It’s Safe to Come — Kefa Sempangi
The mustard seed for the planting and growth of WHM began in 1975 when a Ugandan pastor fled the persecution of Idi Amin, came to study at Westminster Theological Seminary, and began worshiping at New Life Church. Four years later, when Amin was driven from power, our friend Kefa Sempangi returned home to help Uganda rebuild. He wanted to preach the Word and gather God’s people for worship after hiding for years from Amin’s brutality.
Kefa kept calling my husband saying, “You must come to Uganda and help establish a church like New Life Church. You must bring young men to help with the orphans who have lost families these last ten years.” Kefa kept saying, “You must come, but it still is not safe.” Finally in November of 1979 he said, “It is safe. COME.”
Jack told me later, “I cried for two weeks because I really didn’t want to go.” He was mostly afraid of getting sick. I didn’t want to go either. I thought I might die there. Well, we did go, and we both got sick, but we didn’t die! Overall, we were certainly a picture of “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6)! Four young men joined us, including our son-in-law Bob Heppe.
Preaching went on daily in the marketplace, orphans became Christians, a church was planted, and leaders were trained. After three months we returned home, but Jack couldn’t wait to return. To my surprise, I felt the same way. The mustard seed was sprouting.
Our trips continued and several young men stayed for longer periods, working with orphans, establishing businesses, and working with churches. Soon other U.S. churches were interested in going to Uganda. It became evident that the work was becoming too big for New Life Church to administer alone. In a story too long to tell here, WHM was born in 1983.
Miller, Rose Marie . NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD (Kindle Locations 3017-3047). New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.