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1993 Indian Christians Visit Derbyshire 1993 Welcome to the Rev Charity E Nyagawa - from Tanzania -EFAC Burser 1993 The Rev Charity E Nyagawa - from Tanzania -My stay at St Thomas' 1994 Steve Chalke - Who is this man? 1994 Welcome to Gerald and Jan Beckett 1994 Farewell to Gerald and Jan Beckett 1995 E.F.A.C. Bursar Rev. Musa Elgadi 1996 About Edison Muhindo -one of our EFAC Bursars 1996 Welcome to Edison Muhindo 1998 News of Edison Muhindo 1999 Edison Muhindo Indian Christians Visit Derbyshire (December 1993 edition of the Church Magazine) Nine young Indians - as part of the Church Missionary Society's Youth Exchange programme - spent three weeks in Derbyshire in September. They stayed with families. The whole group was in Doveridge and Littleover before dividing to stay in Belper and Chesterfield. Reena, Mary, Jacob, Sam and Deepak quickly made themselves at home at St Thomas. They enjoyed meeting people, visiting schools and sharing in services during their short stay with us in September. They returned safely to India shortly before the tragic earthquake. Jacob Kunnath from Kerala, who came to Chesterfield, has written: We came with almost an equal balance of fears and expectations. Experiences were varied from learning how to use different types of showers without being burnt or frozen to taking part in a parish visitation programme. We found a country where people are so free, frank and open, ready to give and accept love. Even the clergy never placed themselves above others. It was lovely to see them mixing with the congregation, cracking jokes (and being the butt of them too!) Wherever we went, we found people almost apologetic about the youngsters. But we find them exciting - frank and confident. We sense that many are seeking God's truth. Those who have found the answer are so enthusiastic in spreading the good news. They have realised that following God is not to shut themselves up in some dark, stone-walled church, bound by now lifeless traditions and customs. For some it was all shouting, singing, clapping and rejoicing. That's life Keep it up! We wish we could convey to our hosts our deepest feelings. We never felt any homesickness. We called you "Uncles" and "Aunts" but in our hearts we call you "Dads" and "Mums". England is the place from which the torch of the Gospel was taken to various parts of our land. Our visit reminded us of the work of the missionaries and we pay homage to them. We are happy that England still values its ties with the Indian churches. We assure that the work you started in us will go forward. We will pray for you, pray for us, pray for India Jacob Kunnath Welcome to the Rev Charity E Nyagawa - from Tanzania -EFAC Burser (December 1993 edition of the Church Magazine) Who is he? What is an E.F.A.C Bursar? No doubt many other questions come to mind and I will try to answer some of them. Who is he? Charity Nyagawa comes from Tanzania. He was ordained deacon in 1989 and priest in September 1990. He then married Sarah in December 1990. He is now 32. What is an E.F.A.C Bursar? E.F.A.C stands for the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion. A bursar is an ordained minister from Africa, Asia or South America who is selected by their bishop to send for further training in Britain. The money comes from parishes, who also offer hospitality during the college holidays. St Thomas' World Mission Committee suggested the church gave to the E.F.A.C. bursary scheme, so now we welcome Charity for the Christmas vacation. What is Charity doing now? He is in the second year of a three year degree course in Theology and Pastoral Studies at Oak Hill College in North London. He was able to go home both last Christmas and in the summer, so this will be his first Christmas in Britain. He went to Skegness for Spring Harvest and has visited a parish near Reading. What has he done before? Charity grew up in Christian family and went to a Lutheran church. He joined the Christian Union during his last few years at secondary school and accepted Jesus as his personal saviour. He went for two years to a teacher training college, where he joined the Anglican Church and then had a year compulsory military service before he offered for ordination. Another two years at theological college and then he has been a curate and vicar in Iringa. What is he like? I met Charity at Oak Hill and we chatted for about an hour. He is short (5'3"), enjoys boxing and watching other sport e.g. football, snooker. He likes children and another important fact -he has a daughter Beatrice who was born on the 5th October 1991. He is coping well with English since unlike the Kenyans and Ugandans I have known, all his education so far has been in Swahili. He is looking forward to coming to Chesterfield and then you will be able to find out what he is like. Other facts Charity is due to arrive on Saturday December 18th and stay until Thursday 6th January. If you want to be involved with his visit please contact me. Sheila Pite The Rev Charity E Nyagawa - from Tanzania -My stay at St Thomas' (February 1994 edition of the Church Magazine) (Dec 18th 1993- Jan 6th 1994) Every one can accept that arriving at a certain place for the first time can be difficult, can be a culture