Hello Jimmy. Sunday we traveled to Nakasongola Prison. We spent about 15 minuets with the new Officer in Charge – Jacob. He was glad we are doing Bible Way in the area. This is what he says in his own words,

“People in Nakasongola district are so much involved with superstition and witchcraft. Any bad happening they attribute it to witchcraft. If i was not a believer, I’d have already run away from this station. But thanks be to God that Bible Way is contributing greatly to the transformation of these inmates. The continuous teaching of God’s truths and counseling is evident in the changed lives among many inmates here. The fact that you give Biblical literature and the Bible itself is good to helping us in the process of rehabilitating these inmates.Thank you!”

 
Jimmy, we also met with the Welfare Officer of Nakasongola Prison. His name is Joseph Chandwong. He is very instrumental in coordinating Bible Way with the Prison. He has enrolled most of the Prison Staff and inmates in Bible Way. He puts completed exams from the inmates & staff in the taxi from the taxi park to Kampala and also picks them from the terminal and distributes them to the inmates. This is done voluntarily without any pay!  This is what he says,

Joseph Chandwong, Welfare Officer Nakasongola Prison

“I’m glad that Bible Way has facilitated rehabilitation of the inmates in the prison. Bible Way has done spiritual counseling. The inmates have come to know God and they are fully built spiritually. As a result, there is character transformation. Inmates have extended Bible Way to their families. They know they are loved.”

From Kampala to Masindi to Kisiita. It really is amazing how the gospel moves from one person to another person to another person to reach areas not in your plans! We had no plans beyond Kampala when we begin work in Uganda six years ago. But God had other plans.

Here is a letter I got from Joseph last week that explains this expansion. I think you will enjoy reading it and please pray for the IMFC team, Kenneth and Moses. By the way, in the picture above you see from left to right, Kenneth, Joseph, Moses, Deo. Douglas is behind the camera!

Almost 3 years ago, Douglas and I made the first trip to Masindi (about three hours from Kampala) to visit our friend and son in the Lord, Kenneth. Kenneth had been a prisoner in Luzira prison and had prayed to receive Christ through our work in the prison. One of Kenneth’s prayer requests then was to reach Midwestern Uganda with the gospel through Bible Way. With the limited resources IMFC had we did not know how and when this would happen. But Kenneth did not let this stop him. After getting out of prison, he moved to his home town of Masindi and has though been faithfully sharing Christ and discipling many in Masindi Prison and town.

This Monday Douglas, Deo and I made another trip. This time four hours west of Kampala to Kisiita in Kibale District to join Kenneth in following up with one of his disciples, Moses, who had prayed to receive Christ while a prisoner in Masindi Prison. What an exciting moment it was seeing what God alone can do – transforming lives.

As we met and talked to Moses, Moses acknowledges this of Kenneth; “Kenneth coordinated Bible Way activities in Masindi Prison. He nurtured me; guided me spiritually and his great participation has made me who I am today. I’m born again!”

Kenneth was full of excitement that the Lord had answered his prayers about multiplying work and disciples beyond Masindi in Midwestern Uganda.

So, what’s happening in Kibale District now and what are our plans?
• We have modeled for Moses the aspects of being a multiplying disciple, finding a person of peace, Church planting, and identifying and training Leaders.
• One Church has already been planted and shall be meeting each week.
• Twenty-five Who is Jesus books have already been given out to the residents of Kisiita.
• Fifty-five more Bible Way, Who is Jesus, books have been left with Moses to enroll more students.
• Moses shall be leading the work. He shall collect the Bible Way books, put them in the taxis and send them to Kampala. After grading, we shall put them in the taxi to be returned to Moses in Kisiita in Kibale District.
• For Accountability purposes, Kenneth will regularly visit Moses to give him support. The IMFC Team from Kampala shall visit and support Moses at least once every three months. We shall also ask Moses to join us in Kampala for further on-the-job training as God provides.

Moses’ Prayer Requests:
• To find Godly marriage partner and be joined in Holy Matrimony before the end of this year 2011.
• God’s wisdom and ability as he leads the work in Kibale District.
• Many people to be reached and Disciples for Christ to be made in Kibale District.
• Churches to be planted.
• Bible Way to flourish in Kibale District.

Jimmy, I know we want to reach our generation for Christ. Moses’ District of Kibale gives an open opportunity to do that in Midwestern Uganda. I believe now is the time. I believe our work is not yet finished. More disciples have to be made. Moses is one example of those that Christ alone is making through IMFC.

Thank you for praying with us and for all the gifts and financial support that is making this possible.

God Bless you
Joseph.

Here is a picture of the first meeting of what we pray will become the first church plant for IMFC in Midwestern Uganda. Note: all men.

Again, pray for this work.

Joseph leads the IMFC team in Kampala. He handles all the IMFC business needs in Uganda and personally directs the Prison Ministry.

