To Kotido!

March 6, we boarded the plane. In the dead of night we arrived in Kampala. Thankfully, our cab was ready and after a short night we left early the next morning with an MAF plane to Kotido. That turned out to be a quiet flight so we got a good view of the area. We were really looking forward to a warm reunion with Cees and Mirjam. On a dry reddish strip of land, in a vast empty space, we spotted one car with a couple of tiny people. It was really great to meet on this land! This is what we wanted. To see, feel, smell, experience what life is like in Karamoja. A beautiful cottage had been arranged for us with a brand new traditional grass roof .

Daily life

We quickly became impressed by the challenges of daily life in Kotido. There is little of little. There are few Western people. We basicaly doubled the number of mzungu’s (“white people”). There are few amenities. There are no luxuries. There are few houses with electricity or running water. There is no McDonalds or anything resembling a restaurant by Western definitions. The text from 1 Corinthians 9, where Paul writes that he did all sorts of things to win some, does come to life here.

Tribes and villages

Cees and Mirjam are surrounded by all kinds of villages and (extended) families within a reasonable distance of Kotido. There are dozens of them. Many villages have never been reached with the gospel or are being reached for the first time. For example, we were in a village where the gospel has now been shared for a year. We were in several places where people were hearing about Jesus for the first or second time. The gospel makes a difference in people’s lives. That was abundantly evident. And it is being received with joy.

Patterns

But how does that gospel get there? Basically, we saw the same pattern over and over again. No or hardly any Bibles. No one who can read. Great unfamiliarity with the Word of God. And reading aloud is still difficult, because it’s like having the Bible written out in English, but phonetically according to a Scott, reading that to a Aussie. This is because of the difference in dialect between North and South Karamoja. Therefore, it was nice to be able to share the Word of God in a village yourself. You should always stow a sermon outline in your pocket when visiting Karamoja!

Pastors

There is a great need for pastors. And thankfully there are. Often, they come from Kampala or from other places like Soroti. What we did notice is that these people need equipping. They absolutely have love for God, are sometimes in the process of training, but still have limited skills to come to a good Biblical understanding of the basic truths in this setting. And that can just result in getting new wine in old skins. So, for example, traditional, rather suggestive dances to the words of Halleluya, Yahweh, Yesu. Or a church service with only testimonies and no sermon.

Mission

Because of this, we understand very well why Cees was appointed to equip and teach pastors. And understand very well why Miriam says, let’s start with the thousands of children – and thus train children’s workers.
This country is crying out for ministers who are culturally well-connected. Who pick up the language easily or already speak it. And who can bring the Word of God to people. In the early centuries, there were also plenty who couldn’t read and write, but God doesn’t depend on that. However, the Word of God must be heard!

Closing

The visit greatly encouraged us. We also got a good impression of AIM. Wonderful how there is a hunger for God. Wonderful how they are going to work on a mission hub with all kinds of possibilities. Actually we are envious of how Cees and Mirjam are available and used.

Edwin en Marieke Struik