Our last country 🙁 but also 🙂 . We lived in Namawojjolo, a village not too far from the capital. Our compound was shared with another family, plus the women who cooked for us– Evalynn, Praise, Winnie, and Hagara– and their children were always around. Our host and his two kids were around often as well.
It made for a very communal living environment, which I genuinely enjoyed. Being around the kids and the women who helped us became one of the most grounding parts of my day.
Ministry
Our ministry here was simple but consistent-ish. Most days we walked through the village, met people, and invited them to the bible studies we hosted in the evenings or to church on Sundays. Ugandans have lots of hospitality– people invite you in without hesitation, and conversations naturally turn into relationships.
Bible Studies
When we first started, the bible study had about five people. Over several weeks, it grew kept growing– especially when some of our teammates fundraised to give out over 200 bibles.
Bookmarks some of the kids and I made for some of the bibles we gave out.
Women’s Study
I led the women’s bible study most Wednesdays. We worked through the book of Esther. I initially regretted putting the idea out there to start women’s bible study, but it grew on me as the discussions became more thoughtful, and the women became more confident in speaking up. A reliable translator helped a lot too. Some weeks we just ended up combining men and women depending on numbers and translators.
Here’s a pic of me rubbing a child’s head subconsciously for emotional support lol
Other Activities
Fridays and miscellaneous days were usually spent on what we jokingly called “side quests”: school visits and attending their events, bible runs, baptisms, and other planned or unplanned opportunities.
Some days, ministry was canceled entirely, but those days actually created space for things that I really looked forward to– rest, more quiet time, conversations, and time with the women and their kids (I also did fundraising too lol). I learned more about Ugandan culture, picked up a few new recipes, and built really meaningful relationships that made leaving really sad for me.
Watching our hosts daughter, Allen, and her class dance.
hammocking!
baptisms!
The Pearl of Africa
One afternoon I slowed down to walk with one of our translators, and we started talking about (unsurprisingly) trees. He explained why Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa: the biodiversity, the vegetation, the landscapes that shift every few miles.
He mentioned he had taken environmental conservation courses. I told him it’s my field of study too. That led to him asking for Scripture references related to creation care, so I put together a document for him.
That research eventually turned into more.
Accidental Sermon
I had no intention of preaching in Uganda. I even told my team not to ask me. I did start to think about it because I had all of these verses, but I did not tell anyone about it, and I was for sure not going to volunteer myself. Our team leader, Aaron, did end up asking me, so I agreed.
This was our first time attending this particular church, it was the one the girls who help us attend! We took motor bikes (boda bodas) (please don’t tell my mom) to get there and had to get out to climb the rest of the way because of how steep the hill was– where the church sat. The church was open and had this amazing panoramic view, so speaking about creation care there felt appropriate, almost obvious. It wasn’t a grand preaching moment (it’s not my thing), but it was just a clear, simple opportunity to connect faith and stewardship in a place where the environment is visibly part of daily life.
Project Work
I also helped draft a proposal for an environmental initiative, focused on reducing indoor air pollution, generating income through green business activities, and women and youth empowerment to reduce poverty and social issues like domestic violence and crime.
It was refreshing to use my degree in a practical way for our last country, especially in a context where environmental issues and household economics intersect so directly. Not sure where it is going to lead, but my friend and I are still currently in contact about it and next steps. He has a strong passion about it, and I think we uniquely bring benefits to do something that will make an impact.
Uganda is an amazing country, but we got to see firsthand the corruption and social issues, that really broke our hearts. For me, it is my prayer to go back one day! I just really love the people there and how beautiful the nature is. I returned to church yesterday, home in the states, and I felt led to talk to this lady even though I didn’t really want to. She ended up being from Uganda! She moved here 17 years ago and frequently returns back. I didn’t get her information, but I do intend on talking to her again and getting her number.
So yeah, that is it for me! I am still working on being fully funded, if you would like to help out any further you can donate here!
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