Trips & Projects

Our Recent Trips

Check out the work God is doing!

Pray with us that our visits would encourage and support the Church of God (East Africa), the missionaries and the people of Uganda, and that lives would be transformed for Christ!

Most Recently in Uganda...

Medical Missions Trip 2025

“We’re always on mission.”

Our team of 5 from NC was on the way back from Uganda (8/20/25-9/2/25), in a plane at 30,000+ feet, 1 hour out from Philadelphia. In my mind I was thinking of work the next day (9/5), and a mission trip to Ethiopia when “Is there a doctor or nurse on board?” went out over the intercom. The 5 of us scurried back to meet a man having an anaphylactic reaction to his breakfast (he had been tired and forgot to mention this allergy problem to staff). God showed up, they got on it, we got on it, and the patient did well. Turns out he was in his 70’s returning from a mission trip to Kenya. We had a good rest of the flight sharing with our new friend and agreed, “We never stop working for Him.” One of the stewardesses, a Christian, was encouraged by our stopping to pray, and we asked her to also pray. God’s children need to encourage each other, as well as look for the lost (Luke 15). Several of her colleagues also joined -- a reminder, we are not alone.

For Uganda, we had a God-chosen team with providers from Canada (Carol), NC (Bill), Iowa (Ben), Massachusetts (Cathy), and Illinois (Renee) (5), and nurses from Canada and NC, (4 total), and a teacher (husband of Canadian Dr Carol) and their 2 sons. Partnering with Tim and Colleen Stevenson (38 years “short term” missionaries from Canada) and their team from Uganda, we were able to serve 1500 patients in the 8 different clinics in the village of Kasubi (1), Nampungi (3), and Nebi (4). Often under-appreciated (not by our patients), our optical team of Jim and his 2 sons (Marcus and Michael) accurately checked vision problems, providing over 500 pairs of glasses, including 100+ prescription glasses. Nothing quite like the smile from someone who couldn’t see, when all of the sudden they can. PTL! Many of our Lord's healing miracles involved blindness. In addition, they and Marla Goebert (RN) put on quite the VBS event on our last day in Nebi. Many children got to hear about Jesus, and connections with the local pastors were made for all who would take it. A number of folks with serious illnesses (cancers, infections) were prayed for, received medicines and got connected with more advanced services.

About 50 Bibles were distributed to pastors in Atole, Swahili, and English, to use as they faithfully serve their congregations. Next year we are planning (but only God knows), to service a refugee camp near South Sudan.

Uganda is in E. Africa, has 50+ million population, borders Lake Victoria (2nd biggest freshwater lake in the world), has over 50 different tribal units, each with their own language-all know John 3:15. It is bordered by Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, and Tanzania. I thank God for His provision, our team, for the missionaries and their national coworkers, and those we served. Thankful for prayers and help from Blessings International (over 5000 prescriptions filled), Global Vision 2020 (prescription glasses and readers), HTI (Health Teams International, our sponsoring organization), and Children of Promise (child sponsorship program).

Medical Mission Trip | August 20 - September 2, 2025

East Canton Church of God Summer Youth Trip

The team hit the ground running, arriving late to the Sunday morning church service in Bukassa. Each team member shared and a special connection to this church is that more than a year ago when team members Paul Cherry and daughter Abby received the news that Paul’s wife and Abby’s mom had cancer, Pastor Greg was at Bukasa and asked the church to pray. At the time of the trip Paul was able to share that Emily was now cancer free and thanked them all for praying.

The team toured Kasubi school, and then divided to work with toddlers and tour the clinic. We also had the opportunity to sit and talk with Alfred, the chairman of the National General Assembly in Uganda for the Church of God. It appeared he was advocating well for the church and representing Jesus well. We also met with our child of promise kids, playing games, visiting, and providing supplies including a book bag, water bottle, towel. It is good to continue to develop these relationships and see the growth in these students between visits.

The team also visited the trade school where we were able to interact, learn alongside, and purchase services from the students. We also went on Tapp visits and were encouraged while we had the opportunity to encourage those in tough situations.

We spent several days at the Church of God School and Church in Nakumbi close to Jinga. We played with the children and the youth on our team presented at a Uganda Youth Conference. They presented on Identity in Christ, Prayer, How to study God’s Word, and Relationships. There were good interactions between the American students and the Ugandan Young Adults who also gave presentations and led worship. Our team also provided funds to install a playground and soccer field at the school. While we did not have the time to install the playground, it was great joy to see the excitement of the children who could not wait for the cement to set.

The team was able to enjoy a few days in Musindi and take a boat ride up the Nile river and experience safari at Merchinson Falls. Following our time at safari we headed to a second youth conference where we had a long day presenting. The students were tired and the conference attendees seemed distracted but it was good to be able to share together.

We rounded out the trip by spending some time at Bukassa where a small part of the team talked with the high school students in their classrooms. We spent a lot of time talking about careers and career paths and the differences between America and Uganda. The team was also able to host a joyous time celebrating the staff by presenting dinner (4th of July style) and playing Pictionary. It was a fun, relaxing evening to end the trip.

East Canton COG Youth Trip | June 14-28, 2025

Eagle Ridge 2025 Trip

Team Uganda 2025 from Eagle Ridge Church of God, Beaverton and Midland Michigan. Our trip was April 27 through May 10. We had three projects for this trip. Our first one was teaching the Core Discipleship students in Cohorts 3 and 4 the next lessons. This was done at Bukasa. While Pastors Bill and Julie were teaching, the other team members were busy at Bukasa also. They worked with the Kupona Kids, helped paint and redecorate the Principal’s offices, and gave a Jaja party.

The second part of the trip was the dedication of the new building at the Kasoroza Church in the Runkingiri District. We walked along with Rev. Justus, Pastor Robert and Pastor Saturday for this all day celebration.

The third part of the trip was celebrating the graduation of students at Hope Vocational Training school in Mutungo. Eagle Ridge has supported 10 of the 27 graduates these last two years. Our photographer and trip commentator is Deb Yates, campus director at the Beaverton Campus.

We concluded our trip with a short day trip to go bird watching in the swamps in the NW part of Lake Victoria. This region is specifically known for the shoebill. Because its bill is shaped like a shoe. It always looks like it’s grinning, too. It’s pretty prehistoric. And it’s HUGE!