I was very blessed to be able to go on this trip. I didn’t know what to expect, but God placed in my heart a peace that these were His children. Yes, they are in great need, but they are His, and I was called to serve them in any way I could.
Staff member and IGNITE Alumni, Colin, interacting with some of the children at the outreach.
Day 1
On Thursday may 17, our first day in the town of Moyo, in Northern Uganda, we visited a camp called Palerino. This camp was one of the poorest of all, with the most orphans of all the resettlement camps in Uganda. At this camp, Me, Colin Sandberg, and Laura (a young lady invited by Pastor Roger) got the opportunity to play worship music for the youth in this camp. It was amazing to see the turnout of this event. There were about 250+ youth and pastors at the event, and even though they didn’t fully know all of the songs we played, they still worshipped the Lord in their own way. Local pastors were given the chance to speak to the youth and invite them to get connected to churches in the camps. Pastor Roger Gales from Heritage church spoke to the crowd to encourage the young people. Ashton Nones, my team leader here in Uganda, was able to encourage the group with a message of hope. After a while of playing well-known worship songs, Colin decided to change up the pace and play a few children’s ministry songs that really got them involved. Their favorite was Romans 16:19, a song which I believe was a very apt song, and a good on the spot choice by Colin. All in all, it was a very good, hot, day of worship with God’s children from South Sudan.
Pastor Roger Gales taught over 500 Pastors and Leaders Inductive Bible Study
Days 2 and 3
Friday and Saturday were focused on pastor’s conferences. The pastors in these areas are very underprepared for long-term ministry and have the tendency to burn out or lose sight of God in these tough areas. At these conferences, there were about 500+ pastors who heard Pastor Roger Gales teach Inductive Bible Study. There were also encouraging messages on leadership, conflict management, and forgiveness brought by Pastor Peter Klause and Pastor Roger. All pastors attending received writing materials and a Bible. It was amazing to see the unity of all these pastors, for there were many denominations present, and even more local tribes, but it was an act of God to see everyone working together to build each other up and help one another in their IBS exercises. There were so many people at the second camp; two translators were needed for everyone for the two local languages present. All the pastors were very touched and blessed by the messages, and they all left refreshed and equipped, ready to effectively lead their congregations.
PFM Staff Member and IGNITE alumni, Ashton, helping distribute food!
Day 4 and Prison Outreach
On Sunday we briefly visited a local prison in the town of Moyo. There were about 100+ prisoners there, some of which were Christians. We were able to play music for them, something they don’t get too often. Pastors Roger and Peter encouraged the men and women there, and we were able to give them soap, mosquito nets, and salt for their meals.
That night we began to unload food boxes and prepare for the next day.
On Monday we were able to distribute boxes of prepackaged self-contained meals to about 100+ families in the town of Moyo. We were also able to give shoes to the women and children, of which many did not have shoes. It was a short, well organized time, but we were very blessed to hand the food and shoes to the people, and they were all very thankful and appreciative, all leaving knowing that these things were gifts from the Lord.
Our Team! Pastor Roger Gales of Heritage Christian Fellowship, Denise Carlsen, Director at MISSIONS 1040, PFM Staff Members, Ashton and Colin Sandberg, and #IGNITEClass14 intern, Ethan, on the day the team distributed food.
The whole trip was very successful, and a real teaching experience for me. I am very grateful for this opportunity, but I would ask to keep these people in prayer. Pray for provision for the people, and hands and feet to go, for there are many who still need to know there is someone who can heal the hurting and restore hope to hopeless.
Thank you, God bless – Ethan McClain, IGNITE Class 14 Intern
