East Africa Camps

During the month, we had the privilege of running seminar camps across Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, engaging university students around the theme of “The Restoration of All Things”—a journey through the entire biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. This theme serves not only as a theological foundation but also as a conversation starter about human nature, corruption, and redemption—issues deeply relevant to these nations’ turbulent histories and uncertain futures.

Each country, like many others, bears scars from a troubled past. The region is characterized by a massive youth population, high unemployment, and futures that seem uncertain amid rapid advances in AI, significant foreign influence, and persistent high levels of corruption. These factors create a backdrop where the biblical story—of imperfect people, with flawed characters, power struggles, and the transformative invitation to submit to a loving God—resonates deeply. The message emphasizes owning up to mistakes, taking responsibility, resisting blame-shifting, and living up to our God-given potential.

During these camps, we heard powerful stories. In Rwanda, the wounds of the genocide—where one million people were killed in 100 days—are still fresh. Yet, rather than succumbing to revenge, Rwanda has become an example of forgiveness and a commitment to building a society based on equality and prosperity for all rather than retribution. We listened to a young man from Juba, South Sudan, who lives under the dark shadow of community and political violence. His longing to grow up quickly, so as to find solutions to the ongoing conflict and to learn how to debate and think critically about leadership, reflects the urgency felt by many in his situation.

In Kenya, another young man shared his experience of growing up Muslim and seeking spiritual freedom outside of a faith tradition he found fear-driven and controlling. Camp provided him with a safe space to seek answers, and to discover a fresh understanding of the God of the Bible and His chosen Messiah—a God who desires harmony between Himself and humanity, free from fear, doubt, and deception.

These seminars are about more than providing a good time; they create spaces for connection and dialogue. They offer young people an opportunity to meet with each other, with us, and with their local leaders, to lay bare their hearts, fears and hopes—trusting that, in that vulnerable space, God can truly meet them.

After 18 years and many attempts, I finally got to return to the women and the place that changed the course of my life forever. When I first arrived in Gulu, Uganda, in 2006, I didn’t know I would fall so deeply in love with the people of this continent, or that I would never want to leave.

I had the privilege of starting Mend—Invisible Children’s handbag project, now known as WEND Africa @wearewend. We started with 10 women and 10 foot-pedaled Singer sewing machines. The ladies were all formerly abducted children and had never sewn before. WEND has now grown to 30 women with over 100 women trained, and three of the original girls still here! The others have successfully moved on to start their own businesses. Today, these talented women manufacture everything from leather goods, luggage, and clothing to traditional German Lederhosen. It has been so rewarding to see how far they have come and to recognize all the work WEND Africa, Emmy, and @andruvile have put into providing livelihoods for these ladies. They have stayed dedicated to this project from the very beginning, and I will be forever grateful. A piece of my heart will forever be in Uganda