One Step at a Time: 2020

We met Elizabeth on our first trip to Uganda. This post is about our complete trip, but focuses on what God taught me through precious Elizabeth. No one knew exactly how old Elizabeth was, even she didn’t know. She had come from Rwanda with her husband to Uganda. She remembered Queen Elizabeth coming when the new bridge was built in Uganda! No one in the church remembers a time when Elizabeth was not a member of the church. Everyone said she was there when they came!

We have been going to Uganda twice-a-year for ten years, and we have seen Elizabeth at church, or at her house every single time! Every Sunday until the last year-or-so Elizabeth would sit out under the tree in front of the church after service. It is the custom in Uganda church services for members who have a testimony to share, will stand during worship to give a testimony to what God is doing in their lives/how He has blessed them. One Sunday, I remember hearing Elizabeth testify for God. I could not understand anything she said because it was in Swahili or Luganda, but I could tell by the inflection in her voice, the smile on her face, and the joy in her eyes, she was praising God. Each Sunday, offering is taken in large baskets at the front of the church. Elizabeth had so very little, but she would give her offering. One Sunday, I remember thinking as she hobbled forward on her cane, “God is illustrating the widow’s offering from the Bible right here! (Mark 12:41-44)” What a testimony she was giving; putting her faith in God to provide for her while she gives what she has to Him!

Elizabeth ministered at the church! She was known for sharing what she had. She cleaned the latrines at the church each week, until she was physically not able to. It was her ministry to help take care of the church. She was also known to encourage, and uplift others. She was known to call young girls and ask them about finding a husband and getting married. 😉

Mathias built a house for Elizabeth about three years ago by the church, so that the congregation could watch over her. She enjoyed, even when it was hard for her to stand, digging in the garden. Once she was moved to the house at the church, we would go visit her when we went by ourselves, without a group with us. We loved going to visit Elizabeth. We would take a little bit of food, and visit with her through a translator. She was always so appreciative, and would sing each time for us, and we would pray with her. It was such a special time for us.

The last years, I always wondered when we would leave, if it was the last time I would see her. When we went in February, we went to visit Elizabeth. She was so frail and tiny. We had a sweet visit with her on Sunday afternoon. On Wednesday, she went to Heaven to see her Lord.

We were able to share in the churches sharing time, and then her burial. When members spoke, and when Larry and I spoke, it was clear Elizabeth had influenced many for her Savior. When Elizabeth passed away, she had nothing on this earth. Her riches were in Heaven. I visited with Elizabeth 20 times over a 10-year span, and she influenced me dramatically! She never missed an opportunity to tell others about Jesus and glorify Him. She also shared what she had, and ministered to others all of her days. In these days of COVID-19, and where helter skelter hurrying is the norm for us, oh to witness and minister like Elizabeth! Think about a way you can minister today. Even with restrictions on our lives, there are still ways to help others, and share Christ's love with them. People need Jesus, and we need to share how good God is to us. To God be the glory!