Uganda Mission




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.