But God!!!! I am in awe at the many ways that He shows Himself and His provisions, His love, His grace and His generosity when we surrender ourselves to serve Him in foreign lands.  Our Heavenly Father continues to prove to me that I can trust Him wholeheartedly to provide my every need.  Therefore, I can live my life completely openhandedly even when I think that I don’t have enough.

Exceeding our fundraising goal, generous donations of money and supplies, extra baggage allowed, unexpected acts of kindness before and during our travel, physical health for the tasks needed (knee injury 2 months before trip), just the right blending of gifts and talents (storytelling, medical clinic, mattress ministry, etc.), adequate provisions for specific requests even when supplies were left behind,  confirmations of God’s will being done (letters from American children), lessons in faith through people and devotions, and many other demonstrations of God’s hand in our work were evident throughout our journey.  Even having all hands on deck from our Ugandan team to help us shop for crafts our last day there was amazing to witness. We had just enough people, shillings and time to get it done and packed and to get to the airport – a true team effort.

As a first-time team leader, I willingly gave up my wants and desires to ensure that other team members had the best experience possible.  But it was not me, but God in me that made it possible.  The experience of mission work brings out something in all of us that we would never know existed without this experience.  It was wonderful to see Caroline, Claire and Jadyn stepping out on faith to have an experience of a lifetime that few people get to have. We place ourselves at the mercy of people – imperfect humanity in order to bless some of the most vulnerable of God’s creation.  And it is only by His Grace that we go and return safe and sound.

I always look forward to seeing the children in Koreng.  This, my third trip there, was different from the first two because of my new role as team leader and our focus area this year was Kadacar.  But this would be the first year that I got to travel to Kaihura.  Just as the Lord showed me his perfect will for my previous trips to Koreng, He faithfully did the same for me in Kaihura.

What always amazes me are the names of the people I meet (children and adults) and how they relate to significant people in my life back home in the US or biblical characters whose stories I know.  To also hear the stories of the children and adults at Bringing Hope to the Family (BHTF) and Home Away, etc. and to hear the needs, both met and unmet, helped me understand why the Lord allowed me to go there this year.  Even the other Americans I met there, like the Duke students who I never saw in Durham but got to talk to them thousands of miles away from home.  I am so grateful that I had the chance to visit Kaihura this year and already see opportunities to return and be of greater assistance.

REGRETS

The stupidity and audacity of me to go out in the mission fields and take an extra pair of shoes to change into.  How stupid was that considering that I would encounter hundreds, if not thousands of people that day that may not have one pair of shoes.  It was thoughtless and insensitive.  It didn’t even dawn on me the absurdity of what I had done until I was asked by a young woman if she could have the shoes in my hand.  I denied her request because I had brought them to change into for the speech that I would later give that night.  What possessed me to be carrying a pair of shoes that I was not planning to give away!  And then on top of it all, a storm arose before the time for me to speak, and I never even gave the speech that night – and never changed into the shoes.  Lord, forgive me please for the loss of my mind and heart that day!  Given the chance to do it all over again, I would have gladly given that young woman those shoes.  I just pray that I will get another chance to be a blessing to her or someone else next year!

Thank you, Embrace Uganda, for making this opportunity possible!

As this trip comes to an end, I am able to reflect on the experience as a whole. The hardest thing about this experience was overcoming my fears and stepping out of my comfort zone. Before leaving for Africa I knew it was going to be different. I knew that things I was accustomed to in the States would be challenged here in Africa- things such as taking a hot shower or going to the bathroom conveniently, eating the same foods, etc.

At the very beginning of the trip, when we arrived at the first house located in Kumi, I broke down. In private, I cried. I didn’t think I could do it. I did not think that I could step out of my comfort zone. I was home sick and feeling guilty for feeling this way when millions of people live daily like this. All of these emotions came over me so I began to pray. I prayed to God to give me the strength to move forward. I wiped my tears and picked myself up. I went to the dining room where everybody was eating dinner and I sat down. After praying I felt a whole new sense of confidence. The following two weeks moved fast. Before I knew it, I was at the airport saying goodbye to the strangers that quickly became family. I began to cry again. Instead this time, I was crying because I did not want to leave.

If anyone is reading this and considering going on a mission trip but is scared, please, go for it. Do it. Sign up. Step out of your comfort zone. Take a risk. With fear, you are stuck exactly where you are with no chance of growing. I have changed as a person in so many ways because of what I saw, the people I met, and the confidence that is now instilled in me.

The time in Uganda is how I wish my schedule in America was, relaxed and never rushed.  I would say that when someone tells me to be ready to go by 7:30 that they mean that here but truthfully they mean to be ready by 8:30 or 9:00.  You see, this is how I wish we lived life, completely in the present and not trying to hurry to move on to the next thing.  Getting used to their time schedule was never really hard for me but then I was surrounded by images like the one above and that is when I realized to take advantage of each moment.

I have only been here for two weeks but I have already had so many amazing experiences and opportunities.  These experiences will never be forgotten and I know there is so much more to come!  One experience reminded me of my grandmother.  I got the pleasure of meeting a 103 year old lady.  She was still walking, dancing and smiling with joy.  However, this sweet old lady did not have a mattress to sleep on.  I got to be a part of giving her a place to rest each night instead of sleeping on the dirt floor.  I just know how often my grandmother hurts but I cannot imagine the pain she would have if she had no choice other than to sleep on the ground.  Sometimes a small amount of comfort can bring the greatest amount of joy!  This sweet lady’s eyes started glowing when we placed her mattress in her home and made her bed for her.  She then went outside where her family was sitting in a circle and another other older woman joined her.  The two women began to dance with joy and once again time stood still. 

