Report of Mission to Uganda Oct 2006

O.D.M.I together with Doctors on Mission USA spent 9th-23rd October in Kampala Uganda ministering to widows and orphans who belong to Widows Intercessors Ministry.

Rev. Ruth Mwagalwa and her team of ladies organized facilities for a medical mission, widow's conference, and crusades during the first week of the trip.

We would like to sincerely thank Dr Toneye Briggs for his wonderful team who came to help the sick. His medical mission work for the poor can be seen on his website www.doctorsonmissionsusa.org

Below is a detailed report of all that was accomplished on the mission.

Medical Mission

Facilities were kindly given at the Busabala Nursing Home directed by Dr Edward Ssembatya. Dr Briggs (Houston) together with two of his staff from Doctors on Mission USA who flew in from Nigeria, spent five days giving medical treatment to 250 widows. They were assisted by Dr Florence Melindah, a Ugandan physician, and Rev Veronica Ebie, a nurse from Houston.

None of the widows treated had ever seen a doctor before. Each patient was diagnosed and then sent to the pharmacy for medication. Some needed counseling and prayer supervised by Rev Timothy Ebie.

Over fifty pairs of spectacles had been donated by friends in USA. Donna Norris spent many hours trying different pairs on each widow. Their delight in being able to see clearly caused much rejoicing.
Some of the widows had traveled over 200 miles to get help. They went home with testimonies of God's love for them. One lady had to go to the hospital for treatment but before she went God healed her supernaturally. The love that they received at the clinic was a great healing for them as no-one had ever shown such care before.

Widows Conference

Whilst the medical team was treating patients a conference was held a few hundred yards away at Living Waters Church. The pastor allowed his premises to be used as accommodation overnight for several hundred women. Food and mattresses were provided for them. On Friday, the ladies at the church donated breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Widows came from many districts in Uganda. Some had to borrow money for their taxi fare. Others were given the money by those that could not afford to come. Rev Ruth Mwagalwa and her committee spent many hours organizing this event. Much prayer had been made over many months and the Lord answered in wonderful ways. Ruth says, "...The widow's ministry is one of 'KNEES' not 'NEEDS'." and these women responded with all their hearts to the messages given. Such is their hunger for the Word of God.

During the day there was a conference with teaching and preaching. The building was decorated with a huge banner welcoming the O.D.M.I team. A worship team led the praises and each session was filled with much rejoicing.

On the first day we could see that there needed to be a breakthrough as the preaching was hard work! Hearts were heavy: the devil had many captive. But as the days wore on heads were lifted! Broken hearts were healed! Bodies were restored! Deliverance from witchcraft came - All because of the powerful presence of God in the midst.

As the Spirit of God ministered to women who were outcasts in their villages they began to shout and dance for joy. They clapped and marched around the church with new strength and hope in their hearts. Everyone went back with a testimony of God touching them with healing and deliverance. They are permanently changed.

Each widow was given a gift to take back with them. Some had a pair of shoes, others had a dress. Gifts that had been sent from the UK and USA were distributed to widows and orphans. We saw with our eyes God's love in action.

Crusade

Each evening a crusade was held on the grounds outside the church. Dr Briggs, Pastor Stephen Achi, Rev Timothy Ebie and Rev Marc Lamour preached to the people. Many were unsaved and each night some came forward to give their lives to Jesus.

On the last night there was an unusual anointing of praise. People were attracted and a Muslim woman who was passing by came to listen drawn by the Spirit of God. She gave her life to Christ and testified to the fight between the spirit of Islam and the Spirit of God as she was passing by.

A local prostitute and the pimp she worked for were amongst the crowd and they were also saved. Then a tall man in his 20's came forward. He was the local 'madman'. He was well over 6ft and stood with head hung low. His scanty shirt was filthy and torn, and his trousers full of holes. He accepted Christ, had his demented mind prayed for and then lifted his head shouting 'I am saved! The church gave him a shirt and trousers and found somewhere for him to sleep.

Report of the second week of Mission 16th-23rd October

Three members of the medical team returned home on Monday 16th October. Two Nigerian Doctors stayed in Kampala to help in another mission. That left six O.D.M.I team to continue with the work.

