He’s been teaching me to be interruptable in my plans-something, as an American, that I’m not very good at. But I’m sure glad I was because what happened next was infinitely better than packing!
It was our last day in Uganda and other than packing and getting to the bus station on time, we wanted to say goodbye to a dear friend we had made.
Mohammed, a man who owns a Chapati (an unleavened flatbread) shop in the Najjera district of Kampala, Uganda and I crossed paths one day. I saw his little shop as I was strolling the streets in search of my favorite street food: Rolex (basically an omelet rolled in chapati). And I instantly felt an inclination toward this man. We struck up a conversation as he made the Rolex for me. When he had finished making it, he gave it to me for half the price I had ever bought it for. He said, “Because you are my good friend, I give you a discount. I usually sell at 2,700 shillings, but I give to you for 2500 shillings.” Mohammed, you really know the way to a man’s heart; good, cheap food! But this also shows a bit of this man’s character. You see, almost every person who has tried to sell me something on the Race has significantly increased the price because I’m from the States. Mohammed charged me less than the local price. But besides the great food and cheap prices, there was something else that brought us together. In reality, I believe God had connected us and had a plan that was far beyond cheap Rolex, amazing Rolex at that!
“I’m going, right now, to tell my friends about you,” I said, “I will bring them here to get Rolex!” And we visited Mohammed every time we got street food in that area, sometimes ordering upwards of 10 Rolex’s. During this time, we got to know Mohammed fairly well since he made them on his singular burner and had plenty of time to chat.
Unfortunately, time was short in Uganda. As we prepared to leave, some of my squadmates and I had extra food money that we had saved from fasting. We wanted to give it to Mohammed to help him grow his business as he had shared with us his plans for expansion. But more importantly, we did it to show him the love of Christ. He knew we were Christians and he had shared with us that he was a Muslim. He even let us pray for him. Christ transcends religion and culture and meets us where we’re at.
When we gave the money to him, he was overwhelmed and started to tear up as he blessed us over and over again. “I want to make you very special Rolex before you leave today. You can come here before you leave to pick it up,” he asked, “How many are you?” “Well,” I said, “we aren’t really sure how many of our teammates will want some.” “Okay, no problem. You call me when you talk to them and tell me how many.”
As we left, I realized that none of us had airtime to make calls so we had to stop and purchase some. Luckily, it was on the way home. As we walked into the shop, a local man named, Andrew, who I had met earlier that month and two other men, John and Samuel were sitting inside. As we approached, I instantly had the thought to make this a short conversation since we needed to get to our Airbnb and pack. But God had different plans. He’s been teaching me to be interruptable in my plans-something, as an American, that I’m not very good at. But I’m sure glad I was because what happened next was infinitely better than packing!
Andrew introduced us to his friends and after some small talk, Samuel, who had been quiet and what seemed like to be staring off in the distance, asked my squadmate, Brandon, if he could buy him some glasses like the ones he was wearing. He then told us that he had a hard time seeing. It was then I noticed his eyes had a hazy look covering his iris and pupil-most likely cataracts. Brandon responded with, “I’m sorry, we don’t have the money for that.” And God whispered to me, “Pray for him. ‘Silver and Gold I do not have but what I have I give to you.'” So I told him that although we couldn’t buy him glasses, we could pray for healing. And he knelt down in front of us as if to say he welcomed it.
I put my hands over his eyes and prayed. And when I had finished he got up and shook our hands. “Can you see any better?” I eagerly asked. “It got a little better,” he replied. “Sometimes God heals in stages. Can we pray again?” And he knelt again as Brandon prayed. After this, we asked again and he said, “The darkness is gone!” as he began to laugh and proceeded to shake our hands over and over and over. I looked again at his eyes and all the haziness had moved to the outside of his iris’!
Are you kidding me?? God just restored this man’s vision right under our hands!! I almost had a hard time believing it. But I know without a doubt that I serve a God of miracles!
Apparently, word spread quickly because not five minutes after Samuel’s vision was restored, four men approached us guiding two other men. “You pray for them to stop boozing and smoking,” they said as they pushed their friends in our direction. We asked their names and said we would gladly pray for them. Brandon prayed for one and I prayed for the other. We both asked for restoration, healing, and victory from these vices that had a grip on their lives. “Boozing and smoking are not your problems,” I said after the prayer. “The only reason we get into things like that is because of some underlying pain in our lives.” As I pointed to their hearts. “Jesus wants to heal that pain. If you want freedom from these things ask him what that pain is and for healing from it.” They shook their heads in agreement and we ended up chatting for a while and getting their contact info.
Not long after that, we found ourselves finishing our short journey back to our Airbnb as we replayed the events that just took place. We burst into our Airbnb and excitedly told our squadmates what God had just done. As we showed them pictures, Frieda said about Samuel, “I know that guy! We met him earlier this month and he said he didn’t believe in God!” “He does now!” I replied with a smile!
I hope this testimony raises up some hope in your hearts. God desires to heal His children and sometimes we need only ask to receive! Start asking. Keep asking. Eagerly and expectedly await the results. And above all, no matter the outcome, know that He is good!
