Day 4: Uganda
Sharing the gospel and ourselves
BY BOBBY FREEMAN, MISSIONS DIRECTOR
“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
— 1 Thessalonians 2:8
We woke at Surjios Guest House, our home in Jinja, and enjoyed a quiet start together. Our family devotional was from Mark 6, where Jesus saw the crowd and had compassion on them. That stayed with us throughout the day. There’s something about being close enough to hear someone’s story that changes how you see them.
Over breakfast, our host, Surjio, shared his own story: growing up Sikh in Uganda, being forced to leave the country, growing up in England, living in Chattanooga, and eventually returning to Jinja as a believer in Jesus. We hadn’t even left the breakfast table, and we were already grateful for what we were hearing.
The Freemans then joined Mr. Sam’s team in Patrick and Robinah’s home for devotions. We explored how Paul loved people enough to share both the gospel and his life with them. Robinah prepared lunch for us and meals for the hospital patients we would soon visit. It was a gift to be welcomed into their home.
At Nalufenya Children’s Hospital, we visited children and families in the sickle cell ward. We exchanged names and smiles, heard stories, shared the gospel using salvation bracelets, answered questions, and prayed. The kids experienced the joy of a “sweet treat” as they passed out lollipops to little ones.
Later, at Jinja Regional Hospital, we joined Bonny, Patrick, and Emma to visit patients in a men’s ward and a young mother and her child in the orthopedic ward. Some visits brought laughter; others were quieter, with a gentle handshake and prayer. Watching Charlie and Henry pray with several of the men was especially encouraging. Sam’s team is known here. They bring meals, return to check on people, and pray with them. Family caregivers even seek them out when a patient has arrived without anyone to care for them. In the middle of their own struggles, these caregivers are noticing the needs of others.
Because we needed to keep our hospital groups small, the Davis' spent the morning at Amani Baby Cottage, reconnecting with friends who care for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children from birth to age five. They toured the home and spent time with the children. Another sweet connection: Amani was founded by our host’s wife, Danyne, and was one of the first places Adrienne and I visited here 14 years ago.
The Davis' also visited a local school, where they were greeted by a wave of excited students involved in a ministry called Mailbox Club. As Garrett & Courtney shared afterward, roughly 70 children are participating in this evangelism and discipleship program during their free time at school. It isn’t being driven by the teachers, yet the children are learning about Jesus and growing in their faith. The ministry is flourishing, and the Davis' were grateful to see it firsthand, celebrate with the students, and be encouraged by what the Lord is doing here in Jinja.
We reunited as a team that afternoon at Steve & Ms. Debbie’s printing shop, where they are investing in the Jinja community through Business As Mission (BAM). They print everything from sickle cell treatment booklets to Ugandan authors’ stories and Scripture translations. They walked us through the process and even helped us make journals to take home. My favorite part was watching Joel, our driver, light up as he heard what Steve & Ms. Debbie are doing. He began writing down ideas for stories and books he would love to have printed. We enjoyed learning about this opportunity, but seeing the possibilities come alive for Joel was the best!
God at work:
Today we saw what it looks like to share your life along with the gospel: opening your home, preparing a meal, returning to a hospital bedside, and knowing someone by name. Sam’s team does this faithfully, and we’re thankful to learn from them.
Dinner gave us time to share highlights, struggles, and plenty of laughter. Serving with friends and being able to talk honestly has been a gift. We’re doing well, but we all have our moments! Thank you for being people we can share those with too.
prayer requests:
Adrienne is feeling better—thank you for praying!
Our kids (and for all of us) as exhaustion shows up in different ways
Patience, grace, and hearts ready to serve
The patients, caregivers, and ministry teams we met today
Ask Jesus to help us see people with his compassion and willingly share our lives with them