How did this experience change you as a person?
"This experience made me more grateful and thankful for what I have. It helped me understand what being poor and not knowing what is going to happen really means. Finally, it helped me understand hat it means to truly place your faith in God."
Who motivated you to go on this trip?
"My youth pastor Jared. He said it would really help me to grow in my faith and help me to understand how people who have nothing are still able to pursue Jesus."
Why do you think you were chosen to go?
"I don't honestly know but I am a student leader in my youth group. I can help out during service and I work in the children's ministry."
What were you expecting to happen in Uganda?
"I was told that I may help out with the youth since I was the only youth on the trip. I was just expecting to make a difference in these peoples lives."
What did you actually do in Uganda?
"I did some small group stuff with the church, I visited and talked to some of the school students in primary and secondary school, went to some different villages, did children's ministry, did a skit, and talked to some of the youth there."
What were some of the things that you talked about with the kids?
"The first story we talked about with the children was when peter walked on water. It was putting your trust and faith that if you keep persevering you will be able to walk on water, figuratively. The second story that I did alone was the story when the children ran to Jesus because a lot of the time in Uganda you'll find that the children are seem at a lower status but that is not true according to the bible."
What do you think the main goal of this trip was?
"It was a leadership trip. We were teaching the what it means to be a good leader.
Where did you go and where did you stay?
We landed in entebi which is the airport there which is a little small town outside of Kampala which is the capital of uganda. I went to a small suburb outside of kampala called gaba which is where i stayed at my first guest house. Then we went over to pacer which is a really rural town. We went on a little airplane. I was mainly in Pader. Then I went to a safari at the end.
What were the places like where you stayed?
Kampala-there were a lot of slums on half of the town and then rich people on the other side. There was a clear line separating these two classes of families. But compared to the other cities I saw it was a pretty nice city.
Pader- very rural town so a lot of villages and a lot of huts. It was a more poor place.
How do you think the separation between the rich and the poor in these villages effected their pursuit of Jesus?
I didn't really talk to any of the rich people so I don't really know. But the poor people (the ones who were christian) that was all they had. Jesus was the only thing that they were going for. The only hope that they had was that one day Jesus would come back and fix all the things that are broken in this world and in their lives.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to go on a mission trip?
There is going to be emotional scenes or things that you most likely have never seen before so you have to be mentally prepared for that. Make sure you know what you are getting into or make sure you have really strong faith because you are going to need strong faith to be able to go all the way across the world.
How did those who went with you impact you?
They were all older than me so they knew a lot more about the problems in Uganda and were able to help me along the way. For moral support
How did the people living in Uganda impact you?
If you have a house in Uganda, that's a really big deal. Unlike America where almost everyone has a house. But how happy they were just to have a place to go a star as americans, we don't really think about that like the day to day stuff the actual things that we already have.
Who all did you go with?
My youth pastor, a bunch of interns, two other pastors
How is the pursuit of Jesus similar and different in Uganda and the U.S?
Similar in the fact that we both pursue jesus it's different in the ways that we do it. They do it more this is all i have I'm giving you everything.In america, we still pursue hime but we also pursue other things that will kind of differentiate the aspects of how much we are pursuing Jesus as opposed to how much we are pursuing other objects.
Would you go backhand why?
I would go back because it was a good experience, I had a good time, and now I know some people there so I have some relationships over there already
Who did you meet?
Simon: 19 years old and built a church there, wants to be a youth leader
Pastor Enok: Founded the church of Pader, brought in tons of people and has big ideas for the church
Tour guide Francis: has wife, going to have twins, taught him how to play BS
What thoughts went through your head on the way to Uganda?
Nothing was really going through my head until later. Our first flight was to Atlanta then amsterdam and I wasn't really thinking about it. Then from Amsterdam to Entebi that's when it really starts to hit you that you went to Uganda. You don't really think about it. I was really anxious because you are going to a completely new country that you have never been to before.
How did it feel when you came back home?
You had a different feeling because you were just in a completely different country and now you are coming back to the country that you have left so you have to get back in the groove of what happens in this country compared to what happens in that country.
What were the differences in the churches?
There church is a lot more free open and there is a lot more that goes on. It's more exciting. Like when the pastor will say something and everyone else will say HALLELUJAH! Here you go, sit in a seat, do all the same stuff every time you go to church. They don't do the same things, it's different every time.
They get into there worship. They pick up chairs, sing, dance around.
In America you kind of just stand there. Maybe put your hand up.
How did Uganda change due to this mission trip?
They think that a lot of the people in America are stuck up and rich and that we look down on them because they are pro so I had to tell them that's not really the case. That we were there for them and were right there with them. We had the same aspects as you do. And I taught them some leadership skills and that they can still be great leaders even though they were young.
Anything else interesting or fun?
We went on a safari
Do you think it would be helpful for more youth to go?
