During a home visit with KCC, I met a patient named Ezra, who has terminal cancer and a difficult family situation. I wanted to share a passage from Scripture with him, but I do not speak Rukiga, so we asked his family member if she had a Bible in Rukiga and Julian (KCC’s Social Worker) read Psalm 27. Even though I couldn’t understand the words of his Bible and he couldn’t understand the words of mine, we were able to communicate through reading the same passage. His Bible also included a hymnal, and Julian shared one of her favorite hymns to encourage him. He appreciated that and said that he would ask his children to sing the hymn to him again. Through the passage and the song, I got to witness the truth that the words of God are “life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body” as I saw Ezra be strengthened by the hope of Scripture (Proverbs 4:22).
Having the opportunity to visit KCC and serve alongside everyone who works there was life-changing and it continues to be as I reflect on the time I spent there. It truly was, as Lianna says, a painful privilege to be let into patients’ lives. I am thankful for the privilege visiting with patients at their homes or at the hospital alongside KCC staff members. I saw just how important palliative care is, especially the way KCC provides it, because it protects patients’ dignity while increasing the comfort and quality of their lives. I witnessed the love of Jesus tangibly expressed by the KCC staff. Shout out to Baker, Derick, Julian, and Archim because their work beautifully reflected Jesus’ love. They took time to genuinely relate to each patient, treated every one of them with compassion, and brought happiness and smiles to those they served. I will always remember witnessing six patients at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital accept Jesus as their Savior, after Archim obediently and courageously shared the gospel.
“During my time serving with KCC, I went on four home visits, and each of them left their mark on me. Learning the reality of these patients’ situations, and seeing the faces behind those stories showed me how important KCC’s mission is. The first home visit I was on was for a man with stage 4 prostate cancer. The tumor had grown so large that it was causing sciatica. While his condition was undoubtedly difficult, and pain relief was an important aspect of his care, the KCC staff paid an equal amount of attention to caring for his family. Julian, a social worker at KCC, after talking to the patient about writing a will, took the time to pray with his family and encourage his wife, who had been losing hope. Similarly, on my last home visit, after performing wound care for a patient with severe pressure sores, the KCC team took time to pray with his family. I was also informed that this man, after talking with a KCC staff member, had confessed Jesus as his Lord and Savior the week before. My short time with KCC exposed me to harsh realities, but I am encouraged by the faithful staff at KCC, who continue to share the hope of Jesus Christ through their holistic, loving care.”
I’d like to share my visit and experience at Kabale Christian Care, where I had the pleasure of visiting my friends Peter and Liana Namanya and their remarkable ministry. Visiting Uganda (East Africa) and KCC was an absolute pleasure. It was a transformative experience to explore a different continent and culture, yet find so many similarities to where I was born and raised in Guatemala.
Witnessing how Peter and Lianna run KCC is truly inspiring. They empower local staff members by encouraging them to go the extra mile, equipping them with training, professional certifications, the right equipment, vehicle, motorcycles, insurance and ensuring they all have valid driver’s and practicing licenses. This approach not only helps locals but is crucial in a country like Uganda, where accomplishing tasks can be challenging without the proper support.
The KCC team does an amazing job at providing love and support that extends to the people under their care, whether by visiting them or welcoming them to the office for outpatient services. Mr. Jim Tanis and I had the opportunity to join the KCC team in the field, visiting individuals who have very limited resources and live far from the office. The team, which comprises of a medical clinical officer, nurses and a social worker, treats their patients with love, care, and compassion, providing the right treatment and medicine. More importantly, they show love and respect to their patients, praying with them and offering emotional support. Many of these people are alone, without family, and the KCC team brings true happiness and hope through their care.
I developed a great respect for the KCC staff members who navigate tough terrains and long distances to reach those most in need. Each staff member excels in their role. The local community is fortunate to have such committed people.
I was also excited to hear about future plans and projects at KCC, and I pray that these will come to fruition, offering even more people the chance to receive help and encounter the love of Jesus. I firmly believe that God will continue to use KCC to bring love and hope to Kabale and to Uganda as a nation. I highly encourage everyone to pray and even visit KCC if possible. As for me, I will always be happy to visit them.
Thank you to KCC directors and staff members.
Sincerely,
Angel Chun
Feb 6, 2025
KCC offices have shifted from a little office in an old closet to a beautiful, spacious home on the corner of the main road in town. KCC’s new office is in a better place whereby each staff member has their own office and workspace. However, the nurse and the social worker share the same room since they need to work closely according to the nature of their duties. Several referrals from different facilities and communities have come to the KCC office for assessment and diagnosis by the doctor who comes every Friday. KCC is anticipating that in the days to come patients are likely to increase in number because of the sensitization and awareness of our services through different media platforms and the research which has been done recently.