Ruth Lomo, a refugee herself, traveled to South Sudan to serve for six months. After only one month, conflict broke out, leading over 2 million South Sudanese refugees into Bidi Bidi Refugee camp located in Northern Uganda. Ruth fled along with the refugees and stayed at the camp for 5 months. While there, she listened to the needs of the refugees, such as skills training and Bible leadership.

Ruth came back to Memphis, shared those needs with her daughter Joyce Lomo, and Ebenezer Global was birthed.

Ebenezer Global organized and led the first mission trip to Bidi Bidi. A group of college students from Memphis, TN and a group from Kampala, Uganda traveled to Bidi Bidi to lead a servant leadership training for youth, women, and church leaders.

The teams stayed in the nearest town, Koboko, about two hours away.

Ebenezer Global was officially established by Ruth and Joyce Lomo. Several trainings and conferences were held such as: servant leadership training, trauma healing, marriage conference, medical team, and catering training.

There still weren’t accommodations in the camp for the teams to sleep. The options were tents at camp, or traveling two hours one way to Koboko to sleep. The end of this year sparked plans to build a guest house and training center.

The construction of the guest house and training center began. By June, a training center was built to accommodate up to 100 people without tables and 50 with tables. Six guest rooms were built with single, double, and triple beds, as well as modern toilets and showers, and a hall to be used as a dining room and restaurant.

The first mission team was hosted in the compound in July, and other teams and organizations utilized the services as well. The soccer program was birthed, and two ladies were sent to Jinja to take one-year courses in hair dressing and tailoring.

In the face of a global pause due to COVID-19, some programs were put on hold. Nonetheless, the compound's security was fortified with a new wire fence and gate. Liquid soap was produced in-house, enhancing community hygiene via distribution at various hand washing stations within and around the camp. Poultry keeping begun, using both the eggs and chicken to stock the newly formed restaurant. Vocational trainings began, such as IT and baking African donuts to sell.

Although the pandemic greatly affected programs and activities, many achievements were still made. Tailoring and hair dressing classes started, over 72 students graduated in Information Communication Technology, 12 Chrome Books were received, and discipleship pastors’ training started. In addition, the solar power system was installed creating consistent power, construction of vocational rooms and a power house took place, and financial training programs begun. Mission trips were hosted, and the conference hall became a hub for trainings, meetings, and even birthdays. Soccer training, matches, and tournaments resumed post-pandemic, with the exciting addition of a female division. The team also started outreach and volunteer work for the vulnerable. A staff was incentivized, and tap stands were installed, extending water access to the Ebenezer Global compound.

Mission trips were hosted, and tailoring and hairdressing classes kicked off, with a new building for training. Many students graduated from computer/IT training. A solar power system was installed for consistent power, and a powerhouse was built for electrical inventory. The team won a "Peace and Security Award" and soccer championships, and also served the vulnerable population. Generous donations were received for Chrome Books, Bibles, sewing machines, etc. Christ Church held a fundraiser for tailoring training. The Guest House accommodated around 50 guests. Mercy's Ministry was established for special needs, registering at least 65 individuals. Products like soap, shampoo, body wash, and Vaseline were made and sold. A carpentry and joinery shop was built, two men were trained in carpentry, joinery, plumbing, and masonry. A truck was acquired for transport. A two-year catering contract was signed with ENBLE. Many pastors were trained, and virtual training was provided by Help the Least of These. The restaurant hosted birthday celebrations and expanded its menu. Four individuals hiked 75 miles to raise money for Ebenezer Global Hub. A second building was completed, and a virtual Christmas party was organized by Help the Least of These.

Daily home visits and weekly play time and support groups for Mercy’s ministry (special needs) continued as the parents, caretakers, and special needs adults training in purses, jewelry, and soap making kicked off. Weekly zoom mentoring and training also continued for the social worker. The soccer teams continued their weekly Bible studies and community outreach and the boys team won 4th place in the Uganda division league. Our carpentry and joinery department started making 100 benches to distribute to churches that currently do not have seating. 48 students were enrolled this year for the computer skills training and basic computer repair is now part of the training. We are also offering evening classes now to meet the high demand. Pastors continue to be trained on a weekly basis via zoom with the help of a local Memphis church.

In partnership with the Refugee Law project, we enrolled 15 students for tailoring and fashion design, 5 students in salon and hairdressing, and 8 students in catering and bakery for a 6 month training course. In partnership with Enable, Ceford, HEKS/EPER, War child Canada, Refugee Women Organization, and Refugee Law Project, we provided more than 20 catering services and our hospitality and event planning team hosted over 22 parties and training.

Biggest Challenge: In June, UNHCR and World Food Program decided to decrease and in some cases eliminate the food distribution for certain groups due to the lack of funding. The UN provided land through the host community for the refugees to farm. The land is 10 miles each way from the camp and it is not ready for planting. A person would need to walk 10 miles, prep the land, which includes cutting down shrubs and trees without proper equipment, then walk another 10 miles to return home.

In 2023, due to the food shortage, Ebenezer Global started an initiative to support farmers. The activities for this initiative include: clearing farm land and providing tools and seeds to single mothers and widows. We cleared 16 acres of land for 21 single mothers and widows. Within two months, these resilient women were able to grow corn, sesame, beans, and sorghum.

School Support: Every year during exams, parents are required to provide school supplies and contribute food to the schools for the students lunch. Due to the food shortage, the parents were not able to meet this requirement. Ebenezer Global provided food and school supplies to 607 middle school graduates from 6 different schools.