When I was in Uganda with Hesed Minstries this year, we made some good friends at Hesed as we worked together as a team. One of these fine people and respected friends was George Mayende. (That's George, in front in the picture, leading worship at a conference where we all worked together.)
To my great sadness, George Mayende, a faithful servant of God passed away on Sunday morning in Kampala, Uganda from malaria and further complications.
George was born in eastern Uganda near the Uganda/Kenya border and was 43 years old. He served with Hesed Ministries beginning in 1999 as the head of Hesed's music ministry that has been very effective in presenting the Gospel through traditional music and dance. George was happiest when communicating the Gospel through song. In addition to this ministry, George worked very closely in Hesed's orphan ministry. George had a deep passion for orphans, having grown up an orphan himself. In fact, his ministry and outreach to orphans is found in the number of children that have survived him - 19 children that included 7 of his own, 2 sons that he adopted after his brothers died, his late sisters' six children whom he provided for, and, most recently, four boys that he led to Christ to whom he had become a surrogate father.
George suffered a disabling hip accident as a toddler that left him crippled and in pain. He was disabled, but when it came to worshiping God, he was fully able. We remember in prayer his family and especially his wife, Topia as she assumes the the responsibility of care for all their children.
I was honored to meet and befriend this man from a small village in Africa who grew to impact so many in his own country as well as all of us so far away. George was an incredible man and we are really going to miss him.
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