“like going in Doctor Who’s Tardis”
In November 2009 I attended the Missionary Ventures Conference, purely out of curiosity of the Missionary Ventures ethos – I had never been and had no plans to go on mission. However, at the conference I liked what I heard, was given a positive ‘get out and go girl’ word and began to feel a stirring within me for mission….all in one day!!!
I really felt I wanted to be part of the Uganda May 2010 trip, but being in my first year of teaching, I felt there was no way the college would release me during term time. However, God had other ideas and my boss’s, boss’s, boss agreed to allow me the time off.
From that moment on I was so, so, so, so, so excited……………………
Going to Uganda was like going in Doctor Who’s Tardis and coming out in a different time and place. The land is very green and fertile, and in contrast the roads are very red, full of pot holes and little more than dirt tracks. The people live in basic mud huts, without electricity or water and their idea of a fitted kitchen is a pan on top of a couple of pieces of fire wood. They live from day to day in poverty, but are grateful for and share what little they have.
We visited several projects which Missionary Ventures are involved in and were able to speak to the indigenous population who were eager to share with us how the projects had benefited their communities. We saw firsthand many projects, including turkey farming, ox and plough project, the Children’s Centre (50% of the population are under the age of 15) and Community Health Project.
We met many people working for and being supported by Missionary Ventures. It was a humbling experience to meet the pastors who are in charge of dozens of churches spread over many miles. They are unpaid but live to spread the word, even though that means travelling to dangerous areas every day. We even met a Bishop, who was a lovely man with a great sense of humour.
Church was a lively experience, whether it was meeting under the mango tree or in a building, the people were so eager to share their Christian experience.
The team were fabulous. We had only met a couple of weeks before we flew out, but there was real support and encouragement for one another. We ranged in age from young Vicky to older Doctor Pete (still young at heart in his 70s). I think we laughed from the moment we met to the moment we parted – it was a real joy to share time with the group.
I absolutely loved my time out in Uganda and would definitely go again. It was hard work and very challenging in lots of ways. It has made me think about my own lifestyle and has definitely changed the way I think and do things.
I would encourage everyone to go on mission. You are never too young, too old or too inexperienced….. …… It is a God given experience of a lifetime.