A Dream Bigger Than My Own (P2)

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

I thought today was the perfect day (a day dedicated to love) to share the rest of my mission trip to Africa & the ways I experienced God’s love through the people of Kenya and Uganda.

What did I actually do in Kenya and Uganda?

In Kenya…

I was a teacher. With no teaching experience, I found myself in one of those moments where God is calling you out of your comfort zone and you just say YES! I taught shapes and numbers to the most selfless, faithful and amazing group of 4, 5 and 6 year olds at the Little Flower Nursery School. These children are faithful. Every morning, one child leads the group in prayer. They bow their heads, close their eyes, hold hands and pray out loud to Jesus. When I say out loud…they shout the Lord’s praises like no other in the most beautiful way. Then they pray again before lunch and again when their school day ends. They are selfless. These children know to expect 1 bowl of porridge every day for lunch. The first day in their classroom, they noticed I did not have a lunch and together a small group came up to me and handed me their bowls and offered their only porridge to me “their teacher”. And when I say AMAZING… just look for yourself at the video below!

I was a business partner. I partnered with Esther Akoth – a talented seamstress who worked in the slums of Kenya to achieve her dream and create a sustainable life for herself! More details (P1).

In Uganda…

I gardened. Children Waiting Everywhere built a dormitory (in memory of Naomi’s mother) and provided 100 bunk beds to refugee children who walked miles to attend the Bishop Asili school. Naomi and I met the teachers, children and did the most important gardening I will ever do. We planted 10 fruit trees throughout the school’s property. After we planted each tree…we prayed & asked God to provide prosperous trees to feed the malnourished children around us.

I met and worshiped with refugees. I attended two different refugee camps. I spent the most time at the Nyamanzi Settlement – a refugee camp in Northwestern Uganda. This settlement was established in 2014… this means 50,000 refugees fleeing from Congo and South Sudan have “temporarily” been living in clay houses with straw roofs for 4 years now. Can you even imagine? I remember driving through the settlement passing all the tents and clay houses thinking when does it stop? When does it end? Naomi and I oversaw the construction/building of the Holy Family Nursery School (funded by Children Waiting Everywhere) for the refugee children to receive an education and continue  learning about Jesus. Families were so grateful. I heard the stories of many refugees. One woman shared her story… “we were eating dinner one night , started hearing screams and then the soldiers came in and started shooting.” She made it out alive and is now at this refugee camp where she is separated from her siblings. Her gratitude and faith inspired me. Just like many others at the camp. We celebrated mass, sang songs, danced and prayed with hundreds of refugee families for the war to stop, for them to be reunited with their family members and gave thanks for all of God’s blessings.

I was uncomfortable. I slept in mosquito nets, had nightly visitors (a lizard, cockroach or mouse) went to the bathroom in a hole, used a bucket to shower, a solar panel to cook, Naomi and I hitched rides with strangers to get into town, my phone got stolen (and a nun got it back! LOL), I crammed in “taxis” with 15 people, my suitcase flew off a bus and thank goodness a child heard the noise and found it minutes later and then there were some nights I went absolutely stir crazy with no technology and so much silence.  I was VERY uncomfortable at times to say the least but I wouldn’t change my experience for anything. I challenged myself – physically, spiritually and mentally. I opened my heart and mind to new people, new cultures and new ways of thinking. I learned more about myself and the person I hope to be. I grew in my faith and truthfully just spent quality time with Jesus.

REFLECTION: There were so many times during my trip I felt so out of place. From the clothes I wore to the color of my skin. Yet, every single person I met introduced themselves by name followed by the phrase.. “You are MOST welcome here”. As soon as I heard these words I would take a deep breath and was put at ease. To think these strangers were not only welcoming me into their country but into their homes, to meet their families and offering the last of their bread & water. There was something truly special about it and I just kept thinking this is exactly what Jesus would do. No matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from… God will always welcome you because you are His and you are so loved.

For those interested in a mission trip but question the living conditions, discomfort or question why just “visit” for 1 week? I encourage you to go for it & JUST DO IT. I can’t say this enough! You are bringing faith, hope and love in ways you probably can’t even imagine (1 Corinthians 13:13). My final thoughts are from a gentleman who I spent little time with. I wrote his words down in my phone so I would never forget and I hope they encourage you like they did me:

“Thank you so much for coming. I want you to know that WE know it takes a lot of courage to come here but it’s so great to know that your people all the way around the world are thinking of US & love us so please know when you come it is a blessing to us. You know many of our nice churches were built because of people from the states. We couldn’t have done it without you. It truly is a miraculous blessing.”