Uganda (MNN) — Last year, Eagle's Nest Ministries saw 300 people come to faith in Christ in northern Uganda.
Bright Hope International is working hand in hand with Eagle's Nest Ministries. "Bright Hope specializes in looking for people who are sold out to the Lord's work among the very poor. When we met Butch and his wife and saw their ministries, we saw a ministry that was just serving God faithfully, and yet under-resourced and under-tooled to be able to meet the challenges of the people," said Craig Dyer of Bright Hope.
Butch Dodzweit, Director of Eagle's Nest Ministries, said there are approximately 4,000 people still in the IDP camp where they work. The government is having peace talks with the head of the Lord's Resistance Army right now. "We're hopeful that its really come to an end, but it's one of those 'wait and see' [situations]. But people do feel safe enough to go back to the villages," said Dodzweit.
Dodzweit says that long-term living in the IDP camps has taken its toll on the people spiritually. Witch doctors have taken control of people living there. As child soldiers return from the fighting, especially, there is a deep need for spiritual help. "They're asking for something to help them spiritually to take away these terrible dreams and awful nightmares that they go through. So spiritually, there's a big demand," said Dodzweit.
Bright Hope's partnership with Eagle's Nest includes providing resources, both financially and materially. Bright Hope has brought this need to churches and Christians in the West to ask for support. The ministry is still under-resourced, but Dyer said, "We're seeing results… That's exciting, that's movement. And what they were able to do that on, as far as their budget, we just think that's a huge bang for the buck for the Kingdom of God."
Specifically, Bright Hope is offering much-needed medical packs for Eagle's Nest as well as other parts of Uganda and Kenya. There are currently 17,000 med-packs on their way there.
Dodzweit and his wife are also largely involved in education and orphan care.
