Joseph leads the IMFC team in Kampala. He handles all the IMFC business needs in Uganda and personally directs the Prison Ministry.

Hello Jimmy. This is Kennedy’s story of how he came to know the Lord. Kennedy is an inmate in Nakasongola Prison.

“My name is Kennedy Kaunda Chris. I’m 28 years old. I was born in a non-christian family and I grew up not knowing who God is.

I did not follow the instruction of my parents or even listen to the advice of any one. But when I was arrested and thrown in the prison for robbery, I started thinking of my sin.

When Bible Way came to Nakasongola Prison, I enrolled and started my study in Bible Way. Today I’m born again and I have completed the books and earned the Diploma from Bible Way.

My life has changed. The word of God is my food and water. When I’m hungry and thirsty, I meditate on God’s word. Thank you for helping me know Jesus. I will fulfill my calling until Jesus comes back”

Jimmy, I know this is God at work in Nakasongola prison again. To God be the Glory for great things He has done.

Thanks for loving us.

Love
Joseph.

Here is another life that has been impacted by what Manna ministry does in the slums. Zahara Namusisi is a 28 year single mother of three. She is living now with the virus HIV. She was not born with the virus; she contracted it from a man that fathered her children.

Douglas talked to Zahara this week and I recorded our conversation so you can listen in.

Zahara
-Entered Kampala in 2000 to live with her mother
-She was 19 years old when she came to Kampala
-She got involved in a relationship with a man to escape the hard times she was facing
-What she didn’t know is that the man was HIV positive
-Today, Zahara is living with the virus
-She tested positive in 2005 and has been shamed by the people around her
-Zahara is a former Muslim

-She gave her life to Christ in March of 2011, is born again and baptised
-Her rent is 30,000 shillings per month ($14 US)
-She has three children
-One of her children was born with HIV
-She is currently working in the third book of the Bible Way materials
-Zahara encourages others to get involved Bible Way and has recruited many
-The Lord has changed her life

Continue to pray for Zahara and the work of IMFC in the slums of Kampala.

Over the past five years of working in Uganda and DR Congo, I have read hundreds of stories of people whose lives God has gloriously changed. Many of these stories I have posted to the IMFC blog for you to read, enjoy and celebrate. But there’s one story I’ve not posted. My story.

I’m afraid that I often forget, or overlook, or underestimate my own story of grace when I encounter these great, heart moving accounts of broken, improvised, sinful, neglected people being wonderfully saved and changed by God! You see, as I compare my story to their story, my story is not nearly as sensational and heart rending as theirs. But I do have a story. It’s a story that is unique to me. It is the story of how God has changed my life. Here’s my story.

I had the great fortune to be be born to and raised by parents who loved me, loved God and taught me to be a Christ follower. As a result, I never got into trouble as a child or teenager. Mom and Dad kept a pretty tight rope on me. If they had not, no telling what I would have done or tried to do, because on the inside, I was rebellious. I know that I would have followed the crowd into whatever mischief was out there. So I hated their tight control over my life: What I did, who I did it with and when I did it! American freedom for me was freedom to do what my parents said I could do. No more. No less.

Every week I went to church. Not because I wanted to, but because my parents made me go with them. I heard sermons on every subject imaginable or, lets say, I was in the room where these sermons were preached physically. Whether I actually heard or not is another story. But while there I felt the call of God deep inside my innermost being drawing me to Him, but my will was stronger than His call and I stood my ground. I never responded. But I could not celebrate my victory over the voice of God because I was miserable on the inside. I was in the wrong and I knew it. I could not shake this knowledge. I was running from God. But I could not outrun Him.

But this all changed when I was sixteen. My resistance to the Lord broke and I humbled myself before Him. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it was my younger brother humbling himself before the Lord that pushed me out into His arms. Maybe it was just time. I don’t know and I’m not going to get caught up in endless theological debates trying to explain it. But for whatever the reason, I responded to God’s call. Angels didn’t sing. Bells didn’t chime. The heavens didn’t open. I didn’t hear an audible voice. I simply gave my life to Jesus Christ. He was drawing me to Him and I came to him. I opened my life to him. I didn’t even say the “sinners prayer”! In fact, I said very little. I simply gave my life to Jesus and He accepted me and changed me.

