Global Missions

Today, we traveled to the Hope Partners Africa Care Center in Kampala to meet more VBC-sponsored university students, as well as a handful of primary students. The primary students traveled by bus most of the night from Kayanja, about a 5-hour trip. They joined us for lunch and then headed back to Kayanja, so it was a very long day for them! I got to see Chance, a university student, whom Tina and I met with last year in 2025. Her first question: "Where's Tina?!?" I meet with two extraordinary young men: Nicholas is completing his third year of law school (sponsored by Niki), and it’s obvious that he loves the Lord. He shared a vision of how he wants to “pay it forward” as a lawyer / public defender for those who are less fortunate and underprivileged. Joab is working on his mechanical/automotive degree (sponsored by Scott & Naomi). He is currently in a 3-month internship with the Kampala Police Department. Our team leader, Kate, has an amazing ability to connect us with students we can relate to. I get to share with Nicholas how Niki, Tina, and I went on a mission trip to Alaska in 2021. Of course, Joab is sponsored by Mr. Scott and Naomi, and I know them as well!

This week, I am teaching in the Feelings classroom at the Crossroads English camp in Piedras Negras! The students have completely captured my heart! They bring so much joy to the classroom every day as we learn English emotion words and healthy ways to handle big feelings. Today, we talked about deep breathing and practiced a few different ways to do this, as well as some scenarios where this would be helpful for emotional regulation. The rainy weather has made switching between classrooms a bit of a muddy challenge lately, so please pray for clear skies. Most importantly, please pray that these amazing kids see and feel the love of Jesus through our short time together each day! Becca Rousar, Mexico Team 2026

Another 7 AM team devotional & breakfast, and we are off to our next school… Hope Primary School in Mbarara. These are the same 350 or so students that we had worshiped with on Sunday. Village members sponsor 26 of them. As with every school visit, the students sing and dance to welcome us at a student assembly. Kathy shares her message about God the Father vs our earthly father, and Craig speaks with the parents/guardians. At the staff lunch, I sit next to a math teacher named Didas Mpora. It’s my turn to offer a word, and I talk about reconciliation. I tell a story about two brothers who get into a terrible fight and don’t speak to each other for weeks, months, or even years. That’s how our relationship is with God. We broke the relationship with God because of sin. God was the injured party. The difference is that God is the one who reconciled us to himself through our Savior, Jesus Christ. I sit back down next to Didas, the math teacher. With tears in his eyes, he explains that God was speaking directly to him through me… he and his brother haven’t spoken for over a year after a terrible family situation. Now I knew why God had given me this particular message to share! It’s what Tina and I call a “God wink”. There are advantages and disadvantages to meeting with students in groups rather than one-on-one. One obvious advantage in a group setting is that the students feel more comfortable and open. In my opinion, there is also a distinct potential disadvantage. Every kid we meet with gets something… a small bag… perhaps a coloring book and crayons for the littles, or a toy, pencils, and a notebook for the older children. In the end, those things don’t matter as much. What these students are looking for, regardless of whether they are in elementary, high school, or university, is a relationship with their sponsor. The things they cherish most are a letter and pictures of their sponsor’s family! If you sponsor a child, thank you! You are making a generational impact. Please… in addition to the financial support… write a short letter or send a picture if you can!

Today we kicked off the first day of our English Camp! 🎉 We started with lots of energy, smiling faces, and excitement for everything God has in store this week. We’re thankful for the opportunity to serve and can’t wait to see what He will do! ————————- ¡Hoy dimos inicio al primer día de nuestro Campamento de Inglés! 🎉 Comenzamos con mucha energía, sonrisas y entusiasmo por todo lo que Dios tiene preparado para esta semana. Estamos agradecidos por la oportunidad de servir y emocionados por ver todo lo que Él hará. Jason Orozco, Team Mexico 2026

It’s another early morning as we head out at 6:30 AM to attend church with 350 joyful children from Hope Primary School in Mbarara. Worshipping in Uganda is wonderful! Many of the songs are in English, and they’re familiar to us. What a joy to be able to worship the one true God and his son Jesus Christ, with our brothers and sisters, thousands of miles away from home! Next, we went to the Living Hope hostel, where a number of Village Bible Church university students live and attend Bishop Stewart University. We get to “go deep” with these students. In my case, I meet with a young man named Emmanuel, who is completing his third and final year at university and is currently in a two-month internship. Emmanuel has applied for a full-time position at the company, and he is excited to show me his letter of application. He is also the first person in his family to complete college. I get to tell him that I was also the first person in my family to complete college. It was a small bonding opportunity! God is at work here in so many ways.

