Although I was not there for the majority of the day—in fact, really only present for the message from Phaneroo Ministries International leader Grace Lubega—it being a women’s conference after all, I could not appreciate fully all the very moving and inspiring content of the day.

My view from the back of the crowd at the end of the day—as seen above—was pretty staggering as we menfolk arrived and viewed over 30,000 seats pretty much all filled!

The conference is the biggest women’s gathering that the nation has ever seen, and it was held on the Kololo Airstrip, which has huge historic significance dating back to Uganda’s independence on 9th October 1962, when people gathered in their multitudes as the nation was freed from British rule.

Grace Lubega gave a stirring and empowering message to his audience last night and frequently women would rise to their feet or cheer with joy or raise hands in response to incisive and impactful points made. Cultural norms and traditions were challenged by biblical reference and perspectives brought throughout the sermon. After his sermon a double altar call was made—firstly for women leaders in their churches and then for those seeking to come to the LORD for salvation.

The front of the huge gathering was flooded with people encountering the LORD, sometimes in dramatic fashion as the Holy Spirit liberated and impacted lives. Even at the back of the crowd, where our team’s menfolk were seated, various women were falling and laid out on the ground with trained and attentive ushers checking on them to maintain care and to see if what was happening to them was the LORD’s hand and not some other (physical) reason for them falling.

At least one hundred prayed for salvation down the front also and were counselled afterwards in specially arranged locations selected for that reason. There may have indeed been considerably more people responding and, indeed present at the event—reports given here are conservative and it is too early to get exact numbers, but a moving and mighty day was definitely experienced by these dear women.

Womenfolk on our team were debriefing and following up the day’s events together until 02:00 this morning and, although tired after the long journey out to East Africa, the second packed day here and their full conference schedule yesterday, they had that look of “happy-tired” in amongst the looks of having been ‘searched by God’ and challenged by His Spirit. There was a sobriety, prayerfulness as well as freedom in the air and in the smiles on faces when we joined them as the conference closed, and as we sought to support and let them recover from their day with the LORD on Kololo Airstrip. Certainly something to be remembered and one that will linger long in all our hearts and memories.

Our whole team gathered alone with Grace Lubega, after his team had laid on a delicious spread for us and for some of his pastors and staff, and we enjoyed fellowship and some encouraging moments seated round the table with him hearing history of the ministry, as well as stories of the works and wonders of God in the land and throughout the whole of East Africa in this and the past century. We are all looking forward to more time with him, God willing, on Tuesday coming.