World Vision and Transformation

World Vision Uganda National Director Gilbert Kamanga spoke about transformation at a chapel service the team attended Monday morning at the National Office in Kampala.

Using a photo showing the stages of a butterfly, he explained that World Vision sees transformation not as "a process," but an end in itself. Quoting Romans 12:1-2, he explained that we seek the end state which is a change from one form to another. Other charities like CARE or Oxfam also seek change, such as stopping water-born diseases. Yet World Vision seeks this transformation in managing things like diseases, plus a transformation of people from being estranged from God to friends of God.

He also explained that transformation is something that happens to you. It is passive. As the Romans passage says, "be transformed." You can't experience this full, true transformation without the knowledge of Christ. That's why so many people are still caterpillars. We want to do it ourselves. Yet we can't be transformed if we only have OUR thoughts. We must be transformed by the mind of Christ.

Thus World Vision is not primarily about change of men's thoughts about clean water, sanitation and so forth. It is a transformation of world view from the inside of a person to the outside. World Vision Uganda works with God to provide the opportunity for God to transform communities in this way.
Proof of the need for this deeper transformation is seen when incomes are increased through good efforts, yet children in households are still malnourished. Or an increase in income leads to a man taking another wife. So increasing income alone is not enough.

In addition, in this work, World Vision is not seeking to change "them," meaning the people they serve. Instead they are seeking transformation for both the server and the one served as they do their work through both words and deeds. Successful transformation impacts everyone, not just the recipient.

Transformation can't be achieved if we don't allow the influence of the Holy Spirt because transformation is God's business. We are all just instruments.

The chapel service was attended by about 60 visitors and staff. It included singing, prayer, reciting together the the world vision mission, and the message.