Widows Celebrate 9th Annual Conference

11th-17th May 2008

Widows Choir

Hundred of widows gathered in Kampala for the annual conference run by Widows Intercessors Ministry. Some came over 200 miles from Lira, North Uganda. It was a time of much celebration and blessing. They slept on foam mattresses on the floor of a school. Chris Reading and Fran Handrick were delegates from the UK. One speaker Mrs Segamesti travelled from Botswana and Pastor Grace Ndungu came from Kenya.

Apostle Alex Mitala, the Overseer of all the Born Again Churches in Uganda officially opened the conference and gave a stirring, challenging, and encouraging message. He committed his organisation to working with Rev. Ruth and supporting her in this developing work to widows. Mrs Esther Nsibambi, the wife of the Prime Minister of Uganda gave a powerful testimony and message to the widows of the faithfulness of God. Rev Ruth Mwagalwa had a surprise cake made and it was distributed amongst the congregation making a wonderful addition to the celebration of God's love.

Bibles were were bought with money donated by a friend in England and were received with joy. There are still many women who need a Bible and we hope to give more out in October when we have another Mission Trip to Uganda. One of the highlights was the newly formed W.I.M choir. They sang with enthusiasm and joy and were much appreciated by the audience. Open Door Missions International was able to donate money for the purchase of a choir uniform. This was received with great excitement and on their next appearance they will all be dressed the same.

As well as having a feast of the word of God, the widows had three good meals a day. A cow had been given by a lady, and bags of rice had been donated. Some of the produce from the land, sweet potatoes and pumpkins were also used to feed everyone. W.I.M comittee had worked so hard to make this time the best it could be!! I have to say that I am very impressed by the love, unity, and commitment of Ruth and her ladies. These African women know how to work hard for the kingdom of God! They care about their country, ministry, and people in need, and they are actively doing something.

Gifts of jewellery from England

Fran Handrick had collected a large amount of Jewellery donated by friends which she carried in her suitcase (leaving little room for clothes!). Each widow received a pair of shoes, a blanket, some rice, sugar and soap before she left. As she gathered her gifts she then went to the table of necklaces, bracelets and earings, and chose something for herself. To have a gift like that was something wonderful for each widow. It showed them that God sees them as being of great value and worth in His sight.

This visit was a wonderful time. I saw the far reaching effects of the ministry to widows in Uganda. And heard testimony of the pigs and cows that have been donated and the value they are to widows. I watched the widows listening to teaching about their legal rights, and health issues. Widows Intercessors Ministry is caring for the whole person, spirit, soul and body. I came away feeling that I will do whatever I can to support these Women of God who are reaching out with the love of Jesus.

Christine Reading 2nd June 2008