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I loved and was loved, I cried and I rejoiced. Uganda has changed me and I can't wait to go back again. Part 1

  • elainebarton50
  • May 29
  • 3 min read



 How does one begin to prepare for a 17-day journey that spans multiple US cities and states, 3 continents, 2 African countries, and 8 different time zones? That was my critical question for 6 months leading up to my first missionary trip to Kabale, Uganda. I had been to Central and South America as well as numerous Caribbean islands multiple times, but never to Uganda. Not only was I traveling and ministering with some of my favorite people on the planet, but there was so much anticipation of what the Lord was preparing. Let me tell you, it was a trip well worth the wait.

 

   Bible - Check. Ministry notes - Check. Passport and yellow fever card - Check. Reading glasses to hand out at the men's conference - Check. Neck ties to pass out at the men's conference - Check. Jeans for the street boys and Shepherd Center - Check. Enough cloths to last me way longer than I was supposed to be there - Check. Toiletries - Check. Plenty of snacks - Check. Pepto Bismol - Check. I was as prepared as I could be. I had multiple messages to deliver, lots of love to share, and plenty of tears to shed.

 

  There are so many details that I wish I could share concerning the trip, but if I did I would have to write it in a book. For now, we can stick to a high-level summary of a few highlights that touched me deeply. I would like to start with my first impression - the purity of heart of the people of Uganda. They are hungry for the Word of God, the promises of God, and the love of God. And they have a presence about them that reflects such things. Whether in the city, in the village, in the church, or on the street the people welcomed us in. They all wanted to hear what we had to offer - not just money, but HOPE. Not just financial prosperity, but LOVE. I've got countless new friends that I know will be life-long. I wish I could name them all here, but I would miss someone, and I don't want to do that. They know who they are and we've been in contact since my return to the states. Matthew 5:8 tells us, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God". I was blessed to see this in the people of Uganda.

 

    Let's continue with the street boys. As the name would imply, these were boys from the street. For whatever reason, they were without a home, without a family, and mostly without hope. A few of them were obviously brain damaged from sniffing glue and possible other drugs. They lived wherever they could find, to provide shelter, they ate whatever food they could find, and they seemed to stick together and try to provide protection for each other. A group of about 50 street boys met us at Emmaus Bible School in Kabale. We played soccer, took pictures, ministered to them, prayed over them, sent them to the showers and gave them new cloths. Then we fed them til their bellies were full. We prayed over a teenage boy who had what looked like a broken or badly sprained ankle. The swelling went away, the ankle straightened and the boy walked away healed. We reminded them why they are important. They loved us, and we loved them back. It wasn't hard. It wasn't forced. It was simple and it was pure.

 

   We spent a day at The Shepherd Center in Kabale. The Shepherd Center takes boys off the street and most of the residents here came in as street boys. Here they are provided rooms to stay in, meals every day, an education, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What a contrast this was from the hopelessness of the street boys.These boys were alert and attentive. They were exceptionally well behaved and were such a joy to spend the day with. They seemed to be alive with the hope of a brand new day. And I suspect this was their daily pattern and attitude for every day. They had been previously tasked with scripture memorization and we were able to be there for their recitation. It was glorious to watch them be pleased with themselves. One recent newcomer to the Center hadn't received sponsorship, so I was blessed to be the one to show him love by sponsoring him. I look forward to letters back and forth with Caleb and I look forward to watching him grow over the years.

 

Robert Hicks

 

 

 
 
 

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