MY TIME WITH THE DEAF IN UGANDA

At some point in life many people become deaf, the cause of deafness varies from person to person.  some people are born deaf, others become deaf due to sickness and strong medication such as quinine, Deafness might be caused due to environmental factor such as Loud explosives, thunder and Lightening, Loud music and Old age.

Other than all the languages we all speak, I encourage Sign language to be learnt by all as a medium  of communication.  its so sad to see how society at times view deaf people. But there is a lot to learn and explore in this silent world. the world of signs, when you know it you gone rock it...

Those people who are able bodied and have the heart to bridged the gap between the deaf and hearing, we call them Sign language interpreters, Who knows you will be one of them. They help the in coordinating the flow of information from one world to another, what I call them as " Delivery Angels" they play much important role both in the Deaf and the hearing world. without a bridge no one can cross to the other side of the River.

To be honest this interpreter have the biggest job of all, as the bridge carries the weight of all the heavy loads on it so are the sign language interpreter 

MY TEAMATES

Ywam Arua Deaf Ministry

If you would like to learn sign Language and volunteer in the deaf ministry, please  you can visit Outreach — YWAM Arua , 

Currently Dorcus and Grace are the main key leaders spare heading this ministry I do assist them from time to time. Dorcus is a female young youth, fluent in Ugandan Sign language Interpreter and has huge heart for the deaf people you will defiantly enjoy working with her alongside Grace who is a male Youth, He his deaf and a fluent communicator of Ugandan Sign language. and in case you need more information please free to contact me.

 

Reciting the Creation Story in Sign language

Play the video to watch 

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

• Signed drama's.
• Bible studies 
• Sign language Class.
• Sports through school visiting's
• Song creation

We would like the deaf to know the goodness of God through the inductive bible studies such that they develop a close relationship in their lives and family to walk with Him 

we also guide them to create songs of their own in sign language to express their heart to enable them to grow spiritually.

we are still seeking resources to see how to Impact the deaf community in these areas.

• Tailoring
• Agriculture
• art and graphics
• home visits to offer guidance and counseling.

with an aim to impact the deaf community with skills that will enable thrive their Niche.

LESSON, I LEARNT DURING MY DTS

 

MY DTS STORY

During DTS I felt like the Lord was speaking to me about something’s I am  to do after YWAM. I was so excited and early wanting to know what God was going to tell me, that made me not to miss my quite time.  I  just made my heart open to the lord and waited for him patiently, sometimes I go for my time expecting him to speak to me about what He wants me to do after DTS but hen He tells me other things. well When He speaks I had to obey it though it wasn't what I was expecting of Him.  It was until week 8 of my DTS when He finally Opened up to me about the nation of Congo. We had a long conversation wit God, The lord begun to show for me my childhood memories and I found my self deeply self immerged in those memories  

Side effects DTS: you have spent six months crazy scheduled  and controlled you time was predesignated. Quite time was built in and you became accustom to it. It kept you strait and sane most days but now you have excuses. So this article is or you. Or if your the person who knows what it's like to plan out your Monday and use it as your fresh start then you need to read this too. 

Mondays, another one has come and gone. 

