Ministry Report from Uganda 11-13-10

We’ve just completed our first official day of ministry. It’s hard to believe that it’s only the first day. Not only because it took about 3 days worth of travel time to arrive (two days of air traveling, and almost a whole day of driving to this remote area where we are currently staying), but mostly because of the unity we have already begun to experience amongst the team and amongst the villagers of Kamankoli, Uganda.
Before we even arrived at our compound, we began to sense the hospitality of the people. Muzungu is what they call us. We are white people, people from the West. They greeted us smiling and waving, shouting “Muzungu!” as the children happily followed our bus. Upon arriving we became more able to communicate and interact with the villagers. Most of them at least seem to have a good understanding of the English language, and a good portion of them speak it fluently. This has helped our team form a quick connection with the people.
Despite our joyous welcome, there is much poverty here, as was expected. A vast majority of the locals walk these dirt roads and jungle areas completely barefoot. I’ve noticed several people with severe fungal infections and cuts on their feet as a result of this, including little children of not more than 6 or 7 years old. Another commonality is that typical “pot-belly” look, indicating an advanced parasitic infection.
The need for help and for the Gospel becomes more and more apparent as we’ve begun to familiarize ourselves better with the children their stories and situations. One in 13 children in Uganda are orphans. Homes are broken due to alcoholism, prostitution, and AIDS among other things. As a result of this there is a sense of desperation for love and acceptance from these kids. They will run up from behind you and give you a hug, or hold your hand. Before you know it there are 10 and 15 kids around you smiling, each one anxious to experience just a little bit of genuine love.
We are working with an organization called HUM, Hines Ugandan Ministries. It’s an organization that helps provide different necessities for the kids of the village. But most importantly, they point the kids toward a relationship with Christ. This became apparent today during our first day of children’s camps.
The children gathered around for worship, and soon enough it became time for some of the members in our team to begin leading some songs. To our surprise, we could not come up with a praise song that these close to 200 children did not already know! They’ve already become accustomed to worshiping. And they love doing so! They’re voices were happy and honest as they sang about God’s love, His strength and His might. The simple song “Jesus Loves Me” was sung wholeheartedly and with loud voices. Many of us were moved by this. So many children! By the end of the day it was estimated that about 400 kids had attended and every single one was anxious and curious to get to know us and feel accepted.
After some good worship, each one of the members was assigned a game station. The children were divided into age groups and took turns going from station to station.
We had all sorts of games. We had relay races, and sack races, jump rope competitions, and bean bag games. All of them from the youngest ones to the older teens enjoyed themselves thoroughly. They were all served lunch, which was then followed by more worship as we all happily finished the day.
Our team then gathered and prepared to leave and walk back to the guest house where we are staying. Possibly more than 60 of these kids walked with us the whole way, wanting to continue playing and hugging us. If you would just give any one of this kids the slightest silly face, they would laugh hysterically in pure joy. Their need for love is great. Our prayer is that through our love and through our help, that they would make the connection and realize that it is only because of Christ’s love and mercy for us that we are even in Uganda! It is Jesus who first loved all of us.
Tomorrow we have a day full of Bible studies and church services. We invited all these children to come back and continue learning and praising with us. Be in prayer for them and for our team as we continue to attempt to display Jesus to them. There is much work to be done! But we expect to see God work in a mighty way. We are thankful and humbled to be here.