Witnessing Transformed Lives in Iganga

Team Leader, Chelsie Balli, had a life-changing day in Iganga.

After praying over the home of one of the sponsored children, the Jaja (grandmother) grabbed my hand and took off running. She was speaking to me in Luganda as if I could understand her every word. Not sure where she was taking me, I turned back and yelled “Sam!” The rest of the team was already loading into the van when Sam heard me call his name. Sam is the director of the sponsorship program and knows the background of these children and their families very well. He came running just as Jaja was calling me to enter into her home. I had no idea what she was saying or what she wanted from me. Sam spoke with her in Luganda and she explained that she just wanted us to pray a blessing over her home too. She told him not to stop the blessing. As we prayed for her daughter’s home, her heart was compelled. Though she lives just next door to her daughter and grandkids, she wanted God’s blessing and protection to be prayed specifically over her home just the same. She also explained that she used to be a witch doctor and worship at shrines, but she is now loving and serving Jesus. Sam prayed a beautiful prayer in her language and we asked the Lord to bless her and her home. I was so moved by this woman’s faith and confidence in Christ. As we headed back to the church, Sam and I talked with the pastor about this woman’s grounded faith in God. He said that the strongest conversions he has experienced in this area have been those coming from either witchcraft or Islam. He explained that they’ve already encountered the spiritual realm in another way and cannot question God’s existence once they meet him. I was convicted.

It is clear that God is saving souls in this area. I have faith that more Muslims and witch doctors and lost souls are going to come to Christ through the church here. Amazing how God works and uses the local church to save souls! Prior to visiting some of the sponsored children, we had attended bible study and church service in the morning. The pastor’s message during the bible study was about Josiah and the idolatry of the people in 2 Kings 11. The pastor then led a discussion about idolatry and the people gave input and asked questions. One man kept asking questions and seemed skeptical in some ways. After the Bible study, the church service began with testimonies from people within the congregation. The man who had been asking many questions came forward and shared that he was choosing to give his life back to the Lord after many years of wandering. The pastor further explained that this man was his elder brother and he had been praying for him to come back to the Lord for years! We couldn’t believe what we were witnessing, and we rejoiced with the whole church. We were so blessed to spend the morning praising and worshipping with the people of God. Please pray for this church and the work God is doing in the community there.