February 6th, 2010
Word in Deed ministries steps out of Africa and into the heart of India to partner with long-standing ministry, New Way for the Needy, in reaching out to leprosy-afflicted individuals who are ostracized by their families and communities.  Visit our Ministry/India page to see New Way in action!
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Word in Deed steps out of Africa and into the heart of India…
December 29th, 2009
Megan and Covenant students
|  What did I picture when I heard the word Africa? Before this summer, the answer would have been simple: poverty and death. I did not see past what I saw on the television—I was too selfish to care. I suppose I would call it an American oblivion to anybody but myself. So, I think it came as a shock to both me and my aunt Kristen when, after a year of discussing the possibility of going to Uganda, we were on a plane headed there for a month.We were both completely amazed by the country itself and how different it was. However, we were both more amazed by the generosity and warmth in every beating heart there. People who are considered to have so little would still give their all to make us happy.Kristen and I were going to be working in Covenant Junior School in Kampala. The first day there, we fell in love with the kids. They were so eager for a smile or to be able to touch us. We were just as fascinated with them and how they lived and learned.So, what could we teach these kids? Well, Kristen brought a phonics program (donated by the publisher) to help the kids learn to read. We spent our days teaching the kids from Top Class, P1, and P2 (kindergarten, first and second grade) this program and teaching the kids in P3 and P4 (third and fourth grades) other useful things. It was incredible to see how much the kids liked reading, and how good at it they were when given the chance. However, they are rarely given the opportunity, considering they have very few supplies and almost no books. On the bright side, the teachers continue using the reading program to help the students learn new words and sounds. Now that we have returned home, I believe we would both do anything to see this school prosper.Ironically, we came to teach in Uganda, but were the ones learning life lessons that we will never forget.
From Megan Getz, high school student and WID summer team member |
Posted in Kampala, Uganda | Comments Off on “We were the ones learning life lessons we will never forget.”
December 18th, 2009
OUR STORY
James 1 is the chapter to live by in our families house. It reminds us of our high position as children of God, but also to be careful of our pride as we are to be reminded of our lowly positions as servants of the Most High. Not one of us is great enough to enter the kingdom of God without his grace bestowed upon us.
As Kim and tried to follow the commands of James at the end of this chapter, where he talks about serving the widows and children of this world, we set off to Africa for our first trip ever outside the country. What we expected to give out of this trip we more than doubled in our reception. What little we were able to do to help the needy of this world, yet what wonderful gifts of smiles, friendships and a better perspective of the world we received.
Kim found that it was amazing that people with so little, were yet so happy. They gave us anything and everything they had.  how selfish we are in the comfort of our rich nation that we so often don’t share when we have much. Bu these people were like the widow with only a half pence, giving everything they had with a heart of joy. I beleive Kim has made a lifelong friendship with one of translators and guides there in Uganda and will look forward to seeing her again and keeps in touch via email.
For me the language was something I loved. Trying to speak in a different way, I wanted them to know I cared for them. I would rather conform to their life, than they to mine. Mark, one of the little boys there who helped me so much with my language as he laughed at my pronunciation of his tribes tongue, stole my heart. He is a Philadelphia Phillies fan and reminded me so much of my own son. I left with him my Phillies hat and money for a pair of new shoes, as the sneakers he wore were pink but also falling apart. I hear he showed up to church a few weeks ago with his new shoes.
After returning Kim and I joined the board of Word inDeed as we saw that the needs of the people there are great and what little difference we could make, might go a long way. Whatever God has in store for us in the future with Word inDeed we will be willing to follow. Uganda is a place that I know I will be revisiting and hope to take many more over with me the next time I return.
From Pete Lytle, WID board member and nurse serving on fall 2009 medical mission trip to Ntenjeru
Posted in Uganda | Comments Off on “What we expected to give out of this trip we more than doubled in our reception.”
December 18th, 2009
photo taken by youth team member at orphanage visit
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 11:35am
Uganda
HELLO EVERYONE! right now i am in uganda… halfway across the world from you. in an internet cafe : ) i have to say the past few days have been the most amazing days of my life. when i stepped off the plane in uganda i felt something amazing. i can’t explain what it was but when i first stepped onto the ground i almost started to cry… i am finally here… it was as if i was finally home. each day i have been here we wake up to the beautiful noise of roosters and cows and birds and eat a wonderful breakfast prepared especially without nuts ; ) then we take a bus to a village or an orphanage or so on. then we spend the day doing whatever we are called to do. i have fallen in love already with this country and it will be hard to leave.. besides the fact that i will see all of you. i also love that they are sooo relaxed. so unlike america. i wish i could describe how i feel but its hard. all i can say is i feel inspired. i hope to see you all soon. ( : i miss you muzungus (white people). weballe nyo (thank you very much) for all your support. i love you guys.Inflatable Kiosk Tent cheap
Posted in Uganda | Comments Off on “right now I am in Uganda…halfway across the world from you…”
April 7th, 2009
Mpunge children, happy to see WID team
We arrived at the Mpunge district, northeast of Kampala, where 75% of the community is HIV positive. When I arrived, the village chief, a tall and large women, came running to me and lifted me off of the ground!She took me and my colleague, Dave Goneau, into her hut for a local meal and then took us to greet the crowds of people. We had 200 mosquito nets and the gospel to share with 3,000 plus people. How do I decide which of the 3,000 get nets and which need to continue being exposed to malaria? They pressed against me so hard I couldn’t see my feet. Others handed me slips from the doctor showing they are HIV positive.
In another village, I had gone door to door on a Saturday afternoon with my daughter and some others. At each house, 5 to 10, or even 20 people indicated a desire to accept Christ. We invited them to a new church plant and well over 400 showed up that same afternoon! There, we built a church structure and a clinic, and we are in the process of building a school.
Our desire in these villages is to bring the gospel in word and deed—sharing the hope of the gospel and providing education and health care in areas that desperately lack all three.
The image of this women lifting me off the ground (Imagine!) illustrates the thirst these communities have for help.The picture of hundreds squeezing in on us made me wonder, ‘Are we doing nothing for this population?’ How can the love of Christ be in us and we do nothing for this massive community that is led by 15-year-old kids who each look after three or four other kids who have lost both Mom and Dad to HIV Aids?
Seeing the smiles of hundreds accept Christ and seeing the hope that comes into the life of the village community when a simple clinic is built—this is the light that Word In Deed is attempting to bring. To bring hope to communities in the name of Jesus.
Steve DeMoss, Director of Ministries WID
Posted in Uganda | Comments Off on A Glimpse of the Mpunge District of Kampala
August 12th, 2008
Kefa Sempangi is the pastor of Ntenjeru Community Church
New Boo
2009 has started with teams visiting our newly formed Presbytery at Ntenjeru [pron. net n jai ru]. The Ntenjeru area is a cluster of villages about 25 miles outside of Kampala. We have 10 church centers, each having 300-450 converts. In early March we had a very successful outreach at Kisoga and another at Mpunge. After one service 50 people said they are willing to go to seminary.
I would like to start a Bible learning center to train pastors before they go for theological education, and we still need $800 to finish a house which will accommodate 10 Bible students. I will be traveling in the USA in August to promote my book, Out of the Dust. We will use the proceeds to support muchwork in our presbytery.inflatable water slides
Posted in Uganda | Comments Off on A Note from Kefa