Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven

“A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation” (Lectures on Faith, pg. 58).

I have possibly never seen this principle demonstrated more than today. Today in my little Lugazi, Uganda town, years of individual dedication and sacrifice from 2 families came to fruition- the Lugazi branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was established.

The Adungu family has lived in Lugazi for about 5 years. During that time, Brother Charles Adungu was finishing his 5-year position as Branch President in Jinja, which is about 1 hour away. I would often see the Adungu’s on the public taxi to church. He and his wife would rotate going to church, and would rotate which of their 4 children would come accompany them. It was just too expensive to take the entire family. Today, Brother Adungu was again called as Branch President (an unpaid position as the pastor/leader of the congregation), and his wife Sister Beatrice was called as both the Primary President (over the children's program) and Young Women’s President (teenage girls).

In her testimony, Sister Beatrice chronicled the difficulties of making it to church over the past 5 years, but repeatedly commented, “It has been hard, be we knew with the Lord it would be possible.”

Brother Charles emphasized that this day was a miracle.

Grace and Geoffrey, with their daughter Helen, have been making the journey in the opposite direction to a congregation in Mukono for 10 years. They talked about how each month they would set aside their transport money for church without question. This made up more than half of their monthly income. This had caused paying for the school fees for Helen difficult, and she currently is not in school because of it. Sister Grace was called as the Relief Society President (the largest women's organization in the world), and Geoffrey as both the Elder’s Quorum (adult men) and Young Men’s President (teenage boys).

In his remarks, Brother Geoffrey said “The gospel has blessed my home. Not with money, but with the Spirit of the Lord.”

Sister Grace painted powerful imagery as she said of the years of sacrifice leading up to finally having a branch in Lugazi, “We have climbed the mountain, and are finally at the top. But now we see that there is an even higher mountain to climb above us [to now build this branch]. Let us ascend the climb with faith, together!”

What a gift to look in on this beautiful event that came after years of sacrifice from such humble, dedicated people.

Grace and Geoffrey on the left front row (with Helen behind), Adungu family on the right front row. There are 2 young male missionaries that just moved to Lugazi, and the others are missionary couples are stationed around Uganda (and Ethiopia) who came for support this first Sunday. Next to me is my friend Opera who is visiting me from Kenya, and our friend Guy behind me, from Australia.