Watching the Lord Move, in Uganda and in Our Church

From time to time, the best way to highlight what God is doing around the world through AMG International is to hear directly from those volunteers who are often the hands and feet of our ministry. This month, Jimmy Stribling from Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, N.M., shares his experiences with AMG in Uganda.

In 2007 I signed up with Hoffmantown Church for an AMG International mission trip to Uganda; I was the only one to sign up from our church, but I went along with 15 other believers from other churches that August.

On this trip, I made a home visit with a child who is sponsored by a friend of mine from Hoffmantown. As far as I know she was the only child sponsored by a member of our church at that time. I will never forget the joy expressed by that child—that visit is the reason that I am involved with the AMG child sponsorship program.  

What I noticed most during this trip was how our God has used people to help the children and their families in Uganda. Hoffmantown Church has since then played a major role.Today, 70 members of Hoffmantown are sponsoring 89 children there. Fourteen people from Hoffmantown have gone on subsequent AMG mission trips to Uganda.

During a January 2009 trip, after visiting a family, we saw 11-year-old Solomy crawling around in the dirt as she was unable to walk. She was born prematurely with a crippled leg and had never attended school. Team member George Miller asked that she be enrolled in the AMG sponsorship program. George and his wife Diane are now sponsoring her. They also contributed $500 for her medical needs. We visited her and I presented her with some gifts. She is now walking with some assistance, and expects to fully walk without assistance in the future. She is now in school and is excelling in her class. She is so happy; her self-esteem has been restored. Praise the Lord!

While in Igamba, Uganda, that January, the main prayer concern was building a medical clinic. When team member Doug Hanson returned home, his 93 year-old mother asked what she could do for the program. Doug told about the need for the clinic. Mrs. Mindy Hanson has been saving pennies all her life for a rainy day. She told Doug she would provide half funding if he would provide the other half. Doug and wife were on our most recent trip, and we all attended the dedication of the beautiful new medical clinic. Mindy works weekly as a volunteer at AMG’s Chattanooga, Tenn., office.

 On that same January trip, Paul Gustafson taught some families biblical principles in handling money and how they might establish a small, growing business. He and others entrusted AMG Uganda with money to assist certain families in this endeavor. On my last trip, I saw two grocery stands that had been established from these funds.

Mary Hosler, another team member, visited her sponsored child on the most recent trip, and, thanks to entrusted funds, their house had a new roof (the house had no roof last year). Hoffmantown members have provided families with over 100 goats or other farm animals to supplement their income. During home visits, families showed us their farm animals, many of which have offspring, with pride

During one trip, we provided leadership at a youth camp that was attended by 218 AMG sponsored high school students. Many of these youths were in their early twenties as they were unable to attend school before receiving AMG sponsorship. The week was spent in the study of 1 John with the theme of “Ignite Your Passion for Jesus.” After an adult presented a lecture, we broke up into small groups of about 20 people. The students’ main prayers were for a closer walk with Jesus, doing well in school, a chance to go to college (or get a good job), and salvation for their family and loved ones.

Many of these students are from Muslin backgrounds, and tribal witchcraft is practiced by many of their families. After acceptance into the AMG sponsorship program, the love of God is shown through the money and support of sponsoring families as well as through the AMG staff.  In time, most students are drawn into a personal relationship with God. In the closing session, seven students prayed to receive Christ as their Savior.

During the second week of our last trip, the ladies of our team met with the AMG staff ladies to assist with the Dorcas Ministry. This outreach, started by Mrs. Florence Musiime (wife of AMG Uganda director Rueben Musiime), involves all of AMG’s female staff and provides adolescent girls with health tips for personal hygiene, spiritual guidance and discipleship, and counseling services. The Women’s Ministry of our church has significantly contributed to this ministry, and Florence is praying about starting a scholarship fund for the Dorcas girls. 

My joy from these mission trips did not end at my departure. The first ever AMG International Uganda Bible Exposition Conference took place in April 2009 with 120 participants. Our pastor, Wayne Barber, was the lead speaker. Wayne plans to  return in 2010, accompanied by another ministry team. Two other mission teams are being formed to go in coming months as well—one will be a construction team to help build the new Camp El Har orphanage, and one will be a medical team.

In Uganda, I have witnessed what a second chance in life will do for a child—joy, happiness, self esteem, hope, and praising our Lord for His mercies. The sad part is seeing so many needy children just outside the gates of the childcare centers desiring to be a part of the AMG program; there are thousands of children throughout Uganda with similar needs. The cost of sponsoring a child is $28 per month. Your sponsorship will provide a child living in extreme poverty with that second chance. 

If you are interested in sponsorship or in getting your church involved in missions with AMG,
please contact us at:
AMG International
“Attn: Mission Adventures”
6815 Shallowford Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(800) 251-7206
www.amginternational.org