The Uganda Mission Trip – 1st-11th November 2025

November the 1st was the day we flew out of Ireland to Uganda, making this our first trip for the church as a couple. Having been married for 39 years we had never done something like this, however, what awaited us in Uganda, East Africa, made it one of the greatest experiences in ministry.

Livingstone has been serving in the British Province since 2015 in Belfast and Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, and serves also on the Provincial Board; so on 1st November it was a wonderful feeling to know that the British Mission Board was kindly sending us out to Africa to see the work of two charities and the work of the Moravians in Uganda. Our flight took us through Dubai for a connecting flight to Entebbe.

Arriving on Sunday 2nd was a surreal feeling yet one of coming home. We were met by Ester, Morgan, Trinity and Sande from Tine on the Mountain Ministries (NGO). It was such a joy to finally embrace some of people we spoke to and about for seven years in person. What a blessing to have shared a meal and to discover that Morgan was celebrating his birthday that very day. Instant bonding took place. We were home in the hearts of these beautiful people and what warmth; what love; what acceptance! Our schedule involved visitation, participation and consultation; it was a fact-finding mission.

Starting Monday the 3rd we visited Ester’s home; what an experience on roads unpaved; the dust factor was incredible, yet we were not discouraged, just intrigued. We worshiped with Pastor Florence, a friend of Ester’s, at her church later that day. It was a true Pentecostal experience. Br Livingstone preached and I shared about my connection with Ester, all this through an interpreter.

On Tuesday we visited Josephine at her charity Gilgal Children. We shared a meal there and had beautiful fellowship especially as we prayed before leaving and singing ‘Bind Us Together, Lord’.

Gilgal offers accommodation and education (mostly) for girls in social deprivation or at risk due to family circumstances. Referral of girls are made by local authorities or by individuals who know of the ministry. However, the organisation receives no direct state financial support. Instead, funding arises from individual goodwill and donations. The efforts of two persons in Ireland have, on a monthly basis, provided consistent help, but the YPMA of the Province contributed £2,000 a few years ago to the work in Uganda and this ministry also benefitted from this generous gift.

Wednesday found us in the ghetto where Ester lived from age five years old until she was rescued by a stranger, which changed the course of her life: coming to Jesus, and surrendering herself to him as her Lord and Saviour, over 10 years ago. The visit was very emotional as we saw the place Ester called home once upon a time. The connection with the ghetto virtually was something unique. Over time, friends in Ireland would have given money for weekly feeding, erecting tents for covering during the rains, helping to bury the dead, and helping with other needs when they arose. However, it never prepared us for what it was truly like! The poverty, the dirt, the soot, the heat, the noise; it was overwhelming, yet the love received there will always be remembered.

Bridge for the Future Academy, a primary school started by Ester in Easter 2025, was visited on Thursday. It is a boarding school in a large house, with additional rooms being built on the site where 85 pupils are enrolled. Those who attend are mostly street children, and many of them from the ghetto Ester came from. The school is expanding at present with additional classrooms being erected. The children performed for us, which was very lively and moving. Their teachers are doing a great job.

Friday was a rest day for me while Br Livingstone headed off to meet Br Julius of the Moravian Church and President of the PEC. They travelled by ferry to Buvuma, an island on Lake Victoria where there are three Moravian congregations. The initiation of Moravian work on the island led the authorities to open a road for vehicular traffic, with the hope of electricity connection coming soon. Br Livingstone planted a tree and fellowshipped with those who gathered in the school house. He also visited the Moravian congregation in Kanjuki, where they are building a new church.

Saturday was a lovely time with the teens at the Tine Ministries residence. We had such a beautiful time eating KFC, having a chat and picture taking. The opportunity to share together mutual love and respect was such a blessing. I got an opportunity to meet in person the young men I have been communicating with virtually since 2019. Being called Mommy and Daddy was very special and having Junior pray for us was touching.

Sunday was a rest day for me and another opportunity for Br Livingstone and Br Julius to meet with and fellowship at two of the Moravian congregations at Roho and Buwooya. The Moravian Church in Uganda operates 10 local congregations, supports discipleship, education, outreach and church leadership. The piggery project, which is run by the women in Buwooya, is supporting about twenty families and has had an impact on the whole church. Br Livingstone was very impressed with the sense of community and sharing amongst the church families. He found his time with the brothers in leadership refreshing.

Monday the 10th was our last day. We had a mini conference with lunch at the hotel with a few teens from the Tine and Gilgal Ministries, along with the founders Ester and Josephine. Br Julius also joined as we saw this as an opportunity to share what life is now like with being part of the ministries and how we can work together in the future. The opportunity to have visited truly was a blessing as the fellowship we shared with our hosts and the service we received at the hotel made us feel at home.

So, reluctantly, we said our goodbyes on Tuesday as we headed home to Ireland, grateful for the time spent and with anticipation for greater partnership in the future with our beloved Moravian Church.

Sr Jean-Marie Thompson

Kells, County Meath, Ireland