Worth It

What could make it worthwhile for a family of five to hazard potentially dangerous driving conditions for nearly six hours to speak for ten minutes and shake some hands?

THIS:

What is taking this man's undivided attention from the heat of the day, the discomfort of squatting on the ground in a suit, and a loud speaker two feet away blasting in his ear? THIS:

Let me tell you what's going on here. On Wednesday, we donned our best and traveled up to the town of Nakasongola to attend an event honoring the anniversary of the Ruuli king's coronation along with thousands of other people. We were fortunate to travel in our car; many traveled by public transport, bicycle, or on foot.

Before the king arrived, the local church was given the opportunity to present the newly published Gospel of Luke in the Ruuli language to the crowd (the reason we attended). These blue books are what the man is reading above. It has taken years of labor for these three men to translate the first book of the Bible into their language.

They haven't worked alone though; they have been joined in their efforts by people from around the world who have supported them: linguists, orthography experts, translation consultants, administrators, financiers, and prayer warriors.

After sections of Luke had been read in Ruruuli, Dusty, as the director of our language programs in Uganda, was asked to speak for ten minutes, introducing the book of Luke, and encouraging the crowds to welcome it into their community and lives.

He spoke passionately and enthusiastically as one of the translators interpreted into Ruuli.

It was greatly encouraging to see people in the crowd, like this woman in blue, who were listening with great attention to Dusty and to the reading of the Word for the first time in their language.

Was it worth the drive, the heat, the effort, and the years of labor? Definitely! After ten years of living and working in East Africa, this was our very first time to be able to attend such an event - to actually get to watch people as they heard God speaking to them from His Word in their very own language!

As we drove away, we tried to figure out how many people were there. We estimated 4,000. Hearing that I jokingly said, "I guess we should have brought some fish and loaves," but even as I said it I realized that God had fed those 4,000 with His Word in their mother-tongue. Those 4,000 people and all the Ruruuli people who did not attend now have the opportunity to understand the true Christmas story of the Lord's birth for the first time this year:

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (from Luke 2:10,11)

Imagine hearing THAT for the first time in YOUR language!
Praising God with you in Uganda,
Kim