On the 2nd August, the team travelled initially to Mugarama to meet with Bernard
Byomukama. Bernard took us from Mugarama, out into the bush to visit the church
of Pastor Sebastian, one of the students who completed the Trust’s training course in
2018, and the student to whom Jon had presented a Bible for being top of the class.
Pastor Sebastian is not funded by the Trust, but does receive funding from South
Korea and is committed to converting people in his home area from a cult that has
developed there. Bernard told us that it was very popular in the area but held beliefs
such as polygamy, which were damaging. Pastor Sebastian is preaching the good
news to these people and seeing people come to Christ.
Photo: The vibrant and joyful worship at the church of Pastor Sebastian.
Kyenjojo itself is becoming more multicultural, as a significant number of Chinese
people have moved to the area to run quarries. Indeed, the road to Batalika Model
School (where Bernard is director) now drives directly through a quarry which is
owned and staffed by Chinese nationals. The Ugandans seem quite wary of this
work, and wonder how it will benefit their country, and particularly their local
economies, however, they have huge hearts and are a very welcoming community.
Batalika Model School is one of the poorest that Romans 1:11 Trust supports, yet all
the children were impeccably turned out and it is the top school in the area. Bernard
and the headmaster put great work into the school and choose their staff very well.
Bernard’s daughter Damary (pronounced Damy) is teaching Primary Two and was
there for the final day of school despite being heavily pregnant and due in just two
weeks!
Photo: The students sit under a tree as they listen to the team and their teachers.
Later that day the team were able to visit Bernard’s church which is even more rural
than the school. Bernard had arranged for a number of local pastors to be at the
church to meet with us, as well as each pastor that Romans 1:11 sponsors. The team
were able to share in a short service with the church and were also blessed to meet
Bernard’s newest daughter Merisha who was just eight weeks old.
Photo: Jon preaches at Bernard’s church
The main concern in Kyenjojo is the poverty in the area; Bernard’s school
buildings are mostly still built from wood which is gradually being
destroyed by termites. There is also no access to clean water on the site
and so students have to travel to access water. Many of his students are in
desperate need of sponsorship to afford food and other basic living
requirements and there is no real medical care in the area.
Prayer is needed that these students can be better supported and the
school buildings improved before they collapse from termite damage.