Uganda Mission: Seeing the Fruit of Past Work with Future Seeds Continually Planted

***This year’s team from left to right: Audrey Patra, Cn. Leah Turner, Rev. Geoff Little, Bishop Drew***

Every year that we go on mission, the Lord amazes me with how he works and how he surprises us. No matter if we go with a plan or if we go with open hands waiting for the Lord to reveal his plan, the team always comes away in awe of His providence, his mercy, and his perfect timing. We arrived in Uganda literally on a wing and a prayer as the bishop and I almost missed our flight out of JFK to Uganda. Rev Geoff, who met us in NY, was waiting on the plane for us with his luggage. The doors were closing as we ran down the airport corridor and we just made it on board - faces flushed and chests heaving. While we made it on board our luggage and carryon’s that were gate checked from Boston to NYC did not. So we arrived in Uganda with only the clothes on our backs, and Luke chapter 10 (the sending of the 72) in our thoughts. I knew from that moment the mission was going to be spectacular.

And it was. Spectacular does not mean we had no challenges. The days on mission are long (14-20 hours on average). The food is wonderful, delicious, but different from home. We had wonderful accommodations, but no hot water so the showers were cold. Visiting school children ran through the corridors at night and were, well, children. Schedules and itineraries changed, teaching topics altered at the last minute, and all our carefully prepared materials went out the window. We had a car that while comfortable to travel in, had an alarm that would not shut off, so we drove down the street, lights flashing and alarm blaring. We just pretended we were very important people and smiled and waved. Traffic in Kampala was as congested as always, and there was no time for being tired.

Healing Service & Cathedral Service

While we did not set out with a healing mission in mind, that is what this trip turned out to be. We began with a pray service for Audry’s dear friend Baroness, who is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We began praying for her but ended up ministering to her whole family and then the entire compound. We felt the Lord’s presence fall heavily with healing hands, words of knowledge, and exhortation. Joy in praise, worship, and fellowship abounded.

On Sunday the Bishop preached at All Saints Cathedral in Kampala where we were warmly welcomed by Provost Rebecca. Rev Geoff and I assisted with communion, and we toured the nearly finished construction of the new cathedral. We also met the head of youth, and suggested that on our next visit, we meet with them. This was greeted with great enthusiasm and seeds for a future mission trip with greater ADNE involvement were planted…

Clergy & Spouse Conference

We then continued our mission with a three-day clergy and spouse conference for the Diocese of Kampala, which grew out of two previous visits to the diocese at St Andrew’s Church and Canon Michael’s urging. Bishop Andrew was the primary speaker, with Rev Geoff and I opening the teachings with a 30-minute lesson and introducing meditations in the afternoon. This was an exciting activity to introduce to the clergy as we suggested ways to be silent before the Lord and hear his side of the conversation that he is having with us. The Lord’s hand was on this conference as the clergy became vulnerable with each other and the Lord very quickly. Miraculous healings occurred, including healing for our very own Rev. Geoff! The conference was so successful that it was recommended that a hybrid team from ADNE and Kampala coordinate further conferences across Uganda so that others might also learn, share, and grow together in the love and healing that God has for them. More seeds for further ADNE mission….

Commissioning the Water Storage Project

We then continued to Muhubura Diocese where the water project that was funded by so many of you was completed at Rev Nicholas’ church Kibugu and the Kibugu school. After our 15 hour car ride, we arrived and were warmly greeted by Bishop Godfrey Mbitse and his Diocesan Secretary, Rev Steven. We had dinner at the lovely guest house, with yes, cold showers, and prepared for our ministry the next day. That night it rained quite unexpectedly, turning the front courtyard into a river. It seemed as if walls of water poured from the sky. It was gone by morning, but the dust had settled and when we arrived in Kibugu, the tanks that you all installed for the people were full. That is how much God’s hand was on this mission. The tanks we came to prayer over, bless, and celebrate with the village were full. It could not have happened without your help. The villagers created a skit for us, that showed how they often fought over the small amount of water available before and then they danced in joy as the clean clear water flowed from the tanks. It is a gift you have given this village that is incalculable.

From there we traveled to South Ankole diocese (photos below) where we celebrated a service in which over 90 people were confirmed! Those in this region have lived through drought for over a year, with their only water source miles away, on land that is not even theirs. Men, women, and children pull wagons, bikes, or just walk while dust hovers several feet off the ground – like a haze that coats everything in a gritty mist- carrying as many jerkins for water as they can balance. If they had water, the diocese has coffee and other seedlings they could use for cash crops and to feed the people. If only they had access to water… and more seeds are planted for possible ADNE mission.

Children’s Clinic & School

We visited Potters Village, the hospital sponsored and funded by the Diocese that cares for children who have been abandoned or who are orphans. The children often have severe medical issues. They have a neo-natal wing where babies fight for life in incubators, one so small he was not even the length of my forearm. We were able to raise money for the clinic that would help them to operate for 6 months or buy desperately needed equipment. The relief and gratitude on the faces of the administrator and Bishop Godfrey were heartfelt. And our hearts melted as we walked through and prayed for each child there. They are currently without a doctor, and we began to wonder, do we know doctors who might travel there for a short term mission? And more seeds were planted…

***Secondary students at Centernary School***

We visited Sesame Girls School and Centenary School that are both sponsored by the diocese for the children of the fringe people, orphans, and others who would otherwise not receive schooling. As we looked around and were greeted by the children with song and dance, we noticed they did not have access to water or even a school building with good walls. The children’s uniforms needed replacing. Would we be able to help? Maybe coordinate a youth mission with the schools there? And more seeds were planted…

This mission was clearly the fruit of prior trips and the Lord’s leading. It affected our hearts and changed our lives in ways that are difficult to describe. But we do know that this work has been done together as a diocese. And the work that we are doing in Uganda, that we are beginning in Kenya, is the fruit of the life and work of the ADNE. Bishop Andrew has said that we are a global movement of the Holy Spirit and the evidence for that is clear. I and the whole team want to thank you for your partnership and work of mission. This would not be possible without you. And there is much yet to do. But is is joy. The Lord is with us and we continue to seek his will as we walk forward in this ministry. We will have more information on potential projects and updates on our continuing projects at Reawakening. Until then, God Bless.

Rev Cn.Leah Turner, Canon for Global Mission