Boys’ Brigade Uganda trip fulfils a dream
John McGrath, 17, writes of his young team’s trip to Uganda this summer…
This summer I had the privilege to work in Uganda with my Boys’ Brigade Company from Christ Church Kilkeel. The trip was born of out of a prayer meeting that occurred after our BB program throughout the year.
As we prayed and waited on God, our Captain asked a few of us what we would really like to do this year in BB. We told him that we would love to go to Uganda to work in the school he and a team of men built. To our amazement, our Captain replied, “Let’s make it happen”. Little did we know that in 8 months there would be sixteen of us boys and five adults travelling through the heart of Uganda to Bethel Royal High School in Nakasongola, central Uganda: the school that the BB helped build in 2010.
It was so apparent that God had his hand on our trip, before we even reached Africa. In order to go, we needed to raise a lot of money. This to us posed a serious problem, however, God showed us that he was not bound by money. Through the generosity of members of our community, we raised the money we needed, plus £2000 extra which we were able to give to the school to support the various animal projects and to finish their teacher’s accommodation building.
When we arrived in Uganda we were greeted by the entire community with dancing, singing, celebrating and prayers. I cannot convey the overwhelming joy we felt! As we settled into life in Nakasongola our hearts where melted by the people we met and loved.
We had planned a whole programme of activities and events to teach and encourage the young people and children. This included a Euro Football Tournament (won by Poland), helping out on the school farm, leading children’s Bible talks and working at a nearby children’s village. We also taught a Christianity Explored Course.
Apart from our work with the Ugandan people it was very exciting and encouraging that two young men on our team became Christians and another one re–dedicated his life to the Lord.
It was really hard to come home! I speak on behalf of all the boys when I say that we would quite happily live the remainder of our lives there in the company of those godly people.
View photos of other summer 2012 mission trips from around the diocese.