Categories

Charities

As a church we support many charities. At each communion service a collection is made for a charity chosen by a church meeting to be appropriate for that month, but there are several charities to which we have a particular and long term commitment: Bible translation by Wycliffe for the Bagwere people in Uganda (www.wycliffe.org.uk), the HEAL project in Zambia (http://healprojectzambia.org) and sponsorship of Varant, a child in Lebanon, through BibleLands (www.biblelands.org.uk).    

BAGWERE of Uganda
BACKGROUND 

 

Over 99% of the Bagwere live in small villages on their traditional tribal lands in eastern Uganda. Traditionally they survived by fishing and hunting wild animals such as buffalo and hippopotamus, but nowadays along with fishing they practise subsistence farming  

The standard means of transport is by bicycle. There are no large towns or hospitals, but the main town is Budaka, a large trading centre with a number of schools. Their language is Lugwere, which is related to Luganda, the dominant language in central Uganda. Lugwere is used in primary schools if the teachers are Bagwere, but there are few books. Those who learn to read do so in English.   

The Bagwere people have been disadvantaged throughout much of their recent history, leaving the group with a poor economy, a weak educational system, and a weak church filled with nominal Christians. Providing them with a writing system improves their education, and thereby their economic opportunities. Providing them with a New Testament in their own language will enable them to correctly understand God’s truth, build themselves up in the faith and evangelise their own people. The desire expressed by many Bagwere for these things, and their readiness to move ahead, increase the urgency of this project.    

Even though a majority of Bagwere would identify themselves as Christians, only 20% attend church on Sunday and most pastors will admit that only a small percentage of these are trying to live a Christian life. The vast majority of those who call themselves Christian mix traditional religion with Christianity

Most churches are small and use the Luganda or the English Scriptures, neither of which is well understood by either the congregations or their leaders. Pastors tend to be poorly educated or not educated at all. Currently there are many Protestant and Catholic churches in the area and also many cults. Doctrine and church practices vary widely and this is due to a lack of understanding of the Scriptures. Islam is making its presence felt in Eastern Uganda and Muslim evangelism is very active.  
  
Even though a majority of Bagwere would identify themselves as Christians, only 20% attend church on Sunday and most pastors will admit that only a small percentage of these are trying to live a Christian life. The vast majority of those who call themselves Christian mix traditional religion with Christianity
2005 The basic orthography for the Lugwere language was agreed, and translation started by Sam Mubbala. The book of Jonah was published as a test of the orthography and to supplement the reading material available.  

SIGNIFICANT UPDATES

 August 2006 The book of Maako (Mark’s gospel) was dedicated (see picture).   

 September 2006 Fordingbridge URC signed the agreement to support Wycliffe Bible Translators in this project. We learned that seven other churches had offered similar support.    

August 2007  The third book (Some epistles of Paul) was dedicated.    
2008 A new office block in Budaka was constructed so that translation work could be focused locally.    
 
December 2008 Sam Mubbala visited Fordingbridge as part of a tour of the UK supporting churches.
2009 Richard Ngozi, the second translator, awarded a grant to study for PhD. Davis Dedya appointed to replace him.  
  
March 2010 Budaka radio carried a weekly Christian program. George Changha recruited as another translator, while Sam Mubbala was promoted to Consultant, advising on several language projects in the country.   

April 2010 The book of Acts was published. 

Pastor David and Heather Tucker of Wey Christian Fellowship represented InFocus Bagwere-supporting churches at the dedication of Acts in April 2010. They had managed to fly out to Uganda just before European airspace was closed because of the erupting volcano.   
 
 There were about 300 people attending, mostly Church people, plus SIL-Uganda staff, and David and Heather representing the UK supporting churches. The event was colourful, with several choirs performing, and then the SIL and UK representatives made presentations, before the preacher and guest of honour launched the new Bagwere publication. He offered to buy a copy of the new book for all the people there who hadn’t been able to buy one.  
 
Much of the work on Luke completed.  
 
March 2011 A third Gwere translator – Robert Somoka – appointed.
 
December 2011 The Lugwere dictionary published.
 
    
  
 
Charity of the Month 
  
  
November 2011: Royal British Legion  

 December 2011: Galloway’s Society for the Blind

Among other things, this society arranges for the translation of our denominational magazine “Reform”.

Christmas:

Hampshire Search & Rescue – exist to search for missing vulnerable people, children, the elderly, and anyone who may be at risk from death or injury.

Mission Aviation Fellowship – operating more than 135 aircraft  across 35 countries, partnering with 1000 organisations bringing physical and spiritual help to the most isolated people.

February 2012: Westminster College, Cambridge building appeal

Westminster College is the main theological college for URC Ministerial training.