Meet Bethanny Hall, a girl with a heart for Uganda. She boarded a plane and learned what it means to love as He loves us.
What led you want to serve special needs orphans in Uganda?
What truly led me to serve orphans, and particularly special needs orphans, in Uganda is the burden that God placed on my heart for the people and the children of Uganda. Ever since I was 8 years old I have felt called to serve in Uganda. From that moment, I have been on a mission to try and get there. Another thing that led me to serve the orphans in Uganda is that the Bible clearly tells us this is what we as Christians are called to do. The Bible unequivocally states that religion that God views as pure and faultless is to take care of the orphaned and the widowed (James 1:27). God sees these individuals as treasures, and they are His children. Unfortunately, in Uganda disabled kids are viewed as a curse. To be able to go and work alongside an organization like The Gem Foundation, whose goal is to show these kids that God treasures and loves them, is absolutely amazing.
What were some concerns you had in preparing to serve, and how did the Lord help you overcome them?
The first time I went to Uganda I worked in a babies’ home serving orphans ages 5 and under, and the second time I went back I had the privilege to work with the Gem Foundation, one of very few special needs homes in Uganda. I had never worked with special needs kids before, so this was a whole new territory for me. Since I had never really worked with or interacted much with special needs kids, I was unsure of what to expect and what it would be like to work with these kids. God really showed me though that these kids are just like other kids. They just want to be loved, played with and shown that they are cared about. The more time I spent loving these kids and playing with them, the more I began to see them how God sees them.
How did you see Jesus at work while in Uganda?
I saw Jesus at work in a few different ways while in Uganda. The first way was through the hearts and lives of the people of Uganda. I had the opportunity to visit a local church and worship with them one Sunday. The love that they have for Jesus, and their joy is so contagious! These people rely on Jesus for all they have.
The second way I saw Jesus at work was through Emma Quisenberry who is the founder of the Gem Foundation. She moved to Uganda at the age of 19 to show Jesus to these people and specifically to minister to the special needs treasures of Uganda. Her love for Jesus is so evident in the way that she loves the Gems (as she refers to the children in her home) and the people of Uganda.
The third way I really saw Jesus at work in Uganda was through the children at the Gem foundation. Many of these children come from a past characterized by severe malnourishment, abuse, and neglect, but the changes you see after these kids come to the Gem foundation are unreal! They begin to smile, to laugh, to play, and to heal and let people love them. These kids truly are remarkable and nothing short of a miracle.
What lasting effects have you noticed in your daily life since serving internationally and experiencing another culture?
Serving internationally definitely gave me a different view of the world and helped grow my relationship with Christ in ways I could never imagine. After serving internationally, it can be really hard to come back to the States because life overseas is so different. You really do experience culture shock upon return. You learn to appreciate all that you have such as education, healthcare, and access to clean drinking water to name just a few. You no longer take these luxuries for granted once you realize that others are in such desperate need. You also begin to notice all of the waste going on around you as a result of living in a first world country. An impact that came from serving at the Gem Foundation is a different view of special needs children and a heart to serve and love them. Serving internationally has really helped me have a broader picture of the world, a better understanding of other cultures, and a deeper appreciation for the blessings in my own life.
What are three things you wish everyone knew about mission trips?
The first thing I wish everyone knew about mission trips is that everyone is called to go somewhere. A lot of people say, “Well I don’t really feel called to serve.” Simply put though, Jesus called us to go and preach the gospel to all nations. Everyone is called. Some people are called to serve locally and others to serve globally, but everyone is called to serve in some way. The locations may differ, but the call is the same.
The second thing I think everyone should know about mission trips is you should never let your fear stop you. Don’t let your fears or doubts cripple you from going and serving where Christ calls you. It can be intimidating to go experience a different culture and meet new people but it is so worth it! It’s the times we are willing to step out of our comfort zones that God really works in and through us. The more you allow God to pull you out of your comfort zone the more He can use you.
Last, but definitely not least, the final thing I think people should know is mission trips should never be a onetime thing. Missions is a way of living your life to glorify Christ. That means when you get home from your mission trip you aren’t finished yet because no matter where you are there is always a responsibility to share Christ with others. Missions is a lifestyle and a mindset, not a trip.
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