Michael the Mzungu Teacher
Early on the morning of 2nd February, I drove through the snow to Manchester Airport. I was flying out to Uganda for a ten week placement with Missionary Ventures to work with some former street boys; teaching them English and helping them in their spiritual education. The boys lived in an orphanage centre, set up and conducted by Pastor Willy Tumwine of Holy Spirit Fire Church, one of the indigenous partners of Nigel Harding, MV’s regional field co-ordinator. The mission promised to be a great experience, very exciting and life changing.
After escaping snow-covered Europe, I arrived to the 30 degree heat and humidity that only a country on the equator can provide. I spent the first few days helping Nigel and being briefed by him on the massive differences between Western culture and Ugandan culture. It is amazing the work that Nigel is doing, he is instrumental in spreading the Good News in East Africa.
After spending a few days with Nigel and his family, I journeyed to Mbarara which is down near the borders with DRC, Tanzania and Rwanda. This would be where my mission focus was going to be. I met Pastor Willy Tumwine and his family who I stayed with for the duration of the trip; I am extremely grateful for all their kindness. One thing that strikes a westerner when they are living in an African country is the concept of time. People are so relaxed! They don’t really mind if a job isn’t done on time, it is the quality of the outcome that is important. Whilst this sounds good, it has many drawbacks, but is very different from a western concept: ‘time is money’.
For the nine or so weeks I was in Mbarara I worked in three primary schools, the street boys centre, and in and around the Sunday School at church. Holy Spirit Fire Church has been richly blessed in its ten year history: they have an average congregation of two thousand, they own their own buildings, and have a Sunday school of about 150 children. The week after I arrived was the annual church conference where they were marking their tenth anniversary. I held children’s meetings each day, sports and games, coupled with energetic bible teaching. I myself was amazed at two things: the length of time I spoke for sometimes, and the fact that the children concentrated for so long.
The weeks after and until my return to the UK, I spent my time teaching in a local primary school in the morning, planning lessons in the afternoons and then teaching them to the street boys in the evenings; sometimes not getting home till past nine o’clock at night. I could use many words to describe my work, but if I had to think of two they would be intensive and massively fulfilling! Weekends were spent washing clothes (by hand!), teaching, teaching in Sunday School, marking work and, if there was any spare time, I occasionally relaxed by going into town to watch games of football on TV in a restaurant! All the lessons I taught with the boys were fantastic and brought great joy and happiness, but there was one that will stand out in my mind. We were writing letters to some children I work with in the UK, and I had candles lit all around the room and around my blackboard because the power kept cutting out. The boys really enjoyed this and it was a God-provided lesson – truly magical. The atmosphere was awesome!
Sadly though all good things must come to an end, and I was sad to leave everyone behind. I saw many inspiring things and my life has been changed and touched by God’s grace and his love. I am sure I will return one day. Throughout my time over there, I was constantly challenged to step out into unknown waters without even a life raft. Although this was quite scary, God provided (as he always does) and the experience was totally awesome. I can’t put it into words how good it was, I sometimes even surprised myself with what, with God’s help, I have done. My mum cannot believe I have been to Africa. If you ever get a chance, however scared or fearful you may initially be, go, for God will always provide. It is unbelievable fun. As one Pastor over in Uganda said “to serve the Lord, it is wonderful”.
Michael Hughes
Southport, Nr Liverpool