January 9th, A Time of Reflection

Hello all. This is Kirsten and we have had a very emotionally challenged day! We visited the slums in the middle valley of Kampala to distribute food, pray and meet the people. It is shocking to see the condition of the people and the places they live. We met a gentlemen named Douglas, who is a missionary for Mana Ministries (organization that distributes food) and he spoke to us about the ministry, the need of the people, and explained what our visit to the slum would entail. The ministry had a large tent set up in the middle of the neighborhood where people were gathered to listen to the gospel, get in to small groups to be prayed for and share stories, as well as ask questions, and receive food donations. Amy, Lennis, Debbie and I were to pair with an interpreter (most do not speak or understand English) and Misty or Anthony to lead a small group in prayer, counsel, and just simply get to know them.

It is amazing to see how responsive the people are to accepting Christ in their hearts and willingness to commit to continual prayer. I was personally touched, as four people accepted Christ in my group after praying with them! I prayed that I would have the words to say (I am not a very eloquent speaker!) and was quite nervous upon arriving. However, once I started communicating with the people, it was surprising how at ease I felt. The other girls had similar experiences and it is amazing to see people who are in such desperate need for physical and spiritual intervention, accept Jesus in to their hearts! Mana Ministries then, follows up with the people who accepted Christ and assists them in starting home churches.

Something that I appreciated about Mana ministries is that not only do they have concern for spiritual needs, but physical needs as well. Physical needs were visible immediately upon entering the neighborhood. Children were playing in the dirt and garbage with torn and dirty clothes, no shoes, and sometimes with no shirt or shoes. Many were thin and had flies landing on them constantly. Rarely did I see a child with or near a parent. It was also blatantly obvious how much the children needed love. They all wanted to hold our hands and many followed us around wherever we went. The children were all so beautiful but were in such need of care.

The residences of the people of slums are places most of us would not feel clean or safe enough for our pets to live in. It is truly a frightening picture. Much of them were still flooded from the rainy season and people had put their beds up on blocks, so they would not get wet. The sewage gets in to the water when it there is flooding and runs in to the homes. Mosquito's are drawn and people easily get Malaria as a result. Doors consisted of hung dirty sheets and matresses were made of anything somewhat soft even if it was soiled, torn etc. Walls were dirty and cracked. Garbage was littered around the whole neighborhood and dirty cows wandered down the street.

Going in to the slums touched our hearts more than I can say. These people need food, a clean environment, health, love and the gospel. We are so blessed as Americans to have all that we do and that reality has never become more obvious. Please continue to pray for us and above all, pray for the suffering and sorrow plaguing Uganda and the greater part of Africa. We will continue to keep you updated as often as possible. Talk to you soon.