Time to read
1 minute
Read so far

Mission group returns from Africa

0 comments

Six young adults from Albany spent spring break almost halfway around the world on a Christian mission trip to Uganda.

Current Albany High sophomore Tana Thompson joined AHS alumni Michael Cotter, Rachel Hill, Michala Huckabay, Autumn Owen, and Hunter Owen.

The local young adults were part of a 21-member Live Missions team led by former Albany youth minister Thomas Aly.

The group left Texas on Tuesday, March 5 and returned late on Friday, March 15.

Traveling to Namayumba, which is a settlement in the Wakiso District in the Buganda Region of Uganda and is over 8,500 miles away from Albany, takes about a day and half each way.

This was Hill’s fourth mission trip to the African nation.

“This was my favorite trip so far, primarily because of the relationships we have established in Uganda over the years,” Hill said. “I was also with a really great team this year. We were mostly college students and all at the same basic place in life.”

Hill said highlights of her trip included seeing Shakira, an eight-year-old girl she has sponsored for three years, spending time with - Kwagala Joan, one of two Ugandan college students she has kept in touch with by email, teaching the two youngest classes in the school, and witnessing a group baptism.

“Ugandans are scared of water,” said Hill, “so it was really neat to see so many wading into Lake Victoria to be washed clean, and to see the joy on their faces when they came out.” 

About 40 were baptized, and many more accepted Christ.

“We had a huge number of people accept the Gospel, over 240,” said Hill. “Every day was a new way that God revealed Himself. It was humbling to be used like that by Him.”

Hill and other team members are already trying to decide if they will go back next spring, this summer, or both.

“After our recent trip to Uganda, we felt the stirring in our hearts to do just one more thing,” Hill said.

She is currently collecting donations of school supplies to send to Pastor Deo’s schools in Uganda.