There are so many misconceptions about this country and the Church here. One recent web post referred to "Uganda as a garbage dump for extreme American christian (small “c” intentional) ideology".
I'm sure that there are some independent churches where some dangerous theology exists, but that has definitely not been the case in my experience with the Anglican Church of Uganda.
Epiphany's mission team served at the Chain Foundation--an Church sponsored
orphanage and school where sighted and blind children live and learn together. The blind children (one if whom we sponsor)
are particularly at risk.
Then we went to Bwindi in SW Uganda, the remotest place I have ever been to, where we assisted the COU (Church of Uganda) in its work with the Batwa Pygmies who were evicted from the forest without compensation or hope. It has been the Church, with the Diocese of Dallas assisting, who has been the party most responsible for the Batwa receiving medical care, health training, education--and hope for the future.
(Here is Melissa surrounded by curious Batwa women & children)
The COU is fiercely independent and committed to serving people's physical as well as spiritual needs. We should be proud and challenged by their example.
To be snarky, while one church spends its time and energy "reimagining" itself, suing fellow Christians and opining on Supreme Court decisions, this Church is actively involved serving the least fortunate in real ways.
I hope I will return to the US with a renewed focus on what is important--and what is not.
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