The Ugandan culture teaches many things: resilience after the war; the specific ways men and women’s roles are viewed and how service is portrayed. Today I spent time with the community mental health team and observed them as we visited a remote village where many people have used mental health services in the past. The philosophy is simply this: without help, they wouldn’t be able to help.

I listened as some of the ex-service users shared about their past chaotic lives and what they described as “destructive behaviour.” The number 1 point I noticed they always emphasised was that they were helped on their road to recovery. The bible teaches that it is better to serve than to be served (Acts 20:35). Such a scripture can at times not taken seriously as we go about in everyday life. What we ought to remember is that people or situations do not necessarily change without help. For Jesus to come down and be crucified was a service he gave to us who were in desperate need of his help. Jesus also commanded us to share the gospel with the world. This is a service that requires us to not think of ourselves but to look out to those that need his truth. Let us be of service in any way we can for others as the road to recovery may be far longer without the support of a serving community.