Mission Trip to Uganda January 2010

In January 2010, some friends went to Uganda on a mission. They recounted their experiences:

On New Year’s Eve, we started our trip from Frankfurt to Dubai where we made a stop off. After our arrival, we had a good meeting hearing that Jesus wants to live in our hearts. To clarify the message, we had an outline of an apartment on paper with a heart drawn around the apartment. Jesus can only live in our heart if it is pure. After the meeting, we got to know the friends better through some fun games.

Early the next morning, we started our travels to our main trip destination Uganda. At the airport, we were heartily received by Brother Gaspar and his family. We had a meeting in the evening with Gaspar’s family and the family of his brother in law, as well as some youth from the neighborhood. We spoke of the eternal life we can obtain in trials. We carry this life in us and no one can take it from us. God wants to bless us more, but He has to test us first. When I’m in a trial, I have to think about how God wants to bless me more after I’ve endured the trial.

On Sunday, we had two more services in two different churches that we had already often visited. The topic was on Luke 14:25 through 27. A lot of people followed Jesus, but they were not disciples. Disciples follow in His footsteps. Each of us has his own will which he has to give up in order to be a disciple of Jesus. In the second service, we read from Hebrews 1:9. Why did Jesus rejoice? Because He hated unrighteousness! In the evening, we had a meeting in the living room of Brother Gaspar with several neighbors.

Early the next morning, we headed towards Tororo in the most eastern part of Uganda near the border of Kenia. We have visited Margret several years there. She is a God fearing woman who cares for more than a hundred orphans. With financial help from the West, she makes it possible for them to go to school. As we arrived, we were very joyfully greeted. In the evening, we had our first meeting and heard from 1 John 2:15 that we should not love the world or the things of the world. Rev. 2:2 through 5: We must always have the first, burning love to God. Only then can we love God from our whole heart.

The next morning, the children and youth had a meeting again while Gaspar, our hostess and I drove to the city to buy groceries. In the afternoon, Margret asked the children and youth what they had heard in the meeting. They read from Proverbs 4:23 about keeping their hearts pure so that Jesus can live there. Nearly everyone retained something from the meeting and we heard very good testimonies. Margret thanked the children that they had paid such good attention. She said that every year a change and development can be seen in the children.

The next 2 days we had several meetings in churches in different places. We generally had the best meetings after dinner in the evening with Margret and the children sitting at the table. Many there gave zealous testimonies every time and wanted to practice what they had heard.

One time, we had the opportunity to speak in a Catholic church to about one thousand people. We read from Rev. 21:1 and 9. A new heaven and a new earth are coming and only new, changed people can be there. Only people who have changed can come into this new heaven. The priest and people were very impressed by the message and invited us to come again. They want to organize a conference over several days.

Sport was another nice experience we had by Margret where we received a yet deeper connection of the heart with the children and youth. We bought a volley ball, soccer ball and a rope to use as a swing and volley ball net.

A visit in prison was also impressive. A pastor, who often missionizes there, asked us if we could bring soap to the prisoners and then speak with them. We spoke about Jer. 29:11 that God has thoughts of hope and a future for us. For this, we have to walk in His commandments, and then He leads us into a glorious future. Eph. 4:28: who has stolen, should steal no more. We should change! The about 500 prisoners present were very moved and about 20 were converted and wanted to start a new life.

After a week in Tororo, we drove back to Brother Gaspar where we arrived in the evening and had a meeting again with the neighbors.

The next morning, we headed to the west of Uganda to “Budunduzi” where we were to take part at a conference. We have already attended this conference for several years. We began the conference with Isaiah 61:3. We should be trees of righteousness. Most people are trees of unrighteousness with many bad fruits (works). All sin is unrighteousness!

A youth (Josuah) came forward in a meeting during the testimonies and said that it was his first meeting in this church. He gladly wants to give his heart to Jesus and we are praying for him. I really want to give him a Bible because he made a really good impression. But he cannot read, write, or speak English (the official language of the land, there are 52 different languages in Uganda) although he is already 14 years old. He is an orphan and lives a few kilometers from the church. He built for himself a mud hut on the small piece of land he took over from his parents. He grows a bit of corn on the land. To earn money, he works for other people in the field. For a week’s work, he can buy a T Shirt and a pair of pants. Because he has to work during the day to survive, he cannot go to school. He also can’t afford the money for school and the school uniform. In the afternoon, we visited him in his hut and encouraged him not to become bitter against his grandmother who, as we found out, is the reason he built his own hut.

After two more days of meetings and talks, our trip took us further west to Kyenjojo. There was a conference organized there as well where many people could hear God’s word.

After two eventful days, we headed back to Brother Gaspar, in order to prepare for the trip to the northern part of Uganda. The next morning, we traveled to Arua, way north near the border of Sudan where we had an invitation to a school. Toward evening, we got there and were greeted by the uniformed students with a parade.

Because all the children were in uniform, we started the first children’s meeting with the topic: to be a soldier for Jesus. The children listened attentively and answered some questions afterwards that were asked by a teacher. We had several good children’s meetings and a nice game afternoon and smaller group talks with the teachers. Among other things by such an opportunity, we spoke about 1 Tim. 4:12 through 15. What children (and believers) need are examples, not better speakers. The teachers were completely in agreement with us. After a short two days, we had to again travel back to Brother Gaspar to again reach our airplane in Entebbe the next afternoon. On the way to the airport, we were surprised by a flood like rainfall. It turned the paths to small lakes and brooks, but we got to the paved roads.

After we said goodbye to Brother Gaspar and his family, we boarded the plane thankful for all the protection during the trip.