Tiny Hearts, Big Impact: A VBS Transformation in Masaka by Katie Ragains

Yesterday, as our team set out from the hotel in Masaka, we prayed and prepared for what the day would hold. We thought we were headed to a secondary school, ready to share testimonies and tell each high school-aged child about their true identity in Christ.

God had a different plan for our day, however, and we were greeted with one of our littlest groups of kids yet. The majority of the children seemed to be between 3 and 6 years old.

It has been amazing to see the flexibility of our team as we scrapped all our plans for the day and surrendered our schedule to Jesus, who wanted to bring love to the little children of Masaka. With a quick prayer and pivot in direction for the program, we jumped into a VBS children's program of games, kids' songs, and our sailor skit. Forty-nine children gave their lives to Jesus yesterday in our unexpected VBS program in Masaka! I am so glad that the Lord’s plans are far better than ours. We left this small school full of joy. There is such a sweet simplicity to children saying yes to Jesus. It makes me so overwhelmed with hope for their futures, knowing that these children will get to walk with Jesus for the rest of their lives.

I am so blessed to serve with each of these women of God. We have ended each day mentally and physically exhausted. Each one of us has gotten to points where we felt like we had nothing left to give. Yet the reward when we get to see children’s lives transformed by the little we have left to give and the immeasurable love and grace that the Lord has to give is worth every ounce of energy we have.

So, after a stop at the equator line for a photo op and a long drive home, we got some much-needed rest to prepare for our last day of ministry.