shock for any new comers, because there is a tension of home sickness in his mind. Just imagine, he has left his family; friends, relatives and his own country and he has gone to stay with unfamiliar people, it is very difficult. That happened to me. I was very worried, but I thank God for many blessings which I received during my stay at this parish. I came here just to have parish experience and to meet with different people informally. However it is good for you, the people of this parish to learn a little about the person you are supporting and to learn something about the Church in another part of the world. During my stay in Chesterfield I have been staying with different church members and I learned a lot from that. Also I visited the countryside I enjoyed the good view of this county. Also I enjoyed singing carols in various old people's homes. Everyone has been very friendly and helpful; and they helped me to understand the way the parish works. I am sure that the experience which I got here will be helpful in my ministry back home in Tanzania, because of the way things are done, organising parish meetings, Sunday school, we do have all these but not in the same way. Therefore I would like to share with you some important issues concerning the Church in Tanzania, particularly my Diocese of Ruatia -IRINGA. The Diocese of Ruatia is an Outreach Diocese. There is a big emphasis on Evangelism. Pastors and Evangelists have continued to work in the outreach field, this brought big results - because, new congregations were opened, new parishes and sub-parishes. Most of our Christians are those who were born from Christian families but there are also some from non-Christian backgrounds as a result of Evangelism - especially in Muslim areas we need them to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal saviour. Problems: There are many problems which slow down our ability (In my parish - St Luke's Anglican Church) These are as follows
Therefore pray for my Bishop the Rt. Rev. Donald Mtetemela who is totally involved in Diocesan Evangelistic programme, let God give him more vision and courage that he may preach and teach people peacefully. I do remember your motto "live a life of love just as Christ loved us" Eph. 5:2 So I love you. Finally you can be part of us, through prayer; sure we need your prayers in facing this difficult pioneer work, we will value your prayers. The Rev. Charity E. Nyagawa Steve Chalke - Who is this man? (February 1994 edition of the Church Magazine) Ploughshare readers may well have seen Steve Chalke on GMTV recently. He became an early morning favourite in the run-up to Christmas. During 1994 he will be spearheading a project to get viewers to contribute enough money to build a hospital in India. The Rev Steve Chalke is one of the most popular speakers on religion in the media today. He is well known for his slot 'Scruples' on GMTV. His other appearances on TV include, 'Chalke Talk', his slot on ITV's 'Sunday Morning' programme. Steve is also frequently featured on radio and in the press. Steve is national director of the Oasis Trust which is involved in a range of social care, training and evangelism projects. Oasis Social Care projects attempt to alleviate some of the problems most relevant to today's society and include the Elizabeth Baxter walk-in Health Care Centre for London's homeless and 'No.3' - the Oasis hostel - which provides year long accommodation for those who would otherwise be on the streets. Oasis is also involved with 'Christmas Cracker' an initiative which has raised over two million pounds for world relief and development. They also provide training for young people each year through a variety of short and long-term courses. Steve is a frequent speaker at events and conferences both nationally and internationally. He also heads up the leadership team of Haddon Hall - a growing Baptist Church in inner London. After training for the Baptist Ministry at Spurgeon's College in South London, Steve went to work as Assistant Minister at Tonbridge Baptist Church in Kent. In 1985 the Oasis Trust was established to support his vision of a relevant and effective Christian charitable organisation. Steve is married to Cornelia, They live in South East London with their four children Emily, Darnel, Abigail and Joshua. With the Oasis Team, he will be leading Challenge Chesterfield. He is speaking at St Thomas' on Mothering Sunday, 13 March at 10.30. Make sure you can come. Welcome to Gerald and Jan Beckett (October 1994 edition of the Church Magazine) Welcome to Canon Gerald Beckett and Jan, his wife. They are from Sydney Diocese, where Gerald is Rector of the parish of Dural. Brian and Barbara Porter are on exchange with Gerald and Jan. We trust they are enjoying the experience of life and ministry in Australia. They will be back with us for Christmas. In the meantime, we expect to gain a great deal from having Gerald and Jan among us. Farewell to Gerald and Jan Beckett (December 1994 edition of the Church Magazine) It has been great to have Canon Gerald Beckett and his wife Jan with us for three months. They have fitted into things so well that it seems as though they have been here for ages. May God bless them and use them greatly as they return to Australia. E.F.A.C. Bursar Rev. Musa