Highlights from Uganda by Holly Lambert

Highlights from Uganda.

Uganda. We found Uganda to be wonderful place, beautiful countryside, small villages and congested busy Kampala City. This country is on the list of poorest nations in the world. We fell in love with the people there. Before leaving I noted the almost non existence of information on Uganda compared to the usual plethora of information carried at our library on various countries I did find information on seeing Gorillas, one or two travel books of course mentioning the big game animals and a DVD movie called "The Last Scotsman", a few Cd's on African music. The cultural divide between the US, which the people call America, and Uganda is like comparing day with night. Although the people of Uganda, if they go to school learn English, but it's British English. Despite this wide divide God knit our hearts to Uganda. Our mission team felt the call go into the world making disciples of all nations in the name of Christ. One of the best things we brought with us was hope but this did not diminish the importance of daily miracles we saw. Hope is a very strong foundation in which to build our mission teams faith, and the faith of the Uganda people. Just our very presence brought the people of Uganda hope. I noticed this presence of hope everywhere we went to minister we were held in high regard. Our total mission was focus on ministry which did not leave time to see the large game animals or the gorillas. It was a very busy schedule, the best way I can describe our schedule was some kind of time warp in which you might say how could that mission team done so much.

Because of the intensity
of the mission let me just share a few times of ministry that have stuck in my mind besides the visiting children at schools and orphanages where our hearts were stolen by the children singing. We all loved the Ugandan singing and dancing.


Elise, Phyllis and I had just finished ministering to a school which was near to the Uganda style hotel we were staying in. We prayed for each child in the school that was over 75 children plus the teachers could not seem to resist our prayers also. No doubt the ministry conference would be mentioning that we were on another mission as our leader Fran Hallgren was the main teacher of the conference talked about leadership to the Uganda ministers and church leaders from the village of Kyenjojo. The ministers were from different denominations. As we left the school in the van we traveled on the muddy road full of pot holes some which seemed could swallow a mountain at times. Suddenly up head the Uganda Driver part of Pastor Godfrey's mission team said there was a lady up ahead who want us to pray.
We are going to stop, good I thought but the first thing that went through my head was well we can't pray for everyone, but as I saw her sitting on the ground dirty clothes I was eager to pray. We jumped out of the van to pray. She lived in what we would call less than a shack, as I approached her I saw her sitting in the dirt. Of course she was wearing a dress as most all of the Uganda women do. I noticed wooden leg- a crude wooden leg she looked old and tired. Phyllis was on her left and while I was talking to her Phyllis reached down and took her pulse. I want to know a little bit more about her before we prayed.

I began talking to her, I ask her if she was a Christian, if she had Jesus in heart. I just talked to her a little while when I could tell by her movements and her distracted look she was in tremendous amount of pain. She had the urgency look in her eyes please pray right away it was a look of desperation. Phyllis and I prayed for healing in the name of Jesus Christ. I don't remember exactly what we prayed as we laid our hands on her but I do know we prayed in faith knowing Christ would answer. Yes and the Lord did, Phyllis looked into the eyes of the woman and asked how do you feel now? All of the sudden the biggest smile came
on the face of the woman her eyes lit up. She said yes the pain has stopped. It was obvious something had happened to this woman. When we were back at the hotel Phyllis
the intensive care nurse, said to me, I think she was having a heart attack her pulse rate was very irregular. We both reflected how immediately the pain had left this woman sitting on side of the road. We gave praise to God Almighty for his healing power.


On another ministry trip I agreed to go to a jail for ministry along with Robin and Judy. We started out with some Uganda ministers one who had ministered to this very jail we were going to. We met so many minister on our mission trip it was hard to keep all their names straight. The ministers always seem excited to accompany us. We went in expectation most of the time. On this trip it was a distance away from were we were staying probably the farthest we traveled on a ministry excursion from the hotel in Kyenjojo. I wondered is how in the world did they figure out where they were going there were no road signs. We started out on one of the few paved road in Uganda but then found our way on to the dirt pot hole roads, then turned on another dirt road and another. You can almost never expect an Uganda road to be smooth even if it was a main through fare. Some of the roads we traveled on were not much more than two tire tracks. Many of of the Uganda people do not care what the roads are like after all they always walk. At times we saw groups children in colorful uniforms walking or running- many barefoot going home from school.

