Uganda Trip 2008
December 5th, 2008 Posted in Ministry Updates
This summer our family had the privilege to spend four weeks in Mutungo Uganda, ministering with Ranch on Jesus Orphanage Ministries. Having journeyed to Uganda the four previous summers, the Pearl of Africa feels like home away from home. It is always a pleasure to serve side by side with our Ugandan friends and see all that has been accomplished at the ministry by God’s grace.
The first friend we were pleased to meet was Dr. Theophilus Kamara, come to pick us up from the airport. No matter how much time has passed, when we see the Kamaras it seems like we left them just yesterday. Exhausted but joyful, we headed to the parking lot for the hour long drive to our guesthouse.
As we walked into the evening darkness a glowing smile rushed towards us. Eighteen year old Gladys grabbed me in her arms. As she began to shout dozens of bright eyes and shrieking voices filled the air and swarmed around us. Vivian, our four month old daughter, who had been snuggled against my chest, began to scream as she was crushed by the joyful mob of Ranch on Jesus children who, to all of our surprise, had come to greet us. Realizing that they had terrified the baby, the children immediately scattered. Once she was quiet, fifteen year old and four foot nine Eva Nakazibwe extended her arms. As I handed Vivian over to her, her smile erupted. “Kyamagero, Kyamagero,” the children laughed and laughed. Kyamagero is Vivian’s Lugandan name. It means miracle. As the children passed around “their miracle,” Vivian remained remarkably calm. She loved the children from the very beginning.
Much of our family’s time in Uganda was spent administratively, assessing needs, updating, strategizing, and planning for the future together. The other main component of our trip was relational, growing more intimate with our friends and children at Ranch on Jesus, growing in trust, knowledge and commitment. This time spent together energizes and spurs us on as we reenter the day to day ministry work back in America. Witnessing the sacrifice and godly determination of the Kamaras humbles and convicts us. Seeing the smiling faces and developing lives of our children reminds us that the little ones we are serving are very real and the impact the ministry is making on their lives is tremendously felt.
Some of the highlights of our trip included a special weekend outing to the Entebbe Zoo with the children, meeting Matthew Kamara (Sarah and Theophilus’ son born in April), watching the children celebrate over the Primary School team winning the district cup for football (soccer), listening to the Ranch on Jesus Set Free Band perform, and seeing the overall growth and success of the children in the ministry. God has been good to us.
As usual, our time in Uganda felt painfully short. It is delightful to be face to face with the precious children and servants of God at Ranch on Jesus who live so joyful in the presence and peace of the Lord. We thank all of you who prayed and gave so generously to this special trip. Thank you for furthering the growth and development of this precious kingdom ministry!
Jamie and Scott Laslo