Go Beyond

The vast continent of Africa first stirred my imagination when I was a kid in grade school. The stories of the Nile, of vast savannas teeming with wildlife, of dangers lurking in dense jungles, and of intrepid explorers venturing into uncharted regions were brushed in vivid colors across the canvas of my childhood mind.

And, of course, I sat hypnotized in front of our black and white TV, watching Johnny Weissmuller portraying Tarzan, swinging from tree to tree above the jungle floor. This was Africa — a place of danger and of great adventure.

Africa became even more real when my Uncle Phil ventured there and returned to share slides and stories of his adventures. Never could I have imagined that one day I would travel extensively across this amazing continent.

Every year, I have the privilege of leading the graduating seniors in Kingsland’s Student Ministry on their summer mission trip. For the past several years we have traveled to Israel to give our students a better understanding of where our biblical worldview unfolded. However, because of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, we had to pivot.

I immediately thought of Africa as our alternative destination. Our students must experience Africa — and more specifically, experience it in the context of serving our ministry partners in Uganda.

In late 2005, I led our missions ministry to adopt the pre-born as one of our people groups. We later collaborated with my friend Kurt Dillinger, founder of Life International — an organization whose focus is on the mission field created by abortion around the world. Together we started The Comforter’s Center, the first pregnancy help center in Kampala, Uganda.

Soon after we started The Comforter’s Center, I met Robert Nabulere. Robert and his wife Rose serve the people of Kawempe, an impoverished area of Kampala. They have started a primary and a high school to educate students from poor families. Kingsland’s missions ministry has invested in the development of these campuses which now serve more than 200 students.

This past week, I led 54 graduating seniors and parents to serve at The Comforter’s Center and at the Miracle Center schools. This trip was an opportunity for our students to experience Africa up close and personal by interacting with folks at the grass roots level.

Those who served at The Comforter’s Center served more than a hundred moms and their babies. The most beautiful sight was babies in the arms of the moms who chose to not abort their babies. Since starting the center, thousands of moms have chosen life for their babies. Our student team played with babies, pampered and prayed with moms, and led in worship.

The students who served at both the primary school and high school blessed children from some of the poorest homes in Kampala. I am grateful for Pastor Robert and his wife Rose and their vision to provide opportunities for children to move toward the realization of their highest potential in life by learning about Jesus and by receiving a good education.

Those who served at the residential high school had the opportunity to worship with the students. My favorite part of visiting the high school is always the worship and the intense passion of the students for God. The students who attend the Miracle Center schools are on track to love and serve God in their generation.

After our service days, I arranged to take our students on safari — without question a bucket list item when it comes to African adventures. We piled into nine safari vehicles and headed into the wide-open savannas to see wildlife in its native habitat. And we were not disappointed. The abundance of wildlife was on full display.

After our game drive we took two boats up the Victoria Nile from Lake Albert toward Murchison Falls. This is the place where the Nile River forces its way through a 23-foot wide gap in the rocks and falls more than 140-feet before flowing westward toward Lake Albert. Murchison Falls is a breath-taking sight.

Every evening we enjoyed worship and a devotional time and an opportunity to debrief. These gatherings were the last opportunity for these students to be together before returning home to head off to colleges around the country.

I am grateful for Kingsland’s Student Ministry and all they have invested in these students and the almost 400+ who served around the globe last week. And I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead these students on their final adventure together before starting the next chapter of their respective journeys. May God bless them and use them to serve His purposes in their generation.