Ugandan Bishop Visits Shefford

Today, we were delighted to welcome as special guests Bishop Benezero Kisembo and his wife, Revd Canon Lovey Kisembo from Ruwenzori in Uganda to our family service.

They spoke openly and frankly about their rapidly growing ministries in Uganda, and Lovey was able to teach us a beautiful Ugandan Hymn - one that we have pledged to keep singing. In return, we performed the final song from Jenny Dann's Angelmas - "Rejoice and be glad".

During a question and answer session, the Kisembos answered questions on:

Building Congregations (something that they have both demonstrated spectacular success with) - whilst acknowledging that there is no single, simple way of building congregations, they both agreed that in their experience prayer is the biggest single factor for success. They also stressed the importance of true commitment to Christ by each member of their congregations

The Civil War in the north of Uganda which is resulting in tens of thousands of children being abducted and forced to become soldiers or child prostitutes. Bishop Kisembo was able to tell us about a wide range of practical ways that the church in Uganda is helping to prevent abductions, promote dialogue with the rebel forces, and support and rehabilitate child soldiers and child prostitutes

Benezero and Lovey both used their personal experience of living through the times of the former dictator, Idi Amin to stress perhaps the single most important thing that we can do to support and help our brothers and sisters in Christ in Uganda - quite simply to keep in touch by writing, visiting and praying. Bishop Kisembo made the very strong point that it was the Ugandan people's belief that the rest of the world was unaware of their plight that gave Amin his power. Isolation destroys hope...

Date: Sunday, 22nd October 2006