next gen Uganda udate
11 December, 2009
Raj Gupta, chair of next generation conference has taken a small team to Uganda to run a variation of the conference there that trains and equips youth and children's leaders with the skills to understand and teach the gospel.
Raj's update email is below.
Dear All,
Today is the first day proper of NextGen Uganda. Travelling out here had its moments (never again will I complain about the quality of Australian roads), but since we arrived we have been so welcomed. Our brothers and sisters are just delighted that we are here.
On Saturday we had a preparation day with all of our 20 strong team and a number of Ugandans. Someone commented that Uganda is 2,000 years behind Australia, but as we heard about the churches here, we realised that the similarities far outweigh the differences, and we have been affirmed that the churches here will benefit from the training package that we have brought over.
This morning I gave my first Bible talk at the conference, to mark its start. I had to speak slowly, which was a challenge at times. But, looking at the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4, was a wonderful and God inspired start to a conference that is all about the priority of the Bible.
The singing here is incredible. A number of us had various devices trying to record it, but there is nothing like being in the middle of it.
Some prayer points are:
1. Thank God for the privilege of being here, and the welcome we have received.
2. That we would all be able to speak slowly so that we can be understood. It is so easy to unintentionally speak in our natural way, but that is too fast to understand for a people for whom English is a second language, and who struggle with the Aussie accent.
3. Thank God that we are in a town where we do feel quite safe, and pray for continued safety and good health for the team.
4. Pray that everyone who is at NextGen Uganda to grow in their ability to understand and teach the Bible on its own terms, and that Biblically based ministry would become the norm.
5. Pray for Australians to realise their own wealth and the impact that is has.
Thank you for your interest and taking the time to read this update. Please feel free to circulate it to others who may be interested.