But before you can get to Mondays you have Sunday. And (most) every Sunday you go to church, you sit in the service, you go home and on Sunday nights you lay in bed and vow to do better this week, physically, spiritually, mentally, and personally. Tomorrows a new day! You lie in bed contemplating the mountains you are going to concur this week (do 500 crunches every day, re-train the dogs, re-do the kitchen, do more paintings, plan out future, start a wildly successful Etsy business and grow closer to God, closer than anyone else!) and you perfectly measure the miles you must march tomorrow in order to reach to top of success by the end of the week. You go to bed counting the number of rocks you have to climb an hurdles you must jump. ...work out, do the laundry, wash the dogs, clean the kitchen, make bed, make dinner, work on project...etc, oh yeah and have some bible time. Then Monday morning comes and it's harder to get out of be than usual, you finally crawl out and find your gym clothes wet in the laundry, because that was something you were supposed to do last night. You wait for your pants to dry and make your bed, you get dressed and think. I need to do my devotions. But then you hear the dogs, oh I need to walk them, and well if I'm going to walk them I might as well workout too. You get back, it's time for lunch, I should read my devotions with lunch, oh but there is a new Greys episode, an hour later your done with lunch. Okay now I'll do my devotions, but wait the kitchen is a mess, and I need to take a shower but I should really wash the dogs before that. Before you know it you need to make dinner, then you think now I will do it but you realize the premiere of your favorite show comes on tonight so you find one more thing to push it away with, then your back in bed, thinking about tomorrow. You wish today had gone differently, you know you want a closer relationship to God but there just seems to be no time. You can't stay up and do it now because you have to get up early and do something in the morning, so that knocks out then too. So then you pray God help me, help me make time for you and help me grow closer to you. Help me stick to my diet and workout routine, help me be more positive, help me not worry, help me find a job, provide the money for my trip, can I get a new car, I could use some new jeans, can you do this and that etc, then you feel guilty about asking for so much but giving him virtually nothing, you beg him to make your walk more than Sundays. You give him thanks for his grace and then you put on worship music and write a blog about Mondays and how your spiritual life needs to change. And here you are, at the end of the article, in bed with your thumbs cramping not sure how your going to fit your devotions into your busy day of nothing tomorrow but still know that God heard your prayers and he hears this, and he would still love you if all you did was push him out of the way and ask him for things, but your smart. You know that you wouldn't be happy in that relationship. So you look ahead to make a change, you don't know what its going to be, but your committing to it,

even if every day is monday, because you need this, and you know it. So,

tomorrows a new day, another day of grace,

another chance to figure it out. 

Tomorrows going to be different. 

My first trip to Isiro Pygmies camp

  

Story of my first tripe to isiro!

The tripe was  very long tripe, stopped at the DGM for the rest of the team to sort out their visa's, just in a while five as us (Mario, Sharon, Dan, I and our driver Yolam) set off for 21 hours’ drive. I kept picturing myself in this place that I have been longing to visit.

I loved the feel of the wind blowing across my ears as I watch the terrain of Congo. Loved the beautiful scenery of the magnificent smoky mountains and the green vegetation.

After 12 hours of drive one of our tyer got flat, we had to stop and remove it and place the spare that we had. Took us less than 30min and we were back on the road.

Our driver was aiming for us to cross the Gobari bridge and rest for the night at the other side of the river nevertheless  our bodies were so tired that we couldn’t proceed anymore and also we needed to mend the tyer that went flat  previous so we Stopped at a local near church by the road side, without calling or informing the pastors family that we are coming, I was so socked with their hospitality. In just a little while the wife of pastor made warm water for us to take a bath meanwhile the kids set a campfire .They also shared the little dinner that they had prepared for themselves. After wards we had some time by the fire playing games, and telling stories. They had 2 small grass thatched huts that wasn’t enough to accommodate us, so we set our tents and went to sleep.

Later early in the morning, after taking a warm cup of coffee we wished farewell to the family and where back on the road. From time to time we could stop by the road blocks and get registered., by around 5pm we finally arrived at our distantion. Warmly welcomed by the team on ground Dorothy a wife to Yolam, Mary and two other workers. And even the little puppy was excited to see us.

After having a moment of short prayers to thank God, we then had a meal together .

Mary then rode me on her bike to the base where I will be residing, the town has a nice view, and those memories never fade on my mind.

The following day we had devotions, then Mary also took me on ride to tour the town, she could also take me to the local market to buy food.

Mario, Dan and David during moments at Pastors conference 

..................................................................................................................................................................

MINISTRIES.

Mario did a great joy taking us from church to church introducing us and our purpose of visit. We visited CITIBA Oral bible translation urgency, the President of the church affairs in Utuwelu region. Different denominations, medical center etc. The people warmly welcomed us.

The following week we started Pygmies ministry and church Seminar. There is a lot I can say about this.

