Kanyike Family

Matthew 19:6 “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Dear Friends and Family,

One of the fun ministries Brian and I get to do at Calvary Chapel Kampala is premarital counseling. We meet with couples from

gerald and sophies wedding

our church who are engaged and soon to be married. We take them through 12 weeks of counseling based on the book “Preparing for marriage God’s Way”. Our focus during this time is to encourage them as a couple to grow in their relationship with God as they grow in their relationship with one another, as well as addressing common issues all couples face during their courtship and marriage.

It is so exciting to see couples grow and ultimately get married, vowing before God to love one another forever. The way weddings work in Uganda is that before you have your church wedding you first have your traditional party which is called an Okwanjula or introduction. This is where the dowry is paid to the girl’s family. Culturally, after this celebration you are seen as married.

hope and zeddie civil

After this you need to get married legally and that is done before a registrar at the government office for marriages. Then after the civil wedding a couple can have their church wedding. It is like being married 3 times.

Since Brian and I have started doing premarital counseling we have seen a shift from mostly Ugandan couples to now where we mostly have cross cultural couples. Our marriage is blessing for us but it also has been a great tool in reaching out to and ministering to mixed couples in our church and from other churches. Currently we have 4 such couples we are cou

hope and zedie wedding

nseling.

I love this cross cultural counseling and being able to use our experiences to minster to others as well as answer questions unique to cross cultural relationships.

Usually we do the counseling and Pastor Kelly does the wedding. This month for the very first time Brian performed the wedding.

jess and collins

He says it was a privilege as well as a great responsibility to be the one to join them together before God.

Last month I talked about our Women’s ministry and how we were planning an outreach for single women. The outreach was amazing. We had 140+ women turn up. Some form

Jill teaching at the women's conference.

our church and some from other churches and some who were brought by their friends. Our topic was “Finding pure Love” We had 4 teachings and 2 times of discussion. During the outreach we had baskets at the back of the sanctuary where the women could drop in questions. During their lunch the teacherstook turns answering those questions to the best of our ability. I made a Purity scripture handout to give all the ladies so they could have biblical references to refer to after the event. Every women also received a book mark that had the names and contacts of all the married women involved in hosting the outreach. We encouraged them to feel free to contact us with questions and for further discipleship. Since then we have had many responses from the single women and many felt the

outreach addressed exactly what they were going through. At least 2 ladies dedicated their lives to Christ.

Women Conf Groups

Just as we were about to finish this newsletter a great tragedy occurred in our city. As the World Cup was about to come to an end terrorists detonated 3 bombs around Kampala where crowds had gathered to watch the final game. 2 of those bombs were at a Rugby club near our home (2 Kilometers).

At this time at least 84 people have died. Members from our church have lost family and friends. A good friend of ours, Ivan, who used to lead worship for Megamix was injured and his fiance and pastor (from a Pentecostal church) were killed.

Somalian terrorists have claimed responsibilities for these attacks. They have also threatened further attacks. 2 further bombs have been found since that time, one at a place where Americans gather for recreation. Praise God they were disarmed and did not explode.

While all missionaries are safe, we have met as a ministry team to discuss on how to be prepared in the event of a terrorist attack at church.

Please pray for Uganda and for the safety of the people in Kampala as well as for those who would seek to harm us.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

In Him,

Brian & Jill Kanyike

Ivan

eddie and hope introduction

“Till the whole world hears till the whole world knows, Lord send us where You would have us go, Till the lost world hears till the last one knows, The grace of God, the love that You have shown, Till the whole world hears” –Scott Cunningham

Dear Friends and Family,

Brian and Jill Kanyike

Two of Brian and I’s deepest desires are to see the lost won to Christ and for believers to grow in their relationship with Him.  This month we celebrated the one year anniversary of Calvary Chapel Bwera.  This church was planted by Joachim, a Calvary Chapel Bible College graduate.

On that note we just had a mission trip to Northwestern Uganda to help plant a church in Nebbi/Arua.  Two of our Bible College graduates, David and Vincent are originally from that area and have been ministering there since graduating last June.  A team of 7 from Calvary Chapel Kampala went to encourage them and help them to begin the church.  The team did much outreach and evangelizing during the day and showed the Jesus film during the evening. Over 500 people clearly heard the gospel and 68 gave their lives to Christ.  The team greatly encouraged them to come to church and to receive ongoing discipleship from the leaders there.

Kasese Road

Besides the church plant itself and those who gave their lives to Christ my favorite part of this mission was the testimonies of those who had went.  Neither Brian nor I can even begin to describe the joy we have from hearing how God used and blessed others through men and women of Calvary Chapel Kampala.  For us to see those we have poured into catching our vision for missions is beyond exciting!

Back at Calvary Chapel Kampala ministry has been just as eventful.   The leadership has had a conference on Effective Ministry.  This conference was designed to help us to renew our vision as a church and to pray about how we as a team can help it come to pass with the individual gifts God has given to us.

As you already know Brian and I’s deepest desires for ministry it won’t be surprising that both of us felt called to fulfilling the churches vision by being more involved in discipleship and teaching.  We want to spend more time first of all with the ministry

Discipleship Class

Effective Ministry

leaders and then with the volunteers.  We have seen what God can do when men and women are grounded in the Word and receive discipleship.  We believe this investment into those already desiring to be in ministry will result in a stronger church and in more ministries and churches being established. Along with this vision we both feel called to help more in teaching new believers and in continuing to teach at the Bible College.

