Uganda Mission
by Marchauna Rodgers
Exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. That’s what
Paul describes in Eph 3:20. It is exactly how life has been over the
last seven months. Again and again God has done exceedingly abundantly
more.
Last fall, Good News NW carried two stories about Medical Assistance
& Missional Outreach, or MAMO for short. It was a privilege to share
the backstory and explain why MAMO was getting started. But really,
MAMO was little more than a compelling vision. Since those stories
ran, God has answered MANY prayers! He continues to amaze everyone
involved (and most who hear) with His blessings.
The best example of God doing exceedingly abundantly more is in
regards to the IRS Form 1023, the form filed to apply for tax-exempt
status. MAMO’s application was approved in only three days. The
average time required is three to five months!!
Another amazing example of God doing exceedingly abundantly more is
the board; God brought together an incredibly diverse team of people.
Different strengths, different gifts, but one united goal and
compelling need to focus on; bringing medical support to children in
Uganda. The team is made up mostly of people who were in Uganda in
July of 2016 (when God gave the vision for MAMO) and their spouses,
with one notable exception; the treasurer. The MAMO treasurer is a
student at Moody who speaks IRS fluently and has prepared taxes for
seven years. She is also a beautiful example of God doing exceedingly
abundantly more; she was a direct answer to desperate prayers prayed
the day before.
One of my favorite provisions from the Lord is a partnership with
Bobby Enslow and Indaba Coffee. Indaba is selling a specialty MAMO
roast (sourced from Uganda), and donating proceeds to MAMO. Buying
this specialty coffee supports a local business, helps provide food
for the hungry in Spokane, supports coffee growers in Uganda, and
helps provide medical support for orphans in Uganda!
Because I know God has called me to serve with Cru in Spokane, I’m
not “on staff” with MAMO. Instead, I have full freedom from Cru to
work with MAMO as a ministry consultant. Which brings me to another
exceedingly abundantly more example. Talking about MAMO is a platform
for engaging in spiritual conversations. It has opened doors that
might not be opened any other way and gives me opportunities to
explain my faith, which can lead to sharing the Gospel outright. I am
discipling two different women as a direct result of talking about
ministry in Uganda, and have had countless conversations with people
from all walks of life. It is SO amazing.
The most precious part of the MAMO story, though, is what we get to
do. The first ever MAMO ministry team is headed to Uganda next month.
We’ll be taking donated medical supplies, soccer & volleyballs, and
customized first-aid manuals, as well as whatever other items are
donated, along with (by God’s grace) personally engraved Bibles for
pastor in the fledgling MAMO network. Six of us will work alongside
Ugandan nationals to train staff from each school to use these
resources to alleviate suffering for some of the very least of the
least of these.
The plan is to visit a handful of the neediest schools (as assessed
by our Ugandan partners) where we’ll do medical clinics, treat urgent
medical needs as a way of training. Then we’ll bring the remaining
pastors to Jinja for a one day training. That way we can provide
support to the schools God has called us to serve in spite of the
limited time. And in the end, that’s what this is all about. Children
in Uganda are dying every day. Pastors and teachers in small Christian
schools are struggling to feed the students in their care (remember,
school in Uganda is not free; the government doesn’t pay for
anything). They don’t have money for medicine. Sometimes even
lifesaving medicine…
One school we visited last year lost more than 100 children in one
year, due in part to illness and disease. That was just one school.
Countless schools like these, started by national Ugandan pastors as a
way to share the love of Jesus with children in their villages.
Healthcare, like education, is mostly available to those who can pay
for it. When you’re struggling to buy food, it’s difficult to buy
medicine.
This struggle, however, isn’t limited to Uganda. Similar schools dot
the landscape in Kenya. A similar need exists in India. In fact, God
has already given us a potential partner; as soon as MAMO is ready, we
can send medical support teams to India!! But that is something in the
future. We have to make it to Uganda first. The team leaves Tuesday,
April 18. We’ll be home May 2. This is a huge step of faith; we’re
still trusting God to provide all the necessary finances and
resources. But we’re trusting the God who does exceedingly abundantly
more. It will be exciting to see what He does.
If you want more information about MAMO and how you can help provide
medical support to orphans in Uganda, visit the website,
www.mamouganda.org. To keep up with the highlights during the trip, be
sure to follow MAMO on Facebook or Instagram.
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