With a voice as warm as an African tropical breeze, and a countenance as cheerful as a toddler who just discovered he could crawl, Dison Bumba is a constant reminder of God’s redemptive love to the children we serve in Uganda.

He is nearby as hundreds of sponsored children receive hot, nutritious meals; he is on the campus of our primary school where a new generation of leaders is being formed; he is with the children in worship as they exalt the name of Christ through lively dance and song.

Known simply as “Bumba,” the 33-year-old Uganda native is our national ministry coordinator for a region of the world where God continues to grow our ministry and programs, including mission trips and child sponsorship.

“Every time we make profiles for someone to choose a child to sponsor I see a blessing that God is bringing to our country, to our continent and to the world,” says Bumba.

Every time Bumba sees a sponsorship profile, he also sees himself.

Bumba is the youngest of 12 children. When Bumba was just six his father passed away, and he and his siblings took it upon themselves to care for the family.

They lived in a small grass hut without electricity and running water, and food was a luxury that was hard to come by.

At 7 years old, he and his 3-year-old nephew began tending cows deep in the jungle, overcoming the fear of thorns, snakes and other wild animals they encountered daily, because the alternative was to go hungry.

When it seemed like only a miracle could sustain a family that didn’t know where ample food or access to education could possibly come from, the gift of child sponsorship arrived.