God Is Good in Uganda

The people of Bwakama, an area in Uganda, located deep in the interior, had a dream in July, 1997. They told the bishop they wanted to build a church and asked for his help. They repeated the same story to everyone who came to visit their area.

Despite many obstacles, the people at Bwakama, Uganda, built the church they dreamed of.

While they wanted for a response, they began to make bricks by hand. In six months they had made more than a thousand bricks. Meanwhile, the General Board of Global Ministries allocated five thousand dollars for this asking, hoping that a group of expert builders from the Rockford District of the Northern Illinois Conference would provide the labor. The money was sent; the volunteers were recruited.

As the time to begin work grew closer, the small number of Ugandan Christians showed their own commitment to the future by using two hundred dollars to hire an engineer, himself a converted Christian and devoted to the Lord. The engineer made drawings for the church, changing them when they seemed too ambitious and unmanageable for the church. With patience, faith, and personal stewardship, the people of Bwakama began to build.

But their progress was blocked when political maneuverings of some of the leadership of the church led to blocking the workers from the site. What sadness it was for those who had traveled from Illinois with such hope and ambition for affecting the local people. What sadness for the townspeople, the local leadership, and the local church. When the Rockford team finally left in frustration, the Ugandans were downhearted. Still they said to themselves and others, "We think we can, we know we can."

And they did.

On May 29, 1998, I consecrated and dedicated a brand-new church building that consists of a metal roof and four walls of brick and wood. Although there are no doors or windows, the church was dedicated, including the drums used in worship, the altar, benches for the congregation, and special liturgical cloth coverings for the altar.

The church people were overwhelmed and moved by what they accomplished. They were reminded that "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."

"Mungi ni mzuri," the people cried. "God is good."

July 24, 1998