Once again we are preparing for
another mission trip to Uganda Africa. This team will be doing the same type of
ministry as we have during the other trips except for one unique difference.
During this trip we will be ministering in a refugee camp. These Congolese
refugees have left their home in northern DRC because of the fighting that
continues there. This camp is called a homestead camp because the Congolese are
given a plot of land when they arrive where they can erect a home and plant a
garden. In October 2012 the camp was processing seven hundred folks a week and
projected that eventually sixty thousand residents would call that place home.
After a brief visit to the camp in
October we began to explore the possibilities of sharing the gospel at the camp.
Pastor Simon and the Revival Miracle Center churches began to collect donations
of clothes, food and finances with a plan to hold a weeklong crusade and
conference there where they would distribute the contributions. In January 2013
the crusade was held and over 225 people were saved. Many people attended the
event and received food and clothes. Not only did the Congolese people welcome
the ministry, but there is now a new relationship between the Ugandans and the
Congolese as they explore other ministry opportunities.
In October 2012 I was part of a
small team who traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to train
pastors. We met in the city of Uvira with 200 Congolese pastors for 4 days of Bible
and church leadership training. While we were there we shared about the refugee
camp and some of the pastors felt the need to help with the ministry there. It
was obvious that the connection with the Congolese pastors in the DRC and the
mission opportunity at the Congolese refugee camp was more than a coincidence.
Although there are no immediate plans to return to the DRC we are looking at
ways continue to work with these pastors.
As for the refugee camp there are
immediate plans to start a church there with many more to follow. This is an
incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ with a group of people who
have lost a lot. The camp has a 40 year contract which means that before the
last Congolese refugee returns home there is always going to be a ministry
opportunity. Our plans are to continue supporting the work that has started and
to promote ongoing ministry in the years to come.
Danny
