Dynamic Happenings in Uganda — Maybe For Our Sakes

10 June 2011

Pastor Emmanuel Nnyanzi and Resonate News editor Patrick Butler in Mbarara, Uganda, in May.
                                                                                                                                           Courtesy Photo

UNDER THE WATERFALL: Patrick Butler

Mark and Monica Barret, of Tyler, Texas have found gold in Africa in the form of a Christian mission called Parental Care Ministries. I’ve been on dozens of missions trips in the course of 30 years and have never seen what I witnessed in Uganda last week; hundreds of children — orphans no less — who exude the presence and love of Christ in spite of circumstances most American adults, much less children, would cave and fold under.

How do these children do it? Well, the Barrets have also struck gold in a particular man, the Rev. Emmanuel Nnyanzi — “Pastor Emmy” is his most common honorific — who founded Parental Care Ministries in a mud hut high in the hills of remote Southern Uganda. Tested by fire, formed with strong faith and relentless in his love for children, Pastor Emmy is the man most responsible for adamantly telling his orphans that the main purpose of their lives is to know Christ and above all to be grateful, giving thanks.

The purpose of Parental Care is not to get kids jobs when they turn 18, Emmy told me. It’s to get them to understand that Jesus is their only hope, the lover of their souls and that this “King of kings” will share his wisdom and strength with those who diligently seek him.

This the children do with remarkable results that can be best understood by going to Parental Care School No. 1 in Mbarara and standing among them as they praise and worship God. The music they make defies the descriptive powers of most mortal writers. That said, their sound seems saturated with conviction that Jesus himself is their closest friend, their only trustworthy hope and one who will most certainly deliver them all the days of their lives.

These children know they are loved. I can think of no greater accomplishment for Emmy, his wife Sara and dedicated staff of school teachers — many whom worked without a salary until the Barret’s showed up on the scene a few years ago.

When Pastor Emmy was in Texas a month ago, I wrote after interviewing him for many hours, that he reminded me of my meeting Corrie ten Boom. After visiting him in Africa I am now sure of the similarity. Remarkably, this man — hidden away and unseen — came among us. I could tell from the very warm reception he received here — but without the excited revelation of what his understanding meant to our nation — that few really recognized whom they were listening to.

It was not their deficiency. I realized the dynamic content Emmy left out of his church sessions that lasted maybe 40 minutes maximum and often shorter. He was good, make no mistake, but there is such deeper understanding he has to share.

After follow-up interviews with Emmy in Mbarara, I realized this man is so deep in the Scriptures and the practical walking with God in what we would call dire circumstances — just daily life in Uganda — that he really needs no American pastor to come and “train” him. Because Emmy is ultimately humble I am sure he would gladly accept any offer to receive training from American lay and professional clergy. But honestly, it would be far better for American pastors to go to Uganda armed with pad and pen, prepared to take notes and learn from him. They would avoid any future embarrassment at whom they presumed to teach once Emmy’s character finally comes to light.

Pastor Emmy is already a key figure with what may be commonly called an apostolic ministry overseeing 45 pastor in a key nation in Africa. Right now he “only” oversees nearly 700 children and 45 churches. But watch and wait. I believe it is only a matter of time before this man is a player on a worldwide stage, offering a paradigm of “training” he has discovered in the fire of relationship with God.

And one curious thing about Mark Barret; what an honor and privilege for a man to simply walk into a support role as the Barret’s have for Parental Care. Barret is relentless in his zeal pursuing this privilege. Monica Barret’s remarkable story of how she actually met Emmy in Mozambique is a classic and so-called “divine appointment.” It makes me wonder, “What tests have they passed in their Christian lives to be chosen at this time, at this place?”

After I was asked by Mark to accompany him to Africa, my eyes were opened to something much bigger than the feeding and clothing of orphans. Emmanuel Nnyanzi seems to virtually hold one of the keys to the spiritual revival of America in his hands. If the Barrets are successful in getting Emmy back to America and providing a forum where he can actually teach a series, a transformation will occur because what they have in Uganda we sorely need in America. The entire Parental Care team from Texas recognized that while we were there.

Rocky Gill of Tyler said in the final outdoor Sunday service in Mbarara to the orphans and staff, “I call Uganda heaven on earth. Don’t wish for what we have. We wish we had what you have.” I’m sure he meant every word.

And finally, there is the 10-minute video I took of the children at Parental Care worshipping and then breaking out in extended and powerful praise afterwards. Shooting the video, I finally was forced on my knees, join the heart-felt worship and could tape no longer.

I simply showed this video to a home-fellowship group in Texas on Sunday and many were in tears afterwards. A man from Slovakia at this fellowship said in broken English, “America needs to have what these children have. This is what is most important.” I could not agree more.

As amazing as it may seem, America is not necessarily the forerunner to spiritual understanding in the world today. We have plenty to learn, and perhaps from the most unlikely of places. Isn’t that the way God seems to do it, beginning at Bethlehem? Does he not confound the wisdom of those wise in their own eyes?

Hopefully I can post the video soon, either pcmonline.org or here at resonatenews.com. It may be the only thing you need to see and hear to be convinced that God is up to something in Uganda.

Patrick Butler is the editor of Resonate News. To contact him, send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it