LIGHT God’s Word LifeLife for for All All Newsletter The Bible Society of Uganda Newsletter Issue No.44 Volume 44 April - June 2021 Transforming society through service Every Word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Proverbs 30:5 (KJV) God speaks my language 3 BSU Branch AGA PVD Project Arua Make it happen- church leader’s 14 Acholi Braille Bible 5 sensitization 9-13 workshop 2 SET TO BUILD AND TO PLANT Jer 1:10 Foreword Children who live in internally displaced camps can be categorized as God’s people who are curtailed from the normal growth process but leading more to delinquency influence. A case in point is the story of children in families who were displaced by floods in Kasese area and are now living under pathetic conditions. Over this quarter, we joined many Ugandan nationals and provided scriptures in form of children Bibles. It was unbelievable to see the smiles on their faces as you will find in this edition of the newsletter. The quarter climaxed with the various BSU Branch Annual Greetings to you all, General Assemblies. It is amazing to see God’s work spreading out to the four regional directions of Rwenzori, Building and planting as expressed in our theme for 2021 has Ankole, Teso and Acholi. Branch priorities are towards a legacy framework meant to ensure institutional sustainability study Bible Translation, land acquisition and Bible programs and continuity. engagement. In our case, the work that we have done so far over the years You will also read about a request for local language and particularly in the first quarter of this year reflects a clear Bible Printing for the Bagwe as well as our continued effort towards impacting people’s lives and transforming engagements with the Visually Impaired as part of our life communities. impacting and transformational efforts. The generation before us and the one we are living in today is bombarded with several efforts to impact people. Getting a breakthrough in this area is therefore greatly commendable. Enjoy your reading The Rotary club of Bukoto affirmed this position to our amazement by awarding me as CEO, particularly on behalf of the Bible Society of Uganda for influencing lives in Uganda. The song: They are watching you marking all you do … came Simon Peter Mukhama through to us in a very positive way. General Secretary/CEO LIGHT THE BIBLE SOCIETY OF UGANDA 3 Newsletter April- June 2021 God speaks my language Exhibiting God’s Word in our mother tongue By Peter Serumaga Lumbuye n 23rd February 2021, a delegation from Bugwe to attempt a Bible Translation in their mother tongue. He promised brought greetings from the Omwenengo (King them that in consultation with the linguistic experts (SIL), the Bible of Bugwe) to the Bible Society of Uganda. They Society of Uganda will advise them on the way forward. Mr. Gift requested the Bible Society of Uganda together Asiku of SIL accepted to offer the team assistance that can lead Owith her partner organisations (e.g. SIL) to help them polish and them to attaining their dream. Mr. Serumaga Peter Lumbuye the publish the translation they made of the New Testament. They BSU Publishing Manager tasked the team to go and make more handed over a soft copy of the whole NT in MS Word format and local fundraising to support the project as BSU prepares to take a hard copy of each of the four Gospels. them through the stipulated translation process. This was one of the rare communities that have practically expressed the need for The GS was very grateful to them for the initiative they had put in Scriptures in their mother tongue. A Delegation from Bugwe handing over their New Testament translation to BSU for professional input. 4 SET TO BUILD AND TO PLANT Jer 1:10 ‘‘... My heart is singing...’’ By Angudubo Alfred BSU- Acholi Branch o AJok Joyce, waiting the women at the Breakfast were amazed that for her own Braille Bible despite not having sight, people could still read seemed like an eternity. the word of God! They thanked Bible Society for She was not sure if she this work and some of the women became Life Twould ever get one. A visually impaired members in order to continue supporting Bible teacher at Gulu Primary School, which work. is blind inclusive, Joyce only ever knew of the Bible which was school property Upon receiving the Braille Bible from Bible Society in the Library. “I got a call from The Bible Joyce had this to say, “My heart is over joyed! my Society of Uganda in December 2020, heart is singing. requestinig me to take a reading in Braille Thank you Bible Society, God bless you so much during the Women’s Prayer Breakfast and please continue this great work.” A clearly in Gulu” narrates Joyce. After reading over joyed Joyce said. from the book of Esther chapter four, Joyce with her braille Bible Light Moments Staff Wedding Congratulations Esther and Robert. