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Uganda

March 6, 2013

“The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matt. 25: 40)

From February 11-14, 2013, we held the 6th healing mission in Kapchorwa, the hometown of Kiprotich who was the marathon gold medalist in the 2012 London Olympics. In this region, Korean missionary Pastor Jung-Ho Choi ministers and Missionary Luke Lim in Bethesda medical center co-worked with the medical ministry several times. Since this region is located 2000m above sea level, it is even cold at night.

After we had a Sunday worship service, we soon headed towards our destination, and it took 6 hours by bus. There were a total of 46 attendants in the healing mission: 30 from Korea, 8 from U.S, and 6 from Uganda. Even Dr. John Jun, a senior UBF general director, also joined as a physician after 40 years of practice. We had a daily bread meeting at 6 am every day, led by Shepherd David Park from Kwangju 3 Chapter. Then we prayed two by two. We also evaluated our daily work in the evening. Because many doctors attended in the healing mission this time, we divided into two teams and treated patients in different villages.

For 4 days we observed and treated 1,847 medical patients, 229 dental patients, and 43 operation patients, totaling 2,119 patients. Compared to the other healing missions, more dental patients and operation patients were observed this time. However, this was possible because two dentists from Kwangju joined and Kapchorwa hospital staffs supported anesthesia and operations assisting with their great efforts. There were not many pediatric patients since it was not a vacation time. Although it was difficult for us to practice with a local translator, we could roughly guess when the patients made painful expressions or when they pointed to their painful body parts.

When we served many patients, we easily got tired, but God made us realize that each patient in front of us was, in fact, Jesus Christ. And God reminded us to serve patients as if we were serving Jesus. In the operation theatre, there were 200 operation candidates, which were too many for 4 days of treatment. Sadly, we had to cut patients to select the best candidates, which took all morning on the first day.

From the 2nd day to the 4th day, the operation team had to treat many patients till late evening, including the patients from the village team. On the last evening, the Chancellor of Kapchorwa Hospital visited our accommodation place, and he thanked the healing mission team for showing love, kindness, and earnestness. Though the village team divided into two and went to the other regions, everything went well. Not only observation and treatment, but also education and culture were ministered.

For education, we taught AIDS, hand washing, water purification and correcting tooth brushing. We also ministered creative pantomime, nail art, and face painting. There were good responses when we served children by visiting their school. Especially on the last day of the village team, rain poured so much that their truck was stuck in the mud. Fortunately, a four wheel drive vehicle towed the truck out from the mud, and the team could arrive at the village on time. While the truck was stuck, attendants from the U.S diligently took pictures as if they were curious.

The village team practiced in the village church which was pioneered by a Korean missionary. Most of the village church was built out of cowpat. On the first day of the village team, it was very hot since we practiced under a tin roof. But from the 2nd day, weather turned out to be very good. We collected 80 cents from each patient and gave this money to the village church pastor.

Pastor Choi announced that the healing mission team came to Uganda to serve poor and sick people, sacrificing their money and time during the great holiday like Christmas holiday in Uganda. He constantly emphasized that we were one in Jesus Christ. Then the local people continuously said, “Thank you! May God bless you!” We could experience the unity in Jesus Christ though the food, the clothes, and the houses are different. Moreover, not only the local people but also the members who attended the healing mission were greatly moved. We could understand a little of Jesus' mind, His compassion for the sheep without a shepherd through the healing mission.

Many who attended the first time promised to come again next year for sure. Though it was technically only 4 days of the actual healing mission, I thank and praise and honor God for God's kingdom that came on Kapchorwa people and the healing mission members.

For me, followed by last year, it was the 2nd time joining the healing mission. This time, however, I joined as a host in Uganda instead of the journey team from Kwangju. I could realize that it was not easy to prepare the healing mission as a host in Uganda. It was not easy to arrange accommodation, transportation, and food. But, under the direction of Dr. Luke Lim, everything went well. I could realize that God answered our prayer faithfully, which we offered in Korea, Uganda, U.S., and Germany.

Moreover, I personally thanked God for being able to do outreach through the healing mission, which was hard to do when I worked at the Bethesda clinic. And I thanked God for making me realize that I had to serve a patient as to serve Jesus in Bethesda clinic. Although no one recognizes my work, thank God for helping me to decide to live a life as a medical missionary looking forward to the reward of the heavenly treasure which God will give on the last day.

I give thanks and praises to God for sending the healing mission team to Uganda and allowing me to join in the work of God.

One word: I will serve patients as serving Jesus, and with Jesus' mind.

by Livingstone Kang