Several weeks ago, the Rev. Canon Dr. Alison Barfoot was approached by a rector from the Diocese of South Carolina who wanted to build relationships between his parish and the Church of Uganda. It was the type of meeting \u201d\u201d a \u201cdivine appointment,\u201d\u009d she calls it \u201d\u201d that moves her to awe and joy. When people ask how they can pray for her, she requests divine appointments, health and safety.<\/p>\n
Dr. Barfoot, who completed a Doctor in Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1999, is Assistant for International Relations to the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.<\/p>\n
Why are these meetings important? While in Herndon, Va., for a missions conference sponsored by the Anglican District of Virginia and Anglican Global Missions Partners on Oct. 24, Dr. Barfoot said, \u201cI\u2019m a matchmaker.\u201d\u009d While Americans typically use that term for arranging romantic relationships, Dr. Barfoot\u2019s matchmaking is in the service of a larger goal: She wants to deepen relationships among Anglicans with the Church of Uganda.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe call that God gave to me is to see eastern Africa as a missionary force,\u201d\u009d she told conference participants. \u201cA mission force for the unreached \u201d\u201d that\u2019s my passion.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n