The students and pastors in Uganda are engaging with over 15,000 books in the Uganda Bible College Library. The library has theology books, commentaries, and children’s materials. There are no other libraries for several hundred miles, and there may not be any in Uganda that have the resources available at the UBC Library.
White Fields has been hosting English classes for our adult church leaders, so even the faithful servants who did not finish formal education when they were children will learn to use the library. The churches grow stronger in defending the faith as we improve the education of our church leaders.
Dr. Fazio Counsels a Student
Training in Exegetical Research
This past month, Dr. James Fazio, Dean of Bible and Theology at Southern California Seminary, traveled with me and hosted a week-long training session in Research Methodology. The leaders proficient in English searched keywords, learning how to study Scripture in depth. They searched the library, finding the tools to help them study the Book of Romans. Each student chose a passage and studied it exegetically, examining the text and usage of the principal words.
After their study, each student presented a report on their findings. This compelling example illustrates how thorough the study of God’s Word can be when equipped with the right tools.
Graceland Elementary Students Use the Library
Additionally, all 350 Graceland Elementary School students use the library. Each class has a time to visit the library and work closely with our Librarian. What is really exciting is that the next generation of pastors and church leaders will have a thorough education in English. They will also grow up using the library. Education and searching for knowledge will be habitual for these students.
We are dedicated to enhancing our library’s resources, particularly to support our vocational training students. The library has become a significant beacon for our community, inviting many to seek valuable information. This fosters a learning culture and empowers our pastors to share their wisdom and assist those in need.
The acquisitions will include electrical circuitry, plumbing techniques, engineering and masonry skills, woodworking, sewing, and clothing design. These subjects are being taught at our Skills Unlimited vocational school.
More Exciting News: Distributing Bibles and Enhancing the Next Generation
Thanks to the generous donations of our partners, we have been distributing over 1,000 Rukiga-language Bibles to the villages’ churches. This past month, I was privileged to distribute 200 English-language Bibles to our Graceland School students.
As I began sharing in each class, I asked the students, “Have you ever owned a Bible?” No students raised a hand in any of the classes because none had ever owned a Bible. Imagine with me the impact of these children growing up now with their very own Bible.
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8
For the first time in their lives, students can engage with the Bible day and night, truly making it a part of their daily journey. The Bibles will not sit idle on a shelf in the classroom; instead, students will take them home, read them under the stars at night, and embrace them whenever inspiration strikes. The following morning, I encountered eager parents who shared the joyous news: their children returned home excitedly and immediately dove into the Bible alongside them.
The students were encouraged to write their names in the front of their Bibles. These belong to them.
