“When the LORD saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “ Don’t cry!” He said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” He said, ‘“I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Luke 7:13-15
This past Easter was one we will surely not forget. We held an Easter Celebration just for widows in the community we serve. God overwhelmed us in every way.
We were hoping that we would have 200 widows come and early in the morning, way before registration even opened, there was a long line. We stopped counting and registering after 350 because we were trying to adjust and accommodate each precious soul that made the way to our community center. Our team was working hard, ordering more tents, chairs, food and making more food baskets for them to take home.
There were at least 450 widows who we were able to serve.
Our own Rev. Godfrey Kyome opened the morning with an encouraging message from Luke 7. Encouraging the widows that Jesus’s heart for them is full of compassion and He is a God of action. He also challenged them that they have a significant God given role to steward; to be intercessors for their villages and nation, to disciple the younger widows and to serve the local church. A recorded message of encouragement from Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba was played and was warmly received by the women.
There was a time of intercession led by the widowers. It was a precious time of them crying out to God in praise and petition. We had a Christian lawyer come to remind them of their legal rights as many face injustice from their families and communities. This session went on for a while as many widows had questions and burdens they wanted to share.
They were served a delicious meal and had time to fellowship with one another and then were taken home with a food basket for their family. `
We are still hearing testimonies from the community of how that day restored Hope to so many. We will be following up with each widow. We want to get to know the ones we serve. We will be going to them in their villages and offering Bible Study classes. We will get to know them and their needs. We will connect them to their local church and work together with the local church to empower them to walk in their God given roles and giftings. These woman are resilient, strong and wise. As we empower them, they in turn will be able to care and nurture their own children and also the children who are orphaned in their villages. This is discipleship. This is not only building up the nuclear family but also God’s family. The impact is immeasurable, generational and eternal.
Thank you to all who have prayed and supported our Easter Campaign. God used you in a tangible and personal way to display the love and hope we have in Christ Jesus.