But what I could write in summary is that it was very nice, connecting with the people and hearing from them and how they were responding to our message.

I really can’t wait to be back in this place and continue with what God has placed in my heart for DR. CONGO

CATCHING UP WITH OLD FRIENDS

it was a nice moment after 7 years meeting my friend Benjamin, Benjamin is a Congolese national, I met his family while they were staffing at Ywam Arua and we had very wonderful moment with them, meeting him again in the place where we used to talk with them while they were still in Arua base was very great moment.
He had moments to reflect on the topics of our prayers while in Arua, in the end we came to understand that it was an answered prayers 

OUR SOURCE OF WATER AND FOOD

We ate local foods, I loved eating "Pondu" and "Makenba", guess what others food I am hoping to try, Bizo, and posse (Caterpillar) I am raising my appetitte to try this out and can't wait for it.

However other foods such as rice, Phoso and other food are available  though very expensive.

I and Mary preparing Pondu for Lunch

The whole village Survives on this water, so are we, the water needs to be renovated, it has very steep cliff during rainy season the muddy ground becomes too slippery, it becomes too hard to go down there to fetch the water . We Trusting God for the Finances to repair it and atlist place concrete cement steps on that cliff

OUTREACH 2019

Ministry in Karamonja 2019

 Our mini bus arrived late, we had to off load the car, cleaning the place to lay  down our bed, everyone was so tired after 12 hours of drive on rough road, we were all ready just to lay and sleep and yet still need to catch up with everyone and update them about the next day's schedule then followed by short time for devotion and then everyone was ready to go to bed. 

This was a marvelous season of my life, its my first time to lead students who have been in class for 3 months learning discipleship and how to look win the world for Jesus.  we went to three outreach locations, Soroti, Kotido, and Agweng village in Lira.

How this  missions Changed my life

From this mission trip I learned how to lead other people with different personalities, cultural beliefs, different age groups who were all  In my outreach team, I had elders who were bishops in South Sudan, people who grew up in a culture in which they ought to receive maximum respect, young people have no voice over elders, women role is to serve the men just like slave. for the first few weeks of the outreach, I struggled a lot to be heard, so I ended up doing almost all things. until they begun to learn and follow my lead

THE BAPTISM 

 

According to Jesus final words to His disciples and a timeless truth of all times in  Matt 28:19-2, He said ''Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you [i]always, to the end of the age.”

I experienced the power of God in that scripture, can't really express in written how I felt knowing that Jesus was right there with me, talking with him everyday, moving with him and working with him was my best experience which will last forever. 

sorry, this photos have poor contrast, but the scene of that season reminds in my heart like it happened yesterday

After having several bible studies and sharing God's word with the youths, our last day marked a remarking moment in which none of them wanted to leave without being baptized. 

God is really indeed God

''If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me''. Luke 14: 27

The Joy of the Lord will be your strength.

         I decided to leave everything behind and follow Christ, I heard the word of God, read it, several times and said to myself if REALLY Jesus story is true, then I am leaving everything behind and follow him. 

while at high school, I loved Geography and math was studying heard to become a pilot, little did I know that Jesus was preparing me not to fly people from one destination to another but to prepare the way to fly people to heaven. 

NATURE SPEAKS OF GOD'S GLORY

     

I loved spending time by myself in the woods either playing guitar, reading the bible or praying.  My soul feels so strengthened, an outstanding peace and joy fills me up after those moments. coming back from there I feel so much different. the way I began to see and treat people completely changed.

MAN SAVED FROM PRSION AND PROPHECY CAME TO PASS

 it was late afternoon when we went for prison ministry. when we entered the room we got several prisoners sitting on the ground waiting for us to deliver a message. others on their faces looked like they were being forced to listen to the word of God, among them was this man named Simon.

Simon used to be a pastor however He was jailed after being accused of Adultery, He was so angry to the people of the church who accused him and framed him of charges he was guilt of. this man him to hate God and the church and sworn never again to serve God.

