Grace, mercy, and peace unto the saints of God, and blessings upon those who have yet to know the gift of salvation which is in Christ Jesus.

I have a status update on Bishop Umar Mulinde, the Ugandan pastor who, in December of last year, was attacked by Muslims, who threw acid in his face.

Today, a representative of the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, in Israel, gave us the following information concerning Pastor Mulinde’s condition.  The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, as many of you may know, has been treating Pastor Mulinde free of charge.  On behalf of concerned Christians everywhere, we here would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Chaim Sheba Medical Center for this act of kindness and grace extended to Pastor Mulinde and his family.  

The information we received is as follows:

“Pastor Mulinde is making slow but good progress.  Last week he had two skin graft operations on his face.  He still needs more, as well as corneal replacement surgery [to restore his eyesight].  

He is walking around the hospital quite a bit; fully bandaged on his face, and is very thankful to everyone.  

I am told that his wife left last week for Uganda to take care of their kids.”  [Brackets mine.]  

This is good news.  Any progress—slow or fast—is good progress.  I’m not very familiar with the skin graft procedure, but I’m sure it is not easy for the patient.  Mulinde had two in one week and more are needed.  Please pray for Pastor Mulinde that this process is a complete success.  

In that the representative told me that Pastor Mulinde’s wife only just returned to Uganda last week, it is likely that she has been by his side since he was admitted to the Chaim Sheba Medical Center or shortly thereafter.  In that his progress has been slow and he is still scheduled to receive more skin grafts and eye surgery, it is likely Pastor Mulinde will be in the hospital for at least another month.

As we discussed in our earlier post concerning Pastor Mulinde, his family will be in need of financial assistance.  And now that we know for certain that his wife and children are back home in Uganda, while Mulinde must remain in Israel for a time, he will need to be in contact with his family for moral support and encouragement.  The representative also told me that the Mulinde family has been receiving threats, so Pastor Mulinde’s family will need his support and encouragement as much as he will need theirs.

That is where we come in, dear readers.  You and I can do our part to help Pastor Mulinde and his family weather this difficult storm.  The Chaim Sheba Medical Center has already provided a monumental service to Pastor Mulinde—one for which they have earned my eternal respect and gratitude.  God’s people Israel came through for one of the members of the Body of Christ.  The Natural Olive Tree cared for one of the wild olive branches that was grafted in.

But they cannot do everything alone.  It would not be right to ask more of the Chaim Sheba Medical Center than they have already done and have yet committed to do.  Cannot the Body of Christ defer at least some of Pastor Mulinde’s expenses?  Would it not serve to encourage the staff at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center if Pastor Mulinde could at least, if needed, pay for some of his meals, telephone calls, and/or television? I’m convinced that it would.  It would also help his wife a great deal to be able to replace even a meager portion of her husband’s support.  Every little bit helps.

Saints, I am not asking that you reach down deep into your pockets.  I know how difficult that could be in this economy.  But I am asking that you be willing to give whatever the Lord leads you.  It would make a tremendous difference in this man’s life, and would encourage him and help to alleviate his concerns for his family’s welfare.  

I am in the process of arranging a telephone interview with Pastor Mulinde, during which I hope to ask him what his most pressing needs are, and what we can do to help.  If this interview takes place—God willing—I will inform you immediately.

Pastor Mulinde is on the front lines—the infantry—in this spiritual war.  And it is a war. Not all are called to serve in the infantry.  Many are called to serve in support roles. Supply and logistics, maintenance, food and substinence, morale and recreation, medical, and many other capacities are all vitally important to the success of the military.  

But without the infantry, there can be no victory.  Without the front line troops, we might just as well lay down our weapons and give up.  The battle is lost.  One of our infantrymen is wounded.  He needs our help and support.  Won’t you help?  

It is our duty to come to the assistance of the Persecuted Church: we, who “have not yet resisted unto blood.”  

I’ll keep you posted of further developments.

Be encouraged and look up; for your redemption draweth night.

The Still Man

Copyright © 2012 Anthony Keeton, The Still Man ®.  All rights reserved.