Future leaders trained in Uganda

“If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?” I asked a Ugandan girl as I recorded her answer on my camera.

With a beautiful smile on her face she simply responded, “I would tell the world that love conquers all.”

One group of students engages in preparation for a debate defending the position that Africa can be transformed through political change. Another group asserted that education and a grassroots movement can change Africa.

Over three days, I had the opportunity to help organize and lead a group of teenage students through a youth conference focusing on unity and leadership. Not only were we able to discuss equality, gender roles in society, self-esteem, confidence, trust and perseverance, but also were able to put some of these topics into action. At one point, I found myself standing on a ledge with my hands in my pockets, slowly falling backwards into these students’ arms—trusting they would catch me. They caught me, and we followed up by talking about trusting others and why people should trust them.

On the final day, we organized a debate. The topic was “How to Change Africa”. They debated change would be best—a grassroots approach of educating the people or a political approach of changing leadership. Through the debate and various discussions, I found myself very impressed with teenage students that deeply desire to change and improve their nations, Africa and the world.  It is my prayer that leaders will rise up in this next generation, because they are a vital part of the future.

Since the youth conference, I have been reminded of Galatians 5:13, which says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another (ESV).”  Being a part of building a foundation of leadership centered on Christ in student’s lives at the youth conference has challenged me to become more like Christ in my own journey of serving God and serving others with love in Uganda.

Robyn Cash, a student at Sam Houston State University, is serving in Uganda with Go Now Missions.