News from Uganda . . .

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’  Matthew 25:40

by Bill Loveless

Many days in ministry are difficult, but some are absolutely gut wrenching!  Today was one of those; I ministered in a small church in the middle of Masese - slipping and sliding in the mud and cow dung as we walked up the narrow path! 

Masese is a slum just outside Jinja, Uganda occupied primarily by the Karamojong, a semi nomadic tribal people who were pushed out of their homeland in northern Uganda and are now settled on a piece of government-owned property, where they cannot purchase or farm land.  Life in Masese bears some of the worst living conditions I have seen outside of Indian slums.  Abject poverty, drugs, alcohol; scantily clad little children everywhere - running, just to touch your strange looking white, hairy skin, laughing, giggling - just being kids. 

We had a great service, though it lasted until about 1:30 pm (long-winded preacher I guess).  It never ceases to amaze me that the simple Gospel has such power to save (Romans 1:16) in all cultures, all races, and all ages!  Many responded to the Gospel and shared testimonies after the service.

Dr. Ric Weibly reminded me several years ago that you can't own everyone's problems, but sometimes one really gets to you - like Brenda.  She raised her hand that she had received Christ during the service.  Afterward, she hugged me and whispered in my ear, “PLEASE take me with you when you leave!” 

Brenda doesn’t know how old she is, she thinks maybe 15, but looked to be about 13 or 14.  Both parents are alcoholics who basically neglect her.  She is unable to go to school because her parents refuse to pay the school fees.  Brenda recently had malaria, which has affected her brain because the parents wouldn't seek medical attention for her.  According to the local pastor, the government has a program that provides free medication to alleviate the damage, if a doctor certifies them.  

School fees of a meager UGX 330,000 (US equivalent of $119) for a year includes:  tuition for three terms, 2 uniforms, books and supplies.  I told the pastor to enroll her in school and to find out what it would cost to see a doctor and get her the medical attention she needs.  Not because I’m selfless or even compassionate, but because James 1:27 says that “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  Brenda is technically a orphan in distress that no one cares about, except KING JESUS!  We may not be able to help them all, but Go Ministries is going to do what it can to make a difference in this one’s life!  

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Go Ministries, Inc.
221 Switch Road
Calhoun, GA  30701