Yes because if you are the same age as someone you can have more of an impact because if you are older and you re talking to younger people you can't really relate with them.
What were the houses and villages like?
The houses were a bunch of bricks and pretty short. They put plaster over the house to make it more sturdy and then they put big tree branches on the top and cover it with straw. They were one to two rooms. They divided the rooms with sheets. There were about 4-5 kids per family in these small houses.
How did this impact you spiritually?
When you see people who have nothing but are yet the happiest people you have ver seen only because they placed their faith in God, it makes you realize how most Americans value material items more than God but those who have nothing are able to pursue God with all their heart because they are not worked about material items.
Instead of focusing on the things that you don't have, focus on what being a christian really means and what it means to give everything.
The people in Uganda have nothing but they have everything because they have put their trust in God.
How did it feel to be the first youth to go on the trip?
It felt amazing. It was a great honor to know that my faith showed to the leaders and that they would pick me to go.
Secondary subjects: Mom
What were you thinking when you let your son go to Uganda?
I was really scared and nervous because that is a long way away but I felt like it was something that he had really prayed about and that he had wanted to do and I had really prayed about it and felt like it was the right thing to do so I was trying to not be scared.
How did this trip impact you?
It made me have to trust god more that he would be okay without being under my protection
What precautions did you have to take before Alec went on the trip?
we had to talk to him to make sure it was something he really wanted to do then he had to get shots, have a physical, get a passport and prepare packing.
Shots: Yellow fever, meningitis, malaria pill, and typhoid
What changes did you see in Alec when he came back?
For a little while he was nice to his brother and I think he did realize what the difference was between what being poor here is like and what being poor in a third world country is like. So I think I noticed a difference in that
What did you expect would happen in Uganda?
I think I thought he would be doing more children's ministry then he did. I think it was more of a working adult trip and that Alec was limited in what he could do. He did do some ministry but I think they traveled to more places than I thought stye would.
In what ways did Alec's trip encourage the sponsoring of a child?
I have always wanted to do those things and that's kind of where my heart is sponsoring kids so since he was familiar with that place I thought sponsoring a child from there would just be a neat way to continue that ministry.
Secondary Subject: Dad
What were you thinking when you let your son go to Uganda?
Well before I let him go I was thinking is it going to be safe, is he going to be mature enough, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for him
How did you think this trip impacted you?
Helped me learn more about Uganda and Africa because we heard about his trip so it got the issue over there closer to me and the family because he explained it in real life and not just reading about it.
What changes did you see in Alec when he came back?
When he came back I think that he was a little less materialistic, a little more down to earth, and a little more mature. It has clearly impacted him.
What did you think would happen in Uganda?
I thought that he was going to look at how the youth ministry was working and maybe make comments if whether the youth here could make an impact over there. I thought he was going to learn a lot about Uganda.
Secondary Subject: Jared Carter
1. Why did you suggest Alec to go to Uganda?
The purpose of the trip was to expose our 2015 Residents to the work our church is doing in Pader Uganda. They asked me to go on the trip to provide some training for their leaders that work within their youth ministry. I asked if I could bring a student along and they agreed that it would be awesome for the youth in Uganda to hear from a youth in America and how they live out their faith. I thought Alec was a great person to ask because of his maturity level and passion for ministry. I knew it would be a great opportunity for him to see what God is doing globally and be exposed to another culture.
2. What changes, if any, did you see in Alec while in Uganda?
From my perspective Alec seemed a bit overwhelmed by the culture shock. I noticed how surprised he was at certain points of the trip... especially when we saw poverty for what it was… brokenness. As the trip continued I could tell Alec was just processing everything.
3. Was it beneficial to have a teen there? Why or why not?
I think it was a great experience for everyone who was on the trip. Having Alec there was huge because he was able to speak to the youth in Pader and share the hope that we have in the gospel. Their youth were blown away by the fact that American teenagers have struggles as well. Just Alec’s presence was a blessing to the youth there… in there eyes traveling to visit them is a big deal.
4. How do you think Alec was able to impact the children in Uganda?
Alec had the opportunity to play with kids and share bible stories… but I think his biggest impact was on the youth. He shared his faith journey and for them to hear an American (who they think has it all together) admit that we too have struggles (they might just look a little different) was a big deal.
5. How was the church as a whole able to help Uganda through this mission trip? 6. What was the initial goal of the trip?
Austin Ridge has partnered with Pader Community Church to bring hope and restoration to a community of people in Northern Uganda that have dealt with so much pain and poverty because of the war. One of the primary reasons for this trip was to put on a church leadership conference for those who are leaders in the community and are trying to bring the hope of the gospel to a people who feel hopeless. This trip in particular was just a continuation of our ongoing partnership with Pader Community Church.
7. How has Alec continued to change after coming back from the trip?
In my opinion Alec has matured in his thinking of how God is at work globally. I think the exposure of the trip has caused him to evaluate what is really important and how he can be involved in helping others.
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