Chads News - 21st November 2024
21 November 2024 12:00
This weeks intro comes from Katie…
Dear Church Family,
I returned from Uganda on Monday to snowy British weather - a sharp contrast to the 30+ degree heat I left behind. Thank you for praying for me during this journey with Tearfund. It’s impossible to travel and remain unchanged, and this trip was no exception. Seeing Tearfund’s work firsthand was an incredible privilege. Words can only hint at the miracles, transformation, and hope we witnessed as God’s church brought healing not only to people but to the land itself.
Our team of church leaders was prayerful, prophetic, and full of joy. After 21 hours of travel, we arrived and stopped at a supermarket where armed guards stood at the entrance, yet worship music played inside - a striking illustration of the tension between brokenness and healing.
The next morning, we visited a rainforest, marvelling at God’s creation as monkeys swung through the trees. Later, we visited the Martyrs’ Shrine in Namugongo, where we learned about 25 young men martyred for their faith. Their story was a humbling reminder of the cost of faith and the courage it demands.
We then flew north with Mission Aviation Fellowship to Kotido, an isolated region often overlooked. Despite extreme challenges - 80% illiteracy, poverty, drought, and famine - we met some of the most joyful Christians of the trip. Joining them in dancing down the track as we saw Tearfund’s Church and Community Transformation program in action. Local churches are not only spreading the gospel but also equipping communities to thrive, often with women leading the change.
The rapid transformation was astonishing. Villages just months into the program had sanitation, improved food security, education, and vibrant worship. Communities identified and developed their own resources: ponds were dug, vegetables grown with irrigation, animals raised, fruit dried, and honey harvested. It was inspiring to see faith in action, with churches bringing holistic healing to individuals and entire communities. Food insecurity remains a pressing issue, with up to 75% of crops failing. Yet, this program empowers people to build sustainable solutions. The gospel is changing lives, and in Kotido, we saw the church being a beacon of hope.
We prayed with dedicated teams who have given their lives to these communities. Watching them kneel in the dust as we asked for God’s protection and provision was deeply moving. Their faith and resilience left an indelible mark on my heart.
This is just a glimpse of what we experienced. We heard countless stories of transformation: children now attending school, men abandoning abusive behaviours, and communities sharing new skills. Generosity overflowed - church offerings were so abundant that we were gifted food as an expression of gratitude. Church attendance is soaring, leading to larger churches being built as community hubs, and as the projects grow, schools and hospitals follow.
Trauma healing training is another vital part of this work, addressing the scars of horrific atrocities. The resilience and hope we witnessed was extraordinary, a testament to the power of faith in action. I’d love to share more!
My heart is overflowing.
with love, Katie x