Hello Jimmy. This is Kennedy’s story of how he came to know the Lord. Kennedy is an inmate in Nakasongola Prison.

“My name is Kennedy Kaunda Chris. I’m 28 years old. I was born in a non-christian family and I grew up not knowing who God is.

I did not follow the instruction of my parents or even listen to the advice of any one. But when I was arrested and thrown in the prison for robbery, I started thinking of my sin.

When Bible Way came to Nakasongola Prison, I enrolled and started my study in Bible Way. Today I’m born again and I have completed the books and earned the Diploma from Bible Way.

My life has changed. The word of God is my food and water. When I’m hungry and thirsty, I meditate on God’s word. Thank you for helping me know Jesus. I will fulfill my calling until Jesus comes back”

Jimmy, I know this is God at work in Nakasongola prison again. To God be the Glory for great things He has done.

Thanks for loving us.

Love
Joseph.

On Sunday, August 15, Douglas and I traveled about two and a half hours north of Kampala to a district of Nakasongola where a prison facility housing about 450 inmates is located. Why? 47 inmates graduated with ‘Diploma’ Certificates from Bible Way! This means they successfully completed the ten courses we provide plus Spiritual Warfare: Who is Jesus, Basic Bible Teachings, God’s Wonderful Plan, Gospel of Mark part 1 and 2, Responsible Christian, Christian Marriage and Family Life, Life of Paul, Old Testament Prophets, Ten Rules for Living, as well as Spiritual Warfare. They completed these books in one year.

We also gave Bibles to students who were half way through the course having completed five Bible Way books and having memorized 60 Bible verses.

After this we shared Christ with all the inmates and the staff that were present. 87 of the inmates and staff prayed to receive Christ and were immediately enrolled to begin discipleship course, Who is Jesus. Among these was the Officer in Charge of the Prison Facility, Allan. The whole prison facility was on fire for God and Bible Way!

After graduating the students at Naksongola prison, Douglas and I, plus one friend who works with the prisons, drove for about 15 minutes to the army barracks. We reached the Quarter Guard at 4:00 PM and were stopped and interviewed for about 7 minutes. They retained my identification card (passport) and a lady army officer escorted us to our destination. I had never entered a military barracks before. I did not know what to do, but God knew.

It is incredible what we saw. Universe, our mobilizer at the army barracks had mobilized 30 army officers of different ranks, put them into his small house of 12 x 12 feet and was ready for us! ( If you have come to Kampala before, you could be familiar with the house church meeting).

Douglas shared a little bit and then I took them through Joshua 1: 1-9. After sharing, we gave out certificates to the 25 army officers who had completed the first course, Who is Jesus, and they asked if they could enroll their fellow officers into Bible Way. We left 40 new Who is Jesus books with them to enroll their fellow army officers.

So, now the gospel is shared even in the Ugandan military. Bible Way is launched, army officers are graduated, a house church is planted in the barracks, another stream of ministry is flowing, and above all God is glorified as the gospel is preached to the ends of the world!

I’m not aware of any evangelical group in Uganda that is reaching the military! God has opened wide that door! He continues to amaze us on how He does His things!

Joseph

As Joseph said we never expected to have a work in the Ugandan Military, but we do! We never planned to work in the prisons or schools either, but we do. God has carried this ministry far beyond our expectations, dreams or even prayers when we begin five years ago. It makes me wonder what’s next.

By the way, these military personal who are now in Christ and studying his word, they are scheduled to be deployed in Somalia. Now, you don’t think…

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” – Ephesians 3:20

His name is Universe Nabber. He has the Army rank of Corporal. He was accused of misusing fuel (gas) and sent to Nakasongola Prison.

On August 16, 2009 (one year ago) while in Nakasongola Prison where he was remanded pending the investigation of his case, Universe enrolled in Bible Way’s first course – Who Is Jesus. His Bible Way Student # is 59937.

After discovering the truth about who Jesus is, Universe prayed to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord of his life! One month later, Universe was set free and declared innocent by the courts of law.

In October 2009, Universe traveled all the way from Nakasongola to our office (a four hour trip) to meet us and deliver his course which he had completed from Bible Way. He also wanted to enroll his wife in Bible Way and get the Who Is Jesus course for her!

So what has happened to Universe? He has continued in the faith and is now teaching others!

For the last three months, Universe has been pestering me to launch Bible Way in the Army Barracks in Naksongola where he is serving, but we could not because our printing budget was very limited. So, we could not engage the whole barracks, but we did send 25 books to him. Today 25 army officers are enrolled and are studying the first course Who is Jesus.

On August 15, I’m traveling to launch Bible Way work at the Army Barracks there! Pray with us. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Is Universe’s story familiar to many of us? How often have we taken the good news to our work places, families, friends to mention but a few?

