A meeting five years ago in Phoenix, Ariz. has resulted in a trip to Uganda for a local minister.

Pastor Mark Lampley visited Uganda and Tanzania, Africa, this past winter at the invitation of a Ugandan minister he met while living in Phoenix years ago.

"I was contacted by Pastor Godfrey Molunde, who I met while in Arizona, and he invited me to preach at a pastor's leader conference in Kampala, Uganda," Lampley said. "I met many fine pastors and lay people in this city of a million people, and I also came to realize that we in America take a lot of things for granted. Power outages were common on power lines that are the same as those used in the 1950s. Ninety percent of all homes have no refrigeration."

Lampley found the Ugandans to be "gracious and kind" people, who "gave the best of what they had, which was not a lot," he said.

Lampley reported that many in the East African country make a minimum wage of $30 per month, with $300 per month considered a good salary.

"Most people work 10 to 12 hours a day, six days a week," he said, "and even the rich have no central heat or air conditioning. In some families, the children are sent out to beg."

Lampley believes his efforts were of assistance to the Ugandan people.

"I feel I was able to bring hope and strength to the weary, depressed people I encountered," he said. "Most people walk to church, and most churches have dirt floors and no windows, but their faith is strong."

Bishop David Kiganda is the senior pastor of the Christianity Focus Centre of Kampala, Uganda.

"Pastor Lampley was very beneficial to the people he encountered while in Uganda," Kiganda said. "He was always assigned to the downtown lunch hour fellowship, where he ministered to between 600 and 700 people per day. He also preached at our church of 3,000 members; all benefitted from his presence."

Lampley found a strong faith in the people of the churches he attended.

"I ministered to over 3,000 at this year's conference, and many came from two to three hours away," he said. "The Ugandan people are anxious for prayer and for positive words of hope."

Lampley said he received "a new outlook" on foreign cultures as a result of his experience.

"The poorest American would be considered wealthy there," he said. "Many Americans don't realize how blessed they are, even though we are in a deep recession. We do the smallest things without giving it a second thought, like getting in our car, buying food, and taking it home to cook."

Kiganda has invited Lampley back to Uganda for the annual National Prayer Day held Dec. 31, in which Kiganda will host a prayer meeting that will continue for 24 hours. The stadium seating will hold 50,000, Kiganda said, where Lampley and others "will help people prepare for the New Year, hear testaments, and will thank God for the outgoing year."

Despite the poverty, Lampley said, the people of Uganda were friendly and humble.

"The Ugandan people don't have much but they are happy," he said. "As for me, I'm changed for a lifetime."