A personal reflection on a time of service in Uganda with Imprint Hope
Before the plane touches down in Entebbe, I am already looking out the window to examine the new landscape and geography of Uganda. When our group of 15 people, plus luggage is strategically loaded on a bus and driven three hours to our final destination, my eyes are soaking in the passing towns and people.
My first impressions are unfiltered after traveling for 40+ hours with little sleep. I notice the images passing by my window like movie scenes. The untamed and vibrant nature that surrounds me. The worn storefronts and homes. The unpaved dirt roads filled with bumps and holes. The amount of people outside. Men playing pool and driving boda bodas. Women talking to neighbors and hanging up laundry. Children chasing stray goats and lugging water cartons home.
It's easy to see the differences between America and Uganda. The lack that a country has when looking on the surface. When arriving at Imprint Hope I was given a glimpse into how God sees the dignity and value of all people, especially the most vulnerable - children with disabilities.
"The mothers of these children with disabilities offer themselves every moment of the day, not just on a 10 day mission trip. They are the good Samaritan's when their society tells them to run and ignore the plight of the weak."
A child is laying on their side with drool pooling on the mat. Another child is bored while strapped in a chair to support their body from falling over. A child laying with two plaster casts on their legs is moaning and struggling to flip over. Another child is unable to swat at the fly that keeps landing on their face. In those moments, I'm reminded of how I can serve. I can grab a dish towel and wipe the child's face. I can be silly and put a smile on the child’s face and hear their innocent joy filled laugh. I can assist the child in turning to a comfortable position and hold them while I grow restless. I can continuously shoo the fly away from the child. I can serve in this simple way.
The mothers of these children with disabilities offer themselves every moment of the day, not just on a 10 day mission trip. They are the good Samaritan's when their society tells them to run and ignore the plight of the weak. Imprint Hope is trying to re-write this story for families and teach mothers' skills to equip them and their families, but more importantly empower and change mindsets and hearts toward greater love and understanding for children with disabilities in Uganda - to ultimately see them as a gift from God, not a curse or burden.
When you go to a new country you bring yourself with you. I can't shake the ingrained East coast, American way of thinking. I need to do and fix and keep a busy and timely schedule. I continually repeat the words from our daily exhortation by Brother Adam; “being over doing." I replay these words as I drive three hours to a hard to reach village, to observe a nutrition consultation for a malnourished child. I quietly observe throughout the meeting that takes place in another language. Yet, the father still has a beaming smile for me, grasps my hands, and thanks me for being there. I contributed nothing but my presence and it was enough to show the family that they are worth the effort and time and so is their child. This continually occurred throughout the week where I would see how my small actions of weeding in the field, doing the dishes, painting the mama's nails or simply showing up impacted the hearts of the people we encountered, and in turn my own. When you focus on being present to others, you are able to see the small mundane moments as authentic, radical moments of love that you would miss otherwise.
As I head home from my time at Imprint Hope, I feel hopeful. I am going back into my own mission at home which includes my workplace, youth ministry, relationships with family and friends, and being God's Love to those I meet along the way. The reason I feel hopeful is because of the fact that the Holy Spirit is working in my life and in the hearts and minds of people at Imprint Hope. God is on our side, so no one can stand against us, as we strive to build a civilization of love one person at a time.
Reflection from Julie Quense about her time at Imprint Hope while traveling with a team of 15 people for 10 days. This article was originally published on their website.
Bio: Julie Quense is a Compass member & serves as one of the main leaders for Ignite Youth Ministry. She had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Uganda to serve with Imprint Hope. Imprint Hope works to eliminate the neglect, abuse, abandonment and discrimination of children with disabilities in Uganda by educating families and communities on disabilities, providing medical and rehabilitative services, and empowering families through microfinance training and counseling.
This article is the continuation of a blog series which seeks to highlight the many ministries and communities around the world which we are blessed to call friends. If you are interested in learning more about Imprint Hope or to make a donation, visit
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