And We're Back...

We are back from Uganda! What an incredible experience we all had… the word “life changing” has come up AGAIN and AGAIN as I try to put words to what the last two weeks was like. All of us went to Uganda to love and serve the children at Watoto and in doing that, WE ended up being the ones that were blessed beyond our wildest dreams!!! As we met for the last time as a team, Katelyn and I gave the graduates an opportunity to share their “highlights” of the trip. I was completely overwhelmed as I heard these young women from different backgrounds, different ethnicities, different states and with different stories share how God had personally answered prayers—how He had stirred a new sense of passion and purpose. It was clear, as the graduates shared with tears and such tenderness, that God had done “exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask, think or imagine..."

We came to Uganda to pour out God’s love and compassion on all who we came into contact with —and not only did our graduates do that, they were ALL walking and breathing examples of hope restored and true freedom!!! Everywhere we went, I saw our graduates praying for the house moms of these orphans, sharing their testimonies, and loving on people through a hug or smile—these graduates truly LIVED OUT what Isaiah 61:1-2 says…through their actions, these graduates were used so tenderly to partner with God to bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom!

So—as I look back over the last two weeks, there are so many incredible memories that come to mind… holding the babies at the Bulrushes, attending service at Watoto Church, laying hands on the building to dedicate it to the Lord, and visiting the HIV positive women at Living Hope. No memory is more important than the other... and all touch a place deep in our hearts in an unexplainable way. We were all FOREVER changed by our time in Uganda and serving alongside one another at Watoto!

I want to end this entry by saying “thank you.” Thank you to the prayer partners that covered us in prayer during our trip—your prayers were definitely answered! Thank you to the Mercy graduates that attended this trip, you are truly our heroes… thank you for serving so tirelessly, for being transparent and for carrying the penetrating love and heart of Christ to all that you came into contact with!!! Also, a huge thank you to Watoto and the founders of Watoto, Gary and Marilyn Skinner, for allowing us to come to Uganda and serve such an incredible ministry. We pray blessings over the entire ministry and that God would continue to multiply the work of your hands. And lastly, we are thankful to the Lord for allowing us to partner with Him to serve such an amazing group of young leaders and future world-changers!!!

TO ALL THE GRADUATES… “paddle faster, faster, faster!!!...GET DOWN!!!” Haha!!

- By Nandi