Intake, exam, lab, evangelism, prescription. If you take evangelism out of the list, it sounds like something we’ve all experienced at an American doctor’s appointment. The monotonous receptionist, a doctor who comes in to check up on you, the weeks it takes for test results to come back, and a prescription medication to pick up from the pharmacy. This feels like a chore and something we take for granted, but for the beautiful parents and children taken in today at Kirumba, Kyotera, it is a blessing. But what about the word left out: evangelism?
The clinic works like so: first, parents with their children come up to the intake station with team members Georgia, Ava, and Matt Snyder weighing, taking temperature, and taking down basic information; second, the families would walk to the doctor station where medicine was prescribed based on symptoms, some children sent to the lab: a table with field tests operated by Mason, Anna W., and Elliot. The air was filled with screams and tears of young kids whose fingers were pricked for blood tests, but what it represented was amazing: children getting life-changing medicine.
After the exam and lab, every family would come to the decision counseling tent. Three amazing duos— Sarah Brinkerhoff with Cole Travis, Anna Buchanan with Addison Forman, and Mandy Miller with Gabe Traub. These groups, along with our great Ugandan church pastoral interns as translators, had the opportunity to present the gospel, explain that salvation is from grace by faith only, not by good works, and pray for each family and their children. 38 people accepted Christ!! There are no words to explain the joy this brings to the team and Heaven. After decision counseling…a presentation of The Gospel, not a forcing of being a Born-Again Believer, the family, regardless of their decision, was walked to the pharmacy.
Sara R., Ian, and Suzette Snyder helped the hospital staff give out prescribed medication that saves lives, some medicine as simple as dewormer pills. Along with medicine, each family got porridge mix, oats, and flour, food so simple to us but a blessing to these beautiful families.
However, the clinic cannot begin without the food and medicine being driven from Bethlehem Hospital, which is almost an hour away. We had heavy rain in the morning, and our truck hauling the large bags of food got stuck in the mud. The amazing hospital staff dug it out of the mud and arrived at the clinic. However, what could we do when families are waiting with their bored, tired children? A dance party for the kids, of course. To see the parents relax as their children laughed and danced alongside our team was a blessing on its own, establishing trust with each parent for our team. The first to join was a young boy named Tony. Tony has Cerebral Palsy, one of many amazing, kind kids with it at our clinic today. His energy and willingness to dance encouraged other kids to dance, passing the time as we waited for the truck to arrive. It did soon enough, caked in mud and weighed down with hundreds of bags with food. We quickly unloaded, and our clinic was on its way. Over the next few hours, families did the stations—intake, exam, lab, evangelism, and prescription. Overall, we served 104 children and their families.
After the clinic, we returned to base camp—the Nabisere Hotel— to quickly throw on our beautiful handmade clothing tailored by Irene, head of the tailoring program and Solomon’s wife. We took the bus to The Banda Lodge, a place very familiar to a handful of us. We had a celebration BBQ dinner and a real treat of ice cream, courtesy of the Snyders. The air was filled with laughter, gratitude, and joy.
As we wind down into our last day, I’d offer some encouragement to our team to cherish the moments and be proud of the work you’ve been able to do as hands and feet of Jesus. To everyone reading this 8000+ miles away, Uganda is so special, you can’t know it fully without experiencing it; but to describe it in a handful of words…open hearts, bright minds, and love for the simple things bringing the purest joy. We take so much for granted in the Western world…water from the tap, paved roads, A/C, and healthy children. But the people of Uganda who have little and struggle much have a joy that far exceeds our own. So, remember what really matters…Jesus is the bread of life, love your neighbor, and count all hardships a joy to give to the glory of God. Thank you so much to everyone who participates in Master Cares through mission work, prayers, or donations, and remember to pray for the people of Uganda and come on out!!! It’s fun in the world God has created for us to serve His people.
Lastly, I would ask that you pray for us as we begin the journey back home on Friday morning. God willing, we will arrive back in our great state of Texas on Saturday night.
