Horizons 2012 in Kabale

First the Pictures and some reflections follow...

Dr. Katie and Laura working together in English and Swahili

Group Bible Study

East Africans gathered for training

A culture exercise in Urdu lead by Kevin Higgins, international director for Global Teams

Group Discussion broken down into language...Swahili, Kinyarwandan and English

Wilfred from Kenya and Edgar from Tanzania, two of the leaders

Micah, Kevin, Aaron and Dr. Gilbert at the conference--Aaron's two bosses!

Leslie, Julia, Travis, Safari, Wendy-American and Batwa united in Christ!

Tea at Kirigime gardens

East Africans and one German, our friend Stephanie

Rev. Matthias and 2 BBUC students prepare communion

Participants stand as John 4 is read

Our friend, Sam receives his certificate with gratitude

Kevin, Rev. Walina from South Rwenzori and Wendy

Travis and brothers from South Rwenzori

Leadership team debriefing

 Global Teams offers an introductory missions training course called Horizons.  Click on the words Global Teams or Horizons to get more information. During the course of 10-14 days, participants gather to go through an inductive Bible study from the Old and New Testament focusing on cross cultural issues and ministry.  Participants also are introduced to topics like unreached people groups, contextualization, movements of the church, as well as prayer and mobilization.  Several case studies are presented on cross cultural servants current and historical and many, many opportunities to reflect, discuss and share. 

The Kabale Horizons 2012 included 61 people, with 15 leaders coming from 10 different nations and speaking double the languages.  The countries included Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Rwanda, Malawi, Germany, U.S.A., Somalia, and India.  It was translated into Kinyarwandan and Swahili and English depending on who was speaking.  There was quite a continuum of economic, educational background, as well as diverse denominations.  Men and women who were students, professionals or “peasants” (people that dig their own food, but don’t get paid and usually are not formally educated) as they are called in Uganda gathered under the Banner of Christ to learn from each other, the Bible and the teachers on cross cultural ministry.  There was unity, humility, freedom, laughter and a profound and quiet work of the Holy Spirit.

A few of the quotes we heard…

“My eyes have been opened.”

“My head is full of new things.”

“I have not seen that before.”

“You have given me a new perspective.”

“We never get this type of training, this is new for us.”

“We have many tribes in my country-we have never even thought about sharing the gospel outside of our tribe.  This must change.”

“In my country, we teach that wearing earrings is a sin.  Now, I see that it is culture—here is my sister and she is wearing earrings like an Egyptian. How can I say that she is wrong, she is MY SISTER!  It is culture.  We need to take this back and I challenge my sisters from the Congo to take back this message.” (the lady was Laura a leader from Tanzania)

As you can see, for many people, there was a new, deeper understanding of the role of missions in the church.  Aaron commented that these folks have the access to remote areas and unreached tribes, but they didn’t have the heart or vision for cross cultural ministry.  People were challenged on the issues of tribalism that hinder the Gospel being shared.  There was great unity in this group and we pray that momentum is carried back and overflowing into all those churches represented!  Participants clearly gained a bigger heart for unreached people groups, which is a focus for Global Teams.

We also heard deep gratitude from attendants on the uniqueness of the content and the diversity of African leadership and missionaries who were leading the training.  My friend Anne said, “How did you get this many people from other African countries here?”  Our African leadership is special and awesome.  They are humble people who have suffered and sacrificed much and it shows in their authority in Christ and fruitfulness of ministry. 

Participants were also given a new perspective on Muslims and we saw a shift from fear and suspicion to a vision for loving and praying for encounters with Jesus for their Muslim neighbors.  There is great potential for new movements in these areas and Aaron also commented that given the right tools and right encouragement, folks are ready to share Christ with the nations.

As we closed, there was communion, our international director, Kevin preached on John 4, the Bishop blessed the group and I had the privilege of praying over the group from Psalm 67.  It was personally powerful for me because it was translated into Swahili as I was praying and God gave me this beautiful blessing and a deep sense of how much He loves and will use this group!

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us

And make his face shine upon us,

That your ways may be known on earth,

Your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, O God;

May all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy,

For you rule the people justly

And guide the nations of the earth.

May the peoples praise you, O God;

May all the peoples praise you.

Then the land will yield its harvest,

And God, our God, will bless us.

God will bless us,

And all the ends of the earth will fear him.