Bukedea 2011---a very special trip
2011 was a very special year with a very special mission led by my dear friend Elder Okurut Robert. At the time, Robert was the Chief of Security, Inflight Services at the Entebbe Airport. He has since retired and is a business man in Entebbe. This mission was brought about because of a tearful plea from Robert. It seems he was guided to see the terrible living conditions of a woman of Robert's tribe in the District of Bukedea, Eastern Uganda. This woman had twin boys of teen years who were both mentally and physically handicapped. She also watched over orphan grandchildren and lived in a squalored mud hut that was barely able to stand and the roof of grass leaked terribly during the rainy season. She slept on the dirt floor with only a square of polyethylene plastic between her and the dirt floor. When Robert discovered her he wept and vowed, "I will not finish building my own village home until I have seen to it that this poor woman has a house for herself and family". He e-mailed me photos of this dear woman and her children and her pitiful dilapidated hut. Together we began a search for building funds to construct a new home for her. Brick by brick the house became a reality. At first the woman was doubtful that Robert's promise would become a reality. As the walls began to go up, she began to labor with the men who were building her new house. This is the pictorial story of that mission of 2011. I hope you enjoy this account.
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on the way to Bukedea
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| motel accommodations along the way |
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| a very nice room by rural Uganda standards |
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| what in the world???? |
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| greetings |
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| Okurut Robert-----a PRINCE OF GOD |
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| As we pulled up in front of the widow's house she began to jump and dance and sound the African Trill | |
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| Home sweet home |
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| JOY!!! |
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| People begin to gather |
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| and gather |
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| Thanksgiving for God's Amazing Grace |
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| Donors Deborah and Lyle Dukes -----Woodbridge Virginia who funded the roof on the house. |
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| Gifts to the Mzungu [white man] |
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| Next gift |
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| gonna start a chicken ranch when I git back home |
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| and a goat ranch too |
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| first I have to eat all these peanuts------OH MY!!! |
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| first car ride-----to the BOOT---[trunk] |
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| you want me to ride back here with a GOAT????------nobody said anything about a GOAT!!!! |
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| Location of the old hut which finally blew over |
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| HIV in action |
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| a local hut in reasonable condition |
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| local church------Okurut speaking in the Ateso language |
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| typical home and proud owner |
Under the Mango Tree
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| The Church of Jesus Christ which meets UNDER THE MANGO TREE |
Near a remote village in the District of Bukedea, Eastern Uganda is a small group of people who meet UNDER THE MANGO TREE. It is a stark illustration of a truth that is lost in time and man made tradition. The notion that the "Church" has something to do with a grand building is a colossal distraction from the truth. "YOU", says the Apostle Paul, "are the TEMPLE of GOD". In this place, the "Temple of God" gathers to worship together under a mango tree. Today is a special day. So many have come to receive Ateso language Bibles and to celebrate with the widow who received a brick house when the Almighty demonstrated great favor and blessed her beyond her wildest dreams.
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| The woman in the white ceremonial gown [center] is that same woman whom God favored with a new house. She now sits in an honored place among the people |
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| This man plays a musical instrument called the "walking box". It is said that if you can play this instrument, a long journey can be made magically short. |
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| gonna take a loooooong time to figure this thing out! |
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| just look for the guy in the RED suit-----I think you can find him |
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| Okurut Paul-----so that's what happened to my jerry can |
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| traditional instruments----we do not allow Western instruments or electronics in our meetings |
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| the crowd grows |
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| and grows |
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| Danny and interpreter Okurut Robert----the Ateso language |
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| Church-house parking lot |
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| Mrs. Okurut Robert----these are her people |
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| Dan the mzungu blues man---"on the road again" |
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| Roadside market on the way to our next conference |
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| Dad-----do all mzungus wear white socks with their sandals back in America? |
Wow, what a great experience this has been. Now on to Jinja----THE HEADWATERS OF THE NILE
Jinja
Jinja is a district in Eastern Uganda. At it's southern border is Lake Victoria. This is the exit point for the overflow of water from the lake and the source of the legendary NILE RIVER. This was our focal point for our next venue.
A roadside food vender is a welcomed site after a long dusty trip from Bukedea to our next venue in rural Jinja
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| Fast Food Uganda style |
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| The welcoming Church |
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| Organizing Pastor opens the service. |
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| Pastor Jimmy begins to teach |
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| an inspiring moment |
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| Praise to the Lord |
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| Local Pastor-----overcome with joy and thanksgiving for native language Bibles shown in photo. We distribute 25 to 100 native language Bibles at every mission venue. |
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| Pastor Jimmy-----overcome with gratefulness that the Lord should call him to such a ministry. Tears were falling to the dirt floor in this humble place |
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| Pastor John receives his new Luganda language Bible----a gift from this couple, Trinity Baptist Church, Woodbridge Virginia |
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| Pastor Munondo with mzungu and new Luganda Bible |
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Thirty one native language Bibles distributed to needy Pastors, Elders, and those actively involved in Church ministry
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| The local market place |
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| Selling fish------up and comming entrepreneurs |
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| Daddy-----that man has no color |
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| "Destiny" on the road to our next venue |
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| Church-house-----well over 100 degrees inside |
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| We moved the "Church" outside into the shade between two structures. The Lord provided a cool breeze through the ventura flowing between the structures |
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Lunch with the village Chief
This was quite a funny fellow despite his serious demeanor. He tried to convince me that the custom among his people was to rub CHICKEN FAT on one's head if the guest had enjoyed the food. I looked about to see if anyone else was rubbing Chicken Fat on their head. Everyone was looking at me. Something was obviously up, so I commented "who goes first", and the room broke into rib splitting laughter.
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a break for lunch at the village Cheif's home
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| A brand new Luganda Bible |
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| Elder Michael |
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| look at the little boy in the background-----he wants to join the others but is afraid. He has never seen a mzungu [white man] before |
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I thought I would take a short nap during the break so I retreated to a structure close to the Church house which was shady and breezy. I leaned my chair against a wall, put my head back against the wall and fell asleep soon enough, but in my slumber I heard children giggling. I opened my eyes and---------
GIGGLING CHILDREN
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| Well------this is the conclusion of our account of the missions to Bukedea and Jinja 2011 |
How to participate
It's easy to
participate in Bibles for Uganda. You can personally purchase native language
Bibles for 15 dollars each. We will need a photo of you or the person of
dedication. Here's how it works. When you provide funds for Bibles, just attach
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Fellowship International
P.O. box 1128
Evans Georgia 30809
or
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We also appreciate
funds dedicated to travel expenses for our missionaries, food for village
conferences, or anything that is in your heart. All funds will be specifically
directed according to your expressed wish. We do not use donor funds for
anything other than that which the donor intends. Every person involved in
Bibles for Uganda is a volunteer. There are no salaries, maintenance, or
operating expenses taken from donor funds. Our native missionaries are self
supporting men who take time quarterly to carry out their Commission to take
the Gospel into the highways and byways and compel all men to follow Christ,
and to distribute as many native language Bibles as we possibly can. We focus
on people involved in ministry to villages in remote locations. Danny
McDowell----Chairman/co Founder, New Testament Fellowship International/Bibles
for Uganda
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