People Stories - Denis

We met Denis from Uganda in the airplane on our way back to Guangzhou from Nairobi. As I heard his story, his testimony, and his dreams, never have I met a more brilliant young man of his age.

Mark sat next to Denis on the plane and they talked for hours getting to know each other. Denis was heading to Shanghai while we were heading back to Beijing. After about three days, Denis discovered he had some free time so he came to visit us and we learned more about his life.

Some life stories are just meant to be told.

Denis was born in 1993, the fifth of six children from a Catholic background. After he turned five, his parents divorced.  As a result, he and his next older sister, a year old than he, lived together for two years, struggling to survive. Eventually the parents were forced back together, by whom he didn't say, in order to provide for the children. However, the father proved to be a drunkard and a womanizer so he didn't provide a loving, stable home environment.

In 2009, the family experienced a traumatic home invasion in which injured Denis, a sister, and his mother. Denis received four gunshot wounds, one in each leg, one arm, and his back. He showed us the entry and exit wounds that led to a long year's recovery process. At the time he thought he might never walk again. However, the Lord used this experience to bring Denis to Himself. Denis remembers thinking that many people who get shot once don't live yet he was still alive after four shots therefore God must have a reason for him to live.

God showed himself real to Denis in many aspects of his life, from providing financially for high school, to providing jobs for university.

Fast forward to why he flew to Shanghai. During his university years he developed a honey processing business which expanded to need a particular packing machine made in China. He had come to complete the machine's purchase and learn how to use it.

Denis displays an incredible passion for the Lord, for righteousness, and for the Ugandan people. He is working to develop an industry that he hopes will eventually employ 15-20% of Ugandans by processing and selling honey around the world. He also dreams of becoming president of Uganda some day, maybe in about 20 years or so but to do that he must first help the Ugandan economy and its people.

When I see his godly passion, love for the Lord, and brilliant mind, I sometimes forget he just turned 24 years old.

May God grant him ability to serve and glorify Him by doing righteousness for his country.