Uganda Update - Ariana Allison

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UGANDA 
 
U-nited as One
I have a huge appreciation for my MOAM team! Coming here was all so unfamiliar to everyone but despite the new environment, we were able to come together as ONE! And to me that was the important factor here. Coming up with ideas, activities, and superlatives for the kids and having all of our ideas align throughout these 3 weeks has been such an exciting feeling. I appreciate all the good and bad days that we’ve experienced together thus far because it has truly brought us closer as one! I’m anxious to see how the rest of days will be but I am very optimistic that my team will continue to flourish.
 
G-lorifying the Gospel
Nothing has amazed me more than seeing how enthused these kids are to talk about the “Gospel”. When the question was posed on what the Gospel is, majority of the kids call it “Good News” and that alone signifies that when we glorify the gospel we are celebrating all good news. Everything here has been good news!
 
A-dministering The Game of Sports
Being that I have a HUGE passion for sports, being that I have the opportunity to actually come and teach them sports is unbelievable. It warms my heart how excited the kids are to learn sports. They already know the game of the specified sports but it’s even better that we are actually breaking down the game and teaching them the fundamentals. Never thought I’d see myself as a coach but these kids make me feel like I’m more of a teammate!
 
N-ever ending Fun
I’ve never met a group of kids that enjoys being the sun, enjoys getting their hands/feet dirty, enjoys a little sweat! Not only have I also been enjoying these things but each day I am learning new chants, hand-games, group games, and card games from them that I certainly plan to take back with me to teach all of my family & friends! Talk about never-ending fun!
 
D-aily Dosage of Devotions
Before coming to Uganda, I had never led a devotion. I kind of knew what it was but never was courageous or interested enough to learn more about it. Being told that while here I had to not alone be involved in them, but also lead weekly ones for a group of people that I don’t even know. Imagine my anxiety. Nevertheless, these devotions have been my daily dosages of faith. Outside of the ones that the MOAM’s lead, we also get to be involved in the devotions at the different cottages throughout the village. Talk about amazing! The way these kids can pick out scriptures and teach the room is unbelievable. And the song choices are always my favorite - although I’m not the best singer in the room by a long shot, my humming has gotten a lot better!
 
A-nswering God’s Call
As the year started, it was a personal goal of mine to build a much stronger relationship with Christ. I planned to do this through church, more bible studies, consistent reading, etc. But what was not apart of my plan was to ever travel across the world to speak God’s word. No one could’ve ever told me that I would be chosen to come to Africa for a mission trip. Not ever. But what I have learned was that when God calls, you answer. I feel as though I was selectively chosen for this trip for a reason, for reasons that are far more deeper than my own understanding. And for that, I will forever be embedded and faithful to God’s favor. I am also thankful for Managers on a Mission for seeing me fit for this trip!