Matthew, Mark, and Luke all describe a moment when Jesus led Peter, James, and John on a trip up a mountain. The purpose of the trip was to pray. While they were on the mountain, Jesus was transfigured, Moses and Elijah showed up, and the three disciples heard the voice of the Father saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, listen to Him.” (Mark 9:7) In that space, Peter suggested they build some shelters, but alas, that was not the purpose of their trip. They were meant to know and see, to trust and follow Jesus with greater clarity.
In January of this year, Shelley Rogers (Missions Coordinator), Alec Knopf (Video Producer), and I made a trip similar to that of the disciples. We had been invited by Brent Smith (with Watoto Church and Bobi Agricultural Institute) and the Kibo Group to visit Uganda to see what Jesus was doing in that country and to see if there was a space where Jesus might be calling us to partner in Kingdom work.
Watoto is an English-speaking, multi-site church that is Christ Centered and Community Focused. Watoto is familiar to many in Springfield because of their touring Children’s Choir. In Watoto’s forty-year history, they developed several Children’s Villages. We saw three. Watoto Childcare operates orphanages, elementary and secondary schools, medical clinics, and churches in the Villages. In three sites, they also operate the Neighborhood – a women’s empowerment and employment program where women learn to sew and create goods for sale. Watoto is committed to seeing those on the fringes of society, reaching out to them, and providing opportunities for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Bobi Agricultural Institute, an outgrowth of Watoto Childcare, is modeled after the College of the Ozarks. Bobi is a work that is 40% complete, and in the fall of 2024, it began hosting its first students. Bobi has the potential to be a profound game changer for the whole country as students learn to harness the rich agricultural environment of Uganda with Christ-like service and leadership.
Kibo Group is headquartered in Jinja, which is the starting point for the Nile River. Kibo has a superb staff that works with villages to improve water, sanitation, hygiene, and basic economic conditions. Their engagement is infused with the Holy Spirit, and they report that many people come to Christ as they share their programming. Each component of their program is filled with Scripture, and they weave the Gospel into every interaction. As villages graduate from the program, they are encouraged to search for a neighboring village in need of help and replicate what they have learned.
The people we saw and heard made a profound impact on us. Uganda has been known for its political and economic tumults in recent times. Evil has afflicted thousands of homes. But the people we saw, many of whom knew the great sting of sorrow, were hopeful, joyful, and grateful. They looked to Christ, and in him have found help for today and strength for tomorrow. The people are eager to share with others how Christ can do the same for them. The people of Uganda are reaching out to neighboring countries to share the Good News.
We saw some opportunities to partner in Uganda and will process these possibilities in the next few months. We continued to see a vivacious faith that had much to say to our hearts and calls us to know and see, trust and follow Jesus with greater clarity.
