Today was one of those days where I woke up a little nervous about what was ahead of me today and a little late, all because…I missed call time because I pressed snooze on my phone, lol. But something I’m learning on this trip that is very powerful is that when God asks me to do something, He usually gives me the strength before I even have time to think twice about it. That’s exactly what I’ve been going through on this trip and especially today!
I felt very humble most of the day, almost like I didn’t deserve to be part of some of the moments I got to experience. But the truth is, God placed me where He wanted me and called me to be the light in people’s lives and the hands and feet of Jesus. Today I got firsthand experience and lived it out.
I started the morning with breakfast, which was potatoes and pineapple today, but I won’t forget the good French toast we had on day one, that breakfast was TO DIE FOR! The pineapple here is unreal. It’s so fresh and juicy! Earlier in the week, it was even sweeter, but it’s still amazing. I did want ketchup for my potatoes, but unfortunately, the other group here sharing the gospel had taken our ketchup and eaten it all…Every last drop….Internally, I was upset… but Mrs. Hummel’s #1 rule is no complaining, so I’ve been doing my best to keep to myself!
After breakfast, I gave a devo, and the message was about how one choice can change eternity. Something that stuck with me from my devo and the conversations we had after it was something Dr. Williams shared…that we don’t really have bad days, just bad moments, and how God is too gracious and loving for an entire day to be bad. Moments matter.
Afterwards, we had a conversation that honestly almost made me cry. Dr. Williams said something that meant a lot to me. He mentioned that my humor is evident and that I’m not afraid to show who I truly am. That really hit my heart. And not only me, but he is so intentional with everyone he interacts with that he said something about each and every student sitting at that breakfast table!
After we headed out to leave the other students and me on the trip, we were given a tour of Master Cares Christian School by the one and only Solomon! Before the tour, though, one of the most special moments was getting to witness Mrs. Hummel sponsor a student who goes by Emma (who is actually a boy), who now has everything he needs to go to school and board there. Watching that happen right in front of us was incredible. Witnessing that made me think about the boy I’ve been thinking about sponsoring. His name is Collin’s! I had a talk with Mr. Herndon and Solomon about it, and Solomon was on a hunt to find Collin’s because wanting/ getting to sponsor a kids is such a big step, big commitment, and wonderful opportunity for the student themself.
While the rest of the students and I were in the middle of our tour, I told Collins that I was going to sponsor him. And he responded, “Thank you, may God bless you.” Now you can’t tell me that wasn’t the sweetest thing ever, it makes my heart melt, but fills me with so much joy knowing that I am helping Collin’s have a better life! Later that day, I found out he is eligible, which made me so ecstatic! I showed him pictures of my family and asked him about his day, what he ate for lunch, how tea time was, and so many more questions.
Today was a very busy day, but another thing I got to do was spend time hanging out with the high school students, specifically in Senior 1, kids who were coming from primary and starting high school. Communication was a little confusing sometimes, and I kept having to ask them to repeat things, and they would plainly just laugh at me. I kept asking, “And I’m saying that right?” “Did I answer your question?” “Can you say that again?” But they were so curious about me, and who I was, nothing else mattered besides doing my best to remain present in the classroom and with those special students Jesus loves so much! One of the things I found very funny was that the students were especially amazed that I could drive. Apparently, that’s very impressive.
I’ve been having a hard time remembering names on this trip, but around lunchtime, a girl named Imelda from Sunday churchcame looking for me. When I saw her face, I recognized her immediately, but I couldn’t remember her name. After saying hi to each other, she said, “Do you remember my name? If you do not remember my name, I want you to tell me all about you.” I paused and thought to myself, trying to think of her name, but couldn’t remember, so I responded and told her, “I will tell you about me if you tell me your name first.” So she told me her name, and then I told her about me: my name, age, testimony, and family! From that moment on, I felt really connected with her. I hoped I could sponsor her alongside Collin’s, but she had already been sponsored. For now, I’m hoping to write her letters through her current sponsor.
At one point in the afternoon, I was honestly so tired I considered taking a nap on the floor in the Loper’s house, but couldn’t do that obviously, lol. But then we went to the water well dedication…everything changed.
The second we got to the water well location, there were a bunch of kids standing in such uniformity to greet us, and suddenly, I was wide awake.
I had the opportunity to deliver the dedication speech, cut the ribbon, and unveil the well’s plaque. Watching the kids celebrate clean water was something I’ll never forget.
