Even though it was time for kids to be in school, Lucy Ajambo noticed several kids playing on the streets of Jinja. The children’s parents could not afford the school fees, so their opportunities and education was very limited.
Lucy had recently returned to Uganda from spending three years in Eswatini completing her theology degree at African Christian College in 2019. She was troubled. She also had few resources and could not afford to pay their fees for them. But she wanted to help these kids.
She prayed. God revealed a big idea: start a youth Bible study for kids in your house to teach English using the Bible.
Lucy prepared a meal and invited all the kids to her house. They came in numbers. The kids were chatty, open, and happy about their time together, even though Lucy was a new neighbor to them.
She proposed her idea for a weekly gathering to learn English through the Bible. The kids wondered in silence.
A young man, Waiswa, broke the silence: “I will come!” The others followed suit in excitement.
Waiswa was the first to arrive. He brought a worn notebook and a pencil almost too short to hold. He was fascinated by the opportunity to learn.
Lucy was captured by his confidence and intelligence. She learned he had a Muslim background. But he was always present, invited others to attend, and challenged her with inquisitive questions.
As the Bible study grew — even school children started to attend! — Lucy became stretched thin. As an administrator and facilitator with Gospel Chariot Missions, she had a full-time job sometimes requiring her to travel away from town for days or weeks. In addition to work and the weekly Bible study, Lucy began graduate studies online with Abilene Christian University.
Recognizing Waiswa’s commitment and potential, Lucy gave him extra work. He never complained. He learned faster than others and grasped both Scripture and English. She decided to mentor Waiswa to help the other kids when she was unable to attend because of work or school.
Waiswa not only took this task seriously, he excelled at helping the other kids understand their lessons. For over a year, Waiswa has managed the class when she is away. Because the class continues to grow, it’s moved out of her living room to a community building. A young attendee, Shafik, was recently baptized.
Now, Waiswa does most of the work while Lucy monitors and supports him. Members of the community praise her for her great work and the children’s improvement in English. But Lucy treasures the work and blessing that Waiswa is to the community and the ways she’s been able to watch him learn, grow, and become a leader.
As a graduate of African Christian College, Lucy had been equipped to lead and to serve. She did. Even more powerfully, she didn’t keep it for herself, but sought ways to continue to pass on skills, knowledge, and a love of Jesus to others in need.