For three days, JFM journeyed deep into Kibangya village in Northern Uganda, carrying more than food and supplies. We carried love, compassion, hope, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We arrived loaded with food, clothes, sandals, and other necessities for both children and the elderly who struggle daily to survive. Our mission was not simply to give handouts, but to understand the lives of the people and stand with them in their pain.
From the very first day, we chose not to remain distant from the community. We decided to stay in the field among the people so we could truly learn how they live. We wanted to hear their stories, walk their paths, and feel what they feel. Compassion becomes deeper when you sit beside those who suffer instead of only hearing about them from afar.
On day one, we moved door to door, visiting 16 homes. In every household we entered, we found different struggles hidden behind tired faces and silent hearts. Some families lacked food, while others had no proper clothing or bedding. Yet despite their hardship, many welcomed us with humility and kindness.
We sat together with the families, listened carefully to their stories, and prayed with them. We wanted them to know they were not forgotten. Many opened their hearts for the first time, sharing fears and burdens they had carried for years. We learned that true ministry is not rushing through people but taking time to feel their pain as if it were our own.
As evening approached, exhaustion filled our bodies, but our hearts remained determined. Finding a place to sleep became difficult. We ended up lying on the floor after having our supper, which was maize flour and fried tomatoes. We were among them, waiting for another day to begin. Though uncomfortable, it reminded us of the reality many people in Kibangya face every night. Through the first day alone, 7 people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
The second day began with renewed strength and purpose. Again, woke up in the morning: the sun rises from the east, birds chirp, and frogs croak. It was a different environment. We walked through the village, visiting 19 homes one by one. We continued carrying supplies while sharing the Gospel and encouraging families who had almost lost hope. The mission was no longer feeling like strangers helping strangers. We were becoming part of the community.
Today, we spent even more time working alongside the locals. We observed how they cook, fetch water, care for children, and survive through difficult conditions. We discovered that ministry becomes powerful when people see that you are willing to walk beside them and not above them.
Many hearts softened as we shared the love of Christ. Some people who had never heard a clear message of salvation listened carefully with curiosity in their eyes. Others asked questions about faith, forgiveness, and hope. By the end of the second day, 11 more people surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. We also realized that these people bury their loved ones in the houses they believe is away of respect and belonging. Well, that was none of our business.
One thing that deeply touched our hearts during the mission was the size of the families we visited. Most homes had between four and six children, and many parents struggled daily to provide even the most basic needs for them. Some children walked barefoot, while others wore torn clothes that offered little protection. Through the support of JFM, every child in these families we visited received clothes, including the toddlers. Seeing the smiles on these little ones’ faces as they received something new to wear brought joy not only to them but also to us. It was a reminder that even small acts of kindness can restore dignity, hope, and comfort to families living in hardship.
Our final day was especially emotional. We dedicated most of the day to visiting elderly widows living in miserable conditions. Many of them had been forgotten and abandoned, surviving with almost nothing. During this mango season, some survive mainly on mangoes because little other food is available to them.
Among those we visited were Elder Maria Owenia, aged 80, Awada Silvano, aged 78, and Carrol Ezibu, aged 88. Their frail bodies and weak voices revealed years of hardship, yet their hearts were still open to love and kindness. When we arrived with food and necessities, gratitude filled their eyes. For them, it was more than receiving supplies. It was a reminder that somebody still cared.
We prayed with them, encouraged them, and shared the Gospel with these elderly women. One after another, they accepted Jesus Christ into their lives. It was a deeply moving moment watching elderly souls surrender themselves to God with humility and faith. The mission became a testimony that it is never too late for someone to encounter the love of Christ.
As our three-day mission came to an end, we left Kibangya village physically tired but spiritually fulfilled. Altogether, 21 people gave their lives to Jesus Christ. Beyond the numbers, we shared meals, tears, laughter, prayers, and moments of humanity together. Thanks to JFM, hungry families received food, elderly widows found comfort, and many hearts discovered hope again. Kibangya may have changed us just as much as we prayed to change it.
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