This story was originally shared in a letter to our Gospel Partners in July 2023. Learn more about becoming a Gospel Partner!
Recently, a Partner 135 team traveled to Uganda to perform eye examinations, distribute much-needed glasses, and preach the Gospel. We were eager to check in with our new brother (Jackson) and see how his spiritual life had progressed. On the schedule for our second day in country, was a baptism. In 2022, there were over 900 new believers and there are always others added to the number of the church regularly. During dinner the night before the baptisms, Jackson was asked if he had been baptized yet and he had not. “What keeps you from being baptized?” This is a question that our team leader, Millie Roberts, has asked many times in the past and it seemed appropriate that she should ask Jackson and he said he had not yet, but he was very interested. In short, he was baptized the next day and it truly is the highlight of the trip for me.
Jackson had a very difficult childhood living in Uganda with a father who had been in many marriages and separations. All of this led to Jackson being abused and neglected and marginalized by each successive stepmother. But God has shown Jackson that his past does not have to define him any longer. During the trip, I got to spend a fair amount of time listening to how the Lord had been changing his heart and his life. He testified of being given the power to let go of bitterness, extend forgiveness, and be restored to his earthly father. Our God is not satisfied with a transactional decision to “accept Jesus.” He is after complete life transformation! Praise Jesus for Jackson’s life and his willingness to let God transform him in every part of his life.
During our trip to Uganda in June 2023, we saw over 1,500 eye patients, preached the Gospel to thousands of people, and were blessed to be used of God to draw 991 souls to profess faith in Jesus for the first time! Many of the 900+ people were of “more experienced” generations (60’s to late 90’s). One image burned in my mind was of a 98-year-old man praying alone before a crowd of people to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. He was old and barely able to stand with his arms raised as he prayed. But, like Jackson, this man was being made new as he surrendered his life and accepted the free gift of grace! It was, and is always, a miracle and a sight to behold.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
This all happens because of partners like you, who faithfully pray, give, and go. Thank you and God bless you!
Blessings,
Matt O. President/CEO, Partner 135
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