Also…they gave me a pregnant female goat as a gift for dedicating the well!! I named her Destiny!
So now there are officially three goats on this mission trip. Jesus, me and the goat, lol!
But in all seriousness, this moment, this dedication was incredibly meaningful. This well will serve that community for generations, and getting to be part of that is something I’ll carry with me forever!!!
Here is the speech I gave during the dedication.
“What a gift it is to stand here today. It is such an honor to be part of something that is bigger than ourselves, something that will impact generations to come. Everyone who came on this trip and I don’t take this moment lightly. Being able to speak at this water well dedication is not just a privilege, it’s a reminder of how faithful God is.
In the Bible, Jesus says in John 4:14, “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
God calls Himself living water. Physical water gives life to our bodies, but His living water gives life to our souls. Today, we celebrate both.
This well represents more than clean water. It represents health. It represents time saved from long walks to unsafe water sources. It represents children who can attend school instead of searching for water. And it represents families without fear of waterborne illness. This well is purpose in action. It is love made visible.
The purpose of this well is simple but powerful, to bring life, to bring hope, and to bring dignity. This well is to remind this community everyday that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved, not just by us, but by God.
This well will forever affect you guys. Long after we return home, long after this trip is over, this water will continue flowing. Generations will drink from it, families will gather around it, and children will grow because of it.
At PCA, we had the opportunity to help make this possible through H2OCO. By selling real flower leis and raising money. We turned small acts of obedience into something eternal. H2OCO isn’t just a fundraiser, it’s students saying yes to God’s call for something bigger. It’s a reminder that even something as simple as buying a lei can ripple across the world and change lives.
For PCA North, for me, being able to dedicate this well means we are living out our faith, not just talking about it. It means we are being the hands and feet of Jesus. It means our school community is connected to this community in Uganda through prayer, generosity, and love.
This moment is about God’s grace and His beautiful plan for this community. He sees every child, every family, every future, and this well is part of His plan. It is evidence that He provides. It is evidence that He moves hearts across oceans. It is evidence that His living water never runs dry.
Today, as this well begins its purpose, we pray that it will not only bring clean water, but that it will remind every person who drinks from it that they are known and loved by a faithful God.”
After the well dedication we went back to the school, then later to church where the worship team sang beautifully and Mr. Carter shared a sermon about becoming a new person in God. The student and I also, again, gave an offering of 20,000 shillings and ended the night in love, togetherness, and prayer.
As we were saying goodbye to everyone, Imelda handed me a sweet letter that that she promised to give to me in our conversation earlier, which meant so much to me and brought me tears, especially since today was our last day there. I also got to see Collin’s again and say bye to him, but it was so sad leaving everyone I got to build relationships with, but I hope to see them all next year!
Our last stop of the day, we visited George and his sister Rose at the house building project! George is blind from a disease he’s had since birth and Rose has the same disease but can see partially and takes care of him. On the way to the hotel Mr. Herndon shared with us how he used to struggle with drinking because of the pain in his life but that’s how he eventually came to know Jesus. With the time we spend with them George played the guitar and sang for us, and it was one of the most powerful moments of the day. Seeing someone who has so little materially, but so much faith was incredibly moving. Something that stuck with me that George had sung about in his song was…don’t cry because you don’t have what you want, but grateful for what you have.
When we got back to the hotel dinner was chicken and rice again which we’ve had basically every day, but honestly it’s been pretty good, I’m not complaining!!After dinner we had a call with the Loper and talked about what stood out most this week or even today. For me it was the joy of the children. Seeing their smiles, their laughter, and the way they celebrated clean water today was unforgettable. Even if they didn’t say thank you with words, you could see it in their faces.
And today ended with a reminder I think we all needed that the Loper said in his prayer “We’re not what we’re supposed to be, but thank God we’re not what we used to be.”
Overall today was eye opening, life changing, and mind shifting, because I am choosing to make an impact, choosing to be a light, and choosing to share my joy with others in Uganda!
I know this blog is a long one but this blog holds so many memories, moments, and little details and it’s not even all of it. I look forward to tomorrow, going on the safari…so if you made it to the end of my story, and the 5th day of this wonderful trip through my lens pray for safe travels on the way to our safari tomorrow, for the long drive there and back, that seeds planted throughout this trip continue to grow, that we all remain safe tomorrow, safe travels back home for when the time comes, and that we continue to be a light and make an impact because this trip isn’t completely over yet!
