WORK MUST CONTINUE*
*motto on the Kampala City Council parking tickets
Greetings from Masindi, where we all drive mustle-bound cars, walk carefully around buildings to
avoid falling debrises, and have tents, chairs and baskets for hireling. The extent of the English
language never ceases to amaze me, even after six years in Uganda, come September this year.
Third Class of Graduates from Phili’s Mothers Union Tailoring School
It’s hard to believe that we have been in Masindi long enough for Phili to train three groups of girls
in tailoring. One of the former students, who has a successful business nearby, came back to
address the graduates, and was a real source of inspiration to them.
There is always work for a good tailor, even though the employment statistics in Uganda are
gloomy. 400,000 join the labor force every year, but only 18,000 new jobs are created. For every
job, there are 20 applicants. Eight out of every ten Ugandans aged 15 to 24 is unemployed. And
so it goes.
Philista’s girls are not waiting for someone to create a job for them. They are getting the training,
and then employing themselves gainfully. Is this not a simple, yet highly effective form of ministry,
especially when it is combined with daily devotions before instruction begins?
Diocesan Synod and Constitution
The Synod met in April, and adopted the new constitution which I drafted last summer, and was then
approved at Provincial Assembly in August. I reviewed key areas with Synod members, and then
elections were held for a new Diocesan Council, Staff Board, Finance Board, and other boards and
committees. It was rather exciting to see this diocese begin to take a new direction, and the
atmosphere of the meeting was very positive. Of all the things we have tried to do in this diocese, I
think that putting the Diocesan Constitution in place may have the most long term impact for good.
Diocesan Training Center
The work continues on the main building for the DTC, although price inflation is slowing down the
progress quite a bit. I hope to complete the structural changes by the end of June, and then putting
the roof back on in July. After that, we will turn inside to the plumbing, electrical, and doors and
windows.
All five acres have been planted in maize seed, under a contract I landed from Victoria Seeds of
Uganda. The local reps for Victoria saw the upper field after it had been harrowed , and
approached us about doing work for them. (We have the only harrow in Masindi District, so it has
generated a lot of excitement). If the season holds, we shall get a good return, which can be used
either for construction purposes, or else to have some capital to run the school, when it opens
again.
The Bishop has asked me to train deacons and priests at the school, as well as the catechists. We
anticipate having twelve vacant parishes by the end of this year (out of 32), and even more next
year, as the older clergy retire. Our plan is to train some catechists towards ordination, while they
serve in parishes under supervision. It is a hard way to train, but not impossible. We will initially
offer a Certificate in Theology, then add the Diploma. The syllabus will be one based upon the
requirements of the Province of Uganda. It is a big undertaking, but also a great opportunity to
raise up a future generation of leaders for the Church.
The Tractor
The first season is almost to harvest time, but the tractor has barely paused. One of the
pentecostal pastors in Kampala has purchased a 600 acre piece of land in our diocesan area, and
is clearing it for growing crops to feed street children and other needy people in the city. We are
plowing the whole farm for him in stages, as the land is cleared. So far, we have only plowed 30
acres, so there is a lot of work left to do. This project alone could keep Yasoni, the tractor driver,
busy for several weeks before the second season starts in August. There are also some farmers’
associations that have approached us for plowing. We use the income from the rentals to plow for
the churches either for free or for a substantially reduced rate, depending upon the price of diesel
and other costs.
Land East of Masindi
Phili and I were offered the chance to buy a beautiful piece of land east of Masindi about 15
minutes drive. It is close to the lake that supplies the water to Masindi town, and has never been
cultivated. After all the planting, plowing, distributing of seeds and advising that we have done over
the last three years, we decided to try something for ourselves. Victoria Seeds wants us to take a
contract for them, and this will depend upon how much land we can clear before the next season.
We hope to clear at least half, which would give us around 50 acres for cultivation.
Masindi is considered to be the breadbasket for Uganda, and the soils and rainfall are ideal for
farming. If you would like to come and “play farmer” in some way, you are welcome. We will supply
gumboots, farmer coveralls (designed by Phili), and a hoe for your personal use. You can even
have a ride on the tractor.
Agricultural Projects
While I am still compiling the information (this is an oral society, and records are weak), it appears
that we have plowed for 30 churches or church related organizations this season, thanks to the
new tractor. We have also plowed for some of our church schools, which helps the agriculture
teachers and their students. If I am able to get decent reports from each of these projects, then it
will be possible to have a good idea of the relative successes and failures, and to improve for
following seasons. If the church leaders will put their minds to these projects and organize their
Christians well, then the income will be increased and the church can develop itself physically and
engage in its ministries of charity.
Let me conclude with some thoughts by Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan winner of the Nobel Prize, in
her book The Challenge for Africa:
For decades, the African elites have ignored agriculture because of an attitude that working the
land is only for the uneducated. Even those with agricultural degrees in Africa generally prefer to
work in an office in a capital city rather than provide agricultural extension services to farmers.
Contrast this with the work that land-grant universities in the U.S. have undertaken for almost 150
years. They helped to professionalize farming, supporting those with land who wanted to farm but
didn’t have the knowledge to do so, and educated the waves of immigrants who came to the U.S.
possessing only rudimentary farming techniques. (235)
Let us pray that our little efforts to develop the local churches and schools, and help the small
farmers here will alleviate some of the grinding poverty that our Christians face daily. Please
continue to pray for our work, and we will do the same for you. Let the work continue!
PS Please don’t forget to check the website, father-jim.org for articles that I attach from time to
time. Most of them relate to development issues, but they all have some local interest also. Your
comments would be most welcome. We enjoy hearing from you!
