Pearl of Africa

When he visited, Winston Churchill called Uganda the pearl of Africa.  After seeing part of the country for myself, I could not agree more with him.  There is luscious vegetation, and many lakes throughout the country, not to mention Lake Victoria.  There are bright flowers and the soil is incredibly fertile.  However, poverty is a very real reality in the everyday lives of Ugandans.  In her book, Kisses from Katie, Katie Davis discusses the irony of the beautiful landscape up next to the extreme poverty and the life that it places upon many of the residents of Uganda.  I found this to be true while we were there.  One village we spent most of the day in was next to a beautiful lake.  There were mango and jackfruit trees all throughout the village off of which people could simply pick fruit.  But the people of this village live in huts.  The gospel is working its way through the village however, the people worship the lake as it provides them with water.  The contrast was extremely evident to me this day as we spent the day talking with the people of this village, playing with the children, and walking those beautiful red Ugandan roads beside the lake and alongside huts.

Churchill gave Uganda its nickname because of the geography as well as the people and I would like to stand beside him in this.  The people of this amazing country also make it the pearl of Africa.  The believers that we encountered are on fire for the Lord and they are incredibly passionate about seeing their community come to Christ.  Their worship is sincere, and they are able to live out the worship they participate in on Sunday mornings.  Those who aren’t believers are friendly, and for the most part listen to what you have to say even if they do not accept it.  They are very hospitable and offer seats of honor to guests they’ve never met before.

Those who work with and at Kerith are part of the reason I believe calling Uganda the pearl of Africa still rings true today.

My Trip to Kerith

I want to start out by telling you about my experience at Kerith Children’s Home.  Late May and early June of last year, my husband, Ben, and I went with a group to Uganda for a mission trip.  We were in country for 11 days and spent a week of that time in the district, as well as the town, of Pallisa.  While there, we worked with Samuel and Mercy Mwesigwa and other passionate believers that all became a part of our family.  Samuel and Mercy are the founders of Kerith Children’s Home and they keep it running while also caring for their own two biological children, Don and John Mark.  The other amazing men and women we were able to work alongside of during our trip help Samuel and Mercy with the orphanage as well as the ministry they provide to the community of Pallisa.

We had the privilege of the children that call Kerith home singing and dancing for us, holding our hands, and hugging us whenever they got the chance.  They smile and laugh easily and help Samuel and Mercy in their ministry in the community.  Along with the orphanage, Samuel and Mercy started a church and a school and are in the process now of building a medical clinic.  We were able to attend River of God church Sunday morning and worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  The Holy Spirit is moving mightily among that congregation and they are on fire for worshiping our risen Savior.  At school, the children learn math, history, English, and subjects much like school here in the States, though the buildings are very different.  Children are fed breakfast and lunch at school, and the children that stay at the orphanage are fed dinner at home as well.

God has placed a love and burden on my heart for Samuel, Mercy, and our other friends that help them in their ministry in Pallisa.  I long to be with them again, to minister with them, to fellowship with them, and to partake in the amazing work that God is doing through them!  It is truly amazing to me that I only spent one week of my life with the amazing people that are truly my family and are so very dear to my heart.  God truly works in amazing ways to bring people together, even from halfway around the world.  I hope that the love God has given me for Kerith can be contagious and can urge you to find a ministry, or person working for God that you love and desire to work with, even if it does not end up being in Pallisa Uganda.

Please join me in my journey to cover Kerith with love, support, friendship, and prayers!

In Christ,

Meg