Returning home from my 4-week elective placement in Kiwoko Hospital has left me with such a renewed sense of gratitude and appreciation of God’s goodness, and daily I am reflecting on aspects of my trip that have, and no doubt will continue to, encourage and impact me deeply for years to come.

This July I had the privilege of undertaking a 4-week medical elective placement in Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda - a rural, community based, private not-for-profit hospital that is affiliated with the Church of Uganda. After several months of uncertainty as to whether my plans for this trip would materialise following several flight cancellations and the devastating outbreak of Ebola in the neighbouring DRC, I had to truly commit my plans to God and trust the plans He had in store for me this summer. After much prayer, stretched faith, and a few other hurdles along the way, I was so blessed that God continued opening doors that ultimately made this elective possible. These challenges before I had even arrived were very much equipping me and preparing my heart for my time in Uganda and taught me to see every future challenge and experience as another opportunity to trust God and seek Him in all that I do.

Arriving at the hospital I couldn’t have had a kinder welcome and I very quickly felt at home within the hospital and the wider community of Kiwoko. As I stepped into my first day, I was instantly immersed into a way of life and work that seeks to serve God and patients, with their hospital motto being; ‘We treat…Jesus heals’. The hospital’s mission is focused on the provision of Christ-centred care that is accessible and holistic, aiming to treat patients in a way that heals both body and soul. It was such a blessing to witness and be a part of a healthcare system that so freely integrates faith and medicine, something which doesn’t come as easily in our healthcare system at home.

Every morning at 8am, before work, staff and students spend time in worship, prayer, and a message from God’s word which is led by the hospital chaplaincy. I shall remember vividly the feeling on my first morning praising God alongside staff to the well-known hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ and experiencing a tangible sense of the vastness of God’s Kingdom. That, despite being thousands of miles from ‘home’, I was standing amongst brothers and sisters in Christ. The resounding joy of being able to worship, learn, and work alongside doctors, nurses and staff in the hospital for the next 4 weeks only continued to grow.

These morning meetings were such a wonderful time of intentionally focusing our day and fixing our eyes on God which sustained us throughout my busy days on placement.

My time on the wards was full of learning and opportunities for broadening my knowledge and clinical skills. My 4 weeks consisted of time spent rotating around departments including Paediatrics, the NICU, and Maternity, as well as various outpatient clinics and general medical wards. Whilst many of the conditions and patient presentations I encountered were somewhat similar to what I have previously seen, I was able to witness first hand many of the challenges faced in what was a relatively resource-limited setting, as well as some of the cultural and geographical factors that influenced how patients received care. It was also of great benefit to gain exposure to the management of different conditions and varying severity of illness that I otherwise wouldn’t see as often, if at all, at home. I have come away with a much greater understanding of sickle cell disease, malaria and other tropical diseases! The highly skilled doctors, nurses, midwives and other members of the healthcare team were very helpful at accommodating my learning and a joy to work alongside.

I was so encouraged by the various other opportunities for mission within the hospital that I was able to get involved in. A highlight was ward ministry in which a group of staff and students spend time attending various wards each Wednesday morning to share from God’s word, encourage patients in the gospel, and take time to pray for patients and their families. The openness of patients to share how their faith that has played a role in their suffering, but also in their praise and thanksgiving, was deeply impactful, and a challenge for me personally to reflect on my own depth of dependence and gratitude in God’s provision and sovereignty in my own life.

The hospital also runs various other community outreach programs, one being a community eye clinic. I was very grateful to have the opportunity to join a team of staff from the hospital to a church in a local rural village for one of these clinics. The overwhelming care for patients’ souls was evident, and the focus of the day was established before we set off by spending time as a team praying for the clinic and for those that would attend. The clinic started with the reading of scripture and a short sermon for those who attended. The rest of the day was spent testing patients’ vision and providing management for various eye conditions. Being able to provide glasses to patients who needed them was a joyous experience and having them test their new glasses by reading the words of John 3:16 was another opportunity for sharing the gospel and opening conversation about Christ.

Between busy weeks in clinics and wards, I also had the chance to experience more of the beautiful country Uganda is. A 3-day safari to the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park with some of the other medical students from Kiwoko Hospital was a particular highlight. From hiking to Murchison Falls, to an incredible game drive and a boat trip on the Nile, before finishing the weekend with rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, it was an unforgettable few days!

I can confidently say that all the encouragement and lessons I have gained from my time in Kiwoko will stay with me as I continue forward with my studies, and I pray it continues to shape how I live out my faith in my future career.

Inspired by the words ‘the service is over let the worship begin’ written on the doorframe of the church, I have been challenged to be more intentional with how I can serve God in all areas of my life. A reminder that our faith isn’t to be left at the door of our workplaces, as it’s our strength, hope and purpose in Him alone that enables us step into our workplace in the first instance. As we are reminded in Colossians 3:23-24, our work is a form of worship when done with a heart of service bringing glory to Him in all that we do.

Kiwoko Hospital is a special place, where it only takes you to look around and see the immense fruits of what God has been doing within this hospital since its founding in 1988. I am incredibly grateful to have witnessed even a small part of His work through the incredible staff and wider community at Kiwoko who continue to serve Him so faithfully, and I pray that the gospel will continue to be proclaimed through its ministry. Thank you for your prayer and your support that helped to make this trip happen.