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Short-Term Programmes

Many Mission Organisations now run short-term programmes for the young and the not-so-young. Many testify to having received far more than they have given, and to an unforgettable and often life-changing experience. They return with a stronger, more vibrant faith, having been part of God's unique mission plan for the world. Here are the accounts of two of our young people who bravely ventured forth.

A Bit of Hands-On Work

William Mathers builds in more ways than one in Bolivia and Argentina.

I decided to go to South America whilst at school. The idea was to widen my horizons and do something for God. This was not far off from what I had expected. The Christian charity organisation Latin Link provided what I was looking for in their 'STEP' Short Term Experience Programme, in which I would be sent out in a group with the aim of doing a bit of hands-on work with South American Christians. In total I was to spend six months in the alien land - four months in Bolivia, comprising two projects and two months in Argentina for just the one project.

At Altitude in La Paz

The first project was based in a suburb of the capital of Bolivia, La Paz called El Alto. Here the team was to knock down the existing church called La Vid (The Vine). The next stage was to start work rebuilding a new and better-equipped church. This was all done with the aid from members of the church whose regular jobs entailed general labour. However this was not our only task. The church had big plans for us. During the two months we spent with them, we ran English classes, gave sermons, dramas and organised an evangelistic event. Along with friendships with members of the church this was the highlight of the two months. The morning event attracted many people to whom we witnessed. Unfortunately we were unable to see the fruits of the event. The church is now almost completed.

Befriending Orphans

Santa Cruz was the call of the second project. There the team spent the time in an orphanage, helping professional builders build new accommodation. We soon found out that the Lord had other ideas. Every day the men went onto the building site whilst the women redecorated the day care centre.

We also had the opportunity of making friends with the orphans. For me this soon became more important than the building. 1 made some good friends there and was able to encourage them in their walk with God.

Church Plant Has A Face-lift

However time quickly vanished and I found myself in Argentina. I met a new team in Salta in the north of Argentina. The team and myself were to spend two months with a Baptist church plastering and painting a sister church they had planted in a poor local community. The time went far too quickly for I had made some very good friends on the team.

The Purpose Behind All The Building!

I learnt many things in South America - a lot about people and most importantly about God. Since having been out there I view many issues in our society differently. My relationship with God has grown stronger. This now I can see was the ultimate reason for me going out to build.

William Mathers

Royalty In The Back Of A Pickup!

Tim Wakeling experiences Uganda with Tearfund Transform - where the people are brilliant, the church inspiring and Christianity is 'big'.

During the summer of 2002 I spent 6 weeks in Kabale, south west Uganda, visiting and working with the Tearfund partner project, the Diocese of Kigezi Water and Sanitation Programme.

Safe water to every household within 500m is the aim. At one point we found ourselves following a small boy with a 15 litre (15kg) can of water on his head as he climbed a narrow, dusty and steep path from the spring at an altitude of around 2000-2500m to the village around 500m higher, several kilometres away, in the 30° heat of the day. The climb knackered us, but he does it every day. Uganda is green and fertile with plenty of rain. Water gushes everywhere - the challenge is getting it to the people, clean.

We worked with most of a local community to lay pipes for a gravity scheme feeding 10 or more taps. We walked miles through beautiful hills to see protected sources, tanks and more taps.

We felt like royalty in the back of a pickup! Excited children jump up and down and shout "How are you how are you how are you muzungu*!" We carried out health and safety inspections on homes which had benefited from the Diocese's education programme. We acted "Zacchaeus" to, and sang "This is the Day" with, three primary schools (and sometimes they danced for us!). We did a lot of clapping!

We mixed concrete and sifted sand for the new cathedral water tank in the town. And since all this happened at a firmly African pace, we had plenty of time for culture, and even safari.

The people are brilliant. Seeing 30 dog-collared clergy clapping, dancing and jumping up and down for all their worth is something I will never forget. The Church is inspiring: they preach action and practise action, and love it!

They get a lot of respect for it too. Christianity is big in Uganda (between 65 and 80% depending on statistical source; it's also evident from being there that this is much more genuine than the 47% of UK citizens who call themselves Christians). The Gospel is spreading fast too, at a rate matched only by the decrease in the HIV/AIDS problem. Uganda has an exciting future.

Tim Wakeling

*muzungu means "white man" but is used in a generic sense!

For More Information see Tim's Uganda 2002 mini-website at http://www.timble.me.uk/uganda for the full account.