Working with Ugandans, especially in ministry, requires deep patience. Uganda is a country rich in diversity, with people coming from different tribes, backgrounds, and personal experiences. While many are open and welcoming, others carry wounds from the past—whether from religion, broken families, or poverty. To reach their hearts with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must walk in love and demonstrate true patience. Patience isn’t just a helpful trait; it is an essential tool when serving in places where trust must be built slowly and gently over time.
Through my work with JesusFedMe (JFM), I have encountered people from every walk of life—some hostile, others humble and open. There are times when people have asked us to leave their homes or even said boldly, “We hate Christians.” Such moments can be discouraging if you are not grounded in prayer and the Word. But I’ve learned that when you react with calmness, kindness, and patience, many of those same people begin to soften. It may not happen instantly, but their hearts begin to open with consistent love and endurance.
Patience gives room for God to work. Sometimes we want people to immediately receive the gospel and fall to their knees in repentance, but that’s not always the reality. Some people are angry with God because of their suffering; past disappointments harden others. When you show patience, you allow them to see a different spirit in you—one that reflects Jesus Himself. You’re not arguing with them or forcing your beliefs but loving them through their resistance.
In many cases, I’ve seen people who rejected us later return and ask for prayer. They’ll say, “You didn’t fight me or condemn me—you just kept coming with food and kindness.” That’s the power of patience. It opens doors that pride and pressure could never unlock. Our mission is not to win arguments but souls, which often takes longer than we would like. But Jesus Himself was patient with people, and He calls us to be the same.
Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ! Every seed we plant, even if it seems ignored, is not wasted. Our calling is to keep sowing, keep loving, and keep being patient. The Holy Spirit does the work of conviction; we are simply His vessels. So to anyone working in ministry—especially in Uganda—be encouraged. Patience is not weakness; it is a fruit of the Spirit, and through it, we shall see lives transformed by the love of Jesus.
About Author
