Day 5: Uganda
Encouraging each other
BY BOBBY FREEMAN, MISSIONS DIRECTOR
“That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
— Romans 1:12
The sun crept up over Lake Victoria this morning to find Charlie, Miles, and me on the porch. We started our day in Romans 1, where Paul reminds us that, as fellow believers, we encourage one another through our faith. We didn’t know it yet, but we would experience that truth over and over today.
Musa was our driver today. He’s been with us all week, but today was our first time riding with him. He’s a large man with a quiet spirit, and I’m constantly trying to get him to smile! We met the Davis family and Joel at the intersection of two dirt roads, exchanged hugs, swapped a few passengers, and circled up to pray. As Joel gathered hands, he called Musa into the circle too. I learned that Musa is Muslim, something I hadn’t known before today. He’s spending his days alongside our crew, hearing these conversations, and seeing the work we’re visiting. I’m thankful he’s with us and for the opportunity to know him. I’m still working on that smile, but I’m praying for much more than that now.
From there, we headed out of town toward Yahweh School. Led by Derek Kato, the school began nearly ten years ago under a tree with just a handful of students. Today, its campus covers more than 20 acres, with classrooms, teachers’ quarters, a kitchen, a medical clinic, and over 500 students. It has become a place of hope for families in this community, coming alongside parents as they raise the next generation. It’s phenomenal to see what the Lord has done here. And hearing how we came to be standing on that campus together was another gift. The story reaches back more than 30 years, with connections none of us could have put together ourselves. Thread after thread, the Lord let us see a little more of what he has been weaving. Remember Romans 1 and encouraging one another? It was already happening.
Derek took us down to the clinic, where therapists from Ekisa come twice a month to work with children from the community. Garrett and Courtney recognized children from previous visits and could see the progress they had made through their time with the therapists. It was encouraging to hear them point out those changes. We also peeked into a building with five sewing machines, where women “from the community make school uniforms and other items. There’s so much potential in that room, and my mind immediately went to some of our ladies at West End…Ms. Bernie, I’m coming for you!
As classes let out, and the once-quiet campus came alive. Students poured out of classrooms and our crew jumped into the joyous chaos. Charlie and the boys were swarmed by children clinging to their arms, while others lined up for lollipops from Ellie, Coco, and the rest of the crew. Derek gathered Garrett, Rett, and the boys for kickball, and it was amazing to watch. These students love and respect Derek. They listened to instructions, ran bases, booted the ball, and called “out” or “safe” right along with him. Best recess of the week, I’m sure!
As the older students returned to class, the younger children gathered in groups around campus. Courtney and Adrienne led as we shared the gospel through salvation bracelets, “Charlie the Gospel Worm” coloring pages, and songs. The rest of us did whatever was needed in the moment. These were sweet times, and it was evident their teachers are faithfully teaching them about Jesus. We then split into two teams to visit the older classrooms, sharing the gospel and answering questions. The oldest students had great questions and were engaged with Garrett’s teaching. We came to share with them, but hearing their responses and seeing their interest encouraged us, too. There was Romans 1 again.
The lunch bell rang as we finished visiting our last classroom. We headed toward the kitchen, where the staff was busy serving a special lunch of rice and chicken with a sweet drink. Eventually, we joined students and teachers under the trees to eat together. After lunch, our kids went back to running and playing with the students while Garrett, Courtney, Adrienne, and I gathered with the teachers and staff in a classroom. Derek gave us time to introduce ourselves, share Scripture, and offer encouragement. Then, we separated into groups of men and women to share specific prayer requests and pray for one another. That was one of the most encouraging times of the day. After seeing the classrooms, meeting the students, and watching the teachers at work, we got to sit together as brothers and sisters in Christ and hear what was on one another’s hearts. We closed in song, and Derek prayed over us before we finally loaded up to leave.
We stopped at Derek and Ruthie’s home for a snack and more time together. On the way back into Jinja, Ruthie, who works at Amazima, took our family by the school. Adrienne and I first visited 14 years ago, and we could hardly recognize how much it has grown. Charlie was ready to transfer on the spot! The evening ended at Sam and Ms. Suzi’s home, where Robinah and Ms. Dorcas fed us their famous lasagna. We celebrated Sam’s and Derek’s October birthdays with cake and ice cream, then Courtney led everyone in sharing highlights and unexpected joys from the day. After spending the day together, it was so good to hear what each person had noticed, enjoyed, and been encouraged by.
God at work:
Romans 1 kept coming back to us. We came hoping to encourage others, and we were encouraged again and again, by the students’ questions, the teachers’ faith, Derek’s love for this community, and our own kids joining in.
We also heard pieces of a story stretching back more than 30 years that helped explain how we all found ourselves here together. Another glimpse of the Lord weaving lives together long before we could see it. It’s a gift to be here, learning from our brothers and sisters and sharing in their joy.
prayer requests:
Musa would come to know Jesus and experience his love through our time together
Derek, Yahweh School, and the teachers faithfully discipling these children
Stephen as he leads the school’s medical clinic
Protection over Derek and Ruthie and their boys, Jason and Jayden—ask the Lord to guard their family and sustain them in the work he has given them
Our team’s stamina and for eyes fixed on Jesus and the people before us