We had a great time in the hotel. Each morning we started early with prayer. We had a wonderful unity and fellowship together. This is so important on a mission. There are always unexpected problems and tensions that arise. Prayer keeps everyone together and each person's contribution was invaluable.

God has put us in a unique ministry that provides for the whole person. Jesus cared about the total needs of mankind. We were able to minister too many that needed to be set free from generational curses, covenants with demons, and scourges of sickness and poverty. As well as give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, bind up the broken hearted and preaches the Good News to the poor. What a privilege!

Many visitors came to the hotel. Two Muslim workers at the hotel were saved! Even the General Manager, who is a Christian, came and asked for prayer and God's blessing on his life. Pastor Joshua and Pastor James traveled 7 hours by taxi from Kenya to visit us. We were able to encourage them in the Lord and pray for their work amongst widows in Kenya. Not one moment of time was wasted. Even delays turned out to be blessings! Instead of being on 'Africa Time' we learned that we were on 'God's Time'!

Villages

The heart of Uganda is the people in the villages. Though the population is around 26 million, over 20 million live in small villages. Some are very remote. The people are very poor, many live in mud huts eating locally grown Maize, Matooki, Kasava. Some have a few chickens, goats, pigs, and maybe even a cow.

We visited a village in Luwero district, and one in Mukono District. These were located along dirt tracks with many deep ruts in them. At one point someone said...'hold tight the Grand Canyon is ahead!' Three hours of negotiating these tracks is no joke!

But eventually we arrived at a little village church with mud walls, tin roof and many excited faces, shouting for joy, poured out to greet us. Some widows had walked many miles the day before and slept overnight on the bare mud floor so that they could see us and hear the word of God.

To be part of the prayer and worship in such a remote place is something to be experienced, and is never forgotten. The reverence for God and the harmonious song glorifying His name causes one to weep. These poor village people love God. They have few possessions. Life is hard for them. Children are left as orphans, widows are rejected, but still they praise God.

One of our team members provided sugar, rice, salt and soap for each widow. To see them clutch their precious gifts was very humbling. No fast foods! Nothing wasted! No deodorants, perfume, or expensive clothes. They took back provisions for a few days with such joy on their faces. I wish you could have seen them!

Land

O.D.M.I has financed 10 acres of land in Mukono for Widows Intercessors Ministry to farm and build a Christian Centre for widows in Uganda. This is the first project of its kind in the country. It has given hope and dignity to Rev Ruth's work with widows.

We walked the 10 acres with a group from W.I.M. Two men walked ahead of us and cut a pathway through the bush clearing it of snakes. The land is green and verdant. It is elevated with beautiful views stretching for miles.

Once the land has been slashed and cleared by a tractor a site for a well will be chosen. The perimeter will be fenced and a road put in. A young man has offered to live in a make-shift shed and start to help cultivate it. His name is Robert. He has a wife and three beautiful children. When he first came to Rev Ruth, he was dumb and some time ago was prayed for and he started to speak. His heart is totally committed to helping Rev. Ruth.

120 acres of land was for sale by a Christian widow. She had inherited it from her father who inherited it from his father. The grandfather had been a servant to the King and was given the land as a gift for his faithful service. We went to her home and prayed with her and thanked her for her kindness.

She walked the land many times with Ruth as they prayed and made decisions as to what part would be best for the Widows Centre. It has been sold at a fair price and legal documents have been made. The hand of God is on this transaction.

Please see New Projects for further information on how the land will be developed.

Accountability

We had a business meeting with Rev. Ruth and her W.I.M. committee. A financial report was presented by an accountant. We discussed matters concerning the handling of money sent. We were all satisfied at the honesty, integrity of finances and the desire for accountability. This area is very important when dealing with African peoples. Donna Norris spent time teaching Ruth's secretary how to keep accounts.

As well as the W.I.M. committee, a new board will be established in Uganda with professional people to oversee the important decisions of how to use the land and finances.

We flew out of Entebbe with a sense of fulfillment and thanksgiving knowing that truly 'The widows hearts were singing for joy!'

All money donated through O.D.M.I. goes to the needs in Uganda. Mission team members may raise funds to pay their own airfares and expenses, but give their time free of charge. Nothing is taken out as salaries or administration costs etc. by O.D.M.I.