The Eyes which see the things

8th Jun, 2009, by Jude Owens

The Kings of Wessex Christian Union students had lunch with a special visitor last week. Reverend Tabitha Ddenbe from West Buganda in Uganda joined their table as part of a link between the Buganda and Bristol Dioceses.

In Uganda there are few formal churches and Tabitha travels around a 150 square mile area of villages on a motorbike. Tabitha recounted to the students how people are receptive to learning about the message of Christianity, and the open air evangelism is changing lives for the better; although it remains a challenge for people to understand the value of spiritual fulfilment above material goods.

As well as being a mother of seven children and an adopted orphan, part of Tabitha's role is to train teachers and she is also tipped to be Uganda's first female Bishop.

This was Tabitha's first visit to the UK and also her first sighting of the sea. She had expected to see tall buildings everywhere and was fascinated by the trees.

Headteacher Chris Richardson said: "I am delighted that Rev. Ddenbe was able to visit Kings and to share some of her experiences as a Christian working in Uganda."

Kings enjoys a strong tradition of supporting charity work within the Developing World not least the Cheddar Valley Schools' "A Promise to Africa" work funding schools and improved facilities in the Masindi District of Uganda. A number of tutor groups have also sponsored World Vision and Save a Cow projects.

John Male, Rob Perry, Korky Davey, Tabitha Ddenbe, Ben Champion, Ben De Ivey, Julian Richards