Some of the Rest of the Story

Vehicle accidents are common in Uganda. Rarely newsworthy unless it's a really slow day for news. But there is nothing ordinary about an accident that involves a friend or relative. When that happens it is personal.

After three days of neglect

Reaching back through some of my history in Uganda, I hold December 29, 2014, in my heart. Three days after Peter was struck by a car while driving his small motorcycle. The collision resulted in a compound fracture of his leg. He was transported to a hospital but no medical professional attended to him during those three days. His wound was still bleeding and immitting a horrible odor. Without literal cash to pay for the medical care his wound required, he simply occupied a gurney.

The answer to your question is YES, he was dying ... bleeding to death.

Transporting Peter to Kampala

I received permission from the medical facility to remove Peter and transport him to Kampala International Hospital ... three hours away. Because we had an account built on a relationship with the hospital and orthopedic surgeon we had Peter admitted. His surgery was successful; his leg was saved, and more importantly, his life was saved.

Next Generation Ministries has the vision to change Uganda ... ONE PERSON at a time. We attempt to see people. We ask the Lord to help us see them as HE sees them. We believed Peter was placed in our sight so that we might be the hands and feet of Jesus and see his life saved for eternal impact.

Peter is known as Peterson

That was seven years ago. This week I received a WhatsApp message from Peter. He wrote, "send my greetings and sincere thanks to the entire family of Next Generation Ministries. Thanks to all you did to ensure my survival during the deadly time of my accident. Due to your efforts, GOD had done great things through the hard work and caring of the loving staff."

This man is committed to Christ and the power of transformation that comes to a life yielded to Jesus Christ. He has used his testimony to lead many to Jesus in his village. He has worked hard as a farmer, chef at several restaurants in Jinja, and boda driver to provide for his family.

I met Peterson for the first time in 2001. He was a dear friend of the short-term mission team of which I was a part. It was my first time in Uganda which would lead to full-time missionary work there. Our relationship over the past 20 years is full of great stories God has done.

Here is the latest installment ... some of the rest of the story.

Peter's five children

Peter and his wife gave birth to five children. The oldest begins her first year of Secondary School ... called High School here in America. Her parents are so proud of her. She received a Division One score of 9 on her national exam. This qualifies her for only the best high schools in the nation!

Peter sent me a photo of her scores. I don't have the ability to understand all the scoring typical of the Uganda educational system BUT I do understand what I found written on her test results: "She is a God-fearing girl."

So the story goes on. The one that began in the Bible with Genesis 1 and centers around Jesus, the Redeemer. The one that connects with those who give their lives to Him. The one that is central to the vision of Next Generation Ministries. The one that connected with one severely injured man. The one that is now deposited in that man's five children. The one which will be the biggest story in all of history.

For God's glory

One small story in the life of a village man. Who knows where it will all end for Peterson. But for now, you know that some of it is written in his daughter who also has great potential to bring glory to God.

These stories are why an organization by the name of Next Generation Ministries exists in the nation of Uganda. This is who we are.

• A small staff of people attempting to see people
• People discerning the people God puts in front of us
• People sharing the power of Jesus Christ
• People working to change Uganda
• One person at a time.