"Guard what has been entrusted to you "
- this was the theme of the conference that we were 
asked to attend and minister into in Mbarara, Uganda. The conference was for 300 pastors and leaders of churches in the surrounding districts.
We left the UK on Thursday and arrived in Uganda at 5.30 am, tired from the air travel and restricted seating but glad to have our feet on the ground. Then, just to make us feel at home, there was torrential rain. The journey to Kampala was good; the sunshine broke through and we would not see any rain until we returned to Entebbe on our way home twelve days later.
The following morning saw us packing the 4x4, now minus its front bumper bars, to travel seven hours to Mbarara. The journey was good with Nigel Harding, (Missionary Ventures Field Coordinator for East Africa) displaying some great avoidance skills as he negotiated the ruts and pot holes. We stopped at the equator, and whilst there a tail light assembly parted company with a passing lorry and hit me, taking my feet from under me and throwing me up in the air. It hurt, and the next morning I was expecting some swelling and some bruising but there was nothing. Thank you Jesus! Three hours later we were at the side of the road in the pitch dark, changing the nearside rear wheel; we found there was only one secure wheel nut—the rest were loose and the wheel nut holes had been worn into oval
shapes, so again Nigel’s vigilance and the Lord’s protection were cause for thanksgiving.
On our arrival we were taken to the local radio station that reaches out to about five million people, and spent the next 45 minutes advertising the conference and giving the Word.
Monday saw the commencement of the conference with me being asked to do the first preach, which was extra to the prepared schedule—so out came the torch and the Bible, and the Holy Spirit was so gracious to us in meeting our inadequacies. The week rolled on and it became a joy to preach the word of God to a people who were so hungry that they almost as it were sucked the Word out of you; a great experience, not easily to be eclipsed or forgotten. Every day started with devotions at 7.30 am, which we all took a share in leading, then to breakfast and on to the church where we preached from about 9.15 am to 9 pm with a break for lunch.
One of the most challenging parts of the week was the hour’s open question time where we had a very rapid learning curve in respect of Ugandan church culture and expectations. We shared the platform with the pastors from Holy Spirit Fire Church and I was blessed by what they had to share; one particular lady called Pastor Naomi really inspired me with her godly but uncompromising approach.
One of the highlights of the week came when the pastors and leaders were invited to write down things that they wanted to be lifted off them, things that they considered to be a hindrance to their ministry and personal walk with God. The response was immediate and urgent and spoke volumes of their commitment.
I believe that something of my heart has been left behind in Uganda and I hope that something of the Ugandan believers has lodged itself firmly in my heart.
Pastor Elvyn Jones
Feltham, London