From the Field Uganda: Serving those in Need
GOD International Founder and Lead Facilitator Gregg Garner welcomes interns and guests to our Uganda ministry campus.
The past week has been filled with ministry. God has inspired young people and church leaders to be confident in ways that don’t come from their culture, but that come from connection to his word. I have seen first hand that what we do here is what we do there, and what we’re doing is working. Through a SLAM service camp and a Community for God Network conference with pastors, I’ve heard testimonies that the lives of East Africans have been changed, and I’m so glad to be a part of it.
After having facilitated a SLAM week in Nashville and invested in local leaders, interns helped facilitated the first full SLAM service camp in a remote village in Uganda. Here, Luci Munoz welcomes guests.
One week ago today, we were preparing to welcome about 40 young people to participate in our first ever full SLAM service camp in East Africa. We were able to host this on our campus thanks to many wonderful developments and renovations that have been taking place here - our campus is looking better than ever. Several students testified that they couldn’t believe they were in Uganda and that they felt so well loved by the accommodations that had been made for them and the hospitality they experienced. I was very moved by their testimonies because they showed me that it is more than possible that SLAM can change trajectories for young people in East Africa - it’s already happening.
One of the service opportunities was to teach in a nearby primarily school. Our students performed at an assembly, served lunch and snacks, and provided classroom assistance and entertainment.
Before we arrived in Africa, I was already reflecting on how special it is to me to be a part of SLAM this summer, because my first ever summer as a SLAM student had the same theme, Red’nize 2014. That summer made an impact on my life that I could never forget or ignore. God moved in me in a way that continued to develop and strengthen me in his work up to today, where I can now be a part of facilitating SLAM in a new region and context. I believe in faith that the same impact that SLAM had on me will impact the youth in Uganda for years to come. I believe that their lives will have lasting change because of the potential that they can be awakened to in themselves, that they are children of God in their identity and have a responsibility to do God’s work here on Earth with a heavenly perspective.
The SLAM service camp started Monday evening with registration and games on Monday evening, which was followed by a warm welcome to our new amphitheater on campus. One student said that they were surprised by the tunnel of cheering that the SLAM representatives created because it was an African greeting, and it wasn’t just once, it was for every session at the amphitheater. Every session found the students come to life through praise and worship. Probably the most difficult part of the weekend was getting the students to transition from praise time. The students were ecstatic every time we did praise and worship, they never wanted it to end. They loved hearing the sermons regarding Colossians 3:1-3 according to the SLAM theme: Rekd’nize. Mr. Gregg Garner spoke on the identity we all have in Christ and our place in history here on Earth as we try to gain a heavenly perspective.
Walt (writer of this blog), and Jesse, lifelong friends and immersion students in Uganda this summer.
Tuesday followed with 7 groups for service projects that students were split into, which accomplished a variety of tasks over the course of two service project days. The first day had 3 groups going out to visit local widows from the area, 3 groups working on various projects on the campus, and 1 group going to visit the nearby healthcare clinic - the Bombo dispensary to do some cleaning. 2 of the 3 groups that went to visit widows constructed rocket stoves for them, which is a safer and more energy and cost efficient solution to cooking food which can be constructed using local materials. It reduces the amount of smoke produced in cooking as well as reducing the amount of firewood needed, which offers a more healthy and economical way to prepare food at home for widows who lack.
Group worship sessions before being deployed to serve those in need.
On Wednesday, the 3rd widow who didn’t receive a rocket stove did receive one, and the first two widows had additional simple constructions built for their kitchens, which the students were capable of completing for the local women. In addition to this widow care, all the SLAM students had the opportunity to visit the school neighboring the campus, St. John’s primary school. The SLAM students helped organize a school assembly which included songs, skits, and encouragement for the kids. 3 groups also got to remain at the school to help teach classes and bring a special sense of excitement to the students. Another group returned to the Bombo dispensary with even more students to help clean the facility, which was a huge blessing to the staff.
The SLAM service camp ended on Thursday afternoon on the other side of wonderful service to the local community, empowering Bible teachings, freeing times of praise and worship, and a strong sense of fellowship and encouragement. Many students testified after the week that they felt capable of serving their neighbors without having to have access to abundant resources, that all they needed were willing hearts and the decision to put the needs of others first. They also testified to the fact that they had a newfound identity and purpose as God’s children, and that they wouldn’t let the world take that away from them.
Community for GOD network conference in Uganda.
On Friday, we welcomed pastors from the Community for God Network (CGN) on campus, which is a network of churches associated with GOD int’l, getting to benefit from leadership conferences and the support of other bodies of Christ in building his kingdom on earth. This CGN conference ended on Saturday, and many pastors testified that they had their eyes opened by the teachings, that they were refreshed and encouraged by what was shared, and that they were so thankful to be a part of a network that supports so much ministry all over East Africa. This conference included pastors from Uganda, Kenya, and even Sudan and Burundi. I was so humbled and grateful to witness and participate in so much life giving work for people hungry for God’s word, right here on our campus in Uganda.