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Going to Uganda was the chance to travel and experience a completely different part of the world, their culture and their way of living. I was overwhelmed with how thankful, joyful and generous they are with the little they have out there and it has made me so thankful for what I have. Going on mission to Uganda last year was a great chance to experience a completely different culture to Britain. The thing that struck me the most whilst there was the people’s incredible joy and care despite living in such difficult situations. They always smiled at us and many would open their doors to us and give us a drink or offer food or shelter when they themselves had so little. The way that the people in the church worshiped overwhelmed me as their praise was so open and honest and full of joy. The work that people were doing out there and the sense of community was something i think we could all learn a lot from as well the ability to praise and be joyful in the toughest of situations. Going away on mission has been amazing. It totally opens your eyes to such a different world around you then just the normal UK living. Seeing people that have nothing, who are sick and dying, but are so joyful and full of God's love despite being in need, really challenges the way how I live my life. It was amazing to have that feeling of total peace and freedom at being in the palm of God's hand and only being asked to complete His agenda.
If you feel God calling - Go - it will be the most wonderful time. |
I would encourage people to step out of their comfort zones, we need our eyes opened to the lives of those around us-these aren’t people from another planet but fellow humans who live as we live-experiencing joy, pain, love, hope, anger... The more situations I experience the more I realise that they really are my brothers and sisters-despite our different situations we have so much in common. It helps us to put our lives into perspective and will change you forever. Go! Whenever I think life is too tough, I only have to remember the hardship, poverty and suffering that I saw in Kenya and the amazing faith in God that the people have despite their problems and it brings me right back down to earth and God. A big lesson for me came from the Africans. ‘Time’ for them is not a word to be taken seriously. They are not too busy to stop and chat and life is much slower. If something doesn’t get done today there is always tomorrow. There is a lot of suffering out there but there is also a lot of love and community spirit. I know my life is different than theirs and I wouldn’t swap it, but it was from them and the others on the team, that I learnt that people, not achievements are what are important. Since my return the biggest impact has been the courage I now feel when taking on new challenges. I want to hold onto that sense of being alive that I had in Kenya and make the most of everyday instead of rushing through blindly. |