Psalm 33:4: “For the word of the Lord is upright, and
all his work is done in faithfulness.” This verse describes the work that was
done in Uganda, Africa for the almost two weeks we were there. From December 31st-January
12th, the Lord began a good work in my heart that is not yet
finished since starting the trip in Uganda. The Lord has shown me so many
things that is very hard to explain in words. But what I do have to say is the
Lord’s work is good and always done in faithfulness. The word of the Lord is
good and fruitful, therefore hang on to it. Worship, pray, read His word, and
lean on what He has called you to do for His kingdom. I feel as the goal of
this trip was to be a light to the lost of Uganda. To be a light and a witness
to the women, men, and children of Uganda. To let them know that they are loved
and no matter where they are at in their life and the circumstances they are
in, the Lord has a place for them in the kingdom, if they will believe and
accept it in their hearts. I have also learned a lot myself from their stories
and found them encouraging and very uplifting. Since it’s hard to explain
everything that happened in text, I’m going to tell you the top ten things that
left a mark on me and I will always remember from this trip to Uganda. Here we
go…
1.) Coming
out of my comfort zone and making new relationships with people on the team and
getting to know who they are.
2.) Darla
grabbing my hand and making me dance with her in front of the team, even when I
was screaming on the inside, I don’t like being center of attention. Thank you,
Darla I really needed that.
3.) Going
to the comforter’s center and listening to the women’s stories and testimonies.
Also, praying with them and giving them a word from the Lord.
4.) Going
into the slums and hearing their stories/testimonies and praying with
them/giving them the Gospel.
5.) Seeing
the children’s faces light up when we were coming through the slums. We sang
them songs and they held our hands while following us around in the slums.
6.) Painting
the Aliyah Joy house together as a team. I loved working as a team and having
that time to bond and laugh together as a team.
7.) The
ceremony we had for the Aliyah Joy house. I loved seeing all the people come
out and hear the good news of the Lord. I loved getting to know people that
have a heart for the Lord and the comforter’s center in Uganda. Also, singing
for the people and dancing with them was a lot of fun.
8.) Trying
Ugandan food and shopping at the markets was a fun experience. Also, driving
through Uganda was stressful, yet fun! Ha-ha!
9.) As
we were on the bus driving to the Aliyah Joy house and back, we would open the
windows and sing songs to people as we were driving past on the side of the
roads. I loved seeing their expressions and their smiling faces when we would
sing to them.
10.) Having daily team meetings about our day. Getting
together to talk, pray, and worship our great Lord.
I have loved seeing our team grow over the past two
weeks. I also have seen some growth in myself within this trip. Thinking and
praying of where the Lord wants me after college. Not passing the Praxis and
changing my major has been a huge struggle for me lately and this trip to Uganda
really helped me see the Lord’s provision and love. Before leaving for Uganda I
made the decision to change my major to Biblical studies and a minor in
Intercultural Studies. I left the trip kind of lost and depressed. Feeling like
I didn’t really have a future no more, because I was so focused on becoming a
teacher. But while on the trip, the Lord gave me such a huge heart for
ministry. Telling the lost people of the world the great news of the Gospel. Whether
that’s here in the US or overseas. I also heard this song in chapel called, “New
Wine”, and I have been playing it over and over again because it’s a daily
reminder that the Lord will make us whatever He wants us to be. We shouldn’t
worry about what tomorrow brings or what our future holds because the Lord
knows and has a plan that is good for His kingdom. Also, I have been taking a
lot of Bible classes and growing in my faith with the Lord through that. I have
recently been taking Intercultural Study classes, which I really enjoy. I am
taking a class right now about communicating the Gospel to different cultures
and an idea came to my mind. I have a huge heart for people with disabilities.
So, how can we communicate the Gospel to people who have disabilities? I
thought about starting a ministry for people who have disabilities and how to
start creative ways of reaching people who have disabilities to understand and grasp
the Gospel. The Lord cares for everyone and wants to have a personal
relationship with every single person. I believe that churches are lacking in
providing resources for people with disabilities and I want to make that
change. The Lord’s timing is always perfect. When one door shuts, another
opens. Just be patient and trust in Him every day. One more thing, for my
practicum I have to pick three books to read, and one of them I found that
sounded really interesting and sparked my interest in leading a special needs
ministry is called, “Leading a Special Needs Ministry”. So, I can’t wait to
read it and learn many things from it!
