Prestonwood Student Ministry Team Has Departed for Uganda

Somewhere Over the Ocean… On Our Way to Uganda
Tonight, 12 incredible students and 4 faithful leaders have placed their wholehearted “YES” on the table to go serve the least of these in beautiful Uganda.
As I write this, we are on our long flight… 28 hours of travel stretched over the next day and a half, making our way to our beloved Uganda. The cabin lights are dim. Some are sleeping. Others are quietly talking. A few are simply staring out the window into the dark sky, lost in thought. Beneath it all is this steady undercurrent of anticipation… and surrender.

It has been such a joy to walk alongside this team in the months leading to tonight. Some students served two years ago and felt the Lord gently call them back. Others are about to step onto African soil for the very first time. They have no idea yet how deeply this week will mark them, but they are willing.
And that willingness has come at a cost.

We have watched them juggle school and part-time jobs, giving up paychecks to fund this mission. We’ve seen them share their “why” with courage, asking friends and family not only for financial support when able, but for bold, faithful prayer. They are giving up their Spring Break to live out the words of Matthew 28:19:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”

And they are going.

This team will step into something brand new. For the very first time, our students will lead a construction project by building two homes for a blind brother and sister in the village of Ninzi. They will carry bricks, mix mortar, sweat in the Ugandan sun, and pour themselves into something that will stand long after we leave. They will not simply build houses…they will build dignity, safety, and hope.

We will spend precious time at Master Cares Christian School, embracing and encouraging the students there whose lives are being transformed through education, discipleship, and sponsorship. Watching these students connect across cultures is always a glimpse of heaven…one Body, one faith, one Lord.

We will also serve alongside the medical team from Bethlehem Community Hospital during a Malnutrition Outreach in a remote village. Tiny hands will be weighed. Mothers will be encouraged. Nutritional needs will be addressed. And through compassionate care, the Gospel will be shared.

And this week holds something especially beautiful.

We will be dedicating a brand-new water well, generously donated by a family who is actually on this trip with us. They desired for the gift of clean water to flow freely to more than 1,000 villagers, meeting a very real physical need. But even more than that, they are praying that every person who comes to draw water will also come to know the Living Water who is Christ Jesus. As clean water fills jerry cans, may hearts be filled with truth.

As thirst is quenched physically, may souls be awakened spiritually.

This is why we go.

As we fly tonight, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Grateful for students who say yes.

Grateful for parents who release their children.

Grateful for families who give sacrificially so others may live.

Grateful for prayer warriors who hold the rope from home.

Grateful for a God who still calls young hearts to obedience.

We cannot wait for you to hear directly from these students in the days ahead. They will share in their own words what they see, smell, taste, and experience, and how the Holy Spirit is moving in ways they never expected.

For now, we fly with full hearts.

Uganda, we’re coming. 💛🌍