Global Engagement trips are a source of religious inspiration and self reflection for many Azusa Pacific University students each year. The trips focus on many kinds of ministry while allowing students to discover what service means to them. This summer, the Office of Service and Discipleship partnered with an organization called Victory Africa Ministries in Uganda. The organization is dedicated to working at primary schools, encouraging activities in the church, and playing sports with children.
Seven APU students traveled to Uganda for a month to serve in children’s ministry in a classroom setting. One member of the team was senior psychology major Hector Castaneda, who said that his time in Uganda was the perfect step to further trusting in God and seeing how He can use his gifts in unknown environments.
Castaneda was instantly drawn to the Uganda trip. “Something told me to go on the trip, but I didn’t know why,” he said. “I wanted to try something new outside of my comfort zone while also serving others, so I decided to go for it.”
The team worked in a primary school consisting of elementary and middle grades. A different subject was taught in the classes each day. APU students assisted teachers in the classrooms to teach lessons in science, Swahili, and biblical studies. They also taught lessons on shapes and patterns in the younger classes and science, math, and reading in the older classes.
Outside of the classroom, APU students spent time playing with the kids and going to church with them. “While I did not expect to work with such young kids, I genuinely enjoyed my time with them,” Castaneda said. “Life is very different in Uganda, and most of the kids don’t have the same resources that we do here. I enjoyed watching how they entertained themselves and were so happy with what they had.”
For Castaneda, one of the most challenging parts of the trip was trying to push himself out of his comfort zone to best serve others and be present in the moment while not understanding exactly how God was using him in the new environment. “Something had told me to go on this trip, but I was unclear why, so in the first weeks I was just asking God why He called me to go there,” he said. “I learned that there’s a million ways to serve the Lord. I thought service was talking to people who have never heard of Jesus before, but everyone there already loved the Lord.” Castaneda realized his act of service was simply spending time with the children. They were drawn to him on the playground, always wanting to play and learn new games.
Castaneda’s perspective on service as a Christian changed drastically. “It’s not all about proselytizing,” he said. “The kids taught me a lot about happiness, making impactful memories, and enjoying the time you spend with others.” His new idea of service also calmed worries he’d been carrying since he started the interviewing process for the trip. “I’m not a perfect Christian,” he said. “I can’t recite the entire Bible. I thought that I needed to be the perfect follower to go on a Global Engagement trip, but I learned that God will meet you where you are and find ways to use your gifts.” Castaneda shared that his trust in God was strengthened by his time in Uganda through his perseverance in a foreign environment. He realized that he is mentally, physically, and spiritually stronger than he had previously believed.
One aspect of the trip that Castaneda felt added to his positive experience was the community. “Everyone there made you feel like you were part of their family and home,” he said. “Through my challenges, having the community as a family made life easier. After leaving, the pastor in charge of the organization texted me and told me that I was always welcome there.” Castaneda shared that he will bring this familial community mindset back with him to APU.
When asked if there was anything else he wanted to express about Global Engagement trips, Castaneda said that he wanted people to give it a chance even if they are experiencing their own challenges. “Get out of your comfort zone. Go out into the world to see how God will use you,” he said. “Even if you don’t believe that it’s possible or you can’t see it right away, God will use your gifts even in different parts of the world.”