This event did take place on a Sunday night. It did happen in a church service. An alter call was involved, but it was more than all these things combined. That night I completely surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. He became the center piece of my existence. I knew it. The Lord knew it. No more running from Him. Now we walked together.

That was almost forty years ago. The act of committing my life to Jesus changed my future. I never dreamed of becoming a preacher, but I did. I never thought about leaving Alabama or going to seminary, but I did. I never dreamed that I would travel the world and preach his gospel to people of different languages and skin color, but I am. My life has changed and it continues to change. The life I live today is not the future I dreamed about as a teenager, it is better. And what my life will experience in the next five, ten, twenty or more years, I do not know. But I know it will exceed my expectations because it is in His control.

This is my story. And I am living it daily!

So, what is your story. Do you have one? Want to share it? I would love to hear of your adventure with God.

How much difference can a bag of food make to a person? A family? Huge! Life Changing even. Check this out.

Douglas sent me the story of James Kato. It has inspired me to tell more people about the work of IMFC and Manna Ministry in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. It has motivated me to raise more money to buy more food. Before this work, I never knew the power of a simple bag of food given through the love of Jesus Christ and in the name of Jesus. After five years of working this ministry, I do.

Here is James’ story as told by Douglas.

Dear Rev,
today I was doing my rounds of visiting Nateete with a focus to hear back from the people whom we ministered to, both spiritual needs and physical needs. There are those whom we did minister some years back, they have a story to tell and those we are ministering to now, they also have a story to tell. Basically this what I call seeing Nateete as it was and as of now.
Here is a man with a story tell.

Here is Mr. James Kato. He is a Manna beneficiary of the first distribution we did. He was bed ridden with Hiv/Aids. Several times we took many volunteers to his house to pray for him. Danny Hood (IMB Missionary) visited him and prayed for him, but all this time he was bedridden. I remember him very well.

So, today he saw me and invited me to his house so that I may hear his story on how Manna ministry found him, ministered to him and how now he is alive and getting better. He said this:

“Thank you all for Manna ministry!! I was bedridden with the virus HIV which leads to AIDS sickness. I developed breathing problems and I knew any time I was gone! This brought a lot fear in me that I sweated daily! I had lose of appetite for food, which I could not get! I had no money since I was grounded for a long time without work. I had no strength even if there was work.

Before I got bedridden, I used to fry ‘bagiya’ (salty munchies), but because of hot fire I developed a fever and had to stop. My wife took over looking for food which was not easy! She had to wash me and care for the children. I did not like that life. I wished to die, but I didn’t!

I was dying slowly by slowly, but when Manna ministry stepped into my life and house my life changed!
I never knew God until Manna came. I was shared with Gospel and I believed on Jesus as my personal savior. I became born again and still am!

I was one of the members of the house church pastor Danny Hood started here. That, too, was a very big blessing.

My eye was not well so I could not get enrolled for Bible Way program, but I think I can get into that now. My eyes now can see!! Those days, I knew people by voice not sight, I could not see well. But now I can see!! I see you and I want to see all who blessed me with Manna!

My wife and I really appreciate you all for what you did for me and my family. Six full months we got very high quality food delivered at our door step! This food came with a lot of love and care! That too brought me a lot of courage to live again!

I was always wondering why we got to be considered! We did not pay for anything, instead you spent everything you could in order to bring Manna to me! Look at a living example of life you helped bring back better than before. I was sick and bedridden, but now (I still have the virus) I am very healthy and saved!

I am back to my work and the money I saved through Manna time helped us put up a restaurant and the house we live in! I hope you all could come and have a meal in my restaurant. This time I want to feed you. You fed me while I was sick, now am well through your help, so let me also feed you when you all come!

I was always wondering how Manna came in and ministered to us and then withdrew silently, but left us with very healed lives and saved lives too!! Thanks for coming, I am a life you brought back to Jesus through Manna!! Thanks so so much! I cannot express it all, but know this that I am grateful to all! May God reward you all!

My wife is called Nakawunde Rose. She has been with me all the way! We have six children and so grateful to God for you all!