As we finally approached the jail we stopped and had a time of prayer. The head jailer was not pleased with our arrival because we had not made plans ahead of time to visit. Never the less he allowed us to talk to the men in the jail the women prisoners were also sitting on the side. There were about 25 men in this walled and gated jail. About 7 women also were seated outside. Judy was what I called an expert in jail ministry because she had participated in a jail ministry for quite a few years.

Judy gave a testimony of what Christ had done in her life.
I gave a salvation message. The men responded they heard the message of Christ's forgiveness. They bowed their head and prayed that Christ would enter their lives.
It was a powerful time we saw hardened prisoner's with new expressions on their face.
We ended in praying for all the prisoners individually. All but two of the men agreed to invite Christ into their heart. I am sure it was the first time for many to receive Christ forgiveness experience Christ's love. It was a wonderful time. Robin prayed many beautiful prayers over the women prisoners. Thanks be to God for the wonderful mission trip we had. We could feel the prayers of the people praying for us.

From Our Mission Pastor Saazi Mwesige Godfrey

My picture of the year...


When no one is there to encourage you do it yourself. As I went through some of our ministry pictures for this year, the Lord gave me a message as I looked at this picture. We were doing ministry in the Acholi land where the Lords Resistance Army rebels had spent over 17 years fighting the Ugandan government. Our van broke down we were worn out because we had worked in the IDP camps for 9 days. In this region the language is one of the most difficult to speak or understand, communication was a problem.

My team members decided to go to the near by village to look for something to eat, the nearest trading center was about 5 miles away from us, I stayed behind with John our driver, after 3 hours our members were not coming back. I was exhausted from riding our bicycle where the van could not go. Now the van was broken down, there was no hope of finding parts needed for repair. The money for buying parts was not even there if the parts were to be found. Everyone was asking me as a leader, what do think? What are we going to do? Are we safe here? Is there any hope of getting away from here?
When everything turns against you turn to the Lord.

This reminded me of another instance about two years ago, working with a team from SPAN; we were doing crusades in the villages of Kyangwali Hoima district. It was a rainy season, right when we picked up the microphone to preach, a heavy down pour came, we braved the rain and a few people gave their lives to Christ. The rain did not stop; we boarded our van to drive back to a small town where we stayed. On the way our van got stuck in a small river where the small bridge had been washed away by the rain, we tried all we could, people from the village came to help, but we could not get the van out the mud, this exercise took us over 5 hours, we were giving up. The leader of the Span team Dennis, encouraged himself and his team to start on walking the more than 10 kilometers, it was dark and muddy walking through bushes and forest, by the time we got home it was 6 in the morning. When every thing turns against us we need to trust God for direction.

Reflecting upon all this the Lord said to me you are the leader, encourage yourself, decide on the way forward. I was reminded of how David after winning great victories had come home, only to find that every thing in the camp was destroyed even, the families taken by the enemy. Everyone in the camp was crying, and all people turned against him. The Bible says in I Samuel 30:6, “… But David strengthened himself in the Lord His God.” after all David’s tears, he inquired of God and He gave him direction to pursue the enemy. Through the Lord’s help David and his army brought home their possessions, recovering everything the enemy had stolen.
Never despair, God will always make a way out for you.

God brought a truck coming from Southern Sudan, which helped to tow us to Gulu a town, where we could get help.

I pray the message will bring hope to you in your times of trouble.

God bless you.

Saazi Mwesige Godfrey.
GOMU.

A Uganda Mission Report by Holly Lambert

Fran Hallgren and Translator Uganda Teacher speak to children telling them about God's love for them in Kampala.

Kyenjojo Radio Station

Picture at Radio Station after talking on radio

(Pastors and Robin)