Elgadi (April 1995 edition of magazine) Musa will be staying in our parish for Holy Week and Easter Weekend. He is married to Samira and four children Amina, Cornilus, Ramzi and Elgadi. He sends us the following information about himself. I was born in 1960 at Karen, Ethorlatisu village, Moro tribe, Nuba mountains, South Kordfan province, Kadugli in the Sudan. My father, Elgadi Elurdi TuTu, was a pagan before he became a Moslem. I went to Tabanya primary school in 1969 led by my brother Ibrahaim; in 1972 when we came for the long vacation, at our area Karen, one day my sister Hua was reading from John 14:6 which says "Jesus answered him 'I am the way, the truth and the life, no-one goes to the Father except by me"'. When she interpreted this verse to me I was convinced that Jesus is the way leading us to heaven and I refused to follow my father who is a Moslem. Then I was baptized in June 1972 and confirmed the same day by the late bishop Shukai. In intermediate and senior secondary school I faced many problems and difficulties, from my parents and from sickness, but I thank Jesus Christ that he leads me and heals me always. I love reading the Bible very much, especially St Luke's gospel and John, so I went through all these difficulties with the aim that when I complete my education I will be a pastor and a teacher. In 1982 after sitting for the Sudan school certificate, I was praying to God to show me what I am going to do in the future. After seven days, at night I said, "My question will be answered this month." Suddenly a light form the sky flashed upon me and entered into my heart and I was trembling. Then I heard a voice saying, "You are going to serve. Go to Bishop Gwynne College" When I got up early in the morning I opened my Arabic Bible at the book of the prophet Jonah and I read it all. Then I got a new strength, power and my life thoughts were totally changed. In 1983 when I was teaching Christian education at primary school in Andulu (Karm) the letter came to go and sit the entrance examination for Bishop Gwynne College in Kadguli. I sat the examination and was accepted to study at Bishop Gwynne College, Mundri, (Juba). So after my marriage in the church on 25 March 1983 by Rev. Yagoub Idris KuKu, we went together with my wife Samara to Bishop Gwynne College for theological studies for three years. And during this period I have learned a lot, especially spirituality: and the light of Christ used to appear to me always during prayer and meditation. In 1988 I was ordained as a deacon and pastor the same year, then as a minister and teacher in the church. I have learned a lot, teaching at Shukai Bible School for three years 1990 - 1993, and also teaching Christian education at evening school. I feel that Jesus Christ leads me by his light and I feel his presence in all my situations. Rev Musa Eladi Kuku About Edison Muhindo (February 1996 edition of the Church Magazine) Bursar of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion Bursary Scheme Country: Uganda Age: 36 Family: Edison is married to Dorothy who is a nurse. They have two sons and a daughter daughter between the ages of 6 and 3 College: St John's, Nottingham Present Post: Coordinator in the Diocesan Mission and Education Department Future Prospects: Lecturer in New Testament at Bishop Tucker Theological College Testimony: Born into a Christian family, I grew up to be involved in ordinary church life. During this time, I did not quite understand what the Christian Life is really all about, despite being baptised and confirmed and regular churchgoing. In 1979 something tremendous happened in my life which began when I heard a preacher at our Easter Service. There was a need to answer God's searching voice, as he showed me my many sins, and I committed my life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. I have been involved in Scripture Union and Christian Union in School and at University (where I studied Veterinary medicine) and at college where I studied for the Bachelor of Divinity exams. My earlier work was a Field Relief officer with Oxfam, as Archdeaconry Rural Development Worker and as a curate at Kasese Cathedral. I desire to study overseas because the type of specialised training that I need is not. offered here. Commended by: Bishop Zebedee Masereka as cheerful, dependable, adaptable, administratively capable and with leadership abilities. Needs: Hospitality in a parish during the Easter vacation 1996. Welcome to Edison Muhindo (April 1996 edition of the Church Magazine) The Revd Edison Muhindo, from Uganda, is staying in our parish for three weeks over the Easter period. He will be preaching in each of our Churches. He will have plenty to teach us. During term-tine, Edison is undergoing a course of study at St John's College, Nottingham. He is married to Dorothy, a nurse and they have three young children. News of Edison Muhindo Kalengyo -one of our EFAC Bursars (August 1998 edition of the Church Magazine) Edison Muhindo Kalengyo has just returned to a major responsibility at the new Uganda Christian University, Mukono. He wrote as follows to Dr Christina Baxter, Principal of St. John's College, Nottingham, two months after his return to Uganda: "Early in the New Year, we moved over 400 miles from Kasese to Bishop Tucker