What We Learned

Dear friends,

For the very final post, I asked NEGII team members to write a brief reflection describing what they learned, where they saw God, or what struck them most from our month together. I hope you will be as moved as I was by what they had to say!

Many thanks,
Sarah

Greg: On this trip, I learned about the importance of community in discovering and releasing our gifts and calling. I also learned about the importance of going into missions with nothing to bring except myself and Jesus. We’re often tempted to take something with us, like money or resources or expertise, but often what Jesus asks is that we bring nothing with us except the power and love of God. Then, when we interact with people, we see his power, and those whose lives we touch meet Jesus, not us.

Danielle: This trip has been amazing. I have experienced so many new and eye opening things. God has shown himself to me again and again and in many places I did not expect. I am so happy to have learned from the people around me and I can’t wait to share. It will be sad to leave this beautiful place but it will be great to spread this love to my friends and family whom I have missed dearly.

Abby: I know it would be pretty cliché to say that this trip has changed my life, but to be honest, there wouldn’t be any other way to describe it. God has revealed his calling for me on this trip: to love on people. This trip has been my beginning of God’s mission for my life, and there is no other mission I’d rather be fulfilling. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible.



Becky: On this trip I have learned more about life then I have in the last 19 years of my life. This trip has opened my eyes to the reality of the world. I have spent the last month conversing, listening, and learning about the suffering in the world. I have seen God’s presence and His work in situations even I thought there was no hope for. This trip has allowed me to witness God’s power and the future He has for His people.


Amanda: During my journey throughout this beautiful and rich land called Africa, God has made clear the impact Christian community makes when it models His heart for mankind. Christ has left us with an incredible responsibility to care for the underprivileged and I have hope that by facilitating peace, reconciliation and sustainability in individuals and in nations holistic healing is achieved. God has used my time in Uganda to challenge me to be an instrument of His peace, an advocate of His justice and a vessel of His love.

Teresa: Ugandans are a people who have witnessed more destruction and have more reason to despair than much of the world. To realize that these same people have a seemingly reckless hope in Christ is more than surprising – it is disarming. I have been truly disarmed by these beautiful people and by their trust that needs no material thing to assure them. I have been so blessed to serve them as a nurse, to learn from them, and simply to walk among them.

Maghan: Psalms 33:3-4 says, “For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.” I believe this, and I now believe this unfailing love of the Lord fills Uganda and Rwanda. In the midst of all the pain, suffering, sickness and injustice, I have seen the love of God, maybe more here then any other place I have been.

Miranda: I’ve seen a spectrum of people in Uganda—the kids in the slums to the leaders of NGOs. Jesus is the answer for all these people in every aspect in their lives. Only He has the power to heal the neglect, malnutrition, and alcoholism in the slums and provide guidance to leaders in how to bring reconciliation to Uganda.


Tatiana: I have had such a fantastic time here in Uganda and Rwanda. God has reworked my conception of what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ through the hope of the folks I’ve encountered here. The people working in the NGOs and the children they serve have shown me facets of Christ’s character I have never experienced. Lovelovelove!



Marie: Where is your hope based? So many global problems in one place can easily seem overwhelming; contrary to my ‘typical’ American response, money and organizations are only a temporary solution to a deeper problem. Money will run out, and outside organizations cannot provide everything for everybody. Thankfully, I’ve realized the eternal hope in Jesus.



Tracy: Uganda for me marks the beginning of a journey towards complete reconciliation, reconciliation of myself to God, myself to others, people to other people and people to God. I learned much more about how God will form my future and even though I do not quite understand it all, I am excited. From working with abandoned street kids and AIDS/HIV orphans as well as ex-child soldiers, God showed me his role as a Father. In this he also challenged me to model his example, as well as the many examples I have of parenthood I have in my life. I am beginning to realize that my testimony is essential to bringing reconciliation through Jesus to families.

Meredith: This journey has challenged me in so many ways. I am coming home with a far greater understanding of Christ’s heart for Uganda and for his children. My world has been stretched! I want to thank everyone who has followed, supported, and prayed for this group. May the wonders of the Lord be revealed to you as they have to all of us this month, and may His grace shine upon you. Love and Blessings!


Ken: God has been teaching me a lot about security on this trip, and how much we tend to value it back in the States. Whether it’s the way we spend our money and time, the way we relate to others, the way we share the Gospel, or even the way we try to limit God, we put so much value in being secure and in control. This trip has really shown me how much of an idol that has become in my comfortable American life – not that security is inherently bad, but it can easily become a hindrance to doing God’s work. I have been learning about boldly stepping out in faith and meeting God in what, by human power and logic, is “impossible.” I am so grateful for the countless ways God has been speaking to my heart this trip. Thanks again to everyone at home for your support.

Kelly: The underlying theme of the many lessons I have learned on this trip is reconciliation. First I had to reconcile my relationship with God. I have always struggled with the idea of a loving God coexisting with Evil. On this trip God has revealed to me that He doesn’t just coexist with suffering but that He is in suffering. Jesus embodied suffering so that humanity can be genuinely reconciled with one another and to our Creator.

Tina: In the love I’ve experienced through the street kids, the passion and faith of former child soldiers in the IDP camps, and the reconciliation witnessed between Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda I have heard His gentle yet strong voice saying, “See. This is who I am.” And in Him, I put my hope and trust…





Yeona: This past month in Africa has been an adventure, and it’s been a blessing to take part in this God-ordained experience. I’ve learned so much from the local Ugandans and Rwandans—the faith with which Ugandans trust in the healing and transformational power of our God and the humility with which Rwandans have taken the wounds of their genocide to the foot of the cross have led to an expansion of my picture of Jesus. …and the sky here is beautiful. I will always cherish the moments of uncontained worship under the bright African stars.

Sarah S: Every time I experience trips like this one, I am struck by the dignity of the poor: their compassion for their community, their perseverance, and their ability to retain faith and humanity in the midst of intense suffering. I have so much respect for the people and the NGO’s we’ve encountered and am convinced more than ever that while the privileged have a clear role to play in fighting injustice, true and full justice will not come until the poor too rise up and reflect the image of God as defender, protector, and hope.

Katie: Despite the injustice in the slums of Kampala, the darkness in the lands of Northern Uganda, and the tension and fear in Rwanda – God has shown me again and again that He is able. The day of justice will come and His river of life will flow to all the lands and bring healing to the nations. There is hope for East Africa and that hope is found in God.




Sarah CJ (your friendly blogger): To return to Uganda after six years, to meet God again in this place, and to share it all with Greg was an incredible gift. What struck me more than anything on the project was the unique discipleship crucible that resulted from our partnership with FOCUS. I may have learned more on this trip about American "missions" culture, servant leadership, cross-cultural partnership, the power of God, and the relevance of the Gospel to a broken world than in all my previous years of ministry. Thank you, FOCUS!