Thank God for this Wonderful Mission to Ugnada

by Holly Lambert

The first thing I have to say is go to Uganda, as I told the radio audience of Kyenjojo. I would recommend travel to Uganda, which some know as the Gem of Africa. It is a beautiful land with friendly people who love to see smiles. The radio audience I am told was 1.5 million. Robin Bachini and I were accompanied by three Kynenjojo ministers and our Uganda Mission Director, the ever dedicated Pastor Saazi Godfrey head of Grace Out Reach Ministries. At the radio station, KDR 96.7 FM we were allowed to give testimony- (Robin), pray for individual calling into radio show- (Robin and Holly), and tell about Aglow International Ministry- (Holly). The report back was: listeners were calling back for long time after we the station with testimonies of how God healed them physically and testimony of answered prayer, then also more prayer requests. Our visit to the radio station, opened doors so much so that the radio station was willing to give the Kyenjojo ministers the lowest possible cost a radio show slot twice a week. Pastor Godfrey claims this victory a miracle. In my opinion, it was just a taste of the many miracles we saw. After a week of ministry in the Kyenjojo, the area the ministers asked, (almost demanded) to have the team come back next year. Oddly enough, the Kyenjojo area was chosen in part because it was the beginning of the rainy season. It was felt that there would be better weather conditions for the team. The area ministers (various denominations) had never been gathered in any kind of joint mission or conference. Our mission was going to schools, jails, a hospital and a crusade and the conference was attendance by 427 attendees who were to be church leaders and pastors. And yes we fed the Church leaders a balanced meal each day which was large and enjoyed, as one church leaders told me. Food in Uganda is generally not a problem but getting a balanced diet is, but as of today, I received e-mail from Uganda stating getting food now in Uganda may be a problem because of recent floods. The poverty and need of help in Uganda is overwhelming.


The Uganda people need you your visit; in person help their economy, in prayer- to besiege God's grace to fall upon them, in giving- to help orphaned children many who at times have lacked food.

Uganda is not just a beautiful land to visit. It has people who you will fall in love with and sights and experience that cannot be explained in a travel book. The people there cry out for help in silence. They will hide their needs from you, or in the next moment be oblivious of the total different world you come from. Some how your presence brings them hope; as if the prosperity you have will fall upon them or that God above has not forgotten them. The people in their hearts carry a genuine feeling of hospitality. At a more practical level, your visit will provide them with funds as we paid to stay in their homes.

The best thing about our Uganda visit was being a bringer of the light. We carried the Gospel of Jesus Christ where ever we went. Our first week November 1-7 was with Pastor Godfrey. It was challenging week because of being immersing in a new culture; but the excitement of the mission, loving hearts of the ladies on our team, the sincere genuineness of the Pastors we met, and Fran Hallgren, our Aglow Transformation leader, helped us get through.

It was long trip to arrive at the airport in Entebbe, Uganda. At the point of exhaustion, we were met by Grace Out Reach ministry team who lovingly took on our need of transportation, carrying our luggage, arranging of lodging. They did this by faith that we were going to be ministering to Uganda in a special way. We were entrusted to carry God’s message with us. Through God’s grace, God choosing us to go forth In Christ’s name we fulfilled our mission. Our schedule was a full one. From morning till evening our team was speaking at the Pastors Conference, then with short break we off to the Crusade. In the evening at the Crusade, we gave messages of greetings, testimony of how Christ changed our lives, a message of evangelism; to give a chance for those attending to ask Christ to come into their heart.

The Uganda people were listening carefully, I observed that the Uganda women were not as free to follow as many different occupations. I mentioned in my greeting that I was a female firefighter, and they probably had not met a female firefighter. They took it as challenge, it came back to me that somewhere in Uganda they did indeed have a female firefighter.

The crusades had great results, the crusade manager reported, that over 370 people gave their lives to Christ. After the evangelist message anyone who desired could line up for prayer. All of our team prayed for each person in line by laying hand on a shoulder of the person; this could be 20- 25 people maybe more (adults and children). We used interpreter for our messages and in the prayer lines. In the prayer lines, many were touched by God, while some felt God’s presence for the first time, others were healed of physical ailments. Because of the multitude of people we were encouraged to pray for each person only a short time. As we were praying, people would get on the stage, who had just been touched by God- saying I am healed or I don’t have any more pain. They would explain the to the audience what God had just done.

On this trip we prayed for many many people. I remember praying for a man who said he could not hear well, after the prayer, we usually say how do you feel now or how is it now? The man nodded his head, yes, I can hear from that ear. Never doubt the power of God. God’s presence was there that night to heal. Praying for your prayer line was not always easy, the first night I had two ladies so unkept that smell drove me away, I could not get close to pray, it was very disturbing to me that they came forward, but I could not get close enough to lay my hand on them to pray. That same night I prayed for at least 2 aids patients and many sick people.

Our team split into at least two team durning the when the Pastors Conference (also know as the Pastor Fellowship) was going on. Often the minister would say the team is now at a school ministering to the children, or at a jail or somewhere else. That week during the conference everyday we out in mission work as some of our team minister to the church leaders. We visited schools, jails, a hospital and the radio station twice.

