I honestly had no idea what to expect as I stepped off the plane and into Uganda, Africa. All I know is that my heart was beating with anticipation. We were finally here after months of support raising, preparing, and talking about what God was going to do while we were here. The sun was hot and smooth and the air smelled of a burnt sweetness I had never experienced before. We were greeted soon after by our African friends and as they helped us carry our luggage onto the bus I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of adventure would be in store for us.

We were a unique team in the fact that all of us aside from Ryan, our leader, were still in some kind of college (or university as the Ugandans called it). Looking back, I couldn’t have really asked for a better group of people to go on a missions trip with. God had given each and every one of us a special place and a specific purpose. Alone we would have been good, but together we were unstoppable. I realized God’s blessing in this area specifically with my roommate Olivia. Before the trip we had met a few times, but when we got to Uganda we really connected. I will never forget the late night talks and prayer times that we shared together. God is good in the fact He provides exactly what we need and then some, especially when we are far from home.

It’s hard for me to try and convey the things I saw, felt, and experienced in my two weeks in Uganda. I wish I had more space and more time to really refine this and explain what I mean. I myself don’t think I have even fully processed yet what happened there. I saw beautiful babies and children with dazzling smiles and big hearts so excited to see us. It was hard at times to justify that with our presence alone we could bless entire churches and villages. I was especially touched by my visit to a boy’s home called the Ssenge House.   I had time to sit and get to know a few boys. We talked about their dreams, what they do for fun, and about Jesus. These boys were so polite, gentle, and kind. They freely gave to us the little they had. They never complained about having to wake up early to do chores, or going to school until it was almost dark. It was at Ssenge house I really gained perspective.  God blesses those who trust in Him completely, whose hearts are willing to truly believe He can provide in any situation. Many I met in Africa shared this child-like faith that I think so many of us are missing in America. I’m so thankful for what God had me experience in Uganda, and I encourage all of you to step out and do the same, whether it be Africa, South America, Europe, or Asia. There is need everywhere and chances are you will receive more from your experiences then you could ever give.

Samantha (Team #9) and her new Ugandan friends

A calling stirred within me.  “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  Mark 16:15. “GO!”  “But did that mean me?”  I wondered, “Would the Lord ever send me to the nations?”  In hindsight, it’s so very clear.

Elim, our church home of four years, clearly values missions-based activity and boldly sharing first-hand the message of the Gospel, which is the power of salvation to all who believe (Romans 1:16).  As ambassadors for Christ, we’re called to be salt and light in a dark and hurting world, sharing His love through serving others.  In the past, my role in missions had been to participate from home, supporting and praying for those who were sent.  Along with prayer support, I consider my in-home and women’s ministry work equally as valuable, yet somewhere inside there was a stirring to “GO!”  A dream was taking shape in my heart that I hadn’t even begun to pray about, and the Lord’s hand was already moving.  Jeremiah 29:11 rang in my ear, “I know the plans I have for you . . .” As I meditated on these words, the plans, which included a sixteen-day, 7,000 mile trip to Africa with the Ugandan Water Project (UWP), began to unfold.

As I contemplated my dream- turned-reality, I realized that I had just four week’s notice until the team would depart.  Amazingly, my spirit was calm, even though there were only a few short weeks to plan and the list of to-do’s quite daunting.  What on earth would I do about the care of our four children? Was this too much to ask my husband to add to his plate?  What about home school, housework and meals?  I would need inoculations and malaria medication.  I had no passport.  “I had no passport!” The Lord’s hand had graciously provided the blessing of a plane ticket; however, there were still other costs to offset, so fundraising was imperative.  These were only a few of the details that flooded my mind as my husband and I prayed about my joining Team #8 to journey into Africa.  The answer to our prayer? “GO!”

The desire to serve in the nations sprouted from four year’s attendance at Elim and an affiliation as a board member, along with my husband, for the UWP.  It seemed that most weeks, as a church body, we were praying for sisters and brothers who were embarking into unfamiliar surroundings to serve in the capacity in which the Lord had gifted them.  As I watched and listened to stories of each team after returning from service abroad, I never doubted the impact that these individuals were having on those they went to serve.  Why then did I wonder if there might be a more suitable way to spend the funds it would take to make the trip possible, such as applying it directly toward a tank, supplies, or a child’s schooling?  How could I begin to question His plan, and whether or not my participation would make an impact, when the Word clearly tells us that being double minded is not from God? (James 1:8)

Having returned, I can share a couple of the reasons why I doubted.  As humans, our flesh dies hard. (Mark 14:38).  At the very core of our being, our weak minds and bodies cry out against the spirit’s leading.  We want to plan, control, make sense of, and be in charge of our lives.  There is an evil one whose desire it is to steal, kill and destroy (I Peter 5:8).  Satan delights in causing fear and doubt in the mind of the believer.  The loving hands of Jesus were stretched out to me with a life-impacting offer and now it was time for me to demonstrate and share the Hope of the Savior.  It was time for me to be used as His hands and feet and the enemy of my soul wanted it stopped.  But God’s plan would prevail and I would move forward, secure in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Operating in these truths it became apparent that each minute I spent present to hold the hand of a precious orphan, whose life appeared hopeless, I was demonstrating His profound love.  From every tank sight we visited, there poured forth a contagious joy from children of all ages.  The team would sit mesmerized by beautiful smiling faces as they performed dances and songs.  The Pastors made their joy known to us by proclaiming, “Because you are here, we know that God hears our prayers.  God sees us!”

Some of my most humbling experiences came from loving and hugging-on street boys, who live in the largest slum in Uganda.  Just two short days spent with them etched rich and irreplaceable moments in my mind.  Dirty and hungry, they live by the law of the street, growing up too fast.  Under the care and protective wing of young-adult street boys, whose lives were radically changed by faith in Jesus, sixty younger boys try to make sense of the difficult cycle of despair that they call “life.”  They have a goal of simply surviving the night to reach the next day.  Because of the work of Christians in the area and missionaries who support them in- and out-of-country, the boys are able to participate in a daytime routine of schooling, acrobatics, trade development, and learning about the Savior Jesus.  Every few months a UWP team arrives to play football with them, and provides a meal or two.  The team works to bandage their dirty, physical wounds while nurturing the emotional wounds the best that they can.  A team trip into the open-air market affords the bedraggled souls much needed clothing.  We will sit to listen or just provide physical touch; caring touch that young children should not be deprived of.

To think that I questioned whether I should stay or go seems like such a silly question in hindsight.  For what monetary value can possibly be placed on even one life coming to Christ, or one moment to express love?  How much should be spent to show the love of Christ in action through giving a meal, a tank for clean water, a gentle word, a touch, a smile or an embrace that says, “You are loved”?  These things simply cannot be measured in earthly worth.  What is the eternal impact on each team member and the individuals whose paths we crossed?  On this earth, we simply won’t know.  God’s Word is clear.  The true eternal impact will only be shown when our works are tried on the Day of Judgment before the righteous Judge (I Cor. 3:11-15).  ”For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints” (Heb.6:10).

Through this priceless experience, I gained much more than I was able to give; the gospel in action, lives impacted and a deeper understanding of the loving nature of our glorious, Heavenly Father.

by Suzanne von Berg (Team #8, February 2011)