Miracle of a Bike
By Forrest C. Stith
U.S. Bishop (retired) on Special Assignment in Africa
The district superintendents of the Busia and Arua districts of Uganda complained that their territories were so large they were unable to stay in touch with their pastors and churches. Even the use of bicycles was limiting, especially in marshes, thick foliage, and forests.
One solution was the motorbike. Through the commitment of Avon United Methodist Church in the Western New York Conference, a motorbike was purchased for the Rev. James Mwoho, Busia district superintendent. Other funds enabled the Rev. Ona Eliezer, superintendent of the Arua district, to receive a motorbike.
In other places where they were usable, bicycles were provided for several local pastors.
The results have been amazing. New pastors have been recruited. New churches have been built. The morale of the clergy and churches in outlying areas has increased dramatically. This change can be attributed to the availability of the leaders to serve the areas.
No longer must churches hope to see someone from the connection only once a year. Now many leaders visit almost monthly. One wonders what it must have been like in the frontier days of the United States, when preachers on horseback kept our denomination together.
The motorbike is the miracle in the interior of Uganda. With its coming, scriptural holiness is being spread throughout the land. |
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