There were many schools, both church schools, public schools, I saw no lack of schools, but a lack of what we would call a traditional school. From our view Schools were without books or libraries, most we saw had a dirt floor, and opening in a wall for windows, many had roofs with holes in them. No play ground equipment, no athletic fields, no supply of paper in the closet, no musical instruments, no reference books or computers, many no electricity. The schools would have what they called books, which was sort of a notebook in which an amazing amount of learning would take place. Their teachers and the notebooks would prepare them to take nationalize exams to pass to the next grade. Much of the students learning is in oral fashion, so it was natural for them to sing to us. We heard many songs and all of them stole our hearts. Every student we met took Uganda National. They took the tests very seriously. It seemed we pray for extraordinary amount of students. I would say, over 90% of students requested prayer for wisdom, or prayer to pass their exams. Students were polite and followed teachers instructions. At the schools we prayed for teachers and some pastors whose ministries helped fund and run the schools.

It was humbling to us to see teachers, pastors, as their tradition called for, kneel out of respect before us, as we prayed. We laid our hands on them and prayed how ever the Holy Spirit led. This kneeling was usually on a mat but sometimes just on the dirt floor. It was such special times. God just seemed to invade the area as we prayed.

At the schools, we shared the gospel usually through a cube which tells of the good news of Christ, it’s called an evange-cube. It was very effective everywhere we went, but we also made necklaces which shared Christ, and told puppet Bible stories. One of the first schools we went to, the teacher said she had been praying for us to come for years. There are many very sincere Christians who wanted God’s touch from someone who was daring enough to cross the ocean, get out of their comfort zone, and pray a prayer believing God would speak and answer. Again it was humbling, for me to hear her say, she would indeed keep praying for us.

On the jail visit I saw hardened hearts be changed instantly as the love and forgiveness of Christ flowed into them. On this mission I was bless to give a salvation message.


In the morning our Aglow Transformation team would gather at the Kyenjojo Hotel for a devotion. Most morning we would take communion with the pre-package communion sets some 500 sets 2 boxes I stuffed in my weight limited suitcases. I tried to take as many things as possible to give to the Uganda people. I got so carried away that I decided I could indeed wear 10 bright colored t-shirts under my suit jacket to give away to some of the poorest people in the world- Uganda people. My t-shirt idea actually worked very well, until the very last flight I mentioned it to a team member and then it was, hey do you believe what she did? Our team gave away many children’s vitamins, Bibles, clothes, shoes, gifts to Pastors what ever we could carry. The pre-packaged communion sets seemed to set the Pastors Conference at a different level when Pastors from different denominations came together it was a memorable moment. I was also able to bring Bibles to give away from our Church Bible ministry. Our ministry hopes to send more Bible to Uganda in the future.

With sadness we left the ministry with Pastor Godfrey and started another exciting week. Our second week with Imelda Bwayo who is the National President of Aglow International in Uganda. Our 10 women team split into 3 teams. My team went to Entebbe, where we stayed in a pastors home, and his neighbor who was a member of the church. Pastor Moses and his wife Martha were wonderful people they completely trusted us to do ministry in their church. They kept us very busy, two Aglow meetings, two Sunday school classes, 3 Sunday Church services, Orphanage visit and ministry to a Pastors group in a three day period. Our team Donna, Phyllis, and I heard testimony of how women lives were forever changed from women of hopelessness to women encouraged, confident, freed in love and power of Christ. The Aglow meetings have provided quite a transformation for them. The Lord graced us with the opportunity of being there at moment when new chapters of Aglow were being formed allowing us speaking at the meetings, pray for attendees and advise newly formed Aglow Chapters (which we call Aglow Lighthouse).

At the Aglow meeting in Uganda as at home we emphasized evangelism, prayer, hearing God’s voice, baptism in the Holy Spirit and many were set free just as when Jesus was preached. Aglow encourages the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and 2 Timothy 1:6 as a way to encourage Christians to use the gifts they have, empower them in Christian ministry and to pray in the Holy Spirit as the Lord leads: praying in a heavenly language of tongues.

From Entebbe we went on to the home town of Imelda Bwayo Mbale, where we continued in ministry to a new Aglow group. Our whole team took a morning off to go on a prayer journey to Wanale Summit, a beautiful mountain top then ministered to an Orphanage. While I was in Mbale, Phyllis and I stayed with another Pastor, Pastor Luke. He was very hospitable and a good cook. The many Pastors we met noticed that by grace of the Lord Jesus Christ our Aglow Transformation team came in power, an organization make up of all sorts of Christian denominations with many leading members claiming the status of lay leaders. Aglow started as a women’s movement in the United States to empower the gospel to go forth through women. Now it has entered the world, even men are eager to taken up it’s cause. Aglow International, as I saw first hand, is taking off in Uganda like wild fire.

