I grew up in a poor village with no electricity. We scrounged for whatever food we could find. We had no bathrooms and showered behind bushes. My parents couldn’t afford school fees so at the beginning of each term, they would enroll me in a new school where they didn’t owe any money. Then, as soon as the bills came due, they would switch me to a new school. This cycle continued until sixth grade when I finally dropped out.
Just like many other young men in my village, I grew up with little focus in my life or Hope for the future.
Then, in 1996, I met Jesus. And He launched me on a new path filled with Hope and purpose.
My journey, however, hit some rocky terrain… as many of our journeys often do.
When Bright Hope found me in 2017, I had almost given up on ministry. I felt like quitting. The ministry I had worked in for years highly valued academic qualifications. Since I didn’t have much education on my side, they didn’t feel like they could trust me.
I felt frustrated! I knew God had called me but many doors in ministry had slammed in my face.
Then, in 2018 after attending a ministry training, Bright Hope chose to put their trust in me! They gave me a budget and unleashed me to shepherd a community of believers. I knew that this was the partnership the Lord had been preparing me for.
Today, I implement huge programs and stand before multitudes of people more educated, richer, and more experienced than me. I teach wisdom from God’s Word because Bright Hope has trained and invested in me. For most of my life, I struggled with self-doubt and low self-esteem. But this all is changing!
My experiences look a lot like what the Apostle Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 1:26-27: “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
Even compared to my wife, who is more educated than I am (she is a secondary teacher), I used to feel inadequate, which often led to conflict. I assumed that she looked down on me because of my lack of education. But after all Bright Hope has taught me, I have a better relationship with my wife and our two children, Jonathan and Abigail. Now I know that our relationship is much more important to us than education and my insecurities.
Every time Bright Hope gathers pastors for a training, I ask myself, who am I to deserve all this? I thank God for Bright Hope—for trusting me and investing in me. Bright Hope has exhibited the character of God and Christ through their work in my life.
I pray that you will continue with the good work the Lord has entrusted to you and that His blessings fall upon you—here in Uganda and in all your programs around the world.
