Liz Rowe reflects on her visit with Beth Lewis to their friend Becca Jones, who serves in the neonatal unit at Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda
“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” 2 John 12
“Fancy a trip to Uganda?!?” Both Beth and I received the same message on the same day. Having been a mission partner and doctor in Kiwoko Hospital for around ten years, and unable to visit the UK for the last six, Becca needed some support from home. Having discussed it with our husbands and the church elders, all were in favour of us going together, so plans were made and in February we were delighted to visit Becca and her three daughters.
Although our intention in going was purely to encourage Becca, we also benefited hugely from the trip. Renewed fellowship Over the years we have kept in touch through WhatsApp and email, and we receive Becca’s prayer letters, but nothing compares with face-to-face contact and conversation. Renewing Renewed fellowship friendship and fellowship with Becca was wonderful, and we stayed up late into the nights, chatting and laughing together. Becca has adopted three Ugandan girls since her last UK visit, and it was a real joy to spend time getting to know them and being part of their family. Since coming home we have continued building these relationships, with more regular messages and Zoom calls together.
Better understanding
Becca had told us about her life in Kiwoko, but now we have seen firsthand some of the joys and challenges of her day-to-day life. Being there ourselves, experiencing the different climate and culture, attending her church and meeting her friends and colleagues, has turned our abstract knowledge into a better understanding. There is real value in putting faces to names and visualising the place where she lives, works and worships. quote: to the mission field, but we are called to be partners together in the gospel
The joy of giving
A generous luggage allowance meant we could ask Becca what she needed us to bring out with us, and the whole church contributed to filling our suitcases with gifts for them. Our ladies knitted hats and cardigans for the babies on NICU, mums donated their children’s outgrown clothes and others contributed financially. Even the Sunday School children got involved, buying a microscope for their homeschooling. It was a joy for us all to show our love for Becca in this practical way.
We are not all called to the mission field, but we are called to be partners together in the gospel.
Partnership in the gospel
We are not all called to the mission field, but we are called to be partners together in the gospel, and our visit brought this sharply into focus for us. It was a real encouragement for us to visit Kiwoko ourselves after many years of supporting the work there financially and in prayer. When we returned home we shared some of our photos and videos with the church, and were encouraged by the large turn-out for our talk. Mission partners’ work can often feel very distant to us in the UK, but our trip has reignited an interest in the work in Uganda in our whole church, many of whom have never met Becca in person.
Informed prayer
Having more regular contact with Becca enables us to keep up-to-date with her most pressing needs and to pray accordingly. Our church has always prayed regularly for her, but our visit has made those prayers more detailed and fervent.
Final thoughts
We both feel very privileged to have visited Uganda and spent time with Becca and the girls. Our church generously funded our trip and we would encourage others, if you are able, to consider visiting your mission partner. The purpose for going will be primarily to encourage your mission partner, but the benefits for yourself will be immeasurable. We are already talking about when we can return to Uganda!