More than a Host
Daniel and Rachel Jamison and their children Willow, Ansel and Saayuuni
Daniel Jamison isn’t just a host. Besides his main job of providing hospitality to the many guests living and arriving at the Bwindi Guest Houses, Daniel also hosts a time of prayer, conversation and Scripture study every week—and all are invited. “It’s called the Plantation,” says Daniel, “because no matter who comes along on any given week, my hope has always been that through a simple, relaxed gathering we are cultivating, in some small way, the planting of the seeds of God’s word in people’s hearts.”
In early 2021 it seemed like the whole world was in the grip of the pandemic and Uganda was no different. People couldn’t travel, Uganda shut its borders and guests stopped coming. Even eco-tourism dried up. “More than ever, I knew we needed to be hearing from God,” says Daniel. “So I approached the Batwa Development Program (BDP) leaders and they were on board. We meet at the BDP offices and we have a great time every week just listening to how God is moving in people’s lives and their struggles and their joys. We want to be affirming of people, many from different walks, but more than that we want to hear Jesus’ words and live into that.”
Daniel keeps the big picture in mind. “The highlands and rainforest of western Uganda are such a strikingly beautiful place—it draws people. They come here for many different reasons. Some visit for a few days and they trek the mountain gorillas. Some are larger visiting teams that come to work and serve. Some are here as students, doctors, and residents at the hospital. But no matter what brings them, many have spiritual experiences while they are here which they are eager to explore. And people are so grateful to talk and to share their experiences and to make new friends—that’s what we’re after.”
