Special Needs Mission Trip to Uganda

My heart for people with disabilities began as a little girl because of my brother, but my heart for Africa didn't start until around 15 years ago when I started sponsoring a 5 year old little girl in Tanzania. 10 years ago (almost to the day), I took the trip of a lifetime and was able to travel to Tanzania and meet her. I fell in love with the people, the place, and the community there. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen. Fast forward to last summer, my Uncle Doug and I had a conversation about people with disabilities in third world countries. After many months of battling back in forth, doubting myself, and praying, God lit a fire in me. I am SO excited to say that these two passions of mine are merging together! This summer, I am traveling to Uganda with Harvesters International to work with children and adults with disabilities, uplift, educate, and support their families, and work towards establishing a classroom or school setting for children who have been unable to access school.

“In Uganda, 8% of residents live with disabilities and over half of that population are children. Those children, who are created in God’s image and are loved and inherently valued, are often seen as outcasts by their community. Because of this stigma, many of these precious children are at risk of being orphaned, abandoned, and trafficked.” -Ekisa Ministries

Unfortunately this is the reality most children with disabilities face, but we want to change this narrative. There are 1,847 kids with disabilities in the community I will be visiting. This is a large number that are not being cared for or educated due to lack of training and classrooms. There is a great need for sustainable programs for teachers to set up classrooms, teach, and help parents teach their children adaptive skills for everyday life. We believe that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-18). We want to change the narrative behind disabilities and help people see others with disabilities as those made in the image of God who have a purpose and are worthy of love.

My number one priority is prayer. Please pray for safe travels, health, guidance, peace, strength, wisdom in all situations, that the families will see their child through God's eyes, and that these children will know how much they are loved by God. However, there are physical needs, and if the Lord leads you to give I am so grateful. The amount is not important. Your donation will allow me to bring resources and materials to people with disabilities and their families.

Thank you again for your obedience, and for stepping out in faith with me. I appreciate you, your prayers, and your support!