2 Timothy 2:2  And the things that you have heard from  me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Brian and Joachim

Thank you for sharing with us in this vision through your faithful prayers and support.

In Him,

Brian and Jill Kanyike

Recently Brian’s tribe experienced a cultural loss.  In this newsletter we would like to share with you a bit of the history and about what happened.

Brian and his family are from a tribe called Buganda.  Buganda is one of the largest and most influential tribes in Uganda.  Kampala, the capital of Uganda is located right in the middle of Buganda territory.  Brian’s family and ancestors have a close history with the royal family. Many of the Kabakas (kings) have come from Brian’s clan, the Mmamba s. Throughout the reign of many different kings in their history the Kanyike family were the grounds keepers and palace gardeners for the Kabaka.

This was considered a very honorable position and was rewarded with much land throughout the kingdom.  The Kanyike family is very proud of their culture and their heritage.  On March 15th at approximately 8:30pm the most historical site of their tribe was burned maliciously by arsons.  The Kasubi Tombs were established in 1881 and housed the remains of 4 former Kings. The first kabaka to be buried there was Muteesa1, the 35th king of Buganda.

He was succeeded by Mwanga 2. After Mwanga 2’s death and burial Muteesa 1’s son, Daudi Chwa succeeded him in power then was buried at the tombs in 1939.  He was succeeded by his son Edward who when Uganda gained its independence from the British, became the first president. He was buried at the Tombs in 1971.The Tombs were declared a world heritage site in 2001.  Photo: Kasubi Tombs

Since that time it has drawn many tourists who are interested in Uganda’s history. Photo:

In the days following the burning of the Royal Tombs Kampala was filled with tension and riots due to uncertainty and grief.

The Buganda did not and still do not know who committed this crime.  As tensions calmed down the Buganda decreed a week of mourning.  Some very traditional people wore only bark cloth which is traditional burial clothes and closely associated with or symbolic of death.  Other Buganda’s chose to where Long white robes or all black.  Those who held jobs that required them to wear a uniform or suit wore armbands made from bark cloth to show their mourning.  Photo: The burning of the Royal Tombs Kampala

On the last day of mourning the current Kabaka, Mwenda Mutebi 2 visited the tombs to show his respects and to comfort the people of his kingdom.

Hundreds, if not thousands, came to the tombs to participate in the final day of mourning.  It turned out to be a very emotional day and even the Kabaka was moved to tears.  Traditionally this is unheard of as the Kabaka is never supposed to cry.

Please pray for the people of Brian’s tribe as they look to the future now that their past has been burned.  Pray that there would be no more violence or riots as some seek vengeance.  Pray that the police would catch who did this.  Photo: Mourners

We are very thankful for your continuous prayer and support.

In Him,
Brian and Jill Kanyike

Email: jillwiencke@gmail.com

Photo: Mourners in Bark Cloth

Dear Friends and Family,

Last semester I was approached by All Nations Theological Seminary, a Bible college ran by South Korean missionaries, and invited to teach at their school.  Many of the missionaries from their campus attend Calvary Chapel Kampala. Since February 1st , I have been teaching once a week at their campus which is located near Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria. I was requested to teach a course on women’s ministry.  I was happy to teach on this topic as ministry to women is my main ministry at Calvary Chapel Kampala.  What I came to find out a little while later was that they wanted me to teach last semester students both male and female about how to minister to women in the church.  As the students are from all over east and central Africa as well of from a variety of denominations, it has been quite a challenge and has caused me to, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

As a teacher of their Bible College we are also given the chance to share devotions with the student body and faculty.  I enjoy the time we are able to spend together both in and out of the classroom, discussing God’s word and the Christian life.  Brian finds the serenity of the campus a perfect place to seek the Lord and prepare for his classes and sermons as I teach.  The leaders have asked him if he would occasionally share the Sunday morning service for the students and local community.

At Calvary Chapel Kampala we have begun midweek home fellowships. We are calling this new ministry Calvary at Home.  Kampala is a very busy city and during the week it is almost impossible to get into the city center during rush hour.  Because of this many people cannot come to our midweek service at church. We now record the Wednesday night service and give a dvd to hosts around the suburbs of Kampala. People who live in their area can then attend and view the service without having to come into the city.  Along with the video we have included discussion questions to encourage people to talk about and apply the message.  Brian and I are overseeing the ministry.  We coordinate participants with hosts, answer questions or comments, encourage the hosts throughout the week and make sure the logistics are taken care of so the fellowships go smoothly. The fellowships have already seen fruit as an outreach ministry since people invite friends, family and coworkers who would not ordinarily come to church. We are praying that these home fellowships will cause our church body to grow stronger and closer to each other as we continue to grow larger in numbers.

Please pray for this upcoming Easter as we are hoping to start a 2nd service at our Kololo site. Pray for Calvary At Home that it will be fruitful and minister to many, Pray for Brian and I to be continually filled with the Spirit to minister as the Lord guides us.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support of us and the ministry in Uganda.

In Him,
Brian and Jill Kanyike