Many of you have prayed and given to this ministry, some of you have gone to Kampala and participated in the work on the ground. I want to echo James’ words. Thank you!

I haven’t posted much lately from the ministry among the rebel soldiers outside Goma, DR Congo, but incredible life-change is happening.

I Just received the October report from Pastor Pascal. The teams of pastors went out to the soldier camps the first two weeks in October. Forty-nine (49) soldiers prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior!

Here are three stories that Pascal included in his report that blessed my heart. I think they will bless yours as well.

Soldier MAHIRWE – Mukuyu Camp:
Mahirwe said that he was born in a pagan family. He was taken forcedly by rebels to join their group at age 13. He is now 19.

In the military service with rebels, they taught him to use drugs so he was became crazy. He killed innocent people for not giving him beer or monies. When he attended the government army he diminished due to advice from his major.

We shared the gospel with him. He said the book of Romans made him afraid and showed him how the creator loves people. He decided to repent of his sins and believe in Jesus Christ to be his Savior and Lord. He will be attending the church to learn more. He asked us to come back again.

-Adj James – Kikuku camp:
He said that he attend PARECO group to hide him self because he was thief. Being a rebel, he used to steal on road monies and things of value from passengers. He set fire to the cars of those who tried to runaway. The monies he received from his crimes were used to buy beer and prostitution. In the government army he didn’t change, but there he was learning to obey people and their properties.

He said the gospel we brought to him said James came at right time. He said he needed God to forgive him and he accepted Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior.

We prayed for him and he is now attending a Baptist church in Kikuku.

-Caporal NTAHOBAHISHA – Kahira camp:
He said that in his life he did many bad things, mainly adultery. He attended rebel group and being a bandit with military uniform, he thought to have the authorization to do bad things to everyone.

When they were fighting against government forces, he saw his colleagues die. He became afraid and now he fears to go to fighting ground.

Time came to join the government army. One day they went to fight FDLR. Some of his friends died and his back was partially wounded.

We shared the gospel with him and he discovered the love of God. He wanted to repent of his sins. He says God forgave him and Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. He said that he will attend regularly the church to hear the gospel for growing in faith.

Continue to pray for this ministry and pray for the men who have given their lives to Christ. Also, pray for the pastors who leave their families to journey out to where the soldier camps are.

To God be the glory!

This is an amazing story of a young man by the name of Geoffrey Sebwami who had been thrown into the prison in Luzira (Kampala Remand) due to purchasing stolen property. He met the Lord while in the prison. This is his story – in his own words.

“My name is Geoffrey Sebwami. I’m married to one wife and have 4 children. I was thrown into the prison on January 15, 2009. On January 28, 2009 a team of Muzungus (Whites) led by Pastor Joseph and Douglas visited Luzira Prison where I was. They shared the good news which I had resisted for long time, but I finally surrendered my life to Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. The following week Pastor Joseph and Douglas came again and I enrolled in to Bible Way and started to study the Who is Jesus course and also to memorize the Bible verses. I started to see a change in my life and a few weeks later I was entrusted to be in charge of the ward as a pastor!

On July 8, 2009, I was released from the prison and I headed straight to my spiritual fathers in Bible Way. I’m thankful to Bible Way for giving me the Bible courses and the Bible and also for showing me a church that I and my family now are members. I feel I’m home away from home!”

When Geoffrey was released from prison and came by our office, we asked him if he could meet with Pastor Andrew Mwenge of Kampala Baptist Church, Geoffrey lives near the Church. We didn’t know whether he would go as we had told him. It is amazing that two day later we called Pastor Andrew and Geoffrey had actually met with him!

The following Sunday Geoffrey went, as the Pastor had told him, to a worship service at Kampala Baptist Church! All three Pastors of Kampala Baptist Church have met with Geoffrey. They are ready to continue to do discipleship with him. We know this is a credible Church with sound doctrine and so Geoffrey is in safe hands!

Thank you all for your continued support and involvement in God’s harvest fields in Kampala and especially in the Prisons. May God honor and bless your efforts.

In His Harvest Field,

Joseph

I have never seen such an organization like this one. You came into our community in a simple way. You did not advertise your coming into this place or even what you are doing here. It seems you wanted your work amongst us to do the speaking!

