December 1999

Ministry Trip to Uganda - December 1999

Peter writes:

Serious 'flu just prior to departure left Inn's Director Peter Marchand weak upon arrival. However, the programme was adhered to, including visiting a church planted after the crusade in December 1995, and then driving deep into the bush to dedicate both people, land and building of a further church planted from the original one. The Inn Christian Ministries new 8 seater 4 wheel drive Toyota proved to be an invaluable asset. Money for this was raised by one particular church who ran in a sponsored 10k race locally for two consecutive years.

We finally arrived in Lira after 23 and a half hours non-stop travelling and ministering, only to discover that the father of one of our senior outreach team members had just died and many of our people were involved in the funeral arrangements. The following day saw us ministering in a rural setting to a number of Elim churches who had gathered for the occasion. This was followed by meeting with the leaders of the first and currently only genuine cell church in Lira for informal talks on a question and answer basis.

Allan Smith and Peter Marchand split up the following day, Sunday, to maximinse the ministry. Allan spoke at Victory Outreach Church, the aforementioned cell church, at their congregation meeting, and Peter met with the Lira Power of Jesus Around the World churches, together with the leaders from a wider area of Power of Jesus churches. Peter was not well enough to continue into the third ministry session in the afternoon, so Allan nobly stepped in.

We then received news that our Mission Co-ordinator, Rev Patrick Otuku-Otim, had died that afternoon of leukaemia and a brain tumour - he had been unwell since September. Consequently our plans were altered so as to make arrangements for the memorial service the next day and the burial service the day after. Peter was asked to speak and did so. It was a most sad and moving time. We endeavoured to press on with as much of the prescribed schedule as was feasible, and Allan was introduced to the New Life Pentecostal network of churches which Peter oversees and which he (Allan) is going to handle on Peter's behalf as the responsibilities continue to grow and we feel Jethro's advice needs to be taken now!

At this point Milton Ogwal (our host)'s car blew a head gasket thus rendering it difficult to continue with the programme as Allan was ministering a 2 hour drive away from Peter, and spare parts can only be obtained from Kampala, a 5 hour drive away! We managed, but it was becoming increasingly clear that Peter's health was not going to last the full 2+ weeks and Allan, as a Trustee of Inn Christian Ministries, stepped in and arranged an early return flight for Peter. However, before returning Peter managed to visit the crusade ground, hold one key seminar and one crusade meeting, with a very fruitful response for salvation and healing, and promised to return in August 2000, God willing, to fulfil the complete programme of seminars and crusade. The remainder of the programme can be undertaken in December 2000.

In the midst of all this David Hadlum arrived and was finding his feet with the Faith Mission of Uganda (whose youth team Peter has invited to be amongst the participants at Priestfield 2000 (http://www.priestfield2000.org.uk). We managed two brief meetings with David who seemed to be doing fine apart from the natural side effects of more than usual pineapple and fruit juice!

The long journey back to Entebbe went without hitch, thank God, and Allan and Peter returned safely in the early hours of Saturday morning 11 December. David returned early Sunday morning 19 December. Pictures etc to follow in the new year.

Thanks for reading this.