Greater Things

I want to follow up on my post about Uganda. I don’t want to leave the impression that everything I saw there was difficult or filled with need. There was a lot of that, more than I’ve ever seen, and it broke my heart. But there were also times of great joy, hope, worship and conviction. I share these below:

I worshiped alongside Ugandan Christians on several occasions, and we lifted our hands and voices in joint praise to the God who loves us all. I was so surprised when, from our guest house, I heard the church choir practicing – songs I knew! Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith and Hillsong are all familiar to the Christians in Uganda. Another moment of amazement came when I heard a group of university students, who were camping at Bethany Village, singing “God of This City,” a song that I had just learned and which I felt defined our trip. I thank God that He saw fit to give these songs to Ugandans and Americans alike, so that we could praise our God as one. The times we spent in worship at Gaba Community Church were lively and Spirit-filled. Not only did we worship with them on Sunday, we also participated in their weekly all-night prayer service (All night, yes.) What an amazing experience to see the church buzzing with people, walking the aisles and rows, praying out loud. What a privilege to join with them in singing and dance. Worship in Uganda leaves you spent.

I heard the house mother at the baby home share her passion for adoption and her vision that every child they take in will find a forever home filled with the love of a mother and father. Until they find that special home, though, she has committed to loving and caring for these children as if they were her own. Her commitment was evident in the happy faces, clean clothes, toys and bottles of milk all the children had.

I saw a church that reaches out to the community with education, medical care, spiritual training and homes for orphans. I heard about one of the pastoral trainees, who went home to visit his parents for the weekend, but didn’t come back. Weeks and weeks went by, and still he didn’t return. The teachers wondered if he had deserted the program. Finally, he returned to Gaba. When questioned about his whereabouts, he explained: “During my visit, I invited the village to come hear me share the gospel. The next night, the people asked me to speak again. The following night, the same thing happened. Before I knew it, a church had started. So I moved on to the next village and spoke there. A church started there. While I’ve been away, I’ve started 30 churches.” So the Gaba teachers gave this man with a bicycle, and now he can reach even more villages. Amazing!

I was welcomed to one of the orphan homes by Harriet, the house mother, who wakes up at 5:00 every morning to make breakfast for the 15 children she is responsible for, so she can lead them in a half-hour of devotions before they leave for school. She also serves as a mentor for them, teaching them life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and gardening, as well as spiritual truths through their evening Bible study.

I was convicted by the joy I saw on the faces of children who praised God with empty stomachs and bare feet; who gave thanks that they were no longer living on the streets, even though their orphanage is run by people who abuse them. “My brothers, count it all joy…” (James 1:2).

These same children quoted some of their favorite Bible verses to me: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11). “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7). After each child shared, the others clapped with joy and thankfulness at the words of God.

God is truly at work in Uganda. This song says it so well:

You're the God of this city

You're the King of these people

You're the Lord of this nation

You Are

You're the light in this darkness

You're the hope to the hopeless

You're the peace to the restless

You are

For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done

In this city

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done here

He doesn’t need our help, but He graciously allowed us to be a part of His work and I thank Him. I look forward to seeing “greater things.”