Brett's Story

I’ll admit, I didn’t have a heart for Africa.  I remember seeing the wall of pictures and locations of missionaries that my church supported while growing up and hearing their stories on their annual returns to our church.  The stories that I held on to were the stories of giant snakes and disease-carrying mosquitoes.  To me, Africa was a place rich with history but I had no mental or emotional connection to the continent.  My idea of spending time out of the country was going to an exotic island and swimming with sea turtles.  It certainly was not going to a place where I had to sleep under a tent just to avoid mosquitoes. 

That was, of course, until I met my beautiful wife.  At that point, she had already been to Africa on a number of occasions starting as a child.  She talked about Uganda with such love and compassion that it was eventually infectious.  It was an ingenious plan to change my heart:  she started with amazing memories and videos of her previous trips and then invited the leader, Pastor Dongo, of the Buyamba orphanage to stay with us on one of his trips back to the US three years ago.  He is an amazing man whose life’s mission is God’s mission, to care for the orphans as James 1:27 so directly lays it out.  It fueled my desire to give back, to serve those less fortunate and pour love into the lives of these young children and women.  Needless to say, through Talitha’s stories and the stories of many who have gone on missions trips and come back to talk about how wonderful their experiences have been, my heart has softened toward the people of Africa and for the orphans and widows that we have been called to serve.  There is a consistent theme among the people that return from these mission trips: they’ve all gone to care for and serve the African people and God changed their lives forever along the way.  

I am happy to have a tour guide on this mission in Talitha and to have my daughter there as well. Though she may not remember much about the trip, we certainly pray that this will begin to build a servant heart in her… and her daddy. 

Talitha's Story

I have to admit, I've waited for this day for many years! Even before I was married, I dreamed of taking my future family (should I ever be blessed to have one) to the Country that stole my heart- Uganda. My first trip in 2004 changed my life. It wasn't my first trip to Africa but there was something incredibly special about Uganda. The people touched my life and the children captured my heart. They are absolutely precious! I knew instantly that this was a Country that I would return to...many times.

As we prepare for my 3rd trip this next year, I'm excited for so many different reasons. I will have the chance to once again work with & support the pregnancy centers, clinics, churches & schools in the Kampala area as well as an orphanage we've been supporting (www.buyambuganda.org) for a few years. I'm thrilled to return to Gulu in Northern Uganda to see how much it's changed now that the war has ended. Also, to partner with Mercy's Village (www.mercysvillage.org) as we help them prepare to open a new school!

On a much more personal note, I'm thrilled that Brett will see firsthand how amazing Africa is. Sure he'll wrestle with some of the same questions that I did at first (how can people live this way? why is there so much suffering? how do they find joy in the midst of pain?) but I believe he'll also come to a new understanding of God's grace and mercy and heart for humanity. Secretly, I'm also hoping he'll let me bring an African baby home:) Our little girl most likely won't remember much from the trip. But I believe seeds will be planted in her life. I can't wait to see her interact with the kids in Uganda. To see how they live, to learn from them, to love on them, and to be loved by them.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me/us.

Love, Talitha