Pastor Peter Mutabazi (right) was killed in the blast. At left is his wife, Alice. Photo courtesy of Christ Community Church.
UGANDA BLAST INJURES UNITED METHODISTS; ONE DEATH
Six United Methodists from Pennsylvania were injured and a Ugandan pastor killed July 11 as they gathered with others to watch the World Cup final match at an Ethiopian restaurant in Kampala, Uganda.
At least 74 people were killed and 71 injured in the bombings at that restaurant and the Kyadondo Rugby Club. A Somali militia, al-Shabab, is suspected of being behind the terrorist attacks, according to news reports.
The church members were part of a 14-member team from Christ Community Church in Selinsgrove, Pa., a city bordering the Susquehanna River 50 miles north of Harrisburg. Eight of the team members already had returned home after completing work at a mission project in Uganda.
On July 12, the team reported the death of Pastor Peter Mutabazi on its website. “Please pray for his wife Alice, 5 children, Bwaise Pentecostal Church and the LifeCare School,” the posting said. “We deeply mourn this loss.”
After learning about the bombings, more than 75 church members came to the sanctuary to pray, said the Rev. Kathleen Kind, pastor of the 500-member congregation.
After learning about the bombings, more than 75 church members came to the sanctuary to pray, said the Rev. Kathleen Kind, pastor of the 500-member congregation.
Another vigil was planned at 7:30 p.m. July 12. “It will be a very informal opportunity to be in prayer,” she said.
The pastor said the news about the bombings came as a “huge shock” to the congregation, which was concerned about everyone affected there. But, she added, “we believe in a God who hears our prayers and is faithful.”
Kris Sledge (left) and Thomas Kramer lead team devotionals in June. Sledge was among those injured in the blast.Photo by Sue Heintzelman.
Kind was not certain when the six involved in the bombing would come home. “We’re honestly still waiting on confirmation on our folks being medevaced,” she explained.
Kind was not certain when the six involved in the bombing would come home. “We’re honestly still waiting on confirmation on our folks being medevaced,” she explained.
It was hoped the team members would be airlifted to a trauma center in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The most severely injured, she reported, were two youth, Kris Sledge and Emily Kerstetter, who was traveling with her grandmother, Joanne Kerstetter.
Sledge was being treated for facial burns and a deep blast wound and shrapnel to his leg. “I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running,” Sledge told The Associated Press. “I love the place here, but I’m wondering why this happened and who did this ... At this point, we’re just glad to be alive.”
Sledge was being treated for facial burns and a deep blast wound and shrapnel to his leg. “I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running,” Sledge told The Associated Press. “I love the place here, but I’m wondering why this happened and who did this ... At this point, we’re just glad to be alive.”
Emily Kerstetter also suffered a leg wound. “We’re waiting to hear what happens next with her,” Kind said.
Two other team members, Pam Kramer and her son, Thomas, had leg injuries. Lori Ssebulime, the team leader, was shaken but not seriously injured, according to the team’s website.
Ssebulime founded the Uganda mission project, Kind said, with work teams sent from the congregation every other year. The church helped support the ministry of Mutabazi and Bwaise Pentecostal Church, located in one of the biggest slums in Kampala. “They really function as a sister congregation to us,” she added.
Bwaise church started a school in 2006 and currently has 200 students. “Our vision is to educate the disadvantaged children and to disciple them for Christ to be exemplary citizens and productive leaders in their communities,” Mutabazi wrote.
Bwaise church started a school in 2006 and currently has 200 students. “Our vision is to educate the disadvantaged children and to disciple them for Christ to be exemplary citizens and productive leaders in their communities,” Mutabazi wrote.
Pastor Peter Mutabazi was killed in the blast.
The team from Christ Community Church had arrived in Uganda on June 18 to engage in evangelism and help construct a fence around the school and church property. They also spent some time in Kenya before part of the group left July 7. The remaining team members had expected to depart on July 13.
Kind expressed appreciation for the calls and assistance the church had received from others in the United Methodist Susquehanna Annual (regional) Conference, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.
“Thank God for the connection,” she said.
“Thank God for the connection,” she said.
"Our hearts and prayers go to the victims of this violent act," said Harrisburg Area Bishop Jane Allen Middleton. "We keep the members of the work team organized by Christ Community UMC in Selinsgrove in our prayers, as well as their families and the people of Uganda. May all be held in God's loving arms during this tragedy."
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service writer based in New York.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TRIP TO ZAMBIA
Volunteers Needed for Trip to ZambiaTrinity UMC of Birmingham, AL and SIFAT will be taking a construction team to Zambia October 27, 2010-November 10, 2010. They will be building a new Methodist office and SIFAT training center in Lusaka. Volunteers are needed for this trip. If you would like to go or have any questions regarding the trip, please contact Rev. Dave Barnhart dbarnhart@trinitybirmingham.com(205) 879-1737.
CAL-NEVADA TEAM TO HAITI - INFORMATION FROM PHIL BANDY
Haiti Response UMVIM TEAM
California-Nevada Conference
Traveling Sept 1-11
Team Update No. 2:
July 11, 2010
September Haiti Team:
This is team letter number 2. The first was dated July 5th
Air travel plans
By this time you should each have your ticket to Haiti. We are to all arrive in Haiti on the same flight and depart on the same flight. Your flight should include the following:
September 2nd - Ft. Lauderdale to Port Au Prince 6:50am - 7:45amAmerican Flight #807September 10th - Port Au Prince to Ft. Lauderdale 8:50am - 12:00pm American Flight 1988
Please send your detailed flight itinerary to me and to Steve Elliot so we will know what time and gate you arrive in Ft. Lauderdale. We need to coordinate getting everyone on a shuttle to the motel.
Next meeting
Our next team meeting is July 17th at the San Ramon UMC (SRVUMC) in Alamo, 9:00 to 12:00. Several people cannot make this meeting on the 17th, so we will hold a meeting on July 13th in the evening 7:00 – 9:00 at the same place for those who cannot make the 17th. That address is:
902 Danville Blvd.
Alamo, CA 94507
Agenda: Next Team Meeting
Haiti update
Collecting forms and checks
Things to bring to Haiti
Taking the online cultural sensitivity tests
Review of the project timeline
Things to bring with you to the next team meeting
Bring your $350 check payable to the California-Nevada Annual Conference, note this is for September Haiti UMVIM trip. (or you can mail them to me @ 21 Spring Lane, Danville, CA 94526) The final check will be collected a few weeks before we go.
Forms: (most forms here - http://cnumc.org/pages/detail/1232 )
· Bring all your forms that need a notary to the next team meeting as we plan to have a notary there.
· Complete the Cal-Nev Conference Registration or the Registration Affirmation if we have a previously notarized Conference Registration for you.
· GBGM insurance form.
· Background Check Release form and Volunteer Disclosure forms should be completed if you do not have a current one for the Conference (last 2 years). These are attached to this email.
· Safe Sanctuary certificate are also required.
· Bring photo copy of front page (photo page) of your passport.
Philip Bandy
Director of Volunteers in Mission
California-Nevada Conference
United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 980250
1276 Halyard Drive, West Sacramento CA. 95691
Office: (916) 374-1582
Mobile: (925) 808-8138
Fax: (916) 372-5544
www.cnumcvim.org
Director of Volunteers in Mission
California-Nevada Conference
United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 980250
1276 Halyard Drive, West Sacramento CA. 95691
Office: (916) 374-1582
Mobile: (925) 808-8138
Fax: (916) 372-5544
www.cnumcvim.org
