Special Needs Mission Trip to Uganda

In high school my eyes were opened to the world of special education. I began to befriend my peers with disabilities, and we frequently ate lunch and attended school events together. As I got to know them better, I also got to know their teachers better. I discovered that the information they were learning was similar to the information I was learning, it was just presented in different ways. My freshman year of college I needed a job and began babysitting a young boy with Down Syndrome and Autism. It didn't take long for us to become good buddies. I was originally a Spanish major, but I knew after these experiences I needed to change my degree to special education. From there my love for people with disabilities continued to grow. I am now actively involved in the disability ministry at my church where we help adapt curriculum to make the Gospel accessible to individuals with special needs and make sure they have the opportunity to be a part of the body of Christ through participating in roles in different areas of the church. 

This summer I have been blessed with the opportunity to go to Uganda with Harvesters International. We will be spending some time in a community celebrating the lives of individuals with special needs, encouraging and supporting the families of individuals with special needs, and speaking with schools about how to meet these students’ learning needs. 

As I travel, I will need prayer. I ask you to pray that these individuals and their families will see individuals with disabilities as people created in the image of God, come to know the extent of God’s love for them, and understand what He has done for them in Christ. I ask that you pray that the stigmas behind disabilities in this community would change and that these individuals would feel love and support from their community. I ask that you pray that I would trust the Lord as I enter into an area I have never been before and for wisdom as I navigate different situations. I also ask that you pray for traveling mercies; that we would make our flights, land and take off with no issues, and return home safely. Please feel no obligation to give financially. I appreciate any way that you choose to support me. I can’t wait to share how the Lord is working in Uganda!