A little bit about our Ministry Partners in Uganda.

The need for spiritual strength and community development is very real in the beautiful country of Uganda. In the midst of much poverty, there are also attacks heading into Uganda from multiple directions in Africa as Islamic groups, cults and others look to take advantage of the weaknesses of a region where education is not abundant and resources are not plentiful. It is our hope that the work that God does through us and these partners in Africa will help to add strength and stability through the power of the Gospel as we “Go” and be The Church, The hands and feet of Christ.

 

Hesed Ministries in Uganda, East Africa:

In July we had the opportunity to partner with Hesed to put on a 4 day Pastors Training conference. For these for days we poured into around 40 - 50 men and women leaders of the local Church. We provided training and discipleship in the areas of Biblical Foundations, spiritual living, living out the gospel and much needed community health and hygiene principles.

We were extremely humbled on arrival when we met the men and women Hesed had brought together for us. Many of the men were Arch Deacons who have responsibilities and influence over 100+ congregations in Uganda. You can imagine that at first we felt ill-equipped to teach people of such status, but they were extremely humble and hungry for the knowledge God equipped us with.

We built many rich relationships and really fell in love for their humble, giving and gracious spirits. God graciously blessed us materials, resources and preparations.

We really felt that our time was extremely fruitful  in strengthening and equipping these leaders with truth and knowledge that will be magnified and increase as they take it beyond the walls of their church buildings and cast it into their communities.

Hesed will continue to strategically organize groups of key people that we can teach, train, encourage and equip on each of our visits to Uganda.  Our hope and vision is for them to grow in their ability to recognize and serve the spiritual and physical needs of their local community. Our women teachers for the next trip hope to bring some of the women leaders into the community to see some of the very real needs of the orphaned, forgotten and hungry children. We hope to open their eyes to the need that are right next door and inspire in their hearts a desire  to serve these needs.

Founded by Michael and Florence Kyomya in 1995, the ministry’s objective is to be a catalyst for spiritual renewal and growth in the Anglican Church of Uganda. These 2 have the biggest hearts I have seen and their vision is amazingly clear. Here are some key focuses you will find on their website.

Evangelism and Discipleship

Establishing a Culture of Prayer

Noble Women of impact

Community Development through Busoga’s Women

Reaching Young People for Christ

Pastoral Training and Church Leadership

·        Reaching Ugandans through music, theatre and dance.

 

Amazima Ministries, Jinja Uganda

Also while in Uganda, we had the pleasure of going to see and briefly be a part of an amazing work God is doing in Jinja, Uganda. Mostly we just played and worshiped with these amazing children while showing God’s love. I think our hearts were more touched by the children than our own presence. But our eyes were opened to this Amazing ministry and the very real needs of millions of children in Uganda.

We hope to at least provide support to Amazima. Just being there you can see how far this ministry can make an American dollar go. It feels like anything we could give up providing more resources to this ministry and these children as a sacrifice well made!  In the Lugandan language, Amazima means "truth." Amazima desires to reveal the truth of God's unconditional love through Jesus Christ to the Ugandan people. Amazima Ministries was founded by 19 year-old Katie Davis in 2008. The organization, based out of Brentwood, TN, feeds, educates, and encourages orphaned and vulnerable children and the poor in the country of Uganda. They do this through:

·         Education Sponsorship

·         Masese Outreach

·         Community Outreach

·         Vocational Projects

·         Discipleship

You can read more about Katie and Amazima on her website or her book, Kisses From Katie

 

Children’s Prison and Orphan Ministry, Uganda

One of the things we most looked forward to on our trip in July was our visit to a children’s prison,… where there are many kids that have been placed there for simply begging on the streets. Because no one will claim them, they are forced to stay there until they are 18. This is just of the many places in Uganda that you will find abandoned, deprived , hungry and orphaned children.

 

We were able to visit this prison with Foodstep, where we worshipped, prayed, preached, played  and showed loving acceptance to some amazing kids. Many of these children showed a faith and love for God beyond anything we have experienced in the states. One thing is for certain, the gospel was very real in this dark place of depravity! In the midst of much pain and suffering children are experiencing love and truth because these organizations have a passion to take a stand and we have hearts that say “Yes” to God’s promptings to go half way around the world to show love to these children!

 

Between 2 ministries we are working with in Uganda, Foodstep and Sixty Feet God is doing some amazing things. The kids are hearing and living out the gospel, having some of their most basic needs met and most of all experiencing what it means to be loved so that they can know what it means when we tell them “Jesus loves you.”

 

We hope to continue to work with one or both of these ministries and we are planning to return to the prison we visited in July on our next trip.

 

In Between the Lines, People of Uganda

We realized that beyond the obvious ministry opportunities we had lined up, there is ministry all around us. I  really believe that Life is a Ministry, just like We are the Church. When we are at home and when we are traveling half way across the world.

While out and about in Uganda we came across many amazing people with some of the most humble and giving spirits. People who had very little wanted to offer us the best they had, for simply being “visitors” They served us in such amazing ways it brought tears to our eyes.

Along the way we also made some great friends with our bus driver Rajab and his traveling companion Keith. We came to love these men as we learned their stories and really look forward to seeing them again when we return to Uganda. Since we have returned we have had the opportunity to stay in communication with and encourage our new great friend Keith.

 

We continue to pray for the new friends God has granted us in prisons, on the playground, at the conference and especially those he granted us in between the lines!!!