Kampala, Uganda
Evangelist Plays Major Role in Ministry
It was my first time to visit Uganda, and my first chance to meet a man for whom I’ve been praying for several years. I introduced Evangelist George to the Luke Society’s Global Allies for Prayer (GAP) when he was a single father in search of a new bride. It took three years of persistent praying, but God finally answered in bringing Betty into his life. Now she works alongside him in the ministry. We prayed them through a heartbreaking stillborn death of their first baby in 2001 and then a joyful delivery of their first child.
It was a particularly emotional moment for me when George took my hand and tugged me into his office to show me his notebook full of GAP newsletters. He expressed his deep appreciation for the prayers of the GAP warriors and his own commitment to stand in the gap with us and rally prayer in Uganda for all of the other Luke Society ministries around the world.
Following the example of Jesus, George goes from village to village teaching, preaching and ministering to the people. He begins each day in devotions at the clinic in the Lubya Parish of Kampala. All of the Luke Soceity Uganda staff joins him. During his time at the clinic, he stands by to minister to patients while they wait for medical care. He also makes house calls where needed within the city.
On scheduled days each month, Rebecca, George and the team go out to the remote areas of the new project area in Muduuma. There he shares the Gospel to patients as they wait to see the nurses, and then he makes house calls in each of the communities. I was moved by his loving display of genuine compassion for their suffering and concern for their souls. It was easy for me to imagine him walking alongside Jesus as one of his disciples.
On one home visit in a rural village, George introduced us to an elderly woman who had been abandoned to fend for herself. She was severely emaciated and unable to walk. Her only son lived too far away to make regular visits. After we knocked at her door, we could hear her scoot to the door to invite George and us into her house. When George first met the woman, he made sure she got regular care from other community members, and after a time, he led her to receive Christ. She now calls him “my teacher” and looks forward to his visits. Rebecca has formally trained community health workers in the closest village to help with her ongoing care.
Many patients in several ministry villages are seriously ill with the effects of AIDS. Evangelist George takes special care to visit and share words of comfort with each person. He also lays hands on them to pray for God’s healing grace. He feels a particular burden and urgency for them receive Christ as so often their lifetime is shortened by this terminal disease. The households of these mostly female patients are usually full of children who are likely to soon become orphaned. The Luke Society helps AIDS patients receive medicines to prolong their lives as long as possible.
Wherever Rebecca’s team goes, George accompanies them to provide spiritual care. Not only do they visit the sick, but they also visit the women they are helping with small loans to set up private businesses to support their families with food and shelter. Some women have been given small loans to start pig raising projects, some are growing mushrooms, some are seamstresses and one lady has started a beauty salon. George shares the salvation of Jesus Christ with each of them. Some have received Christ; some have not yet made the decision.
Continue to pray for George for God’s love and power to flow through him to the many in need. It is not a job to him, it is his passion to serve and follow Christ’s example.
Brenda David