My trip to Uganda was truly amazing and the experience of a lifetime! God had so many wonderful things planned for my visit, and His plans far exceeded anything I could have imagined.
New Brainstorm Primary students
A very good friend of mine had gone to Uganda with the same organization and she helped me abundantly prepare as much as she could; however, I was essentially going into this blind. Taking into account the information packet, my friend’s advice, and my thought and expectations, none of those prepared me for God’s plans. I traveled to Uganda by myself, with the hope of someone I never met would be at the airport to pick me up and then I would spend the next 3 weeks there with people I never met and in a completely new place. It takes a great and powerful step of faith in God to travel to a completely foreign place, alone, around new people; a faith I never really thought I would embody. Though I was greatly willing to ravel to a new and far place, never did I think I would do it with just the Holy Spirit by my side.
Neighborhood children
During my time in Uganda, I gained a new trust in God, a new love for Jesus, and a new faith in the Holy Spirit. I experienced the Holy Spirit like I have never experienced before; God’s presence was vast and my reliance on the Holy Spirit was something I did not think I could ever attain. As I unfold my story, I will share with you the wonderful things God had planned for me, and the amazing works of the Holy Spirit.
David teaching at Victory Primary School
Being raised in an inner city of the United States has its hardship and poverty; however, id does not fully prepare a person for the poverty of a developing nation. Though, there are parallels to residing in the inner city and a developing nation, and as I witnessed, similar experiences can be shared; testimonies can be relevant.
Girls from the village
The ride from Entebbe airport to Ntinda, Kampala was about an hour or so during the morning. As I sat in the van looking out the window, taking in my surroundings, the images I had formed in my mind before arrival erased, and Uganda became a real place. Ever since I was a young child I wanted to travel the world. Then, as I grew older and learned more about the vast world, my wanting to see the world transformed into a great desire to experience the world and walk among the indigenous. I long to go beyond sightseeing and see the world as its true value—God’s people, their culture, traditions, and all they have to offer as fellow persons.
Phina
I arrived to the house late morning and spend the day trying to recover from jet lag, lack of sleep, time change, names, workings of the house, and gathering as much information about the projects as I can. I wanted to be prepared for the various projects; however, as much as my fellow MSTs (ministry support team) informed me, I was not fully prepared, or willing for that matter, for what the projects had in store.
Village children during Sunday children's church
My second day is when I experienced my first project and it was crazy what God did. We went to Katalemwa Children’s hospital. This is where children received treatment (similar to a rehabilitation center) for their various surgeries. When we gathered in the classroom with the children, one of the Ugandan staff asked the children if they know the MSTs names. After the children named as many as they could, the staff member asked all the MSTs to come to the front so we may introduce ourselves. My immediate though was “oh no, I have to speak in front everyone. I can do this. I can do this. It’s just children and fellow workers.” Well, we did not talk. We gathered at the front and they started clapping, beating on a drum and singing. I went into instant panic mode. For those who do not know, I do not sing out loud in front of people; my talking voice is terrible enough, so my singing voice is even worse, and I just do not sing. Also, I do not know this song; no one told me about us introducing ourselves in song. Thankfully, I was near the end; therefore, I had some time to quickly pick up the words. Then not only did they sing, each one of us had to do a little dance—at least I could do that. I immediately called upon the Lord to calm me down, because I had gone into such a panic I was shaking. Then Holy Spirit had come forth and when it was my turn I did well; I only needed help with one line. When we finished, I had greatly hoped that we would not be doing that again, since we had a great number of various projects; however, deep down, I just knew this was a regular activity at the projects. Sure enough, every project involving children, we sand an introduction song, and I grew to love it and very much loved singing and dancing with the children. After the introduction, we would sing a few children’s praise and worship songs.
New Brainstorm Primary School students
The children at Katalemwa are such sweethearts; they love to sing, clap, and dance in their chairs. My first time there, we sat behind the children on benches, while the children sat around the table. During the activities, a tiny little girl whom looked to be about 4, turned her head and looked at me. I smiled at her and she had these big, beautiful, shinny brown eyes with long eye lashes glaring back at me, with a huge smile, but ducked her head behind her arm and shoulder with a shy demeanor. My last Wednesday at Katalemwa, Jayan—one of the Ugandan staff—decided that in place of a story, we would pair up one-on-one with the children and get to know them, since we did not get much conversational time with the children. I was paired with the tiny girl I exchanged smiles with my first time visiting, and I learned that her name is Charity. She was at Katalemwa with her mom, and Charity had knee surgery. Charity shared that she has 2 sisters, and her father is around; however, her father does not like her. My heart broke when Charity shared that with me; however, I shared with her that, while we have our earthy fathers, we have God as our father, and He deeply loves us!
Davis
Claire and me
*We are not permitted to take pictures at Katalemwa; therefore, I am sad to say have none to share with you all.