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness. LIGHT THE BIBLE SOCIETY OF UGANDA 5 Newsletter April- June 2021 Make it happen-Acholi Braille Bible Isaac Tusubira (in checked shirt) addresses the PVD’s during the meeting in Acholi region By Angudubo Alfred BSU- Acholi Branch If you talk to someone Nelson Madiba Mandela is quoted as cry in that very moment. As such, many in saying. This quote came true during an the congregation who received the word of in a language they ordination Service in Gulu, where a number God, albeit in English, surely missed out on understand, it goes to of Clergy were going to be ordained as the occasion’s message. fully-fledged Church leaders! their head. If you talk It is for this very reason that the PVD to them in their own However, what we didn’t know was that the project embarked on having the Acholi entire service was going to be conducted in Bible in Braille. language, it goes to the local language, Acholi. When it came to their heart. the ministry of the word, Patrick Owiyo the We call on you all to join this noble cause designated reader took the reading from and see this dream come to life. May this the English Braille Bible to a majority Acholi gospel of God’s Amazing Grace reach all speaking congregation. “If only there was corners of our nation in all languages and a Braille Bible in Acholi” was our heart’s formats. 6 SET TO BUILD AND TO PLANT Jer 1:10 Transforming society through service By Sylvia Kasirye t a vocational awarding ceremony In his speech upon receiving the Awards, held at Kabira Country Club, the Simon Peter dedicated this achievement to Rotary Club of Bukoto honoured the United Bible Societies, The Bible Society the BSU CEO- Simon Peter of Uganda Board /staff, friends and family for AMukhama and Hon. Chrysestom Muyingo- State their tireless dedication and support. He Minister for Higher Education with vocational further appealed to government to Accolades. support the various initiatives of the Bible Society of Uganda. The Rotary President Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho, said the non-cash award is given to individuals that have transformed society through their work. The awardees joined by the guest of honour and Rotary President. Simon Peter shows off his accolades LIGHT THE BIBLE SOCIETY OF UGANDA 7 Newsletter April- June 2021 GONE YET NOT FORGOTTEN In loving memory of some of the Bible Society of Uganda members that participated in the handwritten Bible exercise project. James Bahungirehe of Kisoro Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa of Masaka Roman Catholic Diocese Mr. Samuel Khaukha of Kampala Ssalongo Yosamu Lukwago of West Buganda 8 SET TO BUILD AND TO PLANT Jer 1:10 Lt. Col. Canon Sekidde (Left) receives a scripture card from Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu BSU General Secretary (Left) with Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo of Watoto Ministries to discuss new Bible House project development. BSU General Secretary (Left) explains to Pastor Abel Segirinya (Right), President of the Baptist Union in Uganda, plans of the new Bible House re-development project and church partnerships. BSU General Secretary joins Bishop George Samuel Egesa of Bukedi Diocese to lay a foundation stone for a Bible Museum in Bukedi as the host Justice James Munange Ogola looks on. LIGHT THE BIBLE SOCIETY OF UGANDA 9 Newsletter April- June 2021 BSU Acholi Branch 2nd Annual General Assembly Rev.Godfrey Loum Executive Committee Ms. Catherine Nakimera the Church Relations Officer/ Branch Facilitator for Acholi Chairperson Branch prepares to hand over the AGA Booklets to members after registration. BSU Acholi Branch Mr. Alfred Angudubo the Acholi Branch Administrator holding a microphone for Mr. Patrick Owiyo as he took the reading of the day in Acholi language from a manila paper where he personally brailled the scripture on as his visually impaired wife also prepares to do the same in English using her Braille bible that she received from The Bible Society of Uganda. 10 SET TO BUILD AND TO PLANT Jer 1:10 ACHOLI ACHOLI AGM The General Secretary, Mr. Simon Peter Mukhama (2nd Right) Flanked by His Grace John Baptist Odama (2nd Left), His Grace Bishop Silvestros Maximos Kisitu (Extreme Right) and Rev. Eunice Piloya Opok (Extreme Left) The General Secretary Mr. Simon Peter (Center) pose for a photo with His Grace Silvestros Maiximos Kisitu (4th Right), Board Member Rev. Eunice Piloya Opok (4th Left), Branch Chairperson Rev. Godfrey Loum (Wearing Blue Suit), Acholi Branch Administrator Mr. Angudubo Alfred (Extreme Left) and other clergy after attending the 2nd AGA for Acholi Branch.