Missionary Jacob Gillard teaching the TEE classLast weekend was the first of our Theological Education by Extension (TEE) classes here in Kampala. These classes provide the next step in theological education for lay leaders in the Lutheran Church Mission Uganda (LCMU) who have already completed a training program at their local Mission Training Center. Twenty-four students from across Uganda have been selected by their congregations to send men to the class which is currently scheduled to run twice a month for two years as an extended weekend intensive training session. Many of the men who successfully complete this class will be approved by the LCMU to continue on to Seminary. We start class at 9am on Friday and run a full day's session on Friday and Saturday and the students also stay for Sunday morning worship at Kampala Lutheran Church where we hope to have a chance to model some of the things we're teaching as well as to involve them in the worship service in the LCMU's largest congregation. Leadership training is one of the key reasons fellow missionary Reverend Jacob Gillard and I have come to Uganda so it has been exciting to get into the training already barely a month after arriving. Class is held in the tent where Kampala Lutheran Congregation worships and the men stay at a nearby hotel from Thursday through Saturday nights. Some of them travel more than 12 hours to come to training. This very first weekend our primary focus was on introductions, logistics, testing out a couple of teaching techniques, handing out a questionnaire, learning names, and giving an opportunity for both Jacob and me to share a bit about ourselves with the class. We used a few texts as focus points this weekend including 1 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 2, and Titus. Jacob also taught us all a technique for retaining and explaining the Great Commission which he called the Gospel Hand. Both Jacob and I shared "Why I like being a Lutheran" and I shared a devotion on Psalm 121 as well as an inside look into how I write a sermon and how I prepare for reading as a lector. While it is a little intimidating to be up in front teaching I am reassured because all of these men want to be there - they are leaders of their congregations seeking a deeper understanding to bring back to their congregants. I have so much respect for these men and I ask you to pray with me that God would use Jacob and me to strengthen and encourage His leaders and the congregations they serve.  -Shauen