In order to effectively put on SLAMs (Students Living A Mission) internationally, it’s essential that we first equip the leaders in each country. Before every SLAM, we host a leadership conference where we walk through the different aspects of the program with the Global Outreach leaders in these countries.
During our East African leadership conference, we had a special day of fellowship at the lake. We danced, sang, and had meaningful conversations—it was a beautiful time of joy and peace. I walked up a small hill where Uncle Peter Kimbugwe was sitting. We talked about everything—family, the Bible, childhood, hopes, fears.
Near the end of our conversation, we looked out over the lake together, watching the people from different backgrounds gathered in unity. “We are all here together. So much diversity and variety, but we are united under God. A new nation. This is it,” Uncle Peter said. This statement held a lot of power and meaning.
The “new nation” is being built, and it’s in those moments of fellowship—after days of preparation—that you witness the beauty of God’s people coming together to laugh, dance, and sing. We’re preparing not just to serve in one country, but to live out our calling across nations, united by God’s mission.
It took a moment to fully register that sitting in front of me was Peter, and just below us, down the hill, were the very people who’ve held my heart for years. And now, here I was—finally in Africa—preparing my heart and mind for the servanthood and discipleship the Lord is calling me to.
Each day of the leadership conference, hope and faith grew stronger in each of us. We could see the future—nations coming together under God’s banner to honor one another, to work together, and to serve those in desperate need of love and care.