How Uganda Transforms - Toni's Story

I am a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and have been for over 22 years.    I can remember when we first started talking about and supporting a village in Uganda.  We had Christmas offerings dedicated to them.     I also remembering rolling my eyes and thinking – we have our own “needy” people to take care of.   We have lots of people who need help in the US, in Missouri, even in our own county – why are we sending so much money to Uganda??    I did not want to be a part of it.    

​God had a different plan……..

As they started showing more and more videos of the kids and the poverty and their dirty little faces and shoeless feet, something started to stir in my heart.    I tried so hard to suppress it, but it just kept creeping up.   

Then, one night while sitting in the bar of a restaurant listening to the music and chatting with our Pastor I told him my feelings.    He pulled me to the hallway and we sat on a bench and he said, why don’t you go?  On a mission trip???? To Uganda????   No thanks.    He then said for me to list my top three reasons why I would not go.    As I firmly stated each one, he shot them down, one by one, sometimes with scripture, sometimes just with “Pastor Chuck” wisdom.  I promised him I would think and pray about it.

Of course the songs the next day at church really all seemed to be pointed right at me.

I get in the car and EVERY song I hear is about being the hands and feet of Jesus, or here I am Lord, send me.  It was maddening! 

The next Sunday the video was again about Uganda and I found myself almost sobbing.   My husband John was like – what is going on?    I told him my dilemma and he said – just go.

​So, I went.    I have never been the same.   Part of my heart was left in that hot, dirty village with those shoeless, smiling, happy kids.    

​The people were so joyous, the kids just wanted to hold my hand and sit on my lap.   The poverty I saw in every place we traveled is like nothing I had ever seen.  Yes, we have poverty in the US – but not like this, to this degree.    My heart broke for them, just as God had planned.  I realized they are God’s children, just like I am and my girls are and but by the Grace of God, I could be in the same situation. 

So, long story short – we have sponsored multiple students over the years and currently have two – one in high school and one just starting her school journey.   My extended family now sponsors students – 7 altogether plus our 2.  I have been to Uganda on 11 trips now.   I have many friends there that are near and dear to my heart.  

God didn’t stop there – I now work for Hearts & Hope for Uganda.   A nonprofit that helps coordinate partners here in the US with villages in Uganda to develop relationships and transforms lives of vulnerable communities.  We start a school sponsorship program, install wells, build schools, latrines, dormitories, fund small businesses, and take care of medical needs. We build relationships by taking mission trip teams over to let them experience what I did so many years ago. 

We are – with God leading us – creating hope for those who need it. 

​I have been at Hearts & Hope for almost 10 years now!   Been to Uganda 11 times and literally donated thousands of dollars to a place/mission that used to make me roll my eyes!  John has been to Uganda and I have even taken one of our daughters – with the next one planning to go also.

​So, be careful what you tell God that you want “no part of”  - it is his plan – not yours or mine and He certainly changed my plans.   

Toni Vogt