July, wow! It was hard to believe then, that we were going into month #7 already! Our squad traveled to Uganda, enjoyed a bit of time in Kampala during debrief, and then spread out over the country to do ministry in each of our team locations. My team traveled way out to the Imvepi refugee settlement to work with the ministry, ChildVoice. Here, we met some of the most amazing staff who have dedicated so much of their time and energy to help vulnerable girls, ages 12-18, as beneficiaries for their services. Through ChildVoice, we were able to support these women by teaching them skills they can use to generate income (such as sewing, planting gardens, making soap and donuts), play sports with them, share in their devotions times and worship with them, etc. We also got to do some house visits and pray for refugee families. I honestly learned so much from the staff and the girls! I loved visiting with the girls and miss them dearly, but I especially enjoyed getting to pour into the ChildVoice staff members as our team led devotions in the mornings, worship sessions, movie nights, and a Beauty for Ashes event to remind them that they are loved and valued by God. Living conditions were not my favorite, as we slept in tents the entire month, used the squatties and bucket showers, and were often eaten alive by mosquitoes… However, even with this, I was better off than so many refugees who are fleeing from their war-torn countries. I had to remind myself of this and I thank the Lord for the experience. This is also the month that I started tinkering more with my iMovie app and creating so many fun videos and movie trailers!
One thing that…
- Made me feel alive: the mornings I took time to follow the Lord to the small slab of cement in the trees, to fervently pray and worship in song and dance! It was such a cool time and changed my outlook for the day every morning I spent time with Him there first.
- Was difficult this month: honestly, this was probably THE MOST difficult of months for me. It was July, so I was having serious FOMO as I missed all the things: celebrating Independence day with everyone back home, my sisters birthday, serving at Harvest Christian Camp, and just the fun of summer. It was also the least amount of wifi access we’ve had with no coffee shops (or anything) close enough to connect and talk to my family. I am thankful for several girls on my team who let me connect to their hotspots a few times. But more than once, I cried myself to sleep out in my tent those nights.
- Broke my heart: to hear the stories of so many women who were refugees from South Sudan and DRC, the horrible things they saw and experienced, and how so many had to leave their families as they fled to safety. We even met tons of children who walked all the way to the settlement without their parents.
- Has been revealed about my calling: that I have a tender heart for children and young people who are vulnerable, have been hurt, and those who have been separated from their families and friends.
- I am thankful for: the ministry, ChildVoice, and all the ministries/organizations who are serving and supporting the families physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually. I’m thankful for the beneficiary women I met, their smiles, their desire to learn, and their devotion to and love for Jesus.
To all those I met in Uganda, thank you! Thank you for all you do to love one another and share the love of Christ, the hope we have. I pray a blessing of peace for those involved in the fighting in neighboring countries. I pray that the families will be reunited and that the Lord will continue to heal the wounds, physically and emotionally. I pray for all the men and women who are working relentlessly to serve these people groups, that the Lord will provide you rest and time with your own families that I’m sure you often miss. I pray the Lord grants you with dreams, visions, direction for your future and what He is calling you into in the next season. I pray the staff at ChildVoice will continually seek intimacy with the Lord, be encouraged and encourage one another daily, be strengthened through spending time in the Word, and remember that you are loved and valued. I am thankful for each and every one of you and all that I learned serving alongside you.
“Lyöni ta lyönön ko Matat i mugun perok lin; nan köti nyöggu kulya adi, Lyöni ta lyönön.”
~ Pilipoi 4:4
“Musanyukirenga mu Mukama waffe bulijjo. Nziramu okubagamba nti musanyukenga”
~ Abafiripi 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
~ Philippians 4:4