I have personally experienced the blessedness of your work here in Biina zone. You have visited our homes and have seen what our livelihood looks like. You prayed with us when we told you our prayer requests. You made no promises, and as for me, I was not sure that you would intervene in any way.

But you did!! You brought us Manna! I never imagine this at all! You saw our lives and you brought us the food! You have also prepared us in advance that the food distribution would last 6 months. This has really helped me to save money and also think alternative way of making ends meet when the food is gone. I now make mats which I sell to the community. I am now able to save for school fees. My children can now smile! They have at least a meal with hope in it!

You enrolled beneficiaries without any one of them paying a bribe! I did not even know that I was enrolled to receive the food until some one else told me that I was being looked for. You give to those that deserve the food. Other organization give help to those favored by local leaders, but as for you, you have given to those that deserve the help without any bias on their religious, tribal, political, or social background. You have paid all in all to provide for us and you have expected from us nothing.

Thank you so much! Thank you for Manna!!

I’m tried of bad news. IF God is still in control of all things in this UNIVERSE (and I believe and know He is), then there must be something positive happening. Right?

Well, check out these latest stories of God’s grace from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They remind me of the verse that says where sin abounds much more does the grace God.

Cpt FUNGAMEZA SERUBURA ,

Born in Bweru village  said: I was helping my father to hunt for having meat(food), one day my father told me that instead of hunting, let us steal the goat which was near us in the bushes, He said we should go into the forest, kill it and return back with meat. I agreed and did.

The owners started searching for their goat and suspected us. They arrived in our home, found meat of goat when we had no goat. We were arrested. For payment, we sold our land and moved to a new village. Life became so difficult. I decided to join CNDP forces at Mweso and got the opportunity to steal, pill and beating people. I am now in the army. According to the gospel, I understand  that I was lost. I repent of my sins, believe in Jesus Christ and receive him to be my Lord and saviour .

Sgt BOLINGO,

Born in Equateur province, said: I was a thief. I have been imprisoned many times because of stealing. One day I succeeded to runaway from prison and joined the troops of MLC (rebel movement of JP BEMBA) where I continued without any fear of my acts – stealing, pilling, killing people for their monies and value things.

When I joined the army, I heard for my first time the gospel from our military chaplain and neglected. It is now my first time to hear the gospel from civil servant of God. Now I say may God forgive me. I repent of my sins. I decide to give my life to Jesus Christ.

We prayed for him, he believed and received Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Saviour

Caporal Mbarushimana,

Born in Rutshuru zone, Jomba village said: I was born in a pagan family. I grew up helping  my father to do fetish. I saw this activity as good since it brought monies to my family. During the war, 1996-1997, my parents ,sisters and brothers were killed. I left our village by fear and joined the army AFDL. I continued in darkness using fetish to get money, wives, girls for adultery, drugs and other bad things.

Now according to the gospel I hear from you, I say God may forgive me all my sins. Pray for me. I believe and receive Jesus Christ to be my  Lord and  saviour.

Continue to pray for the men that go out among these soldiers to share the gospel. Pray for their safety and ask the Lord to grant them a powerful anointing with Holy Spirit. They labor in some difficult and dangerous places.

From Douglas: Here is Florence a single mother who has been down with HIV/AIDS. We have kept her in the food distribution program for over 6 months because she has been bed ridden with the sickness. Her doctors have her on the ARVs but she did not have the food supply to sustain through the strong medication. The treatment most of the time even brought her troubles for her already troubled health. She had all kinds of bed-sores and had to rely on some “Good Samaritan” to held turn her weak and worn-out body around. Many of the people who prayed for her at her home confessed that she was too sick to live and getting out of that sick bed would be a big miracle…from God!

I am so excited to tell you who had the chance of seeing her bed ridden, and even those of you who just prayed for all our Manna beneficiaries, that Florence is now back on her feet! And, that she did come to the food distribution by her self on her own two feet to say thanks to you who have faithfully provided the food, prayed for her and others like her in need, and who even came into her house, saw her bedridden, prayed and loved on her.

