To the Ends of the Earth – Afternoon Day 1

First hand account by our Director, Daniel Okwara, shared in a phone call from Nabilatuk.

Part II: We were meant to be sharing hope at the primary school already, so we ate lunch super fast and picked bibles from the hotel.  Pastor Emma and Abraham went ahead of us to the school just a walk away and started engaging with the Head Mistress and to tell her we were on our way.  The school was electing prefects today, so thankfully we weren’t late anymore.

The first person I saw at that school was from our hometown of Soroti. God provided another heartwarming connection for me, yet again. It was all JOY when we saw each other.  This man that I recognized had only been recruited to that school for just 1 week.  I thought, “God you have done it again!”  I felt at home right away. I was ushered into the office to greet the Headmistress, who I learned is Atesot as well.  She was grateful to receive us as I explained who we are as AEM and what we came to share. She was a believer! She welcomed us and was MOST excited to have bibles.

They have 1600 students at this school,  managed by only 22 teachers.  They called an assembly and Joseph from our team was ready to share a message from Psalm 146:3-7

After Joseph shared the Word with all the students, I joined him and wrapped up by telling the children, “to have their hope in God.  Yet, you can’t have your hope in him unless you have believed in Christ.”  Then we had an altar call, emphasizing that only if you have NEVER done this before, then this is the right time. I reminded them, do not raise your hand if you have ever done this before.  It was so beautiful as we counted not just one, but 101 students who gave their lives to Christ Jesus by raising their hands. It is any wonder all the challenges we faced for the last 3 days just trying to get here?  To see God move in such a huge way today, as we shared the Gospel and saw 133 souls set free by the blood of Jesus sacrificed for them was amazing.  Jesus death on the cross was for you and for me.  The heavens rejoice!  We rejoice! This is why AEM exists and this makes every struggle worth it all.

We ended the day by giving out 30 English Bibles and 2 Proclaimers in the local language to the school. 1 Proclaimer for students and the other for teachers.  The school also received 2 soccer balls and we lined up the youngest children from P1- P3 and gave them the sweeties.  It was almost 7pm when we came back to the hotel, but on the way, we had to stop because Pastor Emma was going the opposite direction. We stopped on the side of the road, got off our bikes and joined hands to pray together thanking God for today and to pray over tomorrow. It was so, so wonderful and we glorified the name of the Lord!

If you missed Part I, go HERE.

For tomorrow, Saturday we have planned early in the morning to go to a Secondary School. Then after time with them, we will have a break. Then we will have a DBS training with the local village leaders from 10am – 2pm.  Then we will have lunch and after that go to another manyatta.  We know it will be a long day.

Sunday we will go to morning prayers, one church at 6am-7:30am.  We intend to give out Bibles to the local churches. Second church from 8:30-9am and then leave for home to Soroti.