Growing up in Africa

by Edwin Buwule

I was born and grew up in Uganda, at a time when there was a lot of political unrest, a regime of brutality., and disease epidemics were commonplace. Yet, despite all the chaos around me, God was in control and I came to know him in 1986, when I was just beginning to venture out into the world as a teenager.

I lost my father...to the dreaded AIDS disease

Life was tough, but God gently brought about circumstances that moulded me and helped me to get to know Him, and to grow in His grace. I lost my father in 1992 to the dreaded Aids disease, which meant I had to take on family responsibilities while still in the sixth form. Yet each trial, struggle and victory was a sign that God was beside me, and I had my hand in his as I went through life – It was also a sign of a greater commission ahead of me.

I had become passionately involved in a Christian youth ministry, at St. Kakumba Chapel in Kyambogo, when Colin Piper, the director of South West Youth Ministry in UK offered me an option to train with them. I took up the challenge, which finally brought me to Cornwall in August 2000, to link up and train under North Cornwall Youth Ministries.

Right now I spend a lot of time working in schools, especially in the Bodmin area, visiting youth groups and telling young people through words, drama and song what Jesus has done for me in my life!