With a lot or a little – The power of gratitude

Power cuts, cooking over the fire, washing by hand – everyday life in Uganda. And now also for Selina. What did she learn? Gratitude for everything, in all circumstances.

I traveled back and forth between Switzerland and Uganda for a long time until God made it clear to me: now is the time to go. In spring 2023, I emigrated to Uganda with SMG, completed a DTS with YWAM and have been a teacher at an elementary school since July 2024.

At the discipleship school, I shared a room with seven women. We had neither electricity nor running water. We washed by hand and cooked over the fire. It was all new to me, as the only one who wasn’t from East Africa.

The short-term assignment was even easier: we drew the water up from a well and a hole in the ground served as a toilet. All of this challenged me – and opened my eyes at the same time. I learned to be grateful for what I had previously taken for granted.

Now I live in an apartment with a fantastic view of Lake Victoria. I appreciate a hot shower, a stove and my bed. But not everything runs smoothly: electricity and water? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Fridge and washing machine? Not a chance. Pets? We were recently visited by a rat.

Philippians 4:12-13 came alive for me: “Whether I have little or much, both are familiar to me, and I can be content with either: I can be full and hunger; I can lack and have abundance. I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength and power.” I know that God is with me, provides me with everything I need and remains my constant encourager.

I can learn so much from the children I meet here. Over 50 children in one class – sitting close together. Many lack school materials, some even lack school fees. But when I give them colored pencils or coloring pictures, they smile.

Yes, my time in Uganda changed my view of life. I learned that gratitude does not depend on external circumstances, but on one’s own inner attitude. A daily decision to focus on what is there – and to recognize God’s faithfulness in it.

Selina Kipfer, on assignment with SMG at Hopeland Ministry in Uganda