Maureen Sloan, who was part of our GO Team to Uganda this summer, shared these recollections about her trip to the country…

Maureen Sloan

Pearls…our first morning in Uganda we looked at James 1:2-5 that speaks about counting trials and irritations as joy! This thought stuck with the GO Team members throughout our time.

It was funny and frustrating to be caught “stressed out” by another team member who would smile and say “PEARLS.” This was our code word to “chill” and be patient with the situation and trust God’s outcome.  This scripture doesn’t tell us to have a stiff upper lip in trials…but to actually experience God’s joy…why? It is joyful that our experiences are not random; rather, they have a purpose to grow us in our relationship with God and each other.

Indeed, the GO Uganda Team bonded through good times and difficulties.  A developing pearl in an oyster is a little grain of sand or grit that is covered over and over. Our little irritations were covered over and over with loving care by our host staff at the CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda. We were so impressed and humbled by the staff’s loving care for the patients, caregivers and us!

The CURE staff members were excellent examples to us of PEARLS…They took many struggles in stride…smiling and thanking the LORD for His care and provisions. Thank you to the Uganda Spiritual Life team for its loving support.

Welcome…this word was brought out over and over again during our debriefing meeting. The GO Uganda Team members were so amazed at the welcome that they received by the CURE Children’s hospital staff. One of our prayer requests during our time together was for unity. How could a team from all over the USA join with a group of Ugandan staff to function together? How could we go to a foreign country and work together with a sense of unity?

Our prayers were answered abundantly! Our love for each other and the mission of CURE brought our minds, hearts and hands together in service to God. The GO Team members were delighted to work alongside medical, nursing, spiritual life and  kitchen staff, particularly during our mobile clinic experience in Mbarara. The GO Team was welcomed everywhere we went.

There was such unity in purpose to help the dear children and learn new skills together. One example of this unity, collaboration and welcome took place in Mbarara. We brought craft kits with us to encourage the caregivers to use their hands to make something that could potentially lead to a small business. The CURE Staff, GO Team and Mbarara caregivers joined together to produce a useful and beautiful drawstring backpack.

This may not seem significant to us in the USA, but the joy and self esteem of a project completed increased our welcome and trust with the caregivers. The welcome we received was genuine, warm and deep. The welcome was received with gratitude and with anticipation of further opportunities to be together!

Thanks to Maureen for sharing and to all of the people who volunteered at our hospitals this summer.