Thoughts from David Penuel:
In May 2011, I received an email inviting me to be on the team that would pilot Watermark’s first kid’s camp in Uganda. My first response was an automatic and definite “NO”. I thought my reasons for not going were good ones. First, I’m already on what I believe to be an important, high priority mission here in Dallas working with Watermark’s junior high ministry. I didn’t want to sacrifice one mission for another. Second, I’d already researched the history of Uganda and heard stories of suffering, survival, hope, and redemption. I didn’t need to go there in order to care. Finally, my two pre-school aged sons aren’t at the ideal life stage for their daddy to be gone for such a long time.
After processing the decision with my wife, community group, and other close friends, all of my reasons not to go began to sound more like excuses. They encouraged me to take what I’ve learned on the mission field here in Dallas and apply it in a new environment. They championed the idea that God might use the immersive experience in Uganda to do something unique in my heart. They offered to support and encourage my family while I was away.
After spending a week in the Pader District of Northern Uganda, I sure am grateful that I listened to their counsel and said “yes” to this once in a lifetime opportunity. Everything about the experience was a new adventure for me, and I learned so many things. Specifically, my horizons were broadened when it comes to ideas related to partnership, sponsorship, stewardship, and vision.
PARTNERSHIP:
I learned that Watermark’s partnership with ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries) is a perfect fit. After spending a week working closely with their team, I can affirm that ALARM is absolutely the right ministry partner for Watermark. Their staff is comprised of humble servants with hearts focused squarely and tirelessly on the task of making disciples. They recognize that healing, reconciliation, hope, and restoration are only possible through God’s intervening work in the person, word, and body of Jesus Christ.
SPONSORSHIP:
I learned that sponsorship is supremely valuable to the orphans who receive support from Watermark and ALARM. The provision of school fees, books, clothes, food, and sometimes shelter is worth infinitely more than the “sacrifice” of the $35/month cost to a Watermark member. Whenever kids would share their testimony, the native crowd consistently erupted into cheering whenever a forgotten, abused, abandoned, lost, or terrorized child got to the part where they discovered that they were chosen for sponsorship. Receiving a sponsor is often for a child in Uganda evidence that God has not forgotten them, that He cares for them, and has a plan for their life. The opportunity to sponsor a child is the opportunity to be God’s megaphone shouting a message of love towards His precious children.
STEWARDSHIP:
I learned that I have a lot to learn about stewarding the limitless provisions God has made for my life. I’m quick to express gratitude for the many blessings I’ve received, but I’m not as apt to exert effort to maximize the potential of those blessings. When these impoverished kids are given an opportunity, they take full advantage and max it out. They take nothing for granted and work hard to steward every resource to the fullest potential they can imagine. What conviction and inspiration was served up by their example!
VISION:
I learned that my initial hesitation to travel halfway around the world to “do ministry” has been completely reversed. This is my personal opinion, but I believe that we’ve got to go back and we’ve got to go soon. Only 1/3 of the orphans sponsored by Watermark and ALARM had the opportunity to attend camp and it was an experience that I believe will have a lifelong impact on the individuals, their communities, and possibly even the entire nation. Not only do the other 400 kids deserve the same experience, we need to follow up with and continue to encourage the first group. I realize there are significant needs right here in Dallas, but these kids in Uganda have next to NOTHING. No Watermark. No community centers. No government funded lunch meal plans. Besides their ALARM mentor and the provision of sponsorship, they have NOTHING. The least we could do is share the love of Christ with them on a personal and consistent basis.
Now, if I receive another email inviting me to participate in the next kid’s camp in Uganda, my gut response will be an automatic and definite “YES”. My community group will have to talk me out of it! But they better look out, because I might just end up pushing them (and you) to take my spot so that more and more people can awaken and nurture a heart of compassion and love towards the beautiful and noble nation of Uganda!
David Penuel
Director of Junior High Ministry
