Eric: How is Multiply’s work in Uganda an example of holistic ministry?
Doug: Robert and his wife have five children of their own and take in many more children. With such a big family, they have learned to be intentional about engaging with all areas of people’s lives in the community, not just one.
Robert: My wife and I, together with our Lifehouse Community Church, run King’s Kid School. We have over three hundred children at this school, some of whom are orphans and others whose parents can’t afford to give them an education elsewhere. The ministry is holistic in that it is not only focused on educating children but on teaching them how to live dignified lives from a Christian perspective. We also focus on training and equipping church leaders through Lifehouse Community Church.
Doug: The school is seeking to be a good role model for the community in practical ways. For example, the electric pump that was used to provide water for the school recently broke down. We decided that the whole community would benefit from seeing a solar system implemented, with a pump that is powered by the sun rather than costly electricity.
Robert: The water on the grid here always fluctuates, so this project could inspire the community to better provide for themselves. The plan is to also install gutters on the school roof, to show how rainwater water can be collected. We are trying to address practical needs like these.
Eric: What has been the local impact of this ministry?
Robert: About forty single mothers in the community have come to us for help with supporting their children. With the aid of Multiply, King’s Kid School is now supporting these mothers in self-sustaining initiatives such as farming. Some schools may be more concerned with making sure kids pass tests, keeping parents happy so they will keep paying school fees. At King’s Kid School, we are concerned with education, but also the physical and spiritual welfare of the children and their families.
Doug: The school has a significant spiritual impact on the community. Students are learning about their identity in Christ and their purpose in this world. The hope is that, when they leave school, they will make a difference in their communities and become world changers in every way—economically, morally, and spiritually.
Eric: How did the two of you become ministry partners?
Robert: Our partnership was kickstarted years ago by Doug Penner, who came with a team on short-term ministry to our community. Our hearts connected. Later, he introduced me to Doug Hiebert, who was living in Burundi at the time. Since then, we have been working together.
Doug: When Robert and I connected through Doug Penner, the idea of partnership emerged. It started with me going to visit Robert in Uganda, and then Robert coming to Canada.
Robert: Kingdom of God partnership is what we are pursuing. It’s not about who is receiving and who is giving, it’s about each of us both receiving and giving. For me, that’s healthy partnership, but it requires each partner to be flexible. It’s been that way with inter-church partnerships in Africa as well. When we do outreach events, it all comes down to unity and trust, and unity can ignite a whole village as they watch us coming together in a demonstration of the love of God.
Doug: Robert’s visits to North America have also helped our churches there become more directly involved in supporting the King’s Kid School. There has been one church in particular that has developed a partnership with the school. These relationships grow over time as we spend time together face to face with pastors and mission teams and as we take opportunities to speak to the congregation on a Sunday morning and take part in evening events.
Eric: How can people get involved in this partnership?
Doug: We’ve seen the value of vision trips, when church leaders from North America visit the ministry in Uganda and see firsthand what God is doing there. These trips are often a big step in deepening relationships between churches, Multiply, and our partners in Uganda. Multiply facilitates vision trips to various countries around the world.
Robert: As well, Multiply has put stories and videos about King’s Kid School on their website, which is a great way for North Americans to see what is going on here. Then they have opportunities to become involved through praying, giving, or coming to serve.
Eric: What have you learned from each other?
Robert: I have learned how to receive respect and honor from North Americans. Sometimes, Africans can be very need-oriented when it comes to ministry, looking only to receive financially. I am learning to be more vision-minded, to receive the offer of partnership with North Americans who are asking us, as peers, “How we can do this, together?”
Doug: For me, it’s been great getting to know Robert and learning from his perspective on things. Uganda is unique, so I need to listen carefully to Robert as he communicates about his context. We both have things to learn from each other and rubbing shoulders together has been invaluable. I always look forward to my time with Robert in Uganda. Partnership is about building relationships and creating bonds, being together and seeing how each other lives. For me, it’s about seeing Robert’s world with my own eyes, touching the dust of Uganda with my own hands and feet, shaking hands and making Africa real to me, not just a place far away. This level of togetherness is found in no other way.
GIVE
To learn more about Multiply’s ministry in Uganda and to find ways to contribute financially to this dynamic partnership, go to multiply.net/uganda
To learn more about vision trips with Multiply, contact your local Mission Mobilizer at 1.888.866.6267.
