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!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Reminds of the many stories of the book of Acts when the church met th needs of poor an d widows and God blessed the church immeasurably through simple obedience!! Hallelujah!!
A beautiful testimony. I was particularly moved by…..”This food came with a lot of love and care! That too brought me a lot of courage to live again!”……May we all learn to love people as Christ loves them.