Pentecostal Assemblies of God CONNECTED CHURCH Pentecostal Assemblies of God

BEACON OF HOPE Spring 2017

Have you ever had to move and start again? Notes to leader: Use this question as a way to get people engaged in the update. Ask people to talk to the person next to them, and then feedback to you.

Geoffrey Etyang spent 14 years in jail following the 1986 Civil War. When he was released, he was given no support. He and his wife had to work in low paid jobs to provide for their daughter. Geoffrey Etyang was a political prisoner. In 1986 he was sentenced to 14 years in jail for fighting against the government in the Ugandan Civil War. Now aged 67, he lives with his wife and daughter in Magoola village. As is so often the case, Geoffrey was given no support upon his release from prison. After meeting his wife they spent years building a life for themselves, working low-paid jobs to try and provide for their daughter,but it was always a struggle to make ends meet.

Geoffrey had been living at his parents home. Then 5 years ago, the government relocated his entire village to build a railway. Thankfully Geoffrey had been taking part in PEP. Geoffrey had moved back to his parent village after his release. He had started attending Osia PAG Assembly and had eventually given his life to Christ. Then, five years ago, the government announced plans to build a railway through their village. Thankfully the church began running the PEP course which Geoffrey was attending.

The community was distraught that their homes were being taken. But empowered by PEP, Geoffrey and others led negotiations to ensure they were compensated fairly for their loss. The community were distraught to find out that the government were taking their homes. Geoffrey had been taking part in PEP training at Osia PAG for a few months leading up to the government’s announcement, and knew there must be something he could do. Empowered by what he had learnt through PEP, and with support of other church members, he led negotiations with the government. These discussions led to each person being paid compensation for the loss of their homes.

Geoffrey bought some land about 3 km away Geoffrey bought some land about 3 km away. The land had a swamp which he turned into a fish pond. Four years on, Geoffrey makes a good living selling fish at a local market. Geoffrey relocated to a village about 3km away from his family home, and used his compensation money to buy 5 acres of land. The land contained a swamp which Geoffrey turned into a fish pond. Four years later and Geoffrey’s fish business is going strong. He makes a good income from selling the fish at a local market, and the family are settled into their new home.

Yet he remains courageous in the face of adversity. Geoffrey still faces challenges; thieves and wild animals have targeted his pond, trying to take the fish. Yet he remains courageous in the face of adversity. There are still challenges for Geoffrey; thieves and wild animals have targeted his pond, coming at night to take the fish. Yet he remains courageous in the face of adversity: working hard with his neighbours to build a metal fence to stop the thieves and wild animals who might try to take his fish. Please continue to pray for Geoffrey and his family. Pray that they would be a beacon in their community, empowering others to lift themselves out of poverty.

PRAYER Thank God for the work he has done in Geoffrey life Pray for Geoffrey’s business during this time of drought Praying is great

PRAYER Pray for Geoffrey and his family, that they would be a beacon in their community, empowering others to lift themselves out of poverty.