Encouraged, challenged, and loved
BY BOBBY FREEMAN, MISSIONS DIRECTOR
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6
Our last morning in Uganda, we turned to Paul’s words in Philippians. He thanks the church for their partnership in the gospel and shares his confidence that the Lord will complete the good work he has begun in them. There’s a lot to reflect on as we prepare to head home, but this morning I was especially thankful for the people we’ve shared this week with. Time with Garrett, Courtney, Sammy, Coco, and Rett has been such a gift to our family. Getting to serve together, watch our kids jump in, ask questions, and talk through what we’ve seen is such an encouragement. Then there’s Mr. Sam and Ms. Suzi, their team, and the brothers and sisters who have welcomed us into their lives and ministries. We’ve seen so much to be encouraged by, and I’m thankful the work the Lord is doing in and through them will continue long after we leave. And we’re thankful for you. Knowing that our church family and friends have been covering us in prayer has been a steady encouragement throughout this week. You’ve been part of this with us.
After breakfast, we finished packing and gathered our bags before Joel arrived. We met the Davises at Sam and Ms. Suzi’s home, loaded the vans, and squeezed everyone together for a team photo before heading to our final visit of the week, Ekisa. Adrienne and I have known about Ekisa since 2012 through a former West End family who was involved with the ministry. Today, we got to visit their new campus, where they moved within the past year. It’s a little farther out of town, with excellent facilities and room to grow. But the people and the care happening there are what make it so special. Ekisa serves children and young adults with disabilities while coming alongside their families. For some of these families, disability carries a stigma that can lead to isolation, rejection, and even abandonment. Ekisa is working to change that through education, practical care, and helping children remain with or return to their families whenever possible. These children are known and loved here. And their families are being helped to see what caring for them can look like with support and encouragement.
Garrett and Courtney kept commenting on the excellence of what we were seeing. As Sammy’s parents, they notice things I might miss, and their appreciation for the staff and the care being offered carried a lot of weight. This is deeply personal for them. Our time at Ekisa touched our team in a way that’s hard to put into words. If you have a family member or friend with special needs, or you’ve spent time with our friends at The Ascent, you may understand a little of what I mean. There’s something special about getting to know one another, finding a connection, and seeing a face light up.
Charlie has such a tender heart for our friends in this community. Watching him move toward them, engage with them, and love them so naturally undoes me. And then to see those smiles returned, faces beaming as they interact with him, it’s a gift to watch. I’m thankful we got to be here together, and I’m praying the Lord will open doors for West End and Ekisa in the future.
We gathered for one last team photo with the new campus behind us before heading in different directions. Looking at that group, my prayer is that we aren’t the same people who arrived at the beginning of the week. We’ve been welcomed, encouraged, challenged, and loved. We’ve seen brothers and sisters faithfully serving the people the Lord has placed before them. Now we’re asking him to keep working in us as we return to the people and places he has given us at home.
God at work:
Paul’s words were a good place to begin our last day. We’re grateful for our partnership with these brothers and sisters, and we’re trusting the Lord to continue the work he has begun in them and in us.
At Ekisa, we saw people using their gifts and experience to care for children and support families who can feel very alone. We saw that same faithful love in different forms all week. It has encouraged us and given us plenty to pray and think about. Please pray that we carry more than memories home. Pray that the Lord uses what we’ve seen and heard to change how we love, how we pray, and how we respond to the people he puts before us.
prayer requests:
The Lord would continue changing our team through this week, helping us respond faithfully to what he has shown us
Ekisa’s children, young adults, families, and staff—ask the Lord to sustain their work and help families experience the support and belonging they need
Wisdom as we consider what a future connection between West End and Ekisa might look like
Sam and Ms. Suzi, their team, and the ministries faithfully serving their communities
Safe travel and rest as our families finish our time away and return home
When you see us, ask about the trip!
We’d love to tell you about the people we met and hear what the Lord brought to mind as you prayed. You’ve been part of this week, and we want you to be part of what comes next, too!