Dear Friends,
Thank you for joining us in prayer for Yosam Manafa in Uganda.
Located in Africa’s Great Lakes region, Uganda lies just north of Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake. Of the country’s nearly 43 million people, 84% are Christians (39% Catholic, 32% Anglican, 13% other Protestant) and 14% are Muslims. Following six years of guerilla warfare, President Yoweri Museveni rose to power 1986 and has retained control ever since, with US and other Western support, despite human rights abuses. Opponents contend that the latest election in January had been rigged, calling for protests over the scores of people shot dead and hundreds more abducted by government forces.
Yosam is pursuing a PhD in Intercultural Studies through Fuller Theological Seminary. His research examines how changing demographics in Uganda’s Pentecostal and Charismatic movement affect missional theology and practice. As the movement attracts younger, more educated, and economically mobile Christians, Yosam observes an increasing missional emphasis on social justice, advocacy, and interfaith dialogue, in addition to proclamation.
Previously, Yosam led development and sustainability for Watoto Ministries, which serves vulnerable women and children in Uganda and South Sudan. Yosam and his wife Grace have two children, three-year-old Daudi and 19-month-old Siima (pictured above with Yosam).
Yosam shares the following message:
Friends,
Greetings from Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa.”
Together with my wife, Grace, and two children, Daudi and Siima, I recently returned home from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California to serve our local community, church, and country, even as I continue my PhD studies remotely.
As a country, we have just come out of a highly contested election for President, Parliament, and other political offices. The nation is still recovering from a heated political environment. Demonstrations and protests that had turned violent have led to multiple deaths, house arrests of some political actors, an internet ban for several days, and a continued ban on social media platforms. All of this has exacerbated various challenges already faced as a result of the pandemic.
Prayer Requests
My request, therefore, is that you join us in praying for our country Uganda. Please pray that the leadership will find wisdom to unite the people. Pray that those experiencing all kinds of distress, due to the elections and the virus, will find healing and restoration, and that God would indeed heal our land.
Please join my family in prayer as we continue to discern how to serve our community, church, and country. Pray that God would lead us to the right people and the right opportunities, so we can utilize our spiritual, interpersonal, and intellectual gifting fully.
Pray for complete healing from all and any side effects of COVID-19, which we recently had.
Pray also for provision and academic excellence, and the ability to fully settle in here at home, even as I continue to study and write.
Yosam Manafa