*motto on the Kampala City Council parking tickets
Greetings from Masindi, where we all drive mustle-bound cars, walk carefully around buildings to
avoid falling debrises, and have tents, chairs and baskets for hireling. The extent of the English
language never ceases to amaze me, even after six years in Uganda, come September this year.
Third Class of Graduates from Phili’s Mothers Union Tailoring School
It’s hard to believe that we have been in Masindi long enough for Phili to train three groups of girls
in tailoring. One of the former students, who has a successful business nearby, came back to
address the graduates, and was a real source of inspiration to them.
There is always work for a good tailor, even though the employment statistics in Uganda are
gloomy. 400,000 join the labor force every year, but only 18,000 new jobs are created. For every
job, there are 20 applicants. Eight out of every ten Ugandans aged 15 to 24 is unemployed. And
so it goes.
Philista’s girls are not waiting for someone to create a job for them. They are getting the training,
and then employing themselves gainfully. Is this not a simple, yet highly effective form of ministry,
especially when it is combined with daily devotions before instruction begins?
Diocesan Synod and Constitution
The Synod met in April, and adopted the new constitution which I drafted last summer, and was then
approved at Provincial Assembly in August. I reviewed key areas with Synod members, and then
elections were held for a new Diocesan Council, Staff Board, Finance Board, and other boards and
committees. It was rather exciting to see this diocese begin to take a new direction, and the
atmosphere of the meeting was very positive. Of all the things we have tried to do in this diocese, I
think that putting the Diocesan Constitution in place may have the most long term impact for good.
Diocesan Training Center
The work continues on the main building for the DTC, although price inflation is slowing down the
progress quite a bit. I hope to complete the structural changes by the end of June, and then putting
the roof back on in July. After that, we will turn inside to the plumbing, electrical, and doors and
windows.
All five acres have been planted in maize seed, under a contract I landed from Victoria Seeds of
Uganda. The local reps for Victoria saw the upper field after it had been harrowed , and
approached us about doing work for them. (We have the only harrow in Masindi District, so it has
generated a lot of excitement). If the season holds, we shall get a good return, which can be used
either for construction purposes, or else to have some capital to run the school, when it opens
again.
The Bishop has asked me to train deacons and priests at the school, as well as the catechists. We
anticipate having twelve vacant parishes by the end of this year (out of 32), and even more next
year, as the older clergy retire. Our plan is to train some catechists towards ordination, while they
serve in parishes under supervision. It is a hard way to train, but not impossible. We will initially
offer a Certificate in Theology, then add the Diploma. The syllabus will be one based upon the
requirements of the Province of Uganda. It is a big undertaking, but also a great opportunity to
raise up a future generation of leaders for the Church.
The Tractor
The first season is almost to harvest time, but the tractor has barely paused. One of the
pentecostal pastors in Kampala has purchased a 600 acre piece of land in our diocesan area, and
is clearing it for growing crops to feed street children and other needy people in the city. We are
plowing the whole farm for him in stages, as the land is cleared. So far, we have only plowed 30
acres, so there is a lot of work left to do. This project alone could keep Yasoni, the tractor driver,
busy for several weeks before the second season starts in August. There are also some farmers’
associations that have approached us for plowing. We use the income from the rentals to plow for
the churches either for free or for a substantially reduced rate, depending upon the price of diesel
and other costs.
Land East of Masindi
Phili and I were offered the chance to buy a beautiful piece of land east of Masindi about 15
minutes drive. It is close to the lake that supplies the water to Masindi town, and has never been
cultivated. After all the planting, plowing, distributing of seeds and advising that we have done over
the last three years, we decided to try something for ourselves. Victoria Seeds wants us to take a
contract for them, and this will depend upon how much land we can clear before the next season.
We hope to clear at least half, which would give us around 50 acres for cultivation.
Masindi is considered to be the breadbasket for Uganda, and the soils and rainfall are ideal for
farming. If you would like to come and “play farmer” in some way, you are welcome. We will supply
gumboots, farmer coveralls (designed by Phili), and a hoe for your personal use. You can even
have a ride on the tractor.
Agricultural Projects
While I am still compiling the information (this is an oral society, and records are weak), it appears
that we have plowed for 30 churches or church related organizations this season, thanks to the
new tractor. We have also plowed for some of our church schools, which helps the agriculture
teachers and their students. If I am able to get decent reports from each of these projects, then it
will be possible to have a good idea of the relative successes and failures, and to improve for
following seasons. If the church leaders will put their minds to these projects and organize their
Christians well, then the income will be increased and the church can develop itself physically and
engage in its ministries of charity.
Let me conclude with some thoughts by Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan winner of the Nobel Prize, in
her book The Challenge for Africa:
For decades, the African elites have ignored agriculture because of an attitude that working the
land is only for the uneducated. Even those with agricultural degrees in Africa generally prefer to
work in an office in a capital city rather than provide agricultural extension services to farmers.
Contrast this with the work that land-grant universities in the U.S. have undertaken for almost 150
years. They helped to professionalize farming, supporting those with land who wanted to farm but
didn’t have the knowledge to do so, and educated the waves of immigrants who came to the U.S.
possessing only rudimentary farming techniques. (235)
Let us pray that our little efforts to develop the local churches and schools, and help the small
farmers here will alleviate some of the grinding poverty that our Christians face daily. Please
continue to pray for our work, and we will do the same for you. Let the work continue!
PS Please don’t forget to check the website, father-jim.org for articles that I attach from time to
time. Most of them relate to development issues, but they all have some local interest also. Your
comments would be most welcome. We enjoy hearing from you!
June 2009
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