One Step at a Time: 2019

“...you are a missionary, because you are on a mission for God wherever you are.” This quote was used on two team members' (Thank you Jordan and Amy! 🙂) fund-raiser shirts, and was evident to me in preparation for the trip, and SO EVIDENT while we were there!

Oakwood came together with such generosity; providing medicine, medical supplies, t-shirts, pillowcase dresses, backpacks, and additional funds. Small groups provided all the over-the-counter medicines we could take! The congregation provided gauze, rubber gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Precious ladies made over 400 dresses, and others bought over 400 t-shirts for each child to receive a gift at Jennifer’s school. The sewing ministry made individual backpacks and personalized them with names for each child at the orphanage. Each child also received a beautiful bag with soap, lotion, shampoo, and a washcloth. Birthday bags were provided for a birthday party at Mashah Orphanage. Additional donations were provided to help fund the medical clinic. All of these donations by God’s people were evidence of “being on mission” wherever we are! And, when that happens, God blesses the effort, and others are blessed!

At the hotel, Nile River Bend Resort, we saw staff members who consider their God-ordained mission to serve those who come there! And, oh were we blessed to stay with them!

The Ugandan pastors, their congregations who helped, the youth of the churches, the Ugandan doctors, dentists, and nurses; were clearly on a mission for God. Their untiring ministry to each patient, to us, and to the community of Kalagala was such a blessing!

The Oakwood mission team went and were “on a mission!” We saw sacrifice in paying for the trip, making time to prepare, and taking extra luggage by each individual! They worked tirelessly, and gave of themselves to help! They were...on a mission!

Because God’s people were missionaries, 1,600+ people in Kalagala were able to be seen by a doctor or dentist, children in orphanages were shown God’s love, and children in five different schools heard the gospel! Wow! What a blessing to see God work in so many lives!

After I got home and was thinking about the trip, God reminded me of the verse, “We are laborers together with God.” 1Corinthians 3:9 Truly, when we work together, with God leading, much can be accomplished—one-step-at-a-time!