Florence said in her own words,

“You did not give up on me, you did not give me up to the sickness but you came to me, visited me while I was bedridden, prayed for me, encouraged me not to loose hope and you feed me when I was too sick to lift my body. You made me know love in a better way! I was all smelly because I used to help myself on the bed but that did not bother you, you just came and shared with me all the love of Jesus! And now I am a new creation! I got to receive Jesus as Lord and savoir. This coming month of May’s baptism, I will be amongst those that will be baptized!

“All the people who came from the ministry who visited brought me something special and that’s the word of God. You are real friends and my brothers and sisters that God has given me. My biological family members would always come to visit me with lots of suggestions that I should try traditional medicine from the witch doctors, but I stayed resilient on the Lord, trusting Him. And now here I am, a live and born-again! My children are all amazed at seeing me every day moving about on my own feet!

“I came here today to just thank you very much for all you have done for me and others in my kind of situation.”

P.S. I had the privilege of visiting Florence with Douglas while in Kampala in January. She truly was the picture of death. To hear that she is well enough to get up and walk outside, and to this picture of her is nothing short of amazing. Our God still works miracles! Thank you for the gifts that provided the food and the staff that cared for her. To God be the Glory! – Jimmy

As we exhaust the six months program period in this location, we are already hearing from the beneficiaries of how Manna has changed their lives. Here is a word of testimony and happy Easter wishes from these precious people here in Katanga. –Douglas

Here is Nasamba Florence, a 29-year-old mother of 4 children.

Happy Easter! Happy Easter! Indeed this Easter is happy Easter!! You all have made this Easter a different one… its happy Easter!! Life is not how it used to be. You came and took care of us by feeding us every month with food and you even brought us to fellowship right into our courtyard. Something new, yet so much a blessing. I am now a born again Christian. I do go for Sunday celebrations at Kalerwe celebration point where Pastor Benon leads. But every Fridays we got a house church meeting in our courtyard… I love this so much!

The food got me when I used to starve with my children. I used to look for money desperately to feed us and when I would get like 1,000 shillings, which to us is a very big miracle experience, I would have to split between charcoal for cooking and the food to be cooked. But now you came, we have the food and now the miracle 1,000 shillings now goes for charcoal and health care and even some for offertory in church.

What I want to say is that, you have been a blessing to me and my neighborhood of Katanga. We are so encouraged by your giving. You have even supplied us with the word of God. We are now stronger. Before we used to run to the witch doctors but now we got a community of believers to turn to and the word of God. This is a happy Easter! I wish you all a very happy Easter! Just as you have taken care of us may God Himself take of you all!

I did not know that this Easter would be happy Easter!! I believe that yours too would be this way too!!

God bless you and thanks so much for giving to us.

Namusi Robinah is a mother of 5 and has been resident in Katanga for four years.

Indeed you are a big miracle that happened to me and my family. Before the food came, we used to only afford one meal a day…must times we did drink water for a meal. When sugar is there we would take tea and the left over of the posho would be accompaniment. The large potion of the shillings I made went straight to the landlord with very little left for buying food. My rent cost 20,000 shillings.

But here you came and brought to my family good news! Not just word of mouth but you extended your hand and reached out to us and gave us food, the word of God and even blessed us with your presence! You visited us! I remember well, Mt Zion did love on us, by their coming here! I wish I could remember the names of the wonderful ladies and gentlemen who visited me! All I can is, thanks for coming! You blessed me and the people here. I actually did not know that food would follow your visit to us! You just prepared me for the blessing that would come! After the food starting coming through these months, I got a friend who came a taught me how to subsides my income through making of beads… which I say is the real deal! I have so much joy, when I am making the beads, because I get to have time to sing to Jesus my praises and I have all the time to share with my neighbors about what He has done for me through you all. You have made me stand in the midst of these hard times! I pray that God too, would make you stand in the midst of your hard times too. You did for me and others here. Now God should do it for you!!

It’s a happy Easter for my family and me this season! Because of you allowing God to use you in order to help us stand! I can now smile! See I can!

Now I make beads and this has greatly helped us! I did not have this before until you came! Your coming here with the food has pointed us to lots of opportunities of blessings that are there… in the midst of hardship. I pray that God would point you to yours amen!

Happy Easter to you my friends! You are real brothers and sisters in Christ that I found! Thanks so much and may God bless you richly!”