Mr. Michael Lwanga is a special friend of Mercy Joy Ministries and the Wiggins Family, who was introduced to him by a mutual friend named Matt Brillhart (pictured above on right). His life story was the inspiration that started the Mercy Joy Ministries co-founders ministry work in Uganda back in 2012. Michael grew up in Uganda and was raised by a hard-working single mother who worked day and night to raise 9 children. Unfortunately, during the war in Uganda in the 1980's they lost everything. As a result, Michael was placed in an orphanage home. While at the orphanage, a pastor named James Reed from Texas visited the children and his words changed Michael's life forever. Michael says Pastor Reed encouraged them to pray and do well in school, as he believed education was a key for overcoming poverty. Michael gave his life to Christ and was inspired to do well in School. Because of God's grace and those words of encouragement from a stranger, Michael excelled and received a scholarship to further his education in the US.

Today, Michael has supported many families and children in the US and Uganda. He has helped 20+ Ugandan students pursue higher-education in the U.S. and supported 50+ children to go to school in Uganda, which many have graduated and excelled. Michael is married to Rebecca Lwanga and they have 3 children.