A Frontier Missionary in the Making
By Ben Mabonga
In March 2024, while I was serving as chairperson of FOCUS at Lira School of Comprehensive Nursing, GLA organized a Professionals in Missions seminar. That week stirred something deep in me. I later went on an exposure trip to Ibanda district that was organized by IYAB in partnership with GLA, which confirmed my desire to serve God in missions. By January 2025, I joined GLA as a missionary intern.
A Renewed Understanding of Missions
Before this, I thought my good deeds made me righteous before God. But now I know that Jesus alone is my righteousness. I also used to think missions were just a special ministry focus, but I’ve come to understand that the whole Bible is about missions. God’s plan is to make Himself known among all nations, and every believer is called to participate in that mission.
Lessons from the Mission Field
In the field, I have learned that reaching people requires humility. I eat what they eat, dress like them, and even learn their language. By doing so, they see my love and welcome me to share the gospel. Learning Runyankole has been part of this journey.
I’ve also discovered that many people have never heard about Jesus’ first coming. That realization has driven me to depend completely on prayer, which I have found to be the only true source of strength in the mission field.
Though I have not fully utilized my nursing profession since the health facility where I am placed is still under construction, I have been able to engage the community through health talks, counseling, and prayer. Sometimes people don’t need medicine—they just need encouragement, care, and the hope of Christ.
I sense a deep call to frontier missions. I long to grow in Bible knowledge, study missiology, and serve as a world Christian—taking the gospel to the unreached.
Ben is a Global Link Afrika missionary intern serving in Ibanda district, Uganda