Mission Trip to Eswatini, South Africa and Uganda
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Eswatini and South Africa (August 2026)
In the Kingdom of Eswatini in August (also known as Swaziland), I taught a three-day Bible conference for pastors and leaders and a one-day conference for chaplains who are assigned to the prisons. The training took place in a conference room at a Catholic training center. What a wonderful reminder of God’s grace.
The weather in the city of Manzini, where we were located, was cold, wet, and miserable, yet they came, several from 2.5 hours away. Very few have cars, so they took local taxis, which are vans with the passengers packed in like sardines. And many others walked.
In Eswatini, I also had the opportunity to have dinner with Prince Mguciso Dlamini, the King’s brother (Eswatini is ruled by a king). The prince was led to the Lord by his mother and taught all the Bible stories as a boy. He was leery of the many false teachers and very enthusiastic about Bible teaching for his people.
My host in Eswatini was a young man in his late twenties who regularly attends one of the Molinars’ groups. He had asked the Molinars to do the training, but they are laser-focused on the groups they teach weekly in South Africa. I would ask your prayers for this young man. He has health issues but is very, very positive to Bible teaching.
While there, I was able to visit the Molinars and had the opportunity to speak to two of their groups. As usual, we had a great time of like-minded fellowship.
Uganda (September 2026)
I just returned from Uganda, where I taught seven days straight to different groups of pastors and their congregation members, with a special session on Saturday just for pastors. The believers in both countries were very positive to Bible teaching and are in need of basic Christian teaching—things that we all have known for a long time. Passages that are second nature to us, they are now learning for the first time.
For example: 1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16b; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:19. One thing about the truth, when it is spoken, it resonates and it is illuminating. As a teacher, you see their faces light up. The Ugandans did something I had not experienced before: When speaking to them and a particular point or principle was eye-opening for them, they clapped.
This was my first time with both groups. Both audiences had impeccable manners. That seems to be true of Africans in general. They are a very humble people and very appreciative of learning.
My hosts in Uganda insisted that I stay in their home. We had first met over a year earlier when I was teaching in Nairobi, Kenya. It was a wonderful experience being in their home, as it gave me further insight into their culture.
Their home is on a small farm outside of Ibanda. The fruits and vegetables they served were so fresh and delicious. If you are health-conscious, here is one fact you may find interesting: They serve mango cut up with the skin left on it, which turns out to be loaded with vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. They also served milk straight from the cow. They heat it up and serve it with honey and occasionally ginger. Delicious!
My sister, Charlotte, made a small white box labeled “God’s Essence,” and inside were ten different items, each representing a different characteristic of God. For example, there is a small rock that represents immutability and a small Bible that represents God’s veracity. I presented the box to one of my hosts, who teaches the young children at their church. She loved it!
The grace of God provides exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever ask or think. His grace makes each opportunity possible, and His faithfulness ensures those who seek the truth receive it. Your prayers helped get me there, sustained me throughout the mission, and got me safely back home. I am so very thankful for each of you and the prayers you offer on behalf of this ministry. It is exciting to see the many ways they are answered—not just in the teaching and all that goes with it, but also the many opportunities that open up during the travel to and from the destination and during my time on location. For example, I had the opportunity to give the gospel message on the radio in Ibanda and also to give it to the teachers and around 300 students at Rwentojo Secondary School, where my host attended as a boy. Incidentally, all their classes are taught in English.
Pictures from left to right: My home away from home in Uganda; the students at the secondary school; two pictures of bicycles being used to transport goods (very common in Uganda); and my hosts wearing their Texas shirts proudly.
Shield-to-shield,
Mission first, failure is not an option!
Terry Wilson
“The Lord your God goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go” (Deuteronomy 1:33).