Nathan & Kirsty McGowan | Every Nations Church, Christchurch
Belinda Philip | The Wave Church, Opunake
Wayne Mortenson | Tearfund New Zealand
In August, five pastors from different church traditions across Aotearoa travelled with Tearfund to Uganda to experience how sponsorship is transforming children and their communities. We asked for reflections of the unexpected, God at work, and how their perspective changed during their journey.
Is there one word to summarise your experience in Uganda?
Kirsty McGowan | Fantastic—in every way! I saw firsthand the amazing work Tearfund is doing in Ugandan communities. The team was encouraging, fun and organised. It was an opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself.
Belinda Philip | Hopeful. God’s grace seemed to be over the time—from how I ended up going to the fantastic team from around the motu, and the incredible churches implementing programmes that clearly have an impact in their communities. I’m hopeful that the Kingdom advances and His people hear His voice.
Belinda meeting the child she sponsors and her family
Wayne Mortenson | Eye opening. I was amazed at how big and effective Compassion’s work is in Uganda. We visited five projects, interacted with hundreds of children in the programme and saw the impact firsthand.
What parts of the trip went as expected? Were there surprises?
Kirsty | Spending time with children and families in the programmes was really special, as expected. The days were full; I thought I'd have more time to reflect and process but we often got back late in the evening. This gave us unexpected, pleasant opportunities to spend time with local pastors and others who shared stories and testimonies with us.
Belinda | I deliberately went ready for whatever came, but I expected there would be more 'work'—that we would be praying for people. And while this happened, the joy was, that *we* got prayed for too—we were meeting fellow brothers and sisters in equal relations.
Wayne | Even though things were often running late, it wasn’t a problem. I didn’t expect the level of poverty we sometimes encountered, like mud houses with thatched roofs.
What child sponsorship impact did you see? Did your perspective change?
Nathan | Home visits were definitely a highlight. We met one young man who had grown up through child sponsorship. He’s started his own small business and plans to study business at university. His resilience and hope was deeply inspiring. I saw sponsorship isn’t only about helping a child today, but equipping them to build a future and impact their community. It was amazing to see local churches’ involvement with a heart to serve their communities, and how Tearfund partners with these churches to bring about change.
Nathan and Kirsty praying with sponsor child
Kirsty | I saw that children, families and the community benefit and can transform by child sponsorship; schooling, clothes and food. There are many opportunities to hear the gospel and learn to follow Jesus. My perspective did change and we decided on the trip to sponsor two children.
Belinda | There were education and training for kids in programmes versus those unable to attend. Medical attention meant survival for others. The sense of worth felt by adults sponsored into the programme as children was impactful. I was most impressed by Compassion’s model—partnering with churches to implement their own programmes, for their own communities, in their contexts. It’s massively important to me.
Wayne | I heard from quite a few children about their dreams for their future, and their thankfulness to God that they are in the Compassion Programme.
Wayne
How did you see God moving?
Belinda | Where didn't I? God was all over, every part infused with His goodness! I loved Kevin preaching at Acet.
Kirsty | In our team, in the churches, in the testimonies, and the effect on the people who heard.
Wayne | The church people were exuberant and thankful. We saw such joy in the Lord, dancing and singing at the service.
What are you most excited to share about?
Belinda | I compiled a photo journey of peoples’ stories, contrasting what I saw of Uganda’s everyday life, with our own. I'm looking forward to speaking at other churches as the opportunities present.
Kirsty | God is working in Uganda. Pastors can't keep up with the increase of people coming to church. Tearfund is helping people practically AND opening doors to hear the gospel.
It’s impossible to leave Uganda unchanged. Seeing the joy, resilience, and faith of these communities, despite the challenges they face, remind us that God is at work in the local church. Through sponsorship, children are not only surviving but thriving; families are finding hope, and communities are being transformed. Tearfund is incredibly grateful to the pastors who joined us on this trip and represented their congregations so admirably.
Interested in getting your church or pastor involved with Tearfund and child sponsorship?
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