Mission Trip To Uganda: Recap & Thoughts

This past July I had the wonderful opportunity to take the gospel oversees to Uganda and serve the Lord! It was my first time to travel internationally, so it was a special treat to have my dad come with me. I embarked on a medical mission trip with my church with an 18-member team, comprised of doctors, nurses, a pharmacist, sports’ ministry staff, spouses, and youths. My dear friend Margaret and I had the joy of working in the children’s ministry.

Our trip lasted a little more than a week, from Thursday to Sunday. We arrived in Uganda late Friday evening, exhausted after a full 24 hours of flying. Because it was so dark, we weren’t able to fully see our surroundings. The next morning, we woke up and were greeted by the breathtaking view of Africa! I was shook by the vibrant green landscape across the city of Kampala and the gorgeous florals everywhere. Our team stayed with an older missionary couple at their compound: one main house and several smaller surrounding cottages, where we resided. We were welcomed in wholeheartedly by the missionaries and a kind family who lived on the compound. The young kids would greet us in the morning with a hug and say goodnight with a hug! The hospitality in Uganda is like nowhere else!

On the first Sunday morning, our team worshipped with the seminary church in Uganda. Several seminary students led the service, one sharing the liturgy and another delivering the sermon; it was moving to hear their sincere prayers and deep understanding of the gospel. One of my favorite parts of the service was singing hymns and listening to people from all around the world sing the same tune!

Our days were structured with an early breakfast on the back patio, morning devotion, and then we headed in a large bus to the seminary the medical clinic was being held at. From about 9 a.m. to 5p.m., our team worked efficiently to see as many people as they could, about 250-300 people each day, and rotate them through the circuit of the gospel presentation, lab, doctor’s station or the eye clinic, and finally the pharmacy. The hours were long, but each team member poured themselves into helping the clinic run successfully, all with cheerful attitudes.

I worked primarily in the Children’s Ministry, playing with children and then sharing a brief gospel presentation or a bible story outdoors while their mothers waited to receive treatment. I could not have done it without Margaret and Gail, whose love for Christ was so evident in how they gently encouraged the children and shared the bible stories. When I wasn’t singing songs with the children or playing jump-rope, I would help out in the pediatric waiting room, greeting families and making them feel welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the warm people and getting to know them. I especially loved when mothers brought in their little infants and would let me hold their baby for them!

As the day winded down, our team would pile back into the van and drive back to the mission compound. The passenger experience in Africa is unlike anything I have ever experienced before! I was surprised at the amount of motocycles, or boda bodas, and people crossing the street in traffic; amazingly, they expertly weaved between trucks and cars. It was humbling to see the different living conditions in Uganda, from the more urban, comfortable areas to the more rural, impoverished huts. Regardless of the various circumstances, people were generous, and wanted to share with us, whether that their food or their time. They were grateful just to have us with them, and their joy was contagious! I appreciated the simplicity and slower pace of life in Uganda.

The evenings were always a wonderful time as a group, when we gathered for a delicious meal and then for a team meeting, to worship and debrief the day. The amount of laughter and conversation shared was a sweet blessing! The team truly made the trip a smooth and fun experience. It was a privilege to be surrounded by so many faithful people who loved the Lord with all their heart and sought to follow Him daily. I immensely enjoyed getting to know them and having deep conversations with them. The evening meetings were the perfect time for our team to share what had worked that day and what hadn’t and how we could best improve for the next day. I was impacted by the time of prayer, when team members would share heartfelt prayer requests and stories of God’s faithfulness in their lives. I experienced the power of prayer in tangible ways, and I realized more deeply the importance and reverence of prayer. Even just on the trip, prayers were answered in miraculous ways.

Additionally, it was extra special to share this trip with my dad and spend quality time with him. After growing up hearing stories about his time in Uganda, I was finally able to see the country for myself! I loved watching his joy in serving the people, and how he spent intentional time with patients praying over and caring for them.

Altogether, the trip to Uganda was one of the highlights of my summer. I grew in my own faith and experienced what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ through serving people. I highly encourage everyone to go on a mission trip at least once in their life, because you truly let go of yourself and lean on the Lord to supply strength and patience to share the gospel and serve people. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to go to Uganda, and I cannot wait to see how the Lord continues to work in the country!

Warmly,

Seabrook