Hi Friends!

Happy Sunday, we’re on the final stretch to Christmas! I'm currently at the home of the JY missionary family of Moses and Sowmya in Mtwara, Tanzania. Our busy back to back programs during the first two weeks of December were filled with grace, thanks to your prayers. After an exhausting 22-hour bus ride from the last retreat, we are now resting, praying, and snacking on a LOT of cashews as we eagerly await the coming of our Lord. As I unpack my thoughts and reflect on the last two months spent in Uganda, I am filled with gratitude for this phase of the journey—a challenging but rewarding experience. You can catch the glimpse of the story through pictures by clicking here.

Lira

The majority of my time was spent in the northern Ugandan city of Lira, thanks to the invitation of the local Bishop, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Linok, who entrusted the Lira Diocese’s youth center to Jesus Youth (JY). The center is currently managed by a JY missionary from India, along with two full-timers, both of whom I had trained with in Sri Lanka. Additionally, there were four young adults from JY Tanzania on mission exposure. Together, we organized outreach programs in nearby schools, villages, universities, and parishes, as well as hosting events at the center itself.

We were blessed to attend the diaconate of Dn. Jude, a member of the Comboni Missionaries, who, God willing, will be ordained a priest next year. During our time together, we had the privilege of engaging in conversations about pastoral ministry, accompanying him on village visits, and joining him in Dedication prayers—community involved prayers seeking God's blessing before students take the national exam.

The first three weeks were challenging. I had to make a significant adjustment to a lifestyle very different from what I was accustomed to. The first week, I came down with a cold. Each day began at 5:30 a.m., with a five-mile round trip walk to the local parish for Holy Mass. The local cuisine primarily consisted of cassava, rice, beans, peanut butter, and yams. While the water was pasteurized, it was often boiled outdoors over an open fire, often containing dirt or dead insects. The days were hot, while the nights could be unexpectedly chilly. To add to the difficulty, someone from our group would contract malaria each week.

This combination of factors led to a dramatic physical toll—over the course of three weeks, I lost 22 pounds. It was a humbling and challenging experience. But through it all, grace prevailed. Thanks to the support of prayers, I gradually adjusted. I began to view food differently, seeing it less as something to indulge in but rather to enjoy as a simple means of sustenance. While my body and mind were being tested, I also noticed a deepening of my prayer life—which helped me understand the role of fasting in spiritual growth.

Mission work often demands a profound trust in Divine Providence. I learned in some areas we were serving, there were kidnappings which led to sacrificial beheadings for the “good fortune” of a nearby bridge construction. By the time I left, 14 lives had already been lost to this violence. Amidst the weather, food scarcity, disease, and the presence of life-threatening events, I came to realize that God was with us in ways we may not have immediately recognized, guiding and protecting our group through it all. These experiences underscore the importance of having a faith community backing the mission as there is spiritual warfare at play Ephesians 6:12. Thank you, for your continued intercession!

Gulu

After leaving Lira, I traveled to Gulu to meet Fr. Simon, a priest for the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, whom I got connected to through a mutual friend. I spent two days with Fr. Simon and his wife Stella, together, they have five children, two of whom are adopted. After attending Divine Liturgy I tagged along with him and his visitors as we road-tripped together to Kampala, the bustling capital. Due to a bridge closure, our detour led us through a national forest, which turned into a spontaneous safari adventure.

Fr. Simon serves as the pastor of two parishes, one of which is located beneath a mango tree that was once used by the rebel warlord Joseph Kony to strategize during the war. After two decades of conflict, the northern region of Uganda has been deeply affected. In response, Fr. Simon founded a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering self-sustaining communities. His work focuses on creating local employment, providing health services, sponsoring children’s education, offering capital for small business ventures, and supporting local farmers.

Kampala

The last two weeks of November were spent in Kampala. I had the privilege of shadowing Shinjo, a JY leader as he traveled, and worked closely with local JY leadership to reinvigorate and strategize for the future of Jesus Youth in the country. We stayed with Fr. Thomas, a Vincentian missionary priest who has been serving in Africa since his seminary days. His wealth of stories and mission experiences is truly inspiring. Not to mention, he introduced me to some of the best African, raw wild honey I’ve ever tasted.

Looking back on the past two months, I am deeply thankful for the transformative experiences, both challenging and rewarding, that have shaped this mission. From the quiet moments in Lira to hustle and bustle in Kampala, God’s presence has been constant, and your prayers and support continue to be a source of strength especially through challenges, and desolations. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!