By Paige Thompson
Individuals may determine whether or not to go on a missionary trip to benefit others across the world. The world is a massive sphere and together individuals create love and passion.
Senior Kizzy Schuler poses for a picture with the Uganda children. Photo by Amy Schuler
An individual who went on missionary trip in the year of 2010 learned an abundance about herself and others. Senior Kizzy Schuler, advanced towards assisting others and showing her deep affection for God. “I decided to go to Uganda, Africa with my church to help show God’s love to the African people there and learn about the African culture.” Schuler felt as if she “got called to go overseas to Africa because I have always had a love for missions and I wanted to help my church’s children’s home there.” When she was preparing for this trip she stated, “I couldn’t wear shorts because in this culture, it was inappropriate to show your legs. So I had to wear pants and skirts for two weeks. I also brought a lot of toys and clothes to give to the children.” Before Schuler could proceed on her missionary trip she “had to get numerous shots and also had to take a malaria pill for the duration of the trip.” This is so she wouldn’t receive the harmful diseases and get ill due to their indisposed atmosphere. Schuler also added, “It was scary getting on the plane for a 20 hour plane ride due to the fact that I have never flown before and didn’t know what to expect.” In general she wasn’t as scared as most teenagers though because “my mom went too so it wasn’t too scary for them.”
When Schuler arrived in Uganda, she was expecting major differences within the culture and what the African people did. Schuler said, one major difference between Africa and the United States was “In this country, they only eat two
Kizzy is walking her way into making a difference. Photo by Amy Schuler
meals a day and they are very conservative with all of their things.” The major thing that challenged her while in Uganda “was it was hard adjusting to the eating schedule and the different varieties of foods.” Another difference is she wasn’t at home to do whatever she wanted. “For two weeks I stayed in Uganda at Grace children’s home with our church.” During the period of the missionary trip Schuler “helped with the Children’s home, held pastor’s conferences, gave away food and clothes to the African people, and cleaned the Ugandan streets.”
Altogether Schuler said, “I went on to this trip thinking that I was going to help so many people and teach them so many valuable lessons, but in the end, they taught me love and compassion and that material things won’t make you happy.” She also added, “I learned a lot of valuable lessons and I have a new love for the Ugandan people.” Even though this trip
cost a total of $3,000 it was a lifetime experience for her and the Ugandan people she made a difference for and that’s what counts.