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- Crusades -
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Mission to Masaka Uganda
The Team from Abundant Life
MASAKA, UGANDA CRUSADE 9th – 12th Septmber 2009
Leaving on 6th September 2009, a team from Abundant Life Christian Fellowship,
who meet at New Row, Coleraine have once again been to Uganda, winning
souls for Christ. The team was led by Pastor Ernest Howie. Pastor Howie
commented, “The Bible tells us we are in a battle to save the lost”,
and during this visit, we were “battling” in every sense of
the word. On our first day, a group of Muslims approached and tried to
stop our people erecting the platform and sound system. The situation
became quite heated for sometime, before commonsense prevailed. We had
permission from the local authorities for the crusade and to erect the
platform but the Muslin leaders were not happy and tried hard to stop
us. Eventually the crusade got started on 9th September and a crowd of
several thousand turned up. Many people gave their lives to Jesus Christ.
Then, on the second day, rioting and looting broke out in the town, as
the result of a political row between the government of Uganda and the
King of Uganda. For 2 days the atmosphere was very tense and there were
road blocks and security checks in many places.
The team, together with the local pastors, met together to pray that the
Hand of God would protect them and enable the crusade to continue. There
was a concern that the local security forces would not allow the crusade
to continue, as such large numbers of people were attending, and might
be infiltrated by trouble makers. Praise God the crusade was allowed to
continue with ever increasing numbers present and there was no trouble.
A large crowd gathers at the crusade.
On the second night a crowd of about 4,000 turned up, and many more people
became Christians, “This was exciting”, declared Pastor Howie,
as Masaka is a real stronghold of Islam, traditional religion, and witchcraft.
A booklet was given to every new Christian, to guide them in their new
walk with Jesus.
The team, during the day, visited the local prison, hospital and many
schools, and every where they went people gave their lives to Jesus. Humanitarian
needs were also met, as food was distributed in the hospital to each patient,
also blankets were given to prisoners in the jail.
Some members also visited the TASO centre in Masaka, where sufferers from
AIDS/HIV come for treatment and encouragement. The Gospel was preached,
and over 50 of the AIDS sufferers gave their lives to Jesus. Each person
was also prayed for to be healed.
Abundant Life also decided to refurbish and restore a local well, which
had become contaminated, at a cost of £2,000. This well provided
clean water for approximately 2,500 people. Football and basketball are
very popular in Uganda, so at every school, gifts of footballs and basketballs
were given. The joy on the faces of the school children was incredible
to see, as these were handed over.
A regularly heard comment from local church leaders was that “as
the Gospel was being preached, human need was also being met”. The
chairman of the local pastor committee declared “this is the most
spiritually impacting crusade our town has seen in my lifetime, Masaka
will never be the same again”.
Pastor Howie leading new converts in prayers of faith.
Pastor Howie also had an opportunity on 5 evenings, to broadcast the Gospel
to a large audience, in Southern Uganda, part of Tanzania and Rwanda,
via the local Christian Radio Station “Top”. The response
from listeners was exciting, with many calling in for prayer, healing
and salvation. Pastor Ernie and Pastor Mike also assisted in this ministry.
As the church of Jesus Christ is growing so fast in Uganda, there is much
false or doubtful teaching, so each day, the leader of the Abundant Life
team, Pastor Ernest, together with Pastor Ernie and Pastor Mike, held
conference meetings of pastors and leaders, attended by approximately
400 people each morning, helping to build them up in the truth of God’s
word. The response to these teaching sessions, by the local leaders, was
“incredible”, to use their own word, and they were so thankful
for the guidance they received, to enable them to fulfil their calling
in Christ, as they never have an opportunity to benefit from such an experience.
A new convert at the crusade.
By the end of the week, almost 1,000 people had committed their lives
to Jesus. Hundreds had been healed of various diseases, and many people
were set free from demonic power. Truly, the power of God had come to
Masaka in a mighty way, and His Word was being confirmed with signs and
wonders.
There was great rejoicing among local Christian people at the way God
had used the Abundant Life team to bring down the strongholds of the enemy
of sin, sickness and oppressions.
On the final day, a baptismal service was held at a local swimming pool,
and again the excitement was tangible, to see so many people baptised
at one time “It was like the book of Acts”, was the comment
heard from many lips.
Baptism service at the localpool.
The Abundant Life team were joined by 2 Christian friends from USA, Pastor
Ernie Clifford and his wife Faye and 4 from New Life Church in Stowmarket,
Pastor Mike Smith, with Adria, Julian and Helen, and the other members
of Abundant Life were Dorah Nyathela, Nathaniel Whiteman and Gavin Boyd.
The team from Abundant Life, together with their friends from USA, returned
to Northern Ireland on 14th September 2009. The next crusade is planned
for February 2010. If you feel led to support this work financially or
believe God is calling you to be a part of what He is doing in Africa,
and would like to join us in the work, please contact us through our webpage
www.abundantlifeni.co.uk.“Your prayer support is also desired, as
the enemy, the devil, does not like what we are doing” was Pastor
Howie’s comment, “and we need God’s covering and protection
as we continue to bring down the strongholds of the enemy”.
“I encourage God’s people in this area to support us, physically,
financially and spiritually to ensure that the devil is defeated”
was Pastor Howie’s final comment.
During their time in Uganda, Abundant Life opened a new children's home in Mbale
and welcomed 18 more children. Several of them had been abandoned in the
local hospital by their mothers. It was great to see the joy and excitement
on their faces, as they entered their new home.
“We are currently seeking sponsors for these children”, said
Pastor Howie. “£20 per month provides food, clothing, school
fees and medical needs for each child. Abundant Life takes care of all
administrative costs, so every £1 given, goes straight to the child”.
If you are interested in sponsoring one of these needy children, please
contact Pastor Howie at -028 71302211-, or Sally-Ann Whiteman at -028
71285898-.
Team Comments:
Pastor Ernie Clifford
“It was wonderful to see how the people responded to the Word
of God. Many were saved, healed and delivered.”
Faye Clifford
“Doing mission work in Africa is not a choice, it is a calling.”
Nathaniel Whiteman
I had a fantastic time in Uganda. It was amazing to see God touch
the lives of so many people. Saved, healed, set free, lives transformed
by the power of God.
Gavin Boyd
It is exciting to see that God is still on the throne. He is the same
yesterday, today and forever. Jesus is still setting people free.Pastor
Mike Smith, New Life Family Church, Suffolk
People came alive through spiritual and physical miracles in the mission
week in Masaka, Uganda, like I have never seen before in 14 years of ministry.
Praise God, keep up the good work, Abundant Life.
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All Pictures Copyright © AbundantLifeNI.co.uk
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