Thank God we arrived safely in Piedras Negras! 🇲🇽 Over the past few days, we’ve been getting to know the team, the ministry, and the city. We’re excited and expectant for all that God will do this week. Please keep us in your prayers! ¡Gracias a Dios llegamos con bien a Piedras Negras! ---------------- Estos días hemos estado conociendo al equipo, al ministerio y a la ciudad. Estamos muy emocionados y expectantes por todo lo que Dios hará durante esta semana. ¡Oren por nosotros! Jason Orozco, Team Mexico 2026

Today our team was able to participate in the street outreach with The Shepherd Center, the ministry that our VBC sent missionary, Lisa Lubulwa is a part of. These children, as young as probably seven years old, are living on the street 24/7. We spoke about the love Jesus has for them and his desire for them to know him. We prayed over them, sang a worship song together, and served them a meal. Afterwards we went to the Shepherd Center which is full of students who were previously "street kids" but are now sponsored and living at the shepherd center. What a change! These kids were clean, fed, receiving an education, counseling, healthcare and just full of joy! We met our sponsored child, Gilbert, at the street outreach 2 years ago. Today we saw him (and his momma!) for the first time since he started at the Shepherd Center. Instant. Tears. What a life change that little boy has had. I am in awe of God's goodness. We are so thankful for the work the Shepherd Center is doing in the Kabale community. Kathryn Fink for Team Uganda 26 p.s. Here's a fun video of some of the boys who are still living on the streets (for a variety of reasons): Singing & Dancing

Hey Village! What a joy it has been to see God at work already here at Tanalian! Today is Wednesday, so campers began arriving around breakfast, with flights continuing to bring kids in throughout the afternoon. For many of them, this is their very first camp experience. It has been such a gift to watch their nervousness slowly turn into excitement as they settle into camp and begin building new friendships. Throughout the day, we introduced campers to some of our regular activities, including chapel, field games, and free time, helping everyone get comfortable before our first full day together on Thursday. The excitement around camp has been contagious, and it's been encouraging to see campers already engaging with one another and looking forward to everything the week has in store. Even in these first few hours, we're seeing the Lord move in encouraging ways. Campers are already asking thoughtful questions about what they're hearing and experiencing, and it's exciting to witness hearts becoming curious and receptive to God's truth so quickly. Our team has also been incredibly encouraged by the fellowship we've experienced with the other teams and staff. The Lord has brought us together so naturally, and His goodness is evident in the way everyone is serving with joy, unity, and humility. He has faithfully provided everything we've needed and continues to equip us for every good work He has called us to. Praise God for His faithfulness! Please continue to pray that the Lord would keep softening hearts, deepening friendships, and drawing each camper closer to Himself throughout the week. Pray also for our team—that we would remain unified, joyful, and energized as we serve. We are so grateful for your encouragement and covet your prayers each day. Thank you for faithfully lifting us up before the Lord! Emma Bean for 2026 Team Alaska

This might end up being the most impactful situation of the entire trip... Various members and groups at Village Bible Church had written cards, each containing a scripture verse and a greeting, for each of the 500 students at Hope high school. (I had known about this months ago, but even I didn’t understand the impact it would make.) We went to each classroom. Each student was called out by name, and given their individual card, along with a lollipop, a pen, and a wrist bangle with scripture on it. In the interest of time, let me explain. There are some 500 students at Hope high school, and Village Bible Church has about 60 of them. So this was an opportunity to identify each and every student, to show them that that they are seen, by us, and by God; that they matter. Those kids read those messages intently, and the cards and messages will be cherished, probably for years to come. If you attend Village Bible Church, and wrote one or more of those cards, please know that you powerfully impacted those kids today. Thank you! Lance Foust for Team Uganda 26 p.s. After one of the classes received and read their personal letters, they broke out in song. Check it out: Everything we think about you, God, is GREAT!