Look what the Lord has done – Uganda missions update
by Jennifer R.
This mission trip to Uganda was indeed a trip of breakthroughs! I experienced personal breakthroughs in many areas, and we experienced breakthroughs as a missions team also.
Your prayers over me and our team for physical strength were felt every step of the way! We were on the go from morning until night, there were so many opportunities for ministry and prayer and we wanted to take advantage of everything we could while we were there.
One day, we had the privilege of ministering on an island in Lake Victoria that we accessed via a 2-hour boat ride in a small wooden boat. Lake Victoria is second in size only to Lake Superior in terms of freshwater lakes. The day was calm and although storm clouds threatened at one point, we made the entire journey with no rain and pleasant conditions.
When we arrived on the island, we then proceeded on a 2+ mile uphill hike to reach the church where we were going to minister. We all reached the church slightly exhausted but happy to be there! Then a group of us went out and ministered hut-to-hut, to share the love of Jesus with people and also give them a gift bag with some very basic necessities inside: rice, sugar, salt, soap, matches, etc.
My interpreter decided he wanted to take me to the farthest hut we would be reaching that day. I followed him as he led the way, through dirt paths and then beyond the dirt paths unto the brush where we made our own path! It was well worth the journey, as an entire family gave their hearts to Jesus that day.
On the mission field, we often have the honor and privilege of seeing Scripture brought to life right before our eyes. In this precious family I just mentioned, the youngest girl was the first person to want to pray to receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and from there, the other kids prayed and then the mother prayed. “…A little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6.
We had many other ministry opportunities, each one of them precious and unique. We ministered to orphans and widows, ministered hut-to-hut and brought gift bags of essentials for the people, preached in churches and a school, visited a hospital and prayed for the sick and for new mothers and babies, prayed over pieces of land, visited the headwaters of the Nile River, and truly became ministers of reconciliation to the people of Uganda.
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
In the process, we were touched and changed – becoming more tenderhearted and learning to listen all that much more closely to the Holy Spirit for His leading in every situation. God is a personal God, and ministry should also be personal. We can try the same “formula” for every situation and will often see some results, but the better and more lasting way is to ask God how He would have us reach each person. It will not only be life-changing for them, but for us as well.
I experienced personal breakthroughs in the area of healing for my physical body, complete with a good report from the doctor upon my return. This trip was the first of many “return” trips to Africa, and I am excited to see what God has in store. When we are faithful to step out and obey when we hear His voice, He always shows up in a big way and blesses us above and beyond what we could ask or think.
Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for our team. You were there with us in spirit, and can rejoice with us over all that the Lord accomplished!
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