AIDS/HIV is one of the painful realities that Manna Ministries sees on a daily basis in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. This is a pandemic disease that is still claiming thousand of lives, and the highest numbers of lost lives come from amongst the poor-desperate slum communities.
It is usual to see adults suffering with HIV/AIDS all over the slums of Kampala, but to see young children who are born with the deadly virus is extremely painful! Here is a sweet 13 year old girl, a beneficiary of Manna, who is struggling with the virus.
Irene Nakiwala lost both of her parents to HIV/AIDS and now she lives with her uncle. She is the youngest of her siblings and she is also the only one born with the killer virus. Her family is staying in one little room. It is used as a bedroom in the night and it’s made a seating room in the day. She has for the last 7 months plus been bed ridden until Manna Ministries took her into the program, and her skin is badly damaged by the virus, HIV/AIDS. She was supposed to be finishing primary 7 in school, but because she has been bed ridden she did not get to register for final national examination. She is a student at Naguru Katale primary school.
Irene lives a very lonely life. When I asked her who her best friend was she said, “God is my best friend!! He has kept me alive today and He has brought you all to me. And look, this month He sent me very good food through you!” When I asked what her prayer request was she said, “I want to stay alive one more day!”
Irene has lived in deep poverty all her life. She is born again and now is enrolled into Bibleway. She is a naturally brilliant girl and a person of great faith in God! When I asked her why she got a big smile on her face on the day of food distribution she said, “I knew within my heart that you would come back and visit me.” To me the word visit means minister to in love, and this is what we did.
We look forward to having mission teams come to Kampala in October. Irene is going to be one of those we must visit!
Thanks everyone for what you do to make Manna Ministry possible so we can get Irene and others ministered to!
Douglas
I don’t know how to follow up on this story. All I know is that stories like this humble me, convict me, remind me why I do what I do and motivate me to do it better. I am grateful that the Lord has allowed me to share in this work of His. To Him be the glory.
If you are interested in going to Kampala to work with people like Irene, email me, jimmy@imfc.us. It will be an unforgettable life memory. Also, thanks for your prayers and financial gifts. God has accomplished much, much through them. More than you may ever know.
