THE WTWH MISSIONS
TO UGANDA AND RWANDA
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
by Rev. Stephen Monahan
How does one measure success? In business it’s simple. A large enough number at the bottom line of the ledger equals success. In the church business, the formula is large numbers of “converts” enthusiastically following a charismatic, or at least wealthy, leader. (Let’s pray they’re not following him off a cliff, but I fear it may be so.) But what about actual Bible teaching ministry? You know, the kind that makes some people uneasy, some angry, and cuts some to the depths of the heart and shows them how to live practically and walk with the savior, Jesus Christ. Now there’s a question for you. How do you measure success in that? I think the correct answer is, you don’t! I would, nevertheless, like to share some things I’ve observed and been part of recently that are encouraging to me along these lines.
From February 19 through March 11, I accompanied my friend and teacher, Rev. Tim Sullivan, on a missionary trip to Uganda and Rwanda in East Africa. We were there to present the seminar “If You Do These Things, You Will Never Fall” in three different locations. It was an important mission for Workers Together With Him as we were going with a new policy that had been formulated as a result of many previous experiences ministering in Africa. Our motto was, “If we are going to make mistakes (which of course we were), let them be new ones.”
The new policy can be summed up in these words: We would not buy an audience. The students, or the churches of which they were members, would be responsible for their meals, lodging and transport. We would be responsible to arrive at the location and present the material we had prepared. Simple; and it worked rather well.
In Maganjo, Kampala, Uganda, we were with a group in a church with which we’ve had relatively long acquaintance. The group was small but attendance was regular. That is, most of the same people attended each day. It was there that we began to hear stories about how people used to bring their own simple lunch to meetings and classes. It was said that Christians were “tougher” in those days and need to start getting “tough” again. A measure of success?
In Nakaloke, Mbale, Uganda, we were with a group of pastors and church elders that Tim and Jay Pearson had been with last fall. A larger group (or less small, depending on how you measure,) and they were all there all the time, not just receiving the teaching but soaking in it. They absorbed it and then expressed thanksgiving for a message that was not milk-toast, but rather, required maturity of them and equipped them for a very deliberate and focused walk with the Lord. “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age” (Heb.5:14). Cause for self congratulation? OF COURSE NOT! But encouraging nonetheless.
After the seminar, we visited the location where our friend John Opio is laboring to build a school for rural ministers. John is doing it the old fashioned way, by faith in God and honest sweat. I pray our association with him may be long and prosperous.
After Nakaloke, we traveled to Kigali, capitol of the stunningly beautiful country of Rwanda. There we met with a pastor, Peter Rwagasore and his congregation with whom we had never had any direct communication. Henry Musana, a traveling evangelist and faithful co-worker in the ministry these four years, had arranged the seminar. By just about any measure, the group was not large and not everyone attended the whole class, but the feedback we received went something like this: “We are unaccustomed to teachings like this from white people. This wasn’t nice.” It was authoritative in calling us to take responsibility for our faith and Christian doings. We hope to hear more of this.” It was highly encouraging to find ourselves working with this pastor who seemed to be teaching his people to keep their priorities right: to seek everlasting rather than temporal blessings while simply trusting the Lord for daily provision as they labor in this life.
If all of this amounts to success, I am sure it’s only because God himself arranges for successful ministry, not men, and he alone can measure accurately.
THE MISSION TO UGANDA AND RWANDA
by Rev. Henry Musana
Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good:
sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. (Psalm 135:3)
Surely the Lord is good and worthy to be praised.
I thank God who enabled us to present another different class in addition to The Weapons of Our Warfare.
The class If You Do These Things Ye Shall Never Fall was such a blessing to the body of Christ both in Uganda and Rwanda.
There were radical decisions we took to make this class. Unlike the past classes, we did not provide meals for the participants. On that note I would like to sincerely thank those that organized and attended this class. I believe you chose what was right. You were hungry for the Word and I believe that the Lord chose you for this.
This reminds me of what Jesus told the multitudes that were seeking for him.
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed (John 6:26-27)
Imagine how many people are laboring for the meat that perishes in this world. Even many Christians follow Jesus not because of who he really is but because of what he can give them. That is why many in the church are disappointed and decide not to follow Jesus anymore. He has not given them what they want. I pray that we be like Simon Peter, the kind of Christian who stays when everyone has gone away.
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:68-69)
But that is not easy as said. This class “If You Do These Things Ye Shall Never Fall” helps you to know how to stand when everyone is falling away.
I would like to thank Revs. Tim Sullivan and Steve Monahan for the wonderful work of teaching. They taught tirelessy for three weeks. We had two classes in Uganda, in Kampala and Mbale. I would like to thank Pastor Fred Kisubi for allowing us to use the Dove’s Haven church and also for mobilizing his congregation for the class.
I also thank Rev. John Opio. You too did a great job bringing together church leaders from Mbale for this class. May God bless you all. We are looking forward to working together again.
After the two classes in Uganda were finished, we embarked on an overnight bus trip to Rwanda. We went to the city of Kigali which is the capital city. This was a new frontier for this ministry. If you know about the military, when you are going to a new frontier you are not sure of what to expect. This is how I felt at first. I have been going to Rwanda for many years but I had never taken such a class as this there. Those that know about Rev. Tim’s teachings can tell you that this kind of message is not popular in churches today. Some churches don’t easily accept it, but I want to thank God for Pastor Peter Rwagasore and his wife Jane who hosted this seminar. This seminar was very relaxing for me because all the arrangements were made by Peter and his team.
Thanks to our interpreter, Pastor Dennis. He did a great job. I pray that the Lord will give us more chances of working in Rwanda and beyond.
Let me also thank the families of Tim and Steve for allowing these men to be away from home for so long. I know it is not easy but your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Lastly I would like to thank all that support Workers Together With Him through your tithes and gifts. Most of you may not be able to come on these trips, but I know that your reward awaits you in heaven for your faithfulness and the lives you have touched on this side of the world. May the Lord be gracious to you and prosper you in all his ways. I send you love from all the Musana family in Uganda.
FROM THE MAY 2008 EDITION OF THE VINE & BRANCHES NEWSLETTER
© Workers Together With Him, Inc.