Welcome Ceremony

Due to the road and traffic condition, we arrived three hours late to the Welcome Ceremony held at the Muwafu Assembly of God.  The church was packed with adults and children.  Outside of the church, groups of children were playing with each other.  As we got out of the car, cheers and songs broke out.  They welcomed us to their village with hugs and tears as they remembered Don and Ruth Newville, Jim's parents, who served them here from 1994-2002.

The church was gathered with local leaders, church pastors from Catholic, Evangelical and Assembly of God churches, community leaders, villagers and children.  These leaders had worked with Don and Ruth at one point or another, and were here to welcome us and to pay tribute to late Don Newville who returned to the Lord in 2010.   This was a historical day for this community with these leaders and pastors gathering together under one roof.  Since we were late, these key leaders of the community were able to meet and share with each other of their goals and concerns.  On this day, we felt that the purpose of us for coming to Uganda to renew the relationship of the community was fulfilled.  We trust in the Lord that the Spirit of the Lord will continue to guide them and to help them build a better future.

Each of us were given an opportunity to address the audience and to give a teaching.  Following the teaching and prayer, a brief memorial service was held for Don Newville.  Jacob and others shared  how Dad had touched their lives.  Our eyes were filled with tears as each of them took turns to offer their condolences to us.  Never had we experienced this outpouring of love elsewhere.  Seeing the needs of the community and experienced the love the people, we understood why Mom and Dad answered the call to stay in Uganda for so many years.

The ceremony ended with songs of joy to celebrate the life of Don Newville and our arrival.  We rejoiced in the Lord with the villagers and the children.