Summer 2017 Team Trip Summary

The summer months are always busy months for Simone’s Kids. Because of the scheduling differences in the Uganda school calendar and the school calendar in the States, May to July is the best time to host teams to visit God’s Hope Schools. Between May 22 and June 30 of this year, we had a total of 25 visitors come and spend time in Uganda. That means that 25 people each made their unique mark on students and truly made a difference in the community of Nakaseke.

One of my favorite things about being the Program Director for Simone’s Kids is that I get to oversee our teams and their time in Uganda. This means I get to watch each person fall in love with the many faces that make up God’s Hope Primary School and God’s Hope High School. We had team members ranging from the age of 1 to the age of 70 (proof that anyone can come with us!), and regardless of age, students cling to our team members and so many special relationships are formed.

While there are many different activities during the team trips, fellowship is one of the most important.  Students don’t forget the love of the Lord that 25 foreigners showed them, even if was only for two-and-a-half weeks. With so many highlights about this summer, here are some of my favorite things that I got to see:

• Sponsors met the students that they have been sponsoring for the first time.
• Returning team members picked up exactly where they left off with previously formed friendships.
• Over 100 students and staff members got baptized and accepted Jesus as their savior.
• Team members led worship with students at our high school church service.
• Hearts were transformed in both our team and our students.
• Families in the community were impacted by Simone’s Kids and our volunteers.
• Too many jokes and laughs to count
• Tears and heartbreak that ignited team members to continue believing in the vision of Simone’s Kids

We had so many incredible moments in Uganda this summer, but these were among the most meaningful. There are many opinions on short-term foreign missions and the impact that they actually have, but I am here to say that each and every person that visited with Simone’s Kids made a lasting impact on our students here. I am so grateful for that. Love lasts forever through both the tangible sense and in memories that our students will have for years to come.

Our volunteers this summer were the hands and feet of Jesus while they were here, and our students received love from our teams that they wouldn’t have received anywhere else. Love doesn’t have limits, price tags, or flights that seem too long. Love needs to be shared everywhere – even in the heart of Africa.  I want to thank each person that made the decision to come to Uganda this summer and play a part in the ministry of Simone’s Kids. If you are considering coming on a trip with us in the future, do it. I promise that your life will be changed for the better, and that you will have an experience that you will never forget. If you have any questions about trips or would like to know more, feel free to email me anytime mason@simoneskids.com.

Also, my brother put together a video that captures some of the incredible times that were had in Uganda this summer. Check it out if you want to see what a summer looks like with us! Summer 2017 Video

Mason Satterfield

Director of Programs

Simone’s Kids