2015 September
Rev. Richard Rukundo September 2015
Dear Friends and supporters,
Greetings from Uganda, my constituency: the Children, their Leaders and Teachers. We Praise Lord for you and for his mercies each day, we are encouraged by your prayers and Support.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,
Training of Children’s Leaders/Teachers:
Within the last two Months we were out in the Diocese of West Buganda; twice, where we trained 53 Children’s Leaders/Teachers and 40 School Chaplains in Discipleship skills and Child protection. Similar training also took place in South Ankole Diocese where 50 Teachers were trained. Another group of 15 Leaders in Namugongo Martyrs Seminary who are handling the Teens Ministry, which has become a vital need for our Ministry in the Churches were trained. Our big one was the Level II Training held at Lweza Training Conference Centre for 3 days, which brought 48 Children’s Leaders and Pastors from all our 35 Dioceses involved in the Discipleship Curriculum for 8- 14 year olds.
Protection and Safeguarding: We have made great strides in our ‘Children at Risk’ Programme, which focuses on helping Children to see themselves as loved and accepted by the heavenly Father and the Church that serves Him. We incorporated the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy in all our Trainings which is making it spread out faster. I am happy that thereis a growing enthusiasm for Protection and safeguarding strengthened by our training and equipping of all Children’s Leaders/ Teachers and Workers within our Churches, Schools and all Children’s Centres.
Chaplaincy and School Ministry: We praise God that we have now finished the second term of the year and children are going home for a 3 weeks holiday break. The schools continue to be a vital ministry place for us, targeting the leaders, teachers and Chaplains. We have encouarged Parents seminars to address vital parenting issues and especially morals and values for children while they are still young. We also think that chaplaincy is a vital component that will strengheten not only the faith aspects of the children but the wholistic growth and development that should be addressed in our Schools.
Praise and Prayer
· We celebrated with Sanyu Babies home which is the oldest in Uganda, over 100 years with now 45 Babies usually abandoned. My 5 year old son, Joshua, was among the children and adults who participated in the marathon to raise money for rehabilitation of the orphanage.
· I thank God for the opportunity to lead the Children’s Program in the 8th Kigezi Revival Convention from 20th to 23rd August, where we had over 800 children! It was an awesome gathering.
· After 35 years there was an All Clergy Conference at Uganda Christian University from 26th till 28th with over 1700 participated in the week-long event and I was glad to be one of the Leaders for the Children/ Youth Workshop where over 150 particpatnts attended.
· I will do a two days training in Kampala on 11th and 12st September. We also plan on having Chaplaincy trainings in East and Northern Dioceses.
· Pray for our Schools 3rd term, usually short and hectic a number of Childrenand Youth camps, conferences, conventions and celebrations happening in the holiday starting December.
