On Friday, July 17th, Felix Omodi left this earth to be with the Lord he loved and served. While the world lost a great humanitarian, Medical Teams lost a former Country Director, a dear friend and a beloved brother in Christ.

In 2004, Medical Teams was awarded a US government grant to provide mobile clinics to displaced people caused by the violence of the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda. This was an important award because it allowed Medical Teams to establish a presence in Uganda. Felix Omodi was the Program Manager responsible for implementing important life-saving services. That was the beginning of a 16- year relationship with a man I am honored to call my dear colleague, friend and brother.

Anyone who has ever met Felix Omodi has a lasting memory because he was the type of man who made a lasting impression. I remember the first time I met Felix at the start of the grant in 2004. What struck me most about him was his huge welcoming smile and his humility, frequently ending each compliment with “Thank you, please.” As the Program Manager, Felix not only provided life-saving health care to women, children and the elderly in crisis, he also shared the love and hope of Jesus. In every encounter with Felix, you always felt valued, loved and safe. He frequently spoke about his deep passion to serve his people.

Felix meeting with a hospital director in Lira District, Uganda.

When Felix was promoted to the role of Uganda Country Director a year later, I quickly learned how truly amazing this man is, learning more about his life story. Years before, Felix himself had been captured by the Lord’s Resistance Army. In retelling his experience, he described the horror and trauma during his time in captivity, often fearing for his own life. With a boisterous laugh, he then shared his escape plan using a chicken. Felix concluded his story by simply saying, “By God’s grace, I ran away free.” Felix is a man of great courage, ingenuity and faith. No matter the suffering, pain and trials he experienced, Felix always faced each challenge with grace, love and joy as a form of worship to the Lord. Prior to Medical Teams, Felix worked for, and gained tremendous experience from, The Carter Foundation and World Vision. He committed his life to the service of others.

Felix would frequently tell me, “We will do everything we can to promote Medical Teams in Uganda. Trust me. I will not let you down.” That is exactly what he did. Under Felix’s leadership, the program grew from a one-year disaster response project to a multi-year, multi-million-dollar program with expansion to communities outside of Lira District in the North, and to SW Uganda in the refugee camps where we work today.

Felix leading a team devotional at the office in Lira, northern Uganda.

On Friday, July 17th, Felix Omodi left this earth to be with the Lord he loved and served. Felix is gone and we will all miss him, but he is definitely not dead. Felix is very much alive, enjoying a new body with no more pain or limitations, standing in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All of us at Medical Teams mourn the loss of our dear colleague and are thankful for the time we had together. On behalf of Medical Teams, I extend our condolences to Esther, his wife, and the entire family. Our prayers for peace and comfort are with you all.

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40

Share a memory to the Felix Omodi memorial page.