Food and Faith: Transformation of Lives in Uganda
In certain areas of Uganda, food is not available. Families in Kotido, the northern part of Uganda, have resorted to eating small plants or shrubs and picking leaves off trees for food as nothing grew during a long-lasting drought. However, because they were eating food not meant for human consumption, they developed stomach aches, headaches and other health problems.
The thought of life without food is hard to process. Everyone, regardless of where they live, should have access to nutrition.
ERDO (Emergency Relief and Development Overseas) provides those in need with life-saving food. In partnership with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda, ERDO is running a four-month food program bringing emergency food supplies to vulnerable families facing hunger. They receive essential items like beans, cooking oil and nutritious cereal. People in Uganda have begun to experience a transformation in their lives—the combined impact of their physical well-being with a spiritual awakening.
Food to Faith
Another village leader was himself barely surviving when food came to his doorstep. He was shocked that someone was willing to help him in a time of desperate need. He questioned, “What God is this that would bring food to people when they are starving?” Once this leader realized that this God was indeed Jesus, he gave his life to Christ and became transformed by the Spirit, now living his life for the one true God.
In Karamoja, the arrival of food not only brought people to Christ but led to the establishment of new churches. After one of the villages received food, they started a church by a circle of bushes surrounding a tree, where they gathered to praise and worship the Lord. They didn’t have much—there was no roof or stage—all they needed was a few bushes to gather around to thank the Lord for His goodness. Even in the most impoverished places, God is still working and transforming the lives of those in need.
In other areas of Uganda, Karamoja isn’t well-liked. When the drought came, there wasn’t a desire from other regions or the government to step in and help. Our team and our partners were among the only ones responding to Karamoja’s call for assistance. As Christians we have a higher calling. Sabrina says, “We can’t not help people because we don’t like them—that stayed with me. The love of Christ really impacts people because nobody else cared about them. How can we be followers of Christ and not reach people in difficult places?”