by Alli KennedyBenjamin House Ministries Summer 2019 Intern  After her husband, Tom, passed away in April from complications with diabetes, Rose Hambungala was left as a widow with no source of income and seven children in her care. When the members of her Parents of Sponsored Children in Ntinda group learned that they had lost a dear member of their group and community, they began to think of ways they could help Rose and her family. Though they make little to nothing, they joined together to come up with 80,000 shillings, or $22, to provide for the Hambungala family. Instead of providing a temporary solution, like food, that would run out quickly, they inquired about investing in a business that Rose could begin and continually support her family with the profits. When Rose expressed an interest in selling charcoal, the parents decided they would cover the expenses of the materials she needed if she contributed to the cost of a shop. Charcoal is used by the majority of them Ugandans for fuel, cooking, and many daily needs. Rose’s daughter generously gave her mother some of her earnings from her job to pay for space for Rose to start her business. Rose found a shop in a strategic position on a busy road with a large amount of space that will allow her to grow and scale her business as she continues to work. She purchased two bags of charcoal and within one week of opening her shop, she has already begun to make a profit. Through all of the hardship Rose has gone through as a widow and mother, she continues to trust God to give her strength. “Even when I feel down, even when I cry sometimes because things are hard, I pray as I leave home each morning that I would surrender my life to God and let His will be done,” says Rose. I want to grow my business so that I can begin to help the other parents in their times of need, just as they have helped me. Rose is hopeful about her charcoal business and now has hopes for other businesses she would like to start in order to make enough money to provide for her entire family, such as selling fish and vegetables in front of her shop.
Susan is encouraged by their response and hopes that the parents will continue in their generosity. “Their mindset has now changed from ‘we’re helpless’ to ‘how can we help.’” 
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by Prossy Nyafono Benjamin House Ministries Storyteller Celebrating five graduates from The House Church Pastoral Internship Program Pioneers of the House Church pastoral internship program at their graduation ceremony. Pictured left to right: Frank Rutta, Elijah Tumwine, Allan Tabula, Henry Sekabago, and John Sweankambo. The first ever pastoral internship program run by The House Church in Kampala, Uganda successfully ended with the graduation of five pastors on January 3, 2020. The ceremony saw the Pastors John Sewankambo, Frank Rotta, Henry Sekabago, Allan Tabula, and Elijah Tumwine awarded certificates after completing a 12 month training which equipped them with pastoral ethics, administration, leadership skills, scriptural interpretation, preaching, and teaching of the word. Pastor Bucky Rogers, founder of The House Church and one of the program's teachers, testified to the transformation he has witnessed in the trainees and said a pastor should be, "able to go to bed unashamed of what he accomplished all day" not forgetting to be the shepherds God requires them to be because, "what we do here has a purpose beyond us." Also present was Pastor Isaac Sebuwufu of Bible Truth Church Nabutaka and head of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pastors in Nangabo Sub County in Wakiso District who spoke to the graduates and emphasized a pastor’s personal relationship with Jesus, which should override knowledge because, "Jesus is the word that brings life."  Pastor John Sewankambo speaking to the graduates. Pastor John Sewankambo, who represented the interns, testifies to the fact that the training "took junk out of us" as they appreciated that the Gospel must be delivered honestly and simply with love to people with broken hearts. Pastors Dennis Karamagi, Charles Opio, Isaac Sebuwufu, and Bucky Rogers pray over the graduates and their new mission. According to Pastor Denis Karamagi, Senior Pastor of the House Church and internship teacher, the Pastoral Internship Program aims to equip pastors with tools to nurture believers to be disciples. He hopes the Program will one day be a full theological college. |
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