Ten Sisters church members return from mission in Uganda

Mike Parker, surrounded by Ugandan officials at a new well bored during a recent missionary trip to the African nation. photo by Ed Perregaux Ten Sisters residents returned last week from a 14-day mission trip to Uganda and the group shared some of their experiences at the Sunday morning services at Sisters Community Church August 1.

"Chikaste Yesu!" was the African greeting to the congregation, which means "Praise Jesus!"

The contingent, led by Mike Parker and pastor Tim Kizziar, set out July 15 to join in a nationwide Christian-based celebration called "Arise, Uganda" and share support in the drilling of four bore-hole wells for fresh water near Kapchorwa.

Other team members included Dr. Scott and Cheri Miller, Chris and Lisa Gilbert, John Hornbeck, Ed and Cheryl Perregaux and Beth Golden.

The group shared a number of objectives in making the trip, which included being a part of supplying fresh water to people who had none, doing evangelistic work, supporting other Christian believers in their ministries, fact-finding about medical conditions and establishing long-term ties with people of the area.

Much of the focus was on the Kupsabiny people known as Internally Displaced Persons, living in internment camps that have long been without a source for fresh water.

Four wells were paid for exclusively through donations from the people of Sisters Community Church, which strengthened the bond between the Sisters community and the people of Kapchorwa, according to John Hornbeck.

He read from the book of Isaiah to illustrate the spiritual and practical purpose of the trip: "'The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them,'" he read.

Hornbeck said that the people in the camp could not quite believe that fresh water would really be provided, but after four wells were established in just two weeks they said, "These Christians are people of their word."

Beth Golden, Chris and Lisa Gilbert and Ed Perregaux worked with children at some primary schools that included work with puppets. Typically they did a greeting, a short skit, and a lesson from the Bible.

The children are learning English, but a translator was on hand to help out. While evangelist Parker spoke to adults, the children's team often would be in an area nearby teaching praise songs to the young people.

"It was eye-opening to see how little they have, but also how much joy they have," said Golden, a certified elementary school teacher who worked last year at Black Butte School in Camp Sherman.

"There would be 100 kids in class and it was okay," she said. "The children loved having us as visitors. It was new and exciting for them to have us spend time with them.

"I want to go back to missions in the future," she said. "I saw a need for teachers in the orphanages and other schools, so I am open to the possibility of going back to Uganda or elsewhere."

According to Parker, Kizziar, and Hornbeck an ongoing relationship with the people of Kapchorwa is definite.

"The pastors there are hungry for training from experienced pastors so they can continue to teach and train others in leadership roles and there are other needs as well," said Hornbeck.

Another connection that has been established has opened the door for the African Children's Choir from Uganda to perform in Sisters during the Labor Day weekend.

Final details are still being worked out, but the group will perform at least once at Sisters High School auditorium.