This article was originally published in the November 2019 edition of ITMI Monthly.
Every time we tell our story (our testimony) we give honor and glory to God, and He is pleased with that.
Your story - my story - regardless of how “spectacular” or “ordinary” we think it is - is a story about God’s character. It is our eyewitness account of how God rescued us from sin and death through Christ, and changed our life as a result.
When we share our story with others we help them get to know what God is like and what He can do.
Allow me to share with you a testimony from Muhindo Kawede, our partner in Uganda. I hope you can read between the lines and experience some of the challenges he had and the unfairness directed at him by church leaders in the Congo when he “spoke the truth in love” to them.
ITMI's Muhindo Kawede with an ISM student.
I gave my life to Jesus in 1977 in Democratic Republic of Congo. The Lord led me to start preaching on the streets, market places, and to my family. In 1979, my local Baptist Church hired me as a youth without money and transportation. I had to struggle to look for a bicycle to supervise village Baptist churches on my own cost. I accomplished that mission because of love and zeal to fulfill God’s great commission. Neither salary nor transport [did] I received from my local Baptist church.
I was elected as a youth pastor, evangelist and a board member in partnership of German partner with our [Congo] Baptist churches. Money sent for ministry and development was put into [local Congolese] leaders pockets. Then I raised an alarm as a board member between Sarbruken Germany and Baptist churches. As a consequences, all my ministry rights of vehicle, scholarship for Bible schooling was stopped. I remember, the youth of Germany invited me to represent the Baptist church, but the top Reverend Pastor denied me the Germany church visa and air ticket and the pastor son was chosen on my behalf to travel to Germany [for] a full month.
My Baptist church denied scholarship to me and transportation when I was in Kenya for [education for] 10 years. I looked after my family and school fees by working on campus 70 hours per week. The same at Master[s] level.
My adventure into missionary journey has not been easy from Congo to Uganda from 2000 up to now. Lack of transportation made me failed to preach and equip leaders in various parts of Uganda. I failed to visit Alumni of ISM because of lack of transport. Lack of transport has separated me from the people who need my help, counseling and preaching and the Portable Bible school.
I, therefore write to Charlotte and Mike to thank them form the bottom of my heart that this vehicle will enable me to take the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to prison[s], to the poor, the rich in Parliament. The car will facilitate [me] to preach [in] both ISM church and prison.
This car will increase 10 times what I failed to accomplish in ministry [for] 42 years ago. Mike and Charlotte, you have empowered me in the mission field. I have a debt to God and to you to see Africa transformed with the love of Jesus. May God bless the work of your hands all over the world. Amen.
-Kawede
Can you feel the gratitude in his words? Can you visualize what this gift has done for his heart and belief in God’s provision?
If you would like to help us get Kawede this vehicle, there is still $5000 needed to get a good used vehicle that can stand up to the many unpaved village and bush roads.
I also feel led to help him with some funds to deal with the recurring maintenance issues of driving a vehicle to reach places that desperately need Jesus. Kawede thanks you in advance for your prayers for strength to carry on faithfully and for your help in empowering him to do more ministry.
Blessings,
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.