College; since then I have had one month of teaching and continued learning. It is exciting and enjoyable relating to the students. I am constantly aware that St. John's College Studylink EFAC spent a lot of resources (for which I am grateful) preparing me for this particular ministry, and I am so happy to be continued prayerful support. The Province of the Church of Uganda has started a Christian University at the College Campus. It opened this academic year with three departments. The former Theological College is now the Department of Divinity and Theology (with 127 men and :women training for the ministry). In addition to my teaching responsibility, I have been appointed as Head of this Department (a task that I find too heavy! I can now understand the situation that people like Moses, Joshua and Jeremiah found themselves in when they were asked to lead God's people, and I will value special prayers for this). When His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury visits Uganda in May, he will inaugurate the University on 8th May 1998. Needless to say that I miss the Christian fellowship at St. John's College: the Chapel worship, interactions with staff and students, Corridor life not to mention the spontaneous (always inharmonious!) joyful noise three of us used to stage outside and in the Corridors! Members demonstrated great patience. But all that added to our life together. Special thanks to my M. Phil. Supervisor Dr Stephen H. Travis. My success was largely due to his commitment and patience in guiding me through my work, and many will bear witness that he is both a teacher and Pastor who serves with great humility. Share our love and greetings with everyone. My wife and I pray for you." The following churches were among those who made this possible by providing both financial support and hospitality for Edison: The South Croxton Group, Leics. St. Peter's, Shipley, St. Thomas, Brampton, Chesterfield. Edison Muhindo Kalengyo (February 1999 edition of magazine) Edison Muhindo Kalengyo is on an EFAC Bursary linked to St Thomas' Last August I stayed with Edison and Dorothy at their home on the Uganda Christian University site at Mukono, formerly known as the Bishop Tucker Theological College. It was great to share with them and their younger two children for meals and evening prayers. They have an avocado tree in their front garden and it was in fruit so I enjoyed large, juicy avocados every day. Dorothy and I cooked as I showed her how to make pastry and she made small cakes to sell and fresh pineapple jam. Their elder boy was away at boarding school which is very common for secondary education in Uganda. It was during the university holiday time so I did not meet many students but I saw Edison's office and he was busy preparing for the new term and organising a MA course in theology. He is head of the theological department and works very hard. On Sunday, we worshipped at the local church which is now the cathedral for the diocese of Mukono. At the 8 am English service there is a lively group of teenagers who lead the music. The congregation slowly arrives during the first half hour of worship music but then at the end we leave quickly to allow the 10 am local language service to start. In September Dorothy and Edison were going to join a team who visit a local prison once a month to lead services and share the good news of Jesus with the prisoners. Before my week resting with Edison and Dorothy I had spent two weeks with five other Britons and a Ugandan guide and two Ugandan chaplains on a pilot CMS Spiritual Safari. This was very interesting as we prayed and shared together and visited many different places around Kampala and in the west of Uganda. While in the west, on the borders of the Congo, (formerly Zaire) we realised a little of the difficulties of daily life with unrest in the region as rebels attacked Kasese. This is Edison's home town and he was actually there visiting his mother for two nights when the attack happened. We also met Revd Saul who had managed to escape with his wife and three young children but had lost his home and some relatives after rebels attacked their village, high up in the mountains. However for the people just' over the border in Congo the situation is much worse. In August CMS had to withdraw all their mission partners in Congo and it may be some time before any of them can return. Meanwhile, the local people have to adjust and cope with uncertainty and insecurity. Back at Mukono where Edison lives and works there is an unfinished guesthouse. The building has a roof, doors and windows but no plastering, plumbing or electrics. Over the front door is the date 1990 and it would be great if the building could be in use before ten years pass from that date. The cost of completing is about £7,000 and we thought that as a group and as a thank you to CMS and the Ugandans who helped us we would try to raise that amount. The finished guesthouse could then earn money for the new Christian University and provide accommodation for visiting lecturers. Perhaps St. Thomas' could consider supporting this as a special project in Lent. I am sure Edison and the other staff at Mukono would be very grateful. The World Mission Committee will consider Sheila's suggestion. Sheila Pite |