Below, Brother Peter Lausevic (GC Vice President) tells of the work being done in Uganda and about a recent visit to the region.
At the end of May and the beginning of June, I visited Uganda with Brother Dumaguit and Brother Bosco. On the first weekend (May 26-30, 2017) we visited the western part of Uganda near Hoima. The specific area where our church is located is in the area of Kaseeta. Most of the brethren from that region are living in a refugee camp nearby. They are refugees from the Rwandan genocide (April 7-July 15, 1994) and many are still living in a refugee camp in deplorable conditions. Most of them are not able to get work permits in Uganda and so are living off the land in the refugee camp and the assistance they receive.
The last time Brother Dumaguit visited the camp in Uganda he shared his experiences in other parts of the world and donations were received. During our visit, together with the local brethren, they purchased a truckload of provisions and distributed them one morning. The amount of rejoicing was amazing. The children gathered around and were singing and rejoicing as the bags of rice, white cornmeal, and bars of washing soap were distributed to the various families.
While we were there, we heard the story of one brother who shared his remarkable experience. During the genocide, his wife, with whom he grew up in his youth, was separated from him. She had their baby while he had the three older children with him. She died in the massacre, and it was assumed that her child perished in the same terrible event. A few years ago, he heard from an aid worker in Canada who informed him that when his wife died in atrocities, their son was rescued by a lady who took him to a UN refugee camp in Burundi. Later, he was taken by a family in the United States, and he grew up in America. To hear his story, of how he finally saw his son's photo and talked to him on the phone, was really inspiring and heartbreaking. Praise the Lord.
During the rest of the time, we held meetings with the church. One of the most important parts of the gathering was the open forum in which many people freely asked questions. Some of the questions were really challenging but needed. Not all the brethren are still in the camps. Some of the people living in that area are originally from Rwanda and speak the same language but are still living in poverty. Although in poverty, the brethren wanted a church of their own. So they purchased a plot of land and built a church with bamboo and mud. When it came to the roof, each member brought a piece of roofing tin. We met with over 200 people in that church. It was dry even when it rained.
We then traveled to the eastern part of Uganda near Mbale where we again met with the believers there. The church where we were meeting was in the village of Sironko. On Friday Brother Dumaguit again met with the brethren and provided some supplies for them. Although they are faring a little better than those in the western part, they are still in need and they rejoiced in receiving the aid.
On Sabbath, we again met with the church there, and again they had many questions. The open forum was really important for them as well.
The economy is much better near the capital of Kampala than in the rest of the country. However, there are only three members living there, therefore the financial support is very limited.
As part of our endeavor to further develop the work in Kampala, we purchased a headquarters there. However, because there is no wall built around the property, someone came and broke into the building and pulled out all the copper wiring from the building. They need help to build a wall around the building and to improve the property.
If a worker was actually living there, a great work can be accomplished. The problem with sending a worker there is that the salary of a worker in Uganda is US$100.00 per month. And to send a worker there with such salary would be impossible. In their hometowns, the workers have inherited land and they not only live from the funds received from the church but grow most of their food on their own land and also are able to sell some of that food in the towns nearby. But in Kampala, the cost of living is much higher and there is no land to cultivate. Even living at the church headquarters a worker would need a minimum of $500 per month to survive. But with an active worker in Kampala, soon there would be a church in this capital city and tithe income enough to help pay for the worker. But this will require a few years of investment.
Kampala is only one of numerous places around the world in need of a worker. In order to make this a possibility, the General Conference relies on the help of members like you. Every amount counts, as you can see in some parts of the world US$100 is enough to sustain a worker and his family for a month.
You can contribute today by clicking here.
Let us keep our brethren in Uganda in our prayers as well as the work being accomplished in that region.
