Experience - Mission Exposure ( April 2026 )

Experience

Title: Life-changing Uganda

Intro

Joel Nelson shares his experience of a mission exposure trip he had undertaken to Uganda.

Article

Hi, my name is Joel Nelson, a 16-year-old from Al Ain, UAE. It is an immense joy to share my life-changing mission experience in Uganda. This was not just a physical one, but also a spiritual and emotional mission that opened my eyes and heart to the beauty and challenges of this incredible country.

Growing up as a Jesus Youth, I've always felt a strong calling to engage in mission work. Witnessing the struggles of my own community motivated me to extend a helping hand to those in need beyond my immediate surroundings. I embarked on this mission with the intention of learning, serving, and helping better the lives of the people in Uganda. My expectations were high, but what I gained far exceeded them.

During my stay in Uganda, I was welcomed by the warm embrace of the sisters who provided us with accommodation. The simplicity of life, delicious local food, and basic facilities taught me contentment and gratitude. I learned how to wash clothes by hand. Even though at first I struggled a bit with the food, I got used to it. During our time there, we enjoyed a wonderful climate, night skies filled with stars and mornings of fog and birdsong.

Our journey was graced by encounters with remarkable individuals. We had the privilege of meeting bishops and priests, who shared their wisdom and deep faith with us. Their devotion to their communities and their unyielding spirit left an indelible mark on my heart. Particularly Bishop Sanctus Lino of the Lira diocese, Dennis, the JY coordinator of Lira, and all the enthusiastic JYs we met there.

From visiting street kids to spending time with the elderly in the parish, every interaction was a lesson in compassion and empathy. Visiting the girls' school taught me the importance of education and empowerment. While there, I was tasked with conducting a small praise and worship session for the girls – something I had never done for such a big crowd. But by God’s grace, it happened beautifully and after the programme some of the people came up and told me that Jesus had touched their hearts

Our time in the babies' home taught me the need to provide love and care for the most vulnerable. The babies at the home had been abandoned on the streets, in washrooms, and dustbins! That visit opened my eyes to how much God loves me, and the gift of my loving parents. 

Visiting the school for the blind shattered my thoughts about limitations and showcased the power of determination and adaptability. Even though they are blind, their capabilities far exceed normal children.

Trips to the village community and homes were so emotional for me; seeing their appalling living conditions, threadbare clothes, meagre food, and poor health conditions broke me inside. In one of the houses we visited, we met an old grandfather who was bedridden. Local people would come every day to clean and feed him. Hearing some of his dreams made me sad. They were for ‘big money, big food, and big sugar.’

We also visited a prison (first time for me), which was a wonderful experience. In my opinion, no one is born a criminal. It’s their decisions that make them so. When I went there, I remembered the Bible verse, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners’ (Mark 2:17).

The fishing village revealed the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The Missionaries of Charity sisters exemplified selfless service, and the hospital visit underscored the significance of health and well-being. The Prayer Garden and Martyr’s Shrine provided a spiritual sanctuary where I found peace, and the personal prayers and Holy Masses offered a sense of unity with the local faithful. 

My interactions with the people we met were a two-way exchange. While I shared my time, knowledge, and companionship, I received a lot of love, warmth, and insights in return. I realised that what I could give could not be measured physically but in genuine care and the willingness to listen and learn.

My mission exposure in Uganda has been a transformative journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have immersed myself in the lives of the remarkable people of Uganda and to have witnessed their strength, resilience, and faith. This experience has inspired me to continue my mission work, and to always strive to be a beacon of light and hope for those in need. If I get another chance to go back and serve the Lord, I would definitely take it up.