Timeline of Services

Ruth Lomo, a refugee herself, traveled to South Sudan to serve for six months. After just one month, conflict erupted, forcing over 2 million South Sudanese refugees into the Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda. Ruth fled alongside them and remained in the camp for five months. During her time there, she listened closely to the needs of the people—most urgently, skills training and Biblical leadership.

Upon returning to Memphis, Ruth shared these needs with her daughter, Joyce Lomo Jackson. Together, they birthed Ebenezer Global Hub.

Ebenezer Global Hub organized its first mission trip to Bidi Bidi. A team of college students from Memphis, TN, joined by a group from Kampala, Uganda, led servant leadership training for youth, women, and church leaders within the camp.

Ebenezer Global Hub was officially established by Ruth and Joyce Lomo. The year was marked by a series of impactful trainings and conferences, including:

• Servant Leadership Training

• Trauma Healing Sessions

• Marriage Conference

• Medical Outreach

• Catering Training

At that time, no accommodations existed within the camp. Teams either camped in tents or traveled two hours each way to Koboko. This challenge sparked the vision to build a guest house and training center.

Construction of the guest house and training center began. By June, the training center was ready to host up to 100 people (without tables) or 50 (with tables). Six guest rooms were completed, each outfitted with single, double, or triple beds, along with modern toilets, showers, and a dining hall/restaurant space.

The compound hosted its first mission team in July. Additional teams and organizations began utilizing the facility. The soccer program was launched, and two women were sent to Jinja for one-year vocational training in hairdressing and tailoring.

Despite the global disruption of COVID-19, progress continued. The compound was secured with a new fence and gate. In-house soap production began to support handwashing stations across the camp. Poultry keeping commenced, with eggs and chicken supporting the new restaurant. Vocational training in Computer Literacy and African donut baking was launched.

Though the pandemic disrupted many programs, notable achievements included:

• Launch of tailoring and hairdressing classes

• Graduation of 72 students in computer literacy

• Receipt of 12 Chromebooks

• Initiation of pastoral discipleship training

• Installation of a solar power system

• Construction of vocational rooms and a power house

• Introduction of financial literacy programs

Mission teams returned. The conference hall became a vibrant space for trainings, meetings, and celebrations. Soccer programs resumed, now with a female division. Community outreach expanded. A motivated staff was established, and water tap stands were installed to serve the compound.

Mission trips and trainings continued. A new building was added for tailoring and hairdressing. Additional graduates completed computer literacy courses. Solar systems and a powerhouse improved consistency in energy supply. Notable milestones included:

• "Peace and Security" Award

• Soccer championship victories

• Launch of Mercy’s Ministry, registering 65+ individuals with special needs

• Production and sale of soap, shampoo, body wash, and Vaseline

• Construction of a carpentry/joinery shop; two men trained in multiple trades

• Acquisition of a truck for transport

• Two-year catering contract with ENBLE

• Virtual training support from Help the Least of These

• Restaurant menu expansion and special events

• 75-mile fundraiser hike

• Completion of a second building

• Virtual Christmas party hosted

• Mercy’s Ministry expanded with daily home visits, support groups, and training in purse-making, jewelry, and soap-making. Weekly mentoring for the social worker continued via Zoom.

• The soccer teams held weekly Bible studies and outreach events, with the boys’ team placing 4th in the Uganda Division League.

• Carpentry and joinery teams began producing 100 benches for churches lacking seating.

• Computer literacy training enrolled 48 students, with basic repair and evening classes added.

• Weekly pastoral Zoom training continued in partnership with a Memphis church.

Vocational training partnerships included:

• Refugee Law Project: 15 students in tailoring/fashion, 5 in salon/hairdressing, 8 in catering/bakery

• Enable, CEFORD, HEKS/EPER, War Child Canada, and Refugee Women Organization: Over 20 catering services provided

• Hospitality/events team hosted 22+ parties and trainings

Major Challenge: In June, UNHCR and the World Food Program reduced or eliminated food distribution due to funding shortages. Refugees were given land 10 miles from the camp to farm, but it was uncleared and far from accessible.

Ebenezer’s Response:

• Launched a farmer support initiative for single mothers and widows

• Cleared 16 acres for 21 women, who grew corn, sesame, beans, and sorghum within two months

• Provided school supplies and food for 607 middle school graduates from six schools

Ebenezer expanded vocational training through partnerships:

• CEFORD: Trained 25 in motorcycle repair, 25 in carpentry, and 20 in tailoring/fashion

• Dan Church Aid (DCA): Trained 119 students across six disciplines

• Enable, CEFORD, HEKS/EPER, War Child Canada, and OXFAM: Engaged Ebenezer for 30+ catering services

The team also provided décor services for major events like International World Refugee Day and 16 Days of Activism.

In May, 14 missionaries (including 3 recent college graduates) served for 8 days. Activities included:

• Conflict resolution training for Christian and Muslim leaders

• VBS for 250+ children

• Trauma healing, dance, and art for 35 teen girls

• Soccer outreach

• Chainsaw/tool training

• Special dinner for Mercy’s Ministry and staff

• Carpentry and auto mechanic training

New Initiatives:

• Launched a goat farm to support non-income-generating departments (community outreach, sports, Mercy’s Ministry) and serve as an agricultural training site.

• Opened a motorcycle repair garage in Iyete village, employing two Ebenezer-trained youth.

• Established a greenhouse for year-round vegetable farming to support kitchen/catering training and wholesale supply to market women.

• Received a two-wheel tractor to assist in ploughing refugee farmland (to be used next planting season).

• Began transporting refugees to and from farms three days per week.

Infrastructure Development:

• Constructed 16 guest rooms for missionaries, researchers, and tourists, generating jobs and income.

• With support from missionary partners, built three churches—New Jerusalem, Ebenezer Praise, and St. Mark Church—each furnished with 10 benches.