Ugandan Reflections

For our newsletter this week, we have a special reflection from Sydney Spivey on our trip to visit Amani Sasa in Uganda.

As we prepare to journey home from Uganda, our hearts are full, our minds are renewed, and our lives are forever changed.

The first leg of our trip took us through the beautiful land and powerful stories that define this place. We spent our first seven days walking alongside the team at Amani Sasa. We listened to brave testimonies of transformation, visited homes, and witnessed firsthand the incredible work being done to restore lives broken by conflict and displacement. In between these sacred moments, we were also immersed in the beauty of Uganda—trekking through the bush in search of rhinos, boating on the Nile River, and watching giraffes, elephants, and lions roam freely across Murchison Falls National Park. It was a powerful reminder that creation itself declares the glory of God.

The Amani Sasa staff praying over our team

But it was Day 8 that brought an unexpected turning point. We boarded a bus—with over 40 Amani Sasa staff members singing, clapping, and laughing—and headed into the mountains for the annual staff retreat. As Dianne put it, "We were rocking and rolling!" This retreat is one of the few times each year that the staff steps away from the daily work of shelter programs, music camps, trauma counseling, and shelter intake and graduation. It's a rare and holy pause for rest, laughter, and spiritual renewal.

The theme we brought from Highland Hills Baptist Church was rooted in Mark 6:3--32, where Jesus tells his disciples to "Come away by yourselves to a quiet place and rest." We chose this verse with the staff in mind, hoping to encourage them to lay their burdens down for a moment and receive.

What we didn't expect was how much we would receive in return.

We came away with new friendships—deep bonds formed through shared worship and joy.

We came away with fresh gratitude—for the resilience and faith of those who serve others daily in the face of incredible challenges.

We came away with conviction—to slow down, to notice what God is doing, and to trust him more fully in our own lives.

As we return to our routines, we carry this simple invitation with us: Come away. Rest. Listen. And let your soul be renewed.