At Bishop Senior School Mukono in Uganda, each school day begins before sunrise. By 6:00 a.m., students are gathered in their classrooms—not for lessons or exams, but for something even more foundational: time in God’s Word.
James serves the school community as a lay pastor, chaplain, and Christian Religious Education teacher. In the past, students at the school had little guidance in their morning devotional time. But everything changed after a visit from the Words of Hope Uganda team, who delivered boxes of Words of Hope devotionals to the school.
“Before, students were having unguided devotions,” James shared. “Now, they have a Scripture for the day, a theme for the day, and a clear direction for prayer.”
Thanks to the faithful work of Words of Hope Uganda, these devotionals are now shaping the daily rhythm of students’ lives. Each morning, in classrooms across the school, students open their devotionals together reading the Bible, reflecting on God’s truth, and praying with purpose.
“We have seen the lives of our children change,” James said. “They are giving feedback that the Words of Hope devotionals are really helping them.”
One Student’s Story of Hope
One story in particular shows this transformation.
When James announced that Words of Hope devotionals were available, a young girl came quietly to his office. She wanted a copy, but couldn’t afford one. James gave her his own devotional book to use.
The very next day, she returned full of joy.
She explained that she had been struggling deeply with something on her heart, with no one to talk to and no clear way forward. That night, she opened the Words of Hope devotional. The message she read spoke directly to her situation.
“It was as if God was speaking to me,” she shared.
From that moment, her life began to change. Once withdrawn and isolated, she grew joyful, confident, and socially engaged. Today, she is thriving in school and in her social life. Her transformation is a living testimony to the power of God working through his Word.
“I can really understand the power of God through these devotions,” James reflected.
Impact Beyond the Classroom
The influence of the Words of Hope devotional doesn’t stop at the school gates.
During school holidays, James worships at St. Philip and Andrew’s Cathedral in Mukono, where he has seen families and church members using the same devotional produced by the Words of Hope Uganda team. Again and again, people share testimonies of renewed faith and restored spiritual discipline.
“These devotionals have brought families together,” James explained. “Many families did not have the habit of praying together in the morning or evening. But now, that culture has been revived.”
Parents and children gather to read Scripture, pray, and reflect together, rekindling their love for God and the practice of daily worship together in homes, churches, and communities.
A Growing Vision for the Future
Inspired by what he has witnessed through Words of Hope, James attended the Words of Hope writers workshop last year. He dreams of one day writing his own devotional, focused on hope in Christ against all odds.
“There are many things in this world that offer false hope—money, education, systems,” he said. “But I want to write about the true hope we have in Jesus.”
Thank You for Being Part of This Work
This impact is only possible because of supporters like you—people who believe in sharing the gospel in meaningful and accessible ways. Because of your generosity, students in Uganda are encountering God’s Word daily. Families are praying together again. Churches are being strengthened.
Lives are being transformed; one devotional, one prayer, one morning at a time.
