The Day of "Small" Things

“Who dares despise the day of small things?"

Zechariah 4:10

When the Jewish exiles returned from their 70-year captivity in Babylon, they were few in number and often in dire straits. Under their governor, Zerubbabel, they struggled to rebuild the temple of the LORD which had been destroyed decades earlier. At the dedication of the new temple, many people openly wept because the building was only a shadow of its former glory. But the LORD promised a future glory that would eclipse even Solomon's temple. When it is the LORD who is at work, no one should despise the day of "small" things! 

In the eyes of the world, the events that are taking place among our churches and contacts in Uganda are "small" indeed. But it is the LORD's work, and his promises of future glory for those who proclaim His true word will certainly prevail! 

The first portion of my 2-week trip was to visit the pastors and congregations of the "Confessional Lutheran Synod of Uganda." Their website is HERE. This is an independent group of 21 churches, served by 8 ordained pastors and 8 seminary students, who also serve as evangelists. They were formerly part of the Lutheran Church of Uganda, an affiliate of the Missouri Synod in the USA. They first made contact with a CLC layman in California, and have been corresponding with me for some months. Pastor Mugeni (of the CCRU in eastern Uganda) and I spent several days with them in Ibanda. It was an opportunity to get acquainted, and to begin a process of finding out if we share the same scriptural doctrine. We found ourselves to be in agreement in every area we discussed, although of course future meetings will be needed. It was a very positive experience for all concerned!

Pictures from south-western Uganda (click to enlarge):

Pastor Nicholas, Dr. Enoch, Missionary Naumann, Pastor Daniel Mugeni, Pastor Obed

Bethel Lutheran Church, where Pastor Nicholas serves

A side trip to beautiful Lake George

Our Savior's Lutheran, served by seminary student Conrad

Sunday church service at New Jerusalem Lutheran, served by Bishop Benson Barahuka

Members of New Jerusalem after church

Monday's conference, exploring and understanding the teachings of the CLC and the CLSU

Conference attendees

On the way to Kampala - a photo stop at the equator

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The second portion of the trip was in Iganga, in eastern Uganda, for the constituting convention of the Confessional Church of the Reformation in Uganda (CCRU). The CLC Board of Missions and Kinship have been working with Pastor Daniel Mugeni in Uganda for a number of years. He has successfully completed his colloquy (doctrinal examination). This summer our CLC Convention in Eau Claire will, God willing, confirm our President's declaration of fellowship with the CCRU. There are five pastors and their congregations who are prepared to be a part of the newly-formed CCRU, although one was absent from the conference due to illness. We also had three visiting pastors who are expressing interest, though at present they still serve congregations in the Lutheran Church of Uganda. We had a 2-day conference, reaffirming our confessional agreement on all of the Bible's teachings. The founding clergy and congregations adopted a constitution, and are very much looking forward to the CLC's official declaration of fellowship at the June Convention in Eau Claire. You may see a video greeting from President Mugeni and the other CCRU officers HERE.

Photos from the visit to Iganga and the CCRU conference (click to enlarge):

Grace Lutheran, Iganga, served by Pastor Daniel Mugeni. Their temporary building is inside the ongoing church building project

Discussing church doctrine and a CCRU Constitution

Signing the Constitution

The newly-elected officers of the CCRU: President Daniel Mugeni, Vice President Tana Wangira, Secretary/Treasurer Milton Wanyama - also Pastor Norman Oyara

Visiting with the orphan children at the home of Pastor and Ida Mugeni

See a video clip of a wonderful song by the children HERE.

The "Jesus Film," presented to more than 100 at Pastor Mugeni's rural church

We rejoice in the fellowship that we now share with the CCRU in eastern Uganda, and the prospects for further possible fellowship with the CLSU in western Uganda!

I am spending the last couple of days in Kampala, with Pastor Milton's two churches there. Then, God willing, I will fly to Arusha to finish up two weeks of seminary classes before the June break. 

Walking through the poverty-stricken village of Kasokoso, near Kampala 

Christ's Bride Lutheran Church, Kasokoso

An impromptu Sunday school in front of the church with neighborhood children, prior to showing the "Jesus Film"

Are all these matters happening in Uganda, as well as in our many other foreign fields, "small things"?  Yes, that is, to the outward eye. Yet it is the power of God the Holy Spirit, working through His Word, that is doing glorious things in the hearts of men, women, and children! 

This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." Zechariah 4:4

Pray for the Swift Word

Paula Naumann keeps a personal Tanzania Journal;
her entry for April is HERE.

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Classes at Wittenberg Seminary continue, as I am preparing for a "swift" journey to Uganda in early May. Paula will leave for the USA on May 2. While I am in East Africa by myself for a month I will be visiting our churches and contacts in Uganda. This means a flight from Arusha to Kampala, and then long bus rides to two main destinations. Here is the map:

The first leg will be a visit to the "Confessional Lutheran Church in Uganda." This will be an introductory visit to this group of 17 independent congregations, which are served by 8 pastors. They are located near Ibanda and Buhweju, in the western part of the country. There has been encouraging correspondence with this group. We will need to find out whether we share the same scriptural teachings, with a view to possible future fellowship. Here is a photo of the group in Ibanda, whom we have not yet met (click to enlarge):

The second leg of the trip will be by bus to eastern Uganda, where we will have a pastoral conference of the Ugandan Church of the Lutheran Confession - UCLC. We have been working with Pastor Daniel Mugeni in Uganda for a number of years, and he has successfully completed his colloquy (doctrinal examination). This summer our CLC Convention in Eau Claire will, God willing, confirm our President's declaration of fellowship with the UCLC. At this meeting we will be working on a UCLC Constitution, with special attention given to the statement of faith, which is the same confession as the CLC. Here are a few photos from our previous trip to Iganga this past February:

Pastoral Conference in Iganga, Uganda, February 2024

Pastor Daniel and Ida Mugeni, at their home and orphanage in Iganga

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In other news: Paula and I recently hosted the students and faculty of Wittenberg Seminary to our home for dinner. It was a wonderful time of food and Christian fellowship. Here are a few photos of the event, along with other recent seminary activities:

Our hostess and some guests on our front porch

Seminary faculty, students, and "Mama Nuele," the seminary mom

We "charged" the students for the dinner by having them sing us a song. Click for the video HERE. 

Student Jasper Musacali, preaching a practice sermon to the other students. 

Student Elinajah Bayo, preaching for Sunday worship at Ambureni Parish. 

(Easter banner by Paula)

Mrs. Loskira (mother of teacher Robert) has been in poor health. We went next door to Robert's home one morning for a devotion, hymn and prayer in her native Maasai language.

Our students put in a lot of effort at Wittenberg Seminary, but just to show that it's not ALL hard work, see the video clip HERE.

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Once I've returned from Uganda, it will be a short time until my flight to the U.S., where we'll see family and friends, and I'll be attending the CLC Convention in Eau Claire. 

We appreciate very much the support and prayers of our fellow believers in the U.S., so that, as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, "the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you."