The Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation Task Force extends greetings and best wishes to you during this Lenten season. In keeping with Bishop Gray's vision for our Diocese, symbolically represented by the motto "One Church, in Mission," the BMCF Task Force is seeking to identify persons from across our Diocese interested in visiting Kasese, Uganda, in mission teams. Bishop Gray has expressed his desire to see steps taken to form a mission trip sometime during Winter/Spring 2013.
To initiate what is envisioned to be a perpetual mission relationship, and using the Honduras Mission as a model, we believe the most effective initial group of mission contributors are likely to be those in the educational and medical fields. Growing beyond the purpose of the initial pilgrimage in 2009, whose charge was "Go and See, Come and Tell," subsequent mission teams will be formed to travel to Kasese, actively contribute in the schools, medical clinics and in the construction of facilities. By doing so, we will begin to "fertilize and water" the first seeds planted in 2009; and plant more seeds.
As mission teams are formed in future years, a wider range of skill sets will be actively sought; but initially we believe these specific skills offer us the best chance of making a significant initial contribution, from which other benefits of this important inter-cultural relationship will blossom.
This letter should not be interpreted to mean that persons other than teachers and health-related professionals are not welcome to join the soon to be formed Mission Team. All are welcome. But please bear in mind that resources available to support visitors are both valuable and scarce. It is necessary that we avoid placing a strain on Bishop Masereka's capacity to extend hospitality; especially if the travelers' primary interest is to visit and observe only.
If you should feel called to assist in this effort, you will be rewarded by knowing that you have reached around the world extending support to a group of our fellow communicants gathered around a speck of light- a small outpost of hope- in a place where just staying alive is far too often a desperate business.
