"it will change your life!"
In March 2005 I went on my first mission trip. For three years I had wanted to go on a mission. Ever since two young girls had come to share at my church. They had been street children and they spoke about how their lives had been changed by people sharing Jesus with them. I prayed about this and I later met Rob Carter, Director of MVGB and he asked me to go to Uganda. As I prepared myself for the trip I felt mixed emotions, excitement, fear of the unknown yet I knew it was what the Lord wanted me to do! The money came rolling in as I prayed and told people about the trip.
The big day arrived and as we left the airport I knew God was taking me to a deeper level of trust in him. When we arrived in Uganda I found the poverty heart rending and I wept to see the way many fo the people were living. I was so overwhelmed. The main purpose of this trip was to minister to youth and children. The first morning of ministry we went into a school of around 300 children. We shared the Gospel in fun and exciting ways and at the end of the day about 50 youth came to know Jesus.
All of the team of seven took part in things that they had not done before. It was a thrill to see people blossom as they stepped out in faith. We spoke in four schools in all and on each occassion many young people came to receive Jesus for the first time. One of the many new things for me on this trip was speaking in front of so many people. The first school I gave my testimony had around 600 students. God was good and He gave me the words and calmed my nerves.
The highlight of this trip was going door to door in a village called Namulesa. We were split into groups of two and the first house we called at we met a mother and daughter. As we shared the Gospel with them they were touched and gave their lives to Jesus. The second house we visited belonged to a young single mother. We shared with her and she also gave her life to Jesus. It was awesome! For me, I found it a great joy to be apart of a different culture. The Ugandans were so hospitipal and welcoming. I have been humbled by this trip and it has helped me put my life into perspective. It has caused me to re-evaluate many of the things I thought were important. This trip was challenging and stretching, yet I’ve come home with an even greater hunger for the Lord and a great desire to be bolder for him. I would encourage everyone to go on at least one missions trip. It will change your life as well as touching others.
Karen Bailey
Stockport, Manchester