Thank you, for your continued support that is enabling us take the good news to the unreached in the prisons.

God Bless and honor your efforts.

Joseph.

Houston we have a problem! A good problem, but still a problem. The demand for the Bible Way books is for exceeding our ability to print them. Almost 2000 books are being given out each month. In July alone, 600 people begin studying the Who Is Jesus book. Most of these have either already committed their lives to Jesus Christ or will.

What’s the result? No available books! At the end of July we had copies of only 3 of the 10 books for August! We had no copies of 7 books. They were gone.

So, I spoken with the board and we have sent the funds to print 7000 English books this month in addition to what we normally print.

I need you to pray with me for this. These little books are being used by God to change lives. The story of Universe above is not the unusual story. The slums, prisons and schools are filled with stories like this. Pray that the Lord will enable us to continue to meet this demand. I see no end in this growth. The harvest abundant!

Thanks for your prays and gifts that enabled us to send the extra funds to do the needed printing.

To God Be The Glory!

Do you know that it is closer to the beginning of 2011 than it is to the beginning of 2010? Hard to believe isn’t it? Over half this year has passed. Time is moving swiftly and I am getting older! Plus, now I have to start thinking about Christmas gifts! It will be here before we know it.

Anyway, it is a good time to take a quick look at what God has done through the IMFC ministries in Uganda in 2010 and celebrate it. Here is a quick look at the first six months. I find it absolutely exciting. I believe you will also.

•2,437 people have prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, enrolled into Bible Way and received the first book, Who Is Jesus. At this rate almost 5,000 people will receive Christ as their Lord and Savior and begin to be discipled in 2010! Beginning now, I am asking God for 5,000 people in 2010. Join me. Celebrate it!

•In June alone, IMFC gave out 1,888 discipleship books and 180 Bibles! 521 were the first book of the Bible Way Material, Who Is Jesus. The remaining 9 books of Bible Way made up the 1,367 books distributed. This work is exploding! Celebrate it!

•23 Churches have been started: 17 in Naguru and 6 in Natete. Celebrate it!

•528 Bibles have been given to people who have completed the first five books of Bible Way, successfully passing the exams and memorizing 60 Bible verses. Celebrate it!

•6 new Bible Way Clubs were opened in 6 High Schools in Kampala. This brings the total number of schools IMFC is in to 26. Celebrate it!

•73 new believers have been baptized. (Note: baptism happens mainly when volunteers are present to pay for transport to Lake Victoria. There are many waiting.) Celebrate it!

•Jinja Prison has been engaged. 3 wards of this huge prison are now involved in the Bible Way Program. This makes 14 prisons in 7 different facilities. Celebrate it!

•Leadership training is now taking place in Naguru and Natete with over 30 people participating. Celebrate it!

•These numbers do not reflect the food that has been given out month by month to over 700 people and the lives that have been changed through it. (You have read their stories here.) Nor do they reflect the volunteers that have traveled to Kampala and had their lives impacted as well. Celebrate it!

This has been a great first half to 2010. But, the work is just beginning.

I want to share the final paragraph from an email Joseph Esiana sent me who leads our IMFC team in Uganda. It is written for all of you who have prayed or given to this ministry.

I know the Lord has used you incredibly to give that has led the success as outlined above. God has multiplied your gifts and produced a bountiful harvest for himself. Will you continue to join Him even this summer and fall in what He is doing in Kampala and Uganda? Remember; “The harvest is plentfull but the laborers are few” Will you be among the few to join Him?

May the Lord God bless and honor your efforts.

Joseph Esiana

Team Leader IMFC – Uganda

I want to thank you and ask you to keep praying and giving. The growth of this ministry is hard to keep up with. Thanks.

God is at work in the prison’s of Uganda! Here is a story from Luzira Prison in Kampala, Uganda:

“Praise be to God! I thank Bible Way Correspondence School because now I know who Jesus is.”

“I grew up in my life not knowing Jesus is the way, truth and life because my parents were muslims and not in a clear/right way. But through reading this course Who is Jesus from you, I have understood Jesus as my Savior. I have now asked him into my heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

“Glory be to God.”

Ramadhan Lubega
Bible Way Student no.62148

This guy is–WAS–a muslim! Today, he is a follower of Jesus Christ. Pray for Ramadhan as he continues his studies in the Bible Way materials. Pray that when he gets out of prison his friends will see that he is a new man. Pray that through him many more muslims will come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Is Ramadhan’s story unusual? No. Unique? Yes! It is his story and it is unique to him, but there are many more prisoners coming to faith in Jesus Christ, just like Ramandhan, in the prisons of Uganda. You can read several stories on this blog from inmates who have given their lives to Jesus Christ and have been changed forever. And the doors keep opening!

I received this email from Joseph last week about a new opportunity-a new open door-in Jinja Prison.

