda. Mbale is at the foot of Elgon. As you can see, this is the view from my porch. I stay in a room on the third floor of one of the buildings on campus. It is a nice room furnished with a bathroom, bed, fan, table and a chair. I will be happy to call this home for a year.
Adjusting
         The first couple of days I had a serious case of jetlag. It made for an interesting case because the folks here at PTC would knock at my door and wonder if I wanted food or to go to church with them. I would greet them with bleary eyes and try to explain why I was so tired. They were very generous, but it seemed it was hard for them to identify with me.
         Coming here was unique. I have never experienced something like this in my life. I flew into Uganda with a small group of people, but the next day, I was shipped to PTC where I was greeted by the staff and students, but I was the only American here. I had to rely totally on them to host me to my new home, introduce me to the town, feed me, etc. All other cross-cultural trips I had been a part of, I always had Americans with me or was greeted by other Americans. It has been a good bonding experience, having to rely on them to take care of me. They do a wonderful job at it too!
Timothy Leadership Training

         This past week was a very good time.
Wednesday I went to

Students Graduating from the
Timothy Leadership Training.

Soroti, a town about 2 hours from Mbale. There was a Timothy Leadership Training (TLT) module that was happening and Mwaya had encouraged me to go to it. Mwaya (I'll talk about him later) and several other Americans, who where part of the evaluation team for Christian Reformed World Missions would join me on Thursday. Thinking it was only for 2 days, I only packed 1 set of extra clothes; it ended up being 5 days. One of the students from the school took me to town, found a taxi for me and sent me on my way.
         I got there and was greeted by the pastors and church leaders taking the TLT course. Again, I was the only American. They greeted me, told me to join them, and continued with their program, (I was late). As I joined them, I was amazed at the transformation that was taking place! Everyone was participating, they were understanding the material, and when asked to write things at the end of each chapter, they took it seriously. Tea time (breakfast in Uganda that includes tea) was served mid-morning and lunch was served at 1:00 in the afternoon. Stick with me I plan to share a story later.
What is Timothy Leadership Training?
         TLT is a curriculum designed for church leaders all around the world. It starts out by looking at our value in God's eyes, followed by Christian Stewardship, Pastoral Care, Creation Care, Relationships, etc. In this particular case, each module took 3 days and the group would meet every 6 months for a module. At the end, they have a graduation ceremony, which is what I was able to be a part of.. It is a very practical curriculum and calls for action planning at the end of each module. All the students agreed that this was the best part of TLT, because it forced them to plan and then set a date for carrying out their plan. The stories of transformation where amazing! I'll tell some of them as time goes on.
How is the school/mission set up?
          Christian Reformed World Mission (CRWM) works almost exclusively with local partners. For example, here at PTC, the Pentecostal Assemblies of God has a bible college that they started in 1983. In time, CRWM then came along and is now helping them develop the department of spiritual transformation. I am here to help facilitate that; it feels like a huge task. CRWM also provides some funds for student grants as well as some materials. CRWM also provides some accountability. If it sounds confusing, don't worry, I'm still figuring out how it works. But it does work! This past week has been such a blessing. I don't think I have every gone to another country and felt like I was just another guest at a local church as much as I have here. It is exciting to see what God is doing and to see Americans and Africans come together, serve, worship and develop with each other.

Mwaya and myself; a fun-loving,
yet very spiritual man.
I have learned a lot from him.

        Within the CRWM are overseers for different areas of Africa. The guy I'm standing with is Mwaya Wa Kitava. He is has been an encouragement to me. As he says: "He is a man of many cultures" He lives in Kenya, grew up in Uganda, and has spent a significant amount of time in the US. I will answer to him while I am here. Mwaya is one of the funnest guys to be around and is always cracking a joke and laughing. Last night at bed time, he was joking about "bedside baptist". I told him I do "mennonite mattress" He laughed and said "tell your people, when I get there I will also play mennonite mattress"
          Anyway, enough of me droning on and on. There are many more things to talk about, but I don't want to bore my audience.

Until next time,
Eric

P.S. I will put a story at the end of some of my posts. See story below.

Left: Betty; Right: Jane
Betty and Jane showing the beads and necklaces
that they make at their shop.

         "I take paper, any paper, from magazines, calendars, etc. and cut them. Then I roll them very carefully, glue them so they stay together, and finally dip it a finish that makes it shiny." Jane explained how she collects materials for her business. I could hardly believe what I was hearing and seeing. Jane and Betty were both students from Timothy Leadership Training (TLT). "As a girl I always liked flowers, I would pick them whenever I could" I wish you all could have seen the joy on her face as she was showing us the shop. "When I was in TLT we learned about stewardship. I prayed and asked God what I could do. I realized that I could make beads, so that's what I did. Then I added some flowers. I also decorate at weddings and parties"
           "Jane told me about TLT, but I was too afraid to go. So Jane took my arm and said "come, lets go"". Jane and Betty both attend the same church. Betty told me how she was too afraid to attend TLT at first, but that Jane had convinced her to go. She had also figured out what assets she could make a profit from. She sold a few things at her house. Then her husband was having trouble keeping steady income. "We needed the money. Now I sell shoes, shirts, eggs, and help Jane make beads with Jane at her shop" I wish I could remember which one also told us how TLT helped her more confident to approach other women on spiritual matters. What a testimony of community development! No outside money needed! But the best part is the spiritual growth that was evident in their lives. It was also exciting to see the confidence they had from starting their own business.