#theunlikelymissionary is going back to africa!

africa, uganda, rwanda, #africawh

Written by Dan King

Christ-follower. husband. father. author of the unlikely missionary: from pew-warmer to poverty-fighter. co-author of activist faith: from him and for him. director of family ministry at st. edward's episcopal church. president of fistbump media, llc.

December 16, 2013

africa, uganda, rwanda, #africawh

I’m telling you now, I’m gonna be a wreck.

Has it really been four and a half years since my first mission trip to Africa? That trip broke me in ways I never could have imagined. It changed the course of my life forever. It lit a fire in me not only for global missions, but also for local outreach and ministry.

I’ve always had a heart to serve, ever since that first day I stepped forward to surrender my life to Christ. But something inside me clicked while I was in Kenya and Uganda back in May 2009.

So when I step foot on the ground in Kampala on January 16th, it’ll be a sort of homecoming. I’ll be returning to the place where God started a deep work in my spirit. And I’m expecting this next journey to spark just as much (if not more) inside me as the first one did.

This time I’ll be traveling with an incredible team of writers with World Help. We’re going to experience the amazing work being done in Uganda and Rwanda, and to tell the stories of the lives being changed by that work. I’m in awe of the talent and passion I see in the team that I’ll be traveling with…

You’ll definitely be hearing a LOT more from me about the projects we’ll be visiting, but here’s a little glimpse at what we’ll be doing…

Project: Rescue Homes at the Baby Rescue Center in Uganda

This video pretty much sums up anything I would have to say about the importance of this project.

We’ll be asking everyone to help us spread the word, and to support the completion of some rescue homes in Uganda that will bring hope to more kids like Jerry. While we’re there, we’ll be hanging out with the kids and working on some really cool projects that we think you’ll enjoy seeing.

Northern Uganda’s Forgotten Children

Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army has affected tens of thousands of lives of children in Northern Uganda, forcing them to be soldiers, spies, sex slaves, and human shields. The work of World Help in these areas is providing hope to many who have been directly impacted by Kony’s tyranny.

Recent news indicates that some are beginning to defect from Kony. And I pray that his grip on the people of Northern Uganda continues to weaken. More than anything, I pray for healing and restoration for those affected by his reign of terror.

Vocational Training in a Rwanda Widow’s Village

The 20th anniversary of Rwandan Genocide is in 2014. World Help continues to bring restoration and hope to many women and their children in a widow’s village in Rwanda. We’ll be spending some time with these people and the programs that are bringing the vocational training that’s rebuilding lives and changing futures.

We also plan to visit the genocide museum in Kigali. When I wrote the chapter on War, Terrorism, and Genocide for Activist Faith, I never imagined having the opportunity to visit a place like this. I’m humbled by the chance to come so close to a big piece of Rwanda’s (and the world’s) history.

africa, rwanda, genocide

I told you that I’m got to be a wreck. I already am.

What’s next? We need you!

We’re only a month away from this trip. And I’d be honored if you would join us. Follow our stories, watch the Twitter and Instagram feeds (we’re using #AfricaWH), and help us spread the word. All the details and resources for how you can get involved are on the World Help website. Subscribe for all the updates from our team, get the banner images for your blog and Facebook profile. Heck, you can even join the World Help Blogger Team to get access to more information and resources, and help tell the stories yourself! Get it all here…

africa, world help

And if you don’t already do so, then subscribe to my feed here at BibleDude.net. I’ll be talking a great deal about this trip, and even have some special, subscriber-only stuff that’ll be coming your way really soon. I’m expecting 2014 to be a year of diving in really deep, and you won’t want to miss everything we’ve got coming…

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More than anything else, I covet your prayers. Please join me in praying daily for this team, the work we’ll be doing, and that the right stories will be told to further this amazing work being done in the name of our King. We can’t do this without Him, or without you.

#fistbump

11 Comments

  1. Michele-Lyn

    This is an awesome post! You did a wonderful job sharing all of this information! I might have to model my next post after yours. 🙂

    I felt I needed to lead into mine by being open with my readers about the struggle I’ve had. I appreciate your words in the comment you left me. They truly humbled, blessed, and encouraged me! Thank you for all your generosity every step of the process. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you!

    I look forward to the next step of this journey with you, with you all! It is quite and amazing team! And we serve an even more amazing God!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Dan King

      Thanks Michele! You rock! I can totally appreciate your struggle, and have been praying for you that God would continue to use you in a BIG way with this trip! I can’t tell you how excited I am that we’re doing this together, my friend!

      Reply
  2. Monica Sharman

    I love how God’s work starts even before you leave. I’m excited to follow your journey and share it with others.

    Reply
    • Dan King

      Thanks Monica! It’s going to be quite a journey! I appreciate you being willing to share the stories! #fistbump

      Reply
  3. Noel Brewer Yeatts

    Africa is not ready for #theunlikelymissionary … watch out! Can’t wait to go on this journey with you. I know you are going to be a wreck, and I would not have it any other way! We want to wrecked … and totally ruined, right? That is exactly what fuels us to get involved – to change the world – to restore hope. See you soon in Africa!

    Reply
    • Dan King

      You are SO right Noel! I don’t mind getting wrecked like that when I know that it can inspire and challenge others to do something. And it’s SO fulfilling to see the hope and healing happening from the work being done. I can’t tell you how excited I am right now! Thank you for the opportunity!

      Reply
  4. Marina Bromley

    Honored to be praying now, for your team, the journey, the breaking and new growth and healing…

    Reply
    • Dan King

      THANK YOU for your prayers! I can’t wait to share the stories with you!

      Reply
  5. David Drury

    Will be praying for this, Dan. Glad you’re going!

    Reply
    • Dan King

      Thanks David! And I know we still need to connect over some other stuff soon too… I’ll follow-up shortly! You rock!

      Reply

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#theunlikelymissionary is going back to africa!

by Dan King time to read: 4 min
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