Joseph writes:

In June 2010, Bible Way starts work in a new prison in Jinja. This prison is 1hour 30 minutes east of Kampala. It is just next to Lake Victoria.

Today I went on a fact finding mission and just meet with the Officers in Charge of the Prison facility and lay strategy on how best to reach to the prison. This is what I found out.

Jinja Prison is divided into four sections, namely; Remand (those whose cases are still investigated); Women section; and Jinja Main prison which is sub divided into two i.e Convicts (those who are serving their sentence); and Condemned (those on death penalty).

Statistics:
The total inmates’ population as of today is 1,764 adult inmates plus 13 children ages 0 – 24 months.
Remand has 658 inmates; Women 36; Children 13, Convicts 900; and condemned 170.

Out of the total number in the prison, 84 so far have been discovered to be living with HIV/AIDS and only 30 are receiving treatment (ARV treatment).
18 of the staff are also HIV+

Prayer Points:
• Like many of the prisons we are working in, Jinja prison lives in total darkness in dear need of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• In the next six months, we want to reach at least 70% of the total prison population through sharing Christ with them; proving them with our Bible Way Materials like Who is Jesus etc. These materials though need to be reprinted.

• We want to provide each student who goes through our courses with a Bible.

• We want to be visiting the prison to share Christ, carry out counseling, teaching etc at least twice every month.

• Those who are living with HIV/AIDS need special attention like diet as well as the children.

• As the Lord provides, we would also provide them with the basic needs like blankets, laundry soap, sugar, sports equipments and drugs.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support which has helped us to reach to the unreached in the prisons.

God Bless.
Joseph.

Pray that the Lord provides the funds to enter Jinja Prison. It cost only $100 per month to enter a prison of Uganda with the Bible Way materials, but the results are priceless.

On the way to Murchinson Falls Game Park the team stopped at Masindi Prison.

A former prisoner in Luzira Prison in Kampala and Bible Way student, Kenneth, moved to Masindi in the summer and began to minister to men and women there. Kenneth receives no salary or benefits for his work. It is truly a work of love, and how God has blessed! Over 150 prisoners prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior while the team was with them.

Kenneth will follow up with these men and women and enroll them into Bible Way. Pray for Kenneth and for the men and women in Masindi Prison.

These pictures were taken by the welfare officer of the prison and graciously sent to us. I hope you enjoy them.

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Bible Way Correspondance Course has made such a difference in the behavior of the prisoners that the authorities have made it a valuable part of their rehabilitation program. Thanks for your support.

Dear friends, thanks for your prayers! Kampala has returned to calmness.

Yesterday and today were very amazing days for me to witness in the Prisons. Yesterday I visited Kampala Remand Prison in Luzira and today Kasangati Prison. As a result of the riots that rocked Kampala last week that led to the death of over 20 people and the police arresting over 500 suspects, the prison facilities are full to capacity.

In June, Jimmy, Pam, Douglas and I visited the prison facility in Kasangati. On that day, about 150 inmates were all together in lock up. It was really full to capacity. Since there were not enough guards on that day, we could only speak to the women inmates numbering about 25.

Today, in Kasangati Prison where I visited, the number has almost doubled. They were 291! This could have resulted from the riots that rocked Kampala last weekend. The good news however is the fact that these men were very attentive to the gospel. You could easily see in their faces the emptiness that only God can fill through His spirit. After I shared the story of the lost son as told in Luke 15, men amounting to 35 stood up and asked the Lord into their hearts! Wow!

Please pray for these men and women that God will transform their lives and that they become useful in God’s kingdom. Pray also for their living conditions. Pray for Bible Way as we continue to take the gospel to these prisons and disciple those who pray to trust the Lord Jesus.

Hope you have a great day.

Joseph

The Masindi story is being replicated in Nakasongola Prison. Last month, August 16, Douglas and Joseph visited the Prison in Nakasongola. They shared the gospel and the vision for the Prison ministry for the area. Ninety inmates prayed to receive Christ and were immediately enrolled to begin discipleship in the first course ‘Who is Jesus?’

The Deputy Officer in Charge (O.C) of the Prison facility, Michael Ekaju, who is also a Christian, offered to facilitate the inmates study in Bible Way and to help them grow in the knowledge of God and be transformed in to responsible citizens!

This week Michael sent 68 of the 90 Bible Way books, Who is Jesus, to us! Wow, what an incredible thing that the Lord is doing! This is over 70% completion rate! More amazing is that 63 of the inmates turned in their decision cards having acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives! God continues to be at work in Kampala and Uganda as a whole.

Several copies of Book 2, Basic Bible Teachings, have been sent to Nakasongola Prison for the inmates to continue with their discipleship and life transformation.

Isn’t it worth joining God in what He is doing in the Prisons?