Dave Stedman shares a deeply personal story of faith, perseverance, and the unexpected blessing of a new life in Uganda after twelve years of prayer.
I first met Pastor Tom Patrick in 2019. He was an enthusiastic early adopter of eVitabu and generated lots of interest in the app through his connections in House of Transformation churches around Entebbe.
Since then, we have met several times at training workshops Pastor Tom has helped to coordinate and we met most recently at a conference where we were both participants in 2023. Chatting over lunch, Tom confided that despite having been married several years, he and his wife, Stellah, had not been able to have children.
Pastor Tom, Stellah and baby Jared
In any culture, childlessness can be hard but, perhaps, especially so in Uganda. Tom explained how he was being encouraged by some of his wider family to try to have a family with another woman, but he was not prepared to do this. I’m often challenged by the human needs I encounter in Africa.
Sometimes solutions are tangible: compost and mulch for crops, local language Bibles, solar power, a bike or a mobile phone. Other times the only option is to pray.
A few weeks ago, I received an unexpected WhatsApp message from Pastor Tom. His message read:
“I write to testify that after 12 years the Lord has blessed us with a bouncing baby boy. Thank you for praying for us.”
When writing these pieces for Impetus, I am often keen to emphasise numbers, the bigger the better, to indicate the impact and reach of APF. This time, however, it struck me that the most important number is one. What could be more valuable or precious than to have shared, and prayed, a small part in the arrival of this one child, Baby Jared, to faithful, loving parents – the blessing of a son to Tom and Stellah after many years.
I was so happy to receive Tom’s brief message. It did my heart good and I pray it encourages you also.