Thanks go to Pastor Imelda, who was in charge of our second week. We saw so many wonderful thing the Lord was doing in Uganda.
Our whole mission team enjoyed our mission trip so much, even though we had many challenges. Thanks be to God, many people were ministered to.
Thanks be to God for this outreach to Uganda, thanks to the people who supported it.
Holly Lambert

Letter from Aglow President Imelda of Uganda

Dearest Fran, Elise, Donna, Phyllis, Judy, Robin, Fray, Holly, Jill, Joy,

You and the Transformation Team are still fresh on our memories because you are very warm people. We enjoyed every moment you were with us. We value the work of ministry each one of you served in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to Uganda Aglow ladies and all Ugandan people you fellowshipped with. We also thank you for every help you gave to orphans.

We have dreams that you will in future days visit us again and again. We pray that our dreams will come to pass. We will not get tired of dreaming until you will come again.

We will always give praises to the Lord for the commission, for the protection and the care He gave you while you were here and for the work of ministry well done. We are angels that visited us that we will never forget that were sent from the Lord.

Your coming to Uganda, I am sure will give each one of you a new vision of team work for serving the Lord and His people. We learnt a lot from your team and feel more prepared for missions.

The Lord anoint each one of you and your eyes of understanding with God's wisdom and knowledge for ever and ever.

We Love you.

Pastor Patrick and Pastor Imelda.

Pastor Godfrey -Grace Out Reach Ministry

Pastor Godfrey

Here is report from Pastor Godfrey…..
Hello Fran,
I thought that this can be of encouragement to the headquarter and the team members to know how God used them.Our conference in Kyenjojo was the first to bring together that big number of church leaders in the district, the registration shows that we had 427 church leaders who attended. One of the most significant things about the teaching was that, every one of the women brought the teachings that were needed by the leaders.
After the conference one pastor went home repented before the congregations, of the rift that was between him and his elders, the whole church was in tears, there was God’s presence and repentance from the whole church. This has caused great revival in this church. I got a call from this pastor telling me that, in two years no new member had joined them. But since the end of this conference 13 people have joined them. The conference did not only bring deliverance to the pastor, but the whole church was freed from bondage Praise God. The spirit of strife had bound the church.The crusades had great results. The guy who worked as crusade manager gave a report that over 370 people gave their live to Christ. As you know we had a problem with the rain, but this did not stop souls coming to the kingdom.

Students in different schools had a chance of hearing the gospel a good number open their hearts to Christ. From the prisons I received a letter, the warden was so appreciative, to the team and work done, he made a request that we send them bibles, and if possible we help with blankets. This one need that inmates have nothing to cover at night.

Radio program, through radio we were able to reach 1..5 million people. And the most amazing thing is that after we had left people continued calling the station. Many were giving testimonies of how God had healed them, and many other answered prayer requests. As a result the owner of the radio station has offered us chance to have one hour’s program, twice a week, at the cheapest rate of $ 200 a month. I believe this is a miracle, join us in prayers that God, will give us provisions, so that we will be able to get this money and continue with this radio ministry.

Hoping you will develop better thoughts to include in the report. But am so encouraged to know how my people benefited from our visit to the area. And as I mentioned to you earlier, pastors are asking that we organize another conference next year, I will put this before the Lord so that we may get a team for next year. Hoping you can help to lobbing. My secretaries send the receipt, hoping you will get them Friday.
Godfrey.

Kyenjojo Sewing School

On Tue, 2 Dec 2008 02:08:55 -0800 (PST), "David Busobozi" said:
Dear sister and friend Fran.

Hope you are doing well in the lord.

It was nice having you and the team in Kyenjojo. We are very sure that the lord sent you in time and with a timely message. We loved your teachings and we were blessed so much.We appreciate for the time you put in to visit our tailoring school for the orphaned girls, please we request you to continue praying for the work for it is not easy for us. The girls were so excited and blessed for your prayers and love you shown them, they always give testimony about your visit for the encouragements they got.Please we will be grateful to hear from always.My wife Annette who used to interpret for you sends greetings and we love all the members of the team and the rest in the lord. Pastor David & Annette Busobozi- Kyenjojo town full gospel church.

"David Busobozi"