In January of 2022, five families answered the call for a short-term mission’s experience with YWAM Kona’s Family Discipleship Training School (DTS). We had the privilege of discipling these families and their children through a six-month journey. There were 10 adults and 12 kids ranging from age 2 through 13. The adults spent 11 weeks on varying topics such as Hearing God’s Voice, Nature and Character of God, and Spiritual Warfare, just to name a few. The children attended their own classes that complemented the parents’ courses. These courses prepared the children and parents for a 2-month outreach to a country God placed on the hearts of the leaders to minister at.

During the third week, the outreach location was revealed: Jinja, Uganda

How would it be to navigate five families and their children through airports, public transportation, and to guide them in the transition of life in a third world country? We spent many days in prayer for wisdom and strength. Result, the families were troopers! The children adapted, lives were changed. Their experience was a memorable one.

Upon arrival in Uganda, our accommodations were cinder block homes. They were quite nice! Our beds were covered in mosquito netting and we had no hot water. Tap water was undrinkable and had to be treated or filtered. We also had the option of purchasing 5 gallon jugs of purified water. Diet consisted of rice, potatoes, beans, cabbage, and watermelon. Once a week we would have meat included in our meals. Some families (including ourselves) packed 1 or 2 suitcases full of Costco snacks and proteins to supplement our meals. It was quite a challenge, but these things did not hinder the reason we were there.

Each week, our ministries consisted of house visits in villages, prison ministry, visiting orphanages, public market evangelism, open air evangelism, Sunday church services, and children’s ministry opportunities in various places. We assigned Sunday speakers and took turns planning and leading children’s ministry programs.

While in YWAM Kona, the kids were taught how to share the gospel, prophesy, and pray for people. They were taught skits and dances, so they were also included in our ministry planning. That’s exactly what they did on outreach in Uganda. They had quite an experience when called on. Some shared testimony and gave a word from the Lord on the spot.

When the kids did their skits and dances, it drew crowds. When crowds gathered, it allowed our team to go through and share the gospel and pray over those open to it.

There was a time we did an open air at an outdoor marketplace and when we closed with an altar call and ministry, we were caught off guard as how many came forward for prayer and wanted to receive Jesus. Some were Muslims, some rededicated their lives, and some wanted bibles and discipleship.

Matthew 9:37, which talks about the harvest being ready hits differently in third world countries. There is so much opportunity for discipleship.

I had the opportunity to share the gospel with a Muslim teenager. As I was sharing, he was asking alot of questions. He wanted to know more about Jesus. After speaking with him, I felt he needed to attend a Discipleship Training Course at YWAM Hope Land in Jinja, Uganda, but where would he get the money to pay for lecture and outreach fees? Many struggle to even have a decent meal. Suddenly, I heard the Lord say to pay for his DTS. So my wife and I prayed and we were in agreement. When I told the teen what the Lord wanted to do, he sent me a voicemail in tears. He was crying with joy at what the Lord told us to do. We told him God saw him. He saw his heart. He shared the news with his mother and she allowed him to attend. He shared that it was a dream come true and kept thanking us. Our relationship still stands as we’ve departed from Uganda. We keep in touch and he updates me in his studies in DTS. He only lives a few blocks away, but has not been home since the start of his school because he loves the atmosphere he is in living on campus.

God is not looking for how many you’ve led to the Lord. He’s looking for obedient hearts to where, who, and what He’s called you to. Sometimes it’s too hard places. Sometimes it’s to people who are difficult. But how many know that it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives in us.

Of the families who went through DTS, one stayed behind to be on volunteer staff for a few years with YWAM Tanzania, and another will return back to Uganda in a couple of months to do a 2nd level school called School of Biblical Studies (SBS).

The lives of these families have been changed and they will be impacting their communities back home as they did on outreach. As for us, we will return back to YWAM Kona to prepare for the next quarter of new student families.