As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10 KJV
On Piotr Zaremba’s recent trip to visit the Polish residents of Chicago and New York City, he noticed something interesting.
More than once, he heard people muse out loud, “…it really says that…that’s what that meant?” Many more flashed facial expressions that seemed to be communicating a similar sentiment.
These responses came as he carefully explained the Scripture from the culturally sensitive and foundational truth of the original Bible languages.
Piotr will go to any people, any denomination, any city or country to share his twenty-plus-year love for God’s Word.
His love is for God’s truth found in the richness of the original Bible languages. He combines this love of Biblical text with intense research of the ancient culture and common knowledge that the original authors would have operated in.
This unique insight has been learned, honed and tested under his many years with ITMI as he obeyed God’s mission to “translate the Bible for revival” for his beloved, but spiritually dark country.
Piotr’s working knowledge and daily submersion into the ancient Biblical world and the texts closest to the original authorship has changed Piotr in a wonderful and special way.
Piotr doesn’t see like we see. He has spent far too much time back in the date and place of ancient Biblical texts and culture. Piotr’s theology has not changed from his conservative, fundamental, evangelistic foundation.
What has grown is his love for Scripture and his understanding of Biblical truths and how they were communicated to God’s people at their inception.
Similarly, our partner in Uganda, Muhindo Kawede, founded the International School of Missions and with the Lord’s help, grew this small school on the blood, sweat and tears fueled by his own passion for the truths revealed about God in His Word.
The International School of Missions campus, outside Kampala not far from Lake Victoria.
Muhindo has been, and continues to be challenged with the failing health of his wife within the African medical system.
The logistical challenges of transportation in Africa via taxi, taxi van, outboard motor-driven long boat, and on a Boda-boda (local Uganda motorbike taxi), to daily reach the school or any other ministry site loom formidably over everything he does as well.
Kawede waits for the public transportation boat to return him to the Kampala side of this leg of Lake Victoria at the end of a day at the International School of Missions.
In the midst of these intense challenges, Kawede wants to teach and disciple a whole new people group that are more or less forgotten and excluded…prisoners. He wants to bring the Bible school to the prisoners via his “Portable Bible School” program.
Some inmates will never see the light outside the prison walls. Other will, at some point, be released and returned to society. Kawede desires that they all hear about the new hope and new life they can have in Christ.
The Prison Commissioner is very excited about the evangelistic meetings that Kawede has already held in the prison and is asking when they can start the Portable Bible School. Unfortunately, there are financial barriers for Kawede to get started.
Just like drilling water wells in the remote Zambian villages gains Johan Leach and his team of evangelists the right to share the gospel, so Kawede’s desire to teach in the prison requires provisions that will help the prisoners.
Drilling boreholes providing remote villages with clean, safe water earns Johan and his team of evangelists a place at their campfires to share the Good News.
Under the Ugandan government’s policy of minimal feeding or caring for prisoners, food and other necessities are handled by the inmate’s family or friends.
If the family is too poor or friends don’t care, the inmate must resign themselves to exert brute force to obtain food from other inmates, or a slow painful process of starving.
In this culture, if Kawede wants to help the prisoner’s spiritual need, he is expected to provide for some of the prisoner's physical needs.
These are really just simple essentials of life like some basic food, personal hygiene items and paper, a writing utensil and their own Bible.
If you want to help Kawede evangelize, disciple and love on prisoners in Uganda, know that he is willing and ready to go into these prisons and teach God’s truth.
In His Service,
About the Author
Steve Evers has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics, (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI's Director, Steve served on the Board of Directors for 4 years. Steve lives in Arizona with his wife, Darlene.
