Holmes County family commits to Uganda mission

As directors of 58:12 Uganda, which is under the 58:12 Global mission, Silvester and Katelyn Lubwama have felt a calling and have exhibited a heart for serving the Ugandan people.

Both share the same dream, but for Silvester, better known to his friends simply as Sil, it is a return to the place where he was born and raised.

Katelyn met Sil while on a mission trip to Uganda, and she later returned, several times.

“I think she was actually coming back to see me more than anything,” Sil said.

Eventually, their love blossomed, and they were married and now have three children. During that time they moved back to Holmes County, where they have lived comfortably, but it has always been with an eye on one day returning to Sil’s homeland.

That time will arrive in late August, and there is much work to be done prior to their return.

The Global Uganda mission initially began in 2018, when a team from 58:12 Global built a safehouse for Robina, Sil’s grandmother, who had made a selfless commitment to taking care of several local orphan children in Uganda. In doing so, she earned the name Jjajja, which means grandma, and that is what nearly everyone calls her.

“She just loves those kids and never asks for anything in return,” Katelyn Lubwama said, noting she is the caretaker, grandmother, mother and inspiration for all the children.

The project grew, as did the number of children under Jjajja’s care, and the house was built for a dozen children to live safely under her care. In addition, they conduct a monthly kids club, which has blossomed into opening the door to share with upward of 100 children who receive food, fellowship and the Gospel.

“When we first started that project, we didn’t have a 10-year plan, but God had a plan,” said Larry Kaufman, director of 58:12 Global. “All we wanted to do was build a house for Sil’s grandma.”

That act became the vision for what would develop into 58:12 Uganda.

Step by step God led 58:12 Global and Uganda.

The safehouse was followed by pig and chicken farms designed to provide food, income and vocational training. There is the developing community center that will include a library, something Sil said will be the first of its kind. That project is the big one on the horizon. One additional effort will now be to build a mission home for the Lubwamas.

“Our vision is to return and connect with people through love and compassion and disciple people by creating these spaces that allow them to eventually become self-sustainable,” Sil Lubwama said.

Katelyn Lubwama said they are focusing on putting children through school through sponsorships so they can support their families. They currently have 24 children in school.

What makes this story more inspiring is Sil didn’t follow a typical blueprint.

“What I appreciate is that so often Ugandans want to get out and come to America for the opportunities, but Silvester has always had a heart to return to make things better there,” Kaufman said. “He hopes to bring transformation to his community, and that’s not easy because there are many challenges.”

Sil’s passion for his people in Uganda wells up inside him, and he is eager to make an impact.

“The need is big,” he said. “We do what we can and let God do the rest.”

As a way of raising funds for the ministry, Grace Church in Berlin will host a Euchre and Dutch Blitz Tournament along with a soup supper Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to participate may do so by registering at www.5812-global.org/events.

The soup supper is by donation, and all funds from the evening will go to support the Lubwamas as they prepare to make the huge commitment of moving their family to Uganda for their full-time ministry.

While 58:12 Global will continue to host numerous short-term mission trips to Uganda, the Lubwamas are committing their lives to living there. For how long, they don’t know, but it is a long-term commitment.

The team from 58:12 Global has locations in Ohio, Thailand, Haiti, Kenya and Uganda, with hopes of establishing a new location in Mexico soon. The vision of bringing Christ-centered hope and healing to the vulnerable in these areas remains a focal point.

Anyone wishing to donate directly in support of the Lubwamas’ Ugandan ministry may do so at www.lubwamas.org. Monetary gifts can be made monthly or as one-time donations. Donations also can be made to 58:12 Global at www.5812-global.org.