Uganda Projects – Kampala and Mbale
By Pat Reese
The other day I heard someone speaking about the Parable
of the Good Samaritan. Not only did the Samaritan show com-
passion by stopping and tending to the man’s wounds, but he
also took him to an inn and provided for his food, lodging and
medical care until the man recovered. The speaker was empha-
sizing the fact that, even though the Samaritan could not stay to
care for the injured man himself, it did not stop him from help-
ing his neighbor. Even though I have heard this parable all my
life, I had not thought of its specific application to our neigh-
bors who are far away and especially how perfectly
it fits our mission of helping the widows and or-
phans in Uganda. These are people who have been
“beaten up” by life and left with no hope. Although
we may not be able to go to Uganda and care for the
people in person, we can show compassion for them
like the Good Samaritan did, by leaving them in the
hands of capable people with instructions to take
care of them.
This is exactly what has been happening with
the widows and orphans that we are helping in
Uganda. Even though we have not been working
in Uganda very long, we are starting to hear how
the lives of these people are being changed, thanks
to the compassion of “Good Samaritans.” The
widows and orphans that we have been helping
are thankful, not only to receive such things as
food, lodging, bedding, medical care and educa-
tion for their children, but friendship and encour-
agement. Just knowing that someone cares brings
a great deal of comfort and hope.
As you read in last month’s issue, thirty-five-year-old
Hilda Irene Bagalana was losing her sight, but because of
some generous donations, she was able to have surgery and
regain her sight. Pastor Mukhooli wrote, “Both of them [her
eyes] had totally lost sight. But as she was operated on the
first right eye, the following day after removing a bandage
on her, she started seeing dimly and on the third day she
could see fairly. On the fourth day she was taken for an oper-
ation for the second eye which gave the same results. She
could not read or write before the operation… she is reading
her Bible perfectly now…” Since her surgery, Bagalana
wrote that she is thankful for the change in her life and now
her children are happy because they can continue their edu-
cation. They thank God for what you have done for them.
You also read the letter from Adia Kasaija, who is so
happy that her son, Robert is now able to finish school. Rob-
ert says, “I am confident that through you I will at least try
my level best for my teachers.”
There are many others whose lives have been changed
by the food, water, blankets, medicine, etc. that have been
provided by caring neighbors. Many children are attending
school and getting an important education that will eventu-
ally enable them to provide for themselves. In fact, this
school year Pastor Mukhooli has started a school with three
teachers for the children living with him. Not only is it less
expensive to run their own school, but the children will now
learn Christian values in a loving environment.
One of the twenty-five orphans living with Pastor
Mukhooli and his family, and needing sponsorship, is
ten-year-old Shem Hubumugisha. In 1994, Shem’s mother
and her three children fled Rwanda to es-
cape the genocide war that was going on
at that time. On July 10, 1995, Shem was
born in a refugee camp in Uganda. This is
where Pastor Mukhooli found the family
when he went to the camp to preach the
gospel. Upon returning recently, he
found that they had moved to a neighbor-
ing village. Unfortunately, the mother
had passed away and Shem was living
with a married sister.
The sister was too
poor to take care of
him, so she accepted
Pastor Mukhooli’s of-
fer to let Shem live
with him. Shem has
been living with Pastor
Mukhooli since June
1, 2005 and is now
attending school.
Shem is a talented young artist who has drawn a picture
of one of the three sewing machines owned by Pastor
Mukhooli and used in their home. Pastor Mukhooli received
these machines from his brother who used to work in a tai-
loring shop run by whites in Nairobi, but who is now very
ill. The machines are being used to sew and mend clothing
for the children. They can also be used to teach tailoring
when materials are available.
Pastor Mukhooli wrote that, “Right now we are having a
very strong drought which has caused hunger.” He goes on
to say that he has lost his two cows due to lack of grass. He
has to go out searching for water because almost all the
wells and springs are dried up. He closed the letter asking
that they remain in our daily prayers. We are working to
send food and water relief as well.
Even though our neighbors are on the other side of the
world, we can still bring them help and hope. Compassion is
not limited by distance and right now is a time that the peo-
ple in Uganda need our compassion.
?
-3-
Shem Hubumugisha
above; his drawing
at right.