Another experience I had with really adapting to the time here and enjoying the present was by singing and dancing to songs with the children of Kamiluk Primary School.  Just a little background info to this understanding: I was involved with leading every classes Bible Study.  Before the Bible Study began we would sing just a couple of songs and then at the end we taught them one song that went with the lesson.  Now you are up to date!  What I was missing through this entire experience was that the children just loved us to love on them by singing and dancing with them!  They loved that so much that they wanted to sing and dance for hours!  With song that were uplifting and glorifying to Christ!  This was brought to my attention one day when I was so caught up in trying to check off a list instead of paying attention to the present.  So, that day we sang and danced for hours and the image of the smiles on their faces is painted in my memories forever.  I caught myself stopping to stare at what was happening because of Christ several times and I was overwhelmed with joy!

I am beyond grateful for the experiences I have had so far!!  I know that there are many more to come and I am excited to see what the Lord will do over the next 5 months that I am here!  Please pray for these children and their families, that the Lord will meet their needs!

Many Blessings

XO– Kerri McGehee (also known as KK in Uganda)

On the third day of our work in Kamailuk, I was responsible for passing out coloring sheets and markers to students who were exiting the medical clinic. As students walked in the door, I would hand them a piece of paper and some markers and direct them to a place to sit. Then a boy pushing another child in a wheel chair came through the door. I had seen the boy in the wheelchair many times and introduced myself to him. He had cerebral palsy. While I was handing a piece of paper to his friend, I showed him a coloring sheet to see if he wanted one. I highly doubted that he could color but I wanted him to feel included. He nodded yes so I got him a few markers. I had no idea how he was going to color. I pulled up a chair in front of his wheelchair and he slid halfway off of his chair and used one of his arms to prop up on. I laid the sheet of paper on his chair and placed a marker in his hand. He adjusted his arms, body, and fingers to color the detailed picture. Of course I picked the hardest design for him to color, but he remarkably colored very neatly! It was a slow process, but I was so impressed.

While he was coloring and I was handing him markers, I became angry. I asked God why He would allow this little boy to be physically impaired in such a hard place to live. Children without special needs  live a  hard life in Uganda, so I couldn’t imagine how hard his life was. To be honest I never think about children with special needs living in other areas of the world. Soon I was reminded of a scripture in the Bible that silenced my anger. The scripture reads, “As [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9: 1-3). This child with cerebral palsy was displaying God’s works right in front of me. He could color and write! Not only could he do that, but he could do it well. I’m not sure if that is normal for people with cerebral palsy to do, but it looked like a miracle to me. I know God has much bigger plans for that little boy. I thank God that he reminded me that everything and everyone is in His hands. I know He loves that boy much more than I do, just like He loves everyone of His children no matter their disabilities.

I got to spend the weekend with our Edith in her village which is about 7 hours from Kampala. She has such a huge heart and threw a big party for the entire village complete with a wonderful meal, music and dancing. About 250 people attended and many walked long distances. And she accomplished this extraordinary event even though the closest paved road is a 30 minute car ride away and her village has no electricity or running water. She is one amazing lady with a heart of gold! Special thanks to her best friend Addie for traveling with her and to Kasekende Hannington and Oliver for coming to celebrate with us! I love you so much sweet girl!

Please forgive me for taking so long to post but we have had almost no internet access all week. This may have been the hardest week of my life. So many tears this week . . . Joyful tears, heartbroken tears, loving tears, angry tears, hopeful tears . . . But as King reminds me everyday, God’s timing is perfect. We are working to find the children that were “reintegrated” which is a feel good word the large international charitable organization responsible uses. What it means in real life is casting out children that are 11 -18 . . . Sending them to relatives they have never known to be abused yet again or left to fend for themselves. Worse yet they told terrible lies about why these children were being “reintegrated” . . . Labeling the child as the problem when it was really all about money and power. Thank you to the brave adults (also sent away) who helped me find the truth this week. We have found some of the kids who are now teenagers and young adults and their reunions with each other have just taken my breath away as they have laughed, cried and most of all praised God! Together we are on a mission to find as many as we can and then will have a great reunion at the end of the month. Most of all we will help those whose childhood was stolen build a future . . . And just as important, we must also find a way to help those that remain. Please pray for our God to move in a mighty way!!!!! Thank you to all those who have allowed me to be here!!! I love being an American Ugandan ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ www.embraceuganda.org

Today I have left home.it was very interesting to see so many people. I even saw people who looked like they were from Tibet. So many races, Creed’s, cultures and ethnicity. It is truly larger than I thought. Staring out of the airport I actually got to understand just how vast this world is. And how much the world needs Christ. Today an Asian man who worked at the hotel was telling me about refugees from Uganda at the hotel. He told me I was going the wrong way! And at first it was discouraged but instantly I was reminded of my servitude to his commission. And how this is exactly what he wants from me. I only pray that he will shield me from sin and allow I to teach his word and prosper in my spirit of which he has to offer. So that I may be able to meditate on his word. How great is he that I may serve him. The father who loves me is so  my father in Heaven. Praise be his name!