A Journey of Compassion to Uganda

This morning, driving through the beautiful green hills of western Uganda, there was a quiet sense of excitement for what the day held for us. This was our fourth day of ministry and our second mobile medical clinic. Yesterday in Bamnanika, we treated 200 patients and distributed anti-parasite medicine and vitamins to another 150. As we rounded the corner this morning, we were greeted with a remarkable site--about 600 people were patiently waiting for us to open the clinic. We discovered that over 200 of them had spent the night sleeping on the ground in order to be seen by our team this morning. Many had walked for miles. Like yesterday, this was the first free medical clinic ever to be conducted in their town. The Impact team worked hard to set up as quickly as possible, then started seeing and treating patients. Uganda National Television heard about what was happening and sent a videographer to investigate. I think his report will go around the nation tonight or tomorrow. (So how big will the crowds be at the next clinic?) We have a team of doctors (Dr. Aline from Burundi arrived this morning), nurses, a dentist and even a dental hygienist.

While the people waited patiently for hours under the shade of a few large trees, our team went among them praying for the sick and leading many to Christ. It was great for me to hear team members standing in from of hundreds of people and, with growing confidence, preaching the gospel and leading them into healing on a large scale. The healing continued throughout the day; head, back, joint, internal pain all left instantly. A boy had previously broken his wrist and underwent an unsuccessful surgery that left his wrist immobile and in pain was totally healed. Many people who were suffering from malaria had their symptoms instantly go (intense head pain, fever, weakness). It is always very exciting to see malaria leave in a moment. I walked around this poor community with the local pastor, Andrew, who has been ministering in Zigot, a town of about 1,200 for over 20 years. He was so happy to see what was happening today. Besides pastoring his church of about 200, Andrew opened a small shop four years ago in order to support his family. As he took me around the town, he shared his dreams for making life in Zigot better.

Early this afternoon, the district governor arrived. After addressing the crowd, he went with us for a tour of the clinic. He was very interested in the clinic system we have developed over the past five years. He thanks every one of the team that he came into contact with. I then had a meeting with him and Robert Mponye, the apostolic leader who we have been working with over the past several months. We talked about two of the greatest problems in the area: unsafe drinking water which has led to a lot of typhoid and dysentery, and malaria which can largely be controlled by using mosquito nets at night. He is obviously a highly respected leader who is the top person in the regional government which is responsible for over 300,000 people. He was extremely interested as I explained the bio-sand water filter program that we are doing in other nations. He has asked me to come and address the regional council next week to discuss this further. In the meantime, I have sent him to the Impact Network and given him Tim’s email in order to get more background information before the council meeting.

During this second clinic, Robert spoke with me about the benefits of our Impact medical clinics. The first thing he told me is that the people kept coming to him in both villages and telling him that they had been treated with love and care. He said this is probably the most impactful thing. He reiterated that these are the first free clinics ever to come to the area. Robert also pointed out something very interesting. He has provided a large support staff for us. We have one translator for every Impact member--something we have never had anywhere else in the world. There are also many runners, crowd control people etc. What I learned from Robert is that many of these are local pastors. He said that his has been a powerful witness to the communities in two ways: first, the people are seening the pastors in a practical display of unity as they work together. Secondly, the pastors are WORKING IN PRACTICAL WAYS, SERVING THE PEOPLE. Not just preaching at or two the people, but connecting with them in a very significant way.

As I write this, the medical clinic continues. The sickest ones are being brought to the front now, especially the sick infants and toddlers. I don’t know how many vitamin packets and anti-parasite pills we will have left to give to those we were not able to see. The team has worked for hours and still the crowd beyond the ropes is huge. But they are happy. They have all received prayer and attention. The children’s team has worked for hours and hours playing parachute games, ball games, telling stories, leading children to Jesus, and even teaching them how to heal the sick in His name. There a many smiles on the faces of mothers and fathers. There is a remarkable peace resting over the crowd, in spite of the waiting and in the midst of knowing that they may not be seen. These are beautiful, thankful people. In an hour or so, we will finish with an outdoor meeting. Robert has a wonderful team of singers and dancers. As they minister, the people will clap, shout and sing--just as they have in the other places we have been this week. And then we will tell them about the goodness, love and power of Jesus. Many will open their hearts and lives to him. There will be much rejoicing by us all as we get a taste of God’s great delight. What a privilege. What a joy.