Our Family Article

Below is the article that appeared in the Our Family publication from our 2006 trip to Uganda...

Uganda – The Pearl of Africa


As fifteen Pillar Youth from the United States traveled through the wilds of Uganda, they uncovered countless pieces of evidence that Uganda truly is the “Pearl of Africa”. During the journey, the Pillars – single New Apostolic Christians between the ages of 21 and 36 – spent time ministering to the needs of our Uganda family.

Over their ten day stay the Pillars were involved in all sorts of missionary activities. They painted the Busia town church. They met in the homes of members from the Namashisyo congregation and brought encouragement and gifts. They played with the orphans; gladdened widows; and gave out candy, toiletries, and balsa wood airplanes to hundreds of Ugandan children and youth. The group also hosted a Sunday School seminar in Kampala and started five sister congregation programs.

The trip came to a climax as the Pillar Youth from the USA met more than 800 Ugandan youth from all over the country at the annual Day of the Youth weekend in Masaka. In an unprecedented display of excitement and brotherhood, the youth performed cultural dances from all over their various regions. The Pillars replied by singing the Ugandan national Anthem and various American hymns. The service, held in English by the Apostle Kavuma, centered on the protection God provides to His valued children, who are the apple of his eye.

The Pillars were struck by how happy the people of Uganda are despite the terror of the country’s past dictatorships and present rebel activity in the North. Though poor by the standards of the Western World, they are truly rich in joy, faith, and brotherly love. Our Pillars returned truly enriched by the many experiences they lived through and are thrilled with the many bonds of friendship that were created with our brothers and sisters. Although half-way around the world, our New Apostolic family in Uganda shares the same love for the Lord’s work as we do.

Winston Churchill was wrong. It is not the beautiful landscapes that make Uganda a pearl. It is the people.