Experiences we have had this week

 God of all creation, your presence is known and felt in every corner of the globe. As we answered the call to serve as your hands and feet in the world we found that we did not need to take action for you to go with us; you have gone before, and you will remain in this place after we leave and will accompany us home. We stand in awe of how you are at work in the world, and stand in amazement that we are called to join you in this work of building up the Kingdom.

We give you thanks for the experiences we have had this week; the laughter shared, the sweat shed, the work done, and the joy spread, shared, and received. This week has inspired us, challenged us, broadened our horizons, and reminded us of what it means to be a disciple. This week has been a “mountain top” experience that we pray will continue to shape us and encourage us as we strive to be a witness for you. While we wish we could stay on the “mountain top,” the reality is we must come down.

This place, which will forever be special to us, was never meant to be our permanent mission field. God called us and led us to this place to be immersed in the practice of doing mission, to learn how to be salt of the earth and light of the world, and to deepen and grow in our understanding of what it means to serve others. Our challenge now is to take these lessons learned; and carry them home with us. We are called to recognize that “mission” is a word that stands alone, and one that doesn’t need “trip” attached to it. We are called to engage in mission wherever we are.

God of endings, and God of new beginnings, we give you thanks and praise for this week, and pray now that you give us the courage to take these lessons learned, and put them into practice in our daily lives. Help us to be instruments of your peace, working to spread your love and grace in our actions and interactions. Help us to be attentive to the needs in our own community, and to the ways in which we can do mission in our own backyards.

ACF USA missions team pause for a picture with the local medical team and the rest of the local team that served with us. 

Sister Eneefa Wosu's heart for the youth. She spent a better part of the day counselling the young people and helping them make better choices in life. 

We had three Ophthalmologists serving in the Eye care department and we saw more people than we have seen in the past mission trips. 

One of the families that received treatment from our two days medical camp.

Nurse Judith serving one of the patients. Judith is a practicing Midwife who is currently under the ACF child education sponsorship program. 

The crowd that turned up for treatment on the 2nd day of our medical missions.

We had the opportunity of visiting some homesteads. Poverty is evident in most of the families.

People trekked distances to come to receive medical services.

Our missions Director Dr.Amos Dike and Bro.Ike Emmanuel praying for the local Pastoral leadership for the work ahead as they disciple the new converts.

The pharmacy department was busy all throughout the day.

Bro.Emmnuel Ike was instrumental in the counseling department. 

Bro.Raymond Mbawuike as another great vessel in the counseling department. 

 We also worked with the local Pastors to provide counseling and we have faith that they will provide good discipleship and after we're gone. 

Counsellors meet up for a thanks giving prayer at the end of day two. 

As we leave Kumi for our second leg of missions to Fortportal [Western Uganda], we ask continued prayers over this place that has been home for the past week, and all those with whom we were blessed to meet and spend time. Lord, as we leave, we pray that the experiences.

2022 ACF Missions updates

Today was day one of our medical missions. As I write this update, the rest of the team is deep sleep because of their tired bodies. Our bodies may be tired but our spirits are rejuvenated daily because we extend compassion. Compassion is what energizes us even when our body hurts. Compassion is what extends our patience even when we rather blow our fuse. Compassion drives you to share the Gospel even if your throat is feeling sore. Compassion is what changes your heart from “What is in it for me?” to “What is in me for others?”

Yesterday we spent half a day with the ACF sponsored and those that have recently graduated from school. We also shared a meal with them. It's nice hearing their stories and knowing about their experiences with God.

Brother Raymond Mbawuike encouraging one of our sponsored children. 

Like mentioned earlier, today was day one of our medical missions. You know what? Medical missions provides a unique and tangible way to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to people who have great physical needs. A common result of this medical outreach is God opening hearts to the Gospel as people are introduced to the Great Physician and their greater spiritual need.

At ACF, our medical missions program focuses on evangelism. We use medicine and eye care to bring spiritually needy people in contact with the Gospel.