How ever after sharing the word of God in the prison, a word of knowledge came to one of the students and when We spoke it to Simon. He begun to weep, we didn't know why He was crying though we wanted to ask but time was against us, as we were concluding I just prophesied to him " I told him I see a picture of him walking in the market and doing shopping and Told him God said its not going to take long for he will be freed from here and restored back to his service.

A week late we went to purchase food items for our lunch, was a big surprise to meet Simon in the market also doing shopping, our eyes caught each other With smile on his face He run and embraced me after chatting for few minutes he invited me and the rest to his home to tell us the full story of his life 

it was just a great moment, right now Simon is back pastoring and serving in the church. 

 

DISCIPLSHIP TRAINING 2020

March 2020 was another Year where the epidemic  broke lose yet nothing can stop us

with 12 sudents from DRC, Kenya, south Sudan and Uganda.  We started the 3 months training with lots of energy and excitiment not knowing what lies ahead of us.

I had 8 volunteer staffs who were ready and committed  to support me. among them was my dad. He was more like an adviser to me.

All togther we seek God's preseence and purpose, what I loved about this dts is that it takes you deeper in intimancy with God. it was a beutiful moment of connecting with eachother as we reflect on Gods characters  later in the afternoon after having the class session we could meet in small groups to discuss how the teaching has impacted our life and what area of life we need to change. The staffs played a big role in leading the small group.

 THE GENERAL BASE WORSHIP 

The monday worship was our culture, every morning we could meet as staff team and start our day with devotions before having clasese. 

As food gives strength or the body so is prayers for the spirit.   

   THE LOCKDOWN

 This was a real challenge for us, as the world locks down, we have to figure out what to do with our coarse, the Government Lockdown and passing a degree of no gathering. not more than 5 people are allowed to gather together.  This was a heavy blow on our side especially to me who was leading the coarse. students filled with fear and waiting for decsion from me, I entered in moment of worship and seek for Gods direction . at the end of this Ideas pooped up in my mind of what is to be done. so i gave freedom for each student to choose either to go back home or to remain and we figure out how to run the training. half of the students decided to go back to join their families meanwhile half stayed.

God was so faithful to me, and with the few we were able to figure a way to run the coarse without disobeying any goverment oders

HIT WITH FINANCIAL CRISIS 

As the world locks down completely and the death toll goes higher day after day, I realized my pocket was running empty each day as I have to spent funds to make sure the school run, and my parents back home also needed my support. How hard is for someone who is a volunteer and committed to full time service without any payment suffer. to be honest if you are not called for missions never push yourself because you will definitely die of stress and other factors. 

I knew deep inside me I could do nothing; I came to a point where it only needs God to show up, but I was so patience waiting on the lord. 

HOW GOD SHOWED UP

I made several news letters and vidoes and send them out to friends, none of them responded, i waited day after day unitl I gave up, then finnally started focuing on God and Him alone to statisfy my ego. until it came to a point where I found my self in unadant joy that filled my heart.Day after day it felt like I aren't lacking anything. One saturday afternoon my heart was stired up to go and check my account, I felt it was from God that I should that, Going to the back to find my account still at negative, I laughed at myself, but that same voice keeps telling me to go back day after day, I never gave up, when I was about to give up after 3 days of going to the bank to check my account, was when I got a donation of 

$ 1000 unitl now I dont know who sent that money, But what I still remember is that its God's Miracle and its just the start. 

in summary, being faithful to Gods voice is very important even when He asks you to do wired thngs which make no sense to any man.

STUDENTS AFTER CLASSES 

 The atmosphere feels like Heaven on earth when different nationalities, Cultures treat each other with Love and Respect. seeing each other as Jesus sees us.

 Class times and having teachers who are gifted to rightly teach the word of God leads to growth of students lives as they apply it in to their daily living life.

Students in pair dig deeper in to the word of God discovering what it means to each of them and how to apply it before telling others about it.

  I loved this moment's, to be honest the word of God is real, and alive only if you Belief.

  staffs help to interepret for  those who don't speak english 

 (Mama Miriam and Martin)

Martin helping Jolie and Nadge