It was encouraging to see everyone coming together to serve God zealously. Regardless of our ages, background and other differences, we're united in Christ and bonded by God’s love for us.

A mother with a disabled child waiting to be attended to by the Doctors. 

Judith Karungi [Midwife] attending to patients. Judith is one of the ACF sponsored children. 

Dr. Lazarus examining a patient. He is also a graduate from the ACF Child education sponsorship program.

The eye care department.

Prayer and counselling. 

People lining up to serve food. All the people that come to receive medical services are also served a healthy meal every day. 

It is lovely meeting fellow brothers and sisters in Christ of Kumi. It is also rewarding to be serving with the children that have graduated from our Child Education sponsorship Program. In fact we have three nurses and one medical Doctor currently serving with us at the mission field and serving their fellow community. 

Dr.Laz examining a patient.

Some of the people we served earlier today. 

Sister Eneefa Wosu providing counseling to one of the patients. We use medicine to bring spiritually needy people in contact with the Gospel.

And, gifts [Cocks, turkeys and produces] are part of the gifts we receive from the natives. We wanted to return these gifts but it isn't a good practice in their culture for a visitor to refuse gifts.

Gifted hands of Brother Ike Emmanuel. 

2022 ACF Uganda Mission updates

It's such a joy to be able to go out once again and witness. Covid19 did us bad but we can't sit back and lament over the lost time!

We arrived in Kumi last evening and missions work officially begun today. It's sad that two of our USA team members didn't turn up because of Visa related challenges! All in all, our God reigns. 

Thank you very much ACF Family for your giving, sacrifice, and prayers to help make our mission trip to Uganda a possibility! God is working in each of our lives, and we look forward to sharing our testimonies with you upon our return. 

Today has been a very full and rewarding day! It started early since we were getting on the bus just after 9:00 A.M. We headed out to Kamenya village with great anticipation. It's today that we had the building commissioned and handed over to the ACF Uganda Leadership for equipping and God willing, the hospital will eventually begin operations before the end of this year.

Here below are the pictorial updates of the day. 

Prayer before the ribbon cutting ceremony.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony.

ACF USA Mission team 2022.

ACF East Region Missions Director Dr.Amoos Dike 

The jubilations 

Awarding of certificates to Mr.Onapito and other community leaders who have supported us.

The Harvest. People that came to Christ during the Crusade this evening.

Dr.Amos Dike praying for the new converts.

To say we're all tired when we got back to the hotel this evening is an understatement, but despite this we have all been blessed! Finally, thank you everyone back home for your prayers! We love you and miss you all! 

Stick here for more mission updates. 

Sewing out of poverty

 ACF Living hope program is here for the community Women, Through this program they are equipped with necessary life skills and empowered through income generating projects, enabling them to become self sustainable.  

Through such projects, ACF promotes transformational development by empowering local pastors and believers with the tools and resources they need to impact their communities for Christ. The goal is to multiply the impact by empowering local persons to share what they know with others rather than depending on outside help.

Transformation addresses the spiritual need of recovering our true identity as humans created in the image of God and restoring relationships with God, ourselves, our community and the environment.

Development speaks to discovering our true vocation as productive stewards, faithfully caring for the world and all the people in it. As such, we seek to assist others in developing self-sustaining means to achieve this.

                   A group of 15 Women that graduated from our training school. 

      The outstanding Daage receiving her certificate during our recent graduation.

“I have always loved tailoring. I borrowed UGX 200,000 ($55) from our saving group and bought a sewing machine. People come with torn clothes that need to be fixed and I do it for them at a small fee. This brings me an average of UGX 5,000 ($ 1.4) daily at Jamil Stage in Bujuuko.” Daage testified.

“While out in the village I hear people wish they were part of our group. Some people come to us to learn some basics of financial literacy. We are the experts now in our village so we help them,” Jane, one of the beneficiaries remarked.

                Some of the work done by the graduates as part of their graduation project.

This program is making big impact in the lives of hurting women in Africa. YOU can play a role in giving a woman the opportunity for a better future! Visit www,acfuganda.org/donate to make your life transforming donation.