Travelling with Compassion

Cathy 

Can you give a bit of background as to why you are connected to Compassion and why you went on the trip?

It has been such a joy to get to know the work of Compassion, particularly as a member of the planning group for Spring Harvest, who currently partner with Compassion. I’ve always known that children were sponsored through Compassion, but I had not understood the scale and the breadth of their ministry, working in partnership with the local church to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. So, this recent trip was to learn more, to meet children and families served by the Compassion projects at their local churches, and to report back to Spring Harvest guests on the impact of our partnership.

Why Uganda – do you have a special connection to the country?

I first visited Uganda a couple of years ago and was captivated by the vibrant colours, the music, the food (the nut sauce is incredible!) and, particularly, the people. However, I was also challenged in seeing first-hand how poverty can erode both opportunity and hope. As a result of that trip, our family began to sponsor four children in Uganda. As you can imagine, it was a joy to revisit!  

Was this the first time travelling with just one daughter?

I never expected to be able to go on a trip like this with one of my daughters! Izzy also serves at Spring Harvest, so it was a blessing to travel together as part of the team. It was fantastic to experience it together. To be fair, I think we did quite well. I was certainly thankful for her creative skills as we had to create content for a podcast each day. There was, however, one memorable moment where I heard her scream from across the hotel corridor. She had turned on the light and was startled by a lizard next to the switch! That made us laugh. I did feel protective of her, but I knew she had been on mission trips before, and I felt sure she would cope well. We knew we would encounter some upsetting moments, but we also knew we were there to serve and care. I was impressed at how she managed that so well. 

How did you process together?

It really helped that we were with such a wonderful team. We love our Spring Harvest friends and the folks from Compassion were always on hand to answer our questions and to encourage our reflections. But together we also experienced many inspiring stories of transformation, and that it gave us genuine hope. 

Did God speak to you personally on the trip – is there anything you can share of who he taught you, or any revelation you had?

I came away pondering again the paradox that many of us have so much and it can mean so little – whereas others have so little, and it means so much. I was also inspired again by the church leaders and volunteers and the extent to which their love pours into their communities. They are so knowledgeable and so committed. They know each child by name, and they really are best placed to know how to bring meaningful change for their whole communities. The fact that Compassion always works in partnership with local churches is how they truly serve the actual needs being faced, because the churches have the insight, and they have the relationships. We have much to learn from them.  

Would you recommend going on mission or travelling to see the work of a charity with your child? Would you do something more in the future

This was not a mission trip in the sense of doing anything ourselves. We were there to witness what a locally led but globally connected partnership can achieve. This was about celebrating the global Church working together, enabling local leaders to make an impact in their communities. But yes, it is worth considering how we engage each generation in serving the poor globally. Many years ago, I asked a missionary how old our children should be before we took them on mission. He answered: “About the same age you start taking them to the shopping mall.” That was a challenging response! We already sponsored children and connected with mission partners but the first time we travelled to Africa to visit and serve at a church mission partnership was when the girls were aged 12 and 15. It’s not always possible or necessary to travel (and there is plenty of need in our own neighbourhoods), but when we can meaningfully engage with and support those doing fantastic work, it changes our perspective and our generosity levels. 

What was a highlight of the trip?

For me, it was visiting the home of the boys we sponsor. What a family! I’d met their mum, Devine, two years earlier and we began sponsoring them afterwards. As we two mothers stood together chatting with some of our children I was humbled and inspired by her resilience, faith and persistent love for her children. It was an honour to visit them and I thank God for the work of Compassion and the church in supporting them.

Izzy

Can you give some background on where you are in life now, and how you came to be going on the trip?

I am 24 and currently live in west London where I work as a freelance graphic designer for Alpha International and as a presenter for The Way UK. I grew up attending Spring Harvest festival as my parents are heavily involved, and now as an adult I also have the privilege of hosting and speaking as part of the team. Because of this link with Spring Harvest and my being a part of the team at The Way UK, I was invited onto this incredible trip to Uganda.

What are your dreams for your life vocation wise, and did this connect in any way with the trip?

People are at the heart of all I do. Whether that is serving in church or the designs I create, it is the personal impact and connection that I care most about. This trip was filled with listening, learning and connecting with people through their stories and lives. I was inspired by their generosity and love for Jesus, and this will stay with me as I head into my future.

How was travelling with your mum but without the rest of your family? 

I have travelled before without my family, so it was really nice to have this trip where Mum and I could build memories together (though I did miss having someone to complain to when she got stressed at airports!). 

What was a special takeaway of going to Uganda with your mum? 

It was powerful to see the places and meet the people my mum had told me so much about. Meeting the brothers Gerald and Denis, who we sponsor, and their mother was so special – it is good to know that our families are linked through prayer and relationship.

What were your first impressions of Uganda as a country and the work Compassion do?

I was impressed at the amount of incredible, competent and godly people that bring life and light into the communities in Uganda. How Compassion helps to empower the local church in breaking the cycle of poverty was inspiring and is also a challenge in how we can empower the local church in the UK too. 

Did God speak to you on the trip, and is there anything you can share with us?

God really spoke through the people I met – especially their generosity and their desire for Jesus. We were led in worship by the children, declaring how they will give all they own for him, which we experienced them putting that into practise. They were generous beyond what was easy or comfortable and that really challenged me. 

Is there anything you will change in your life after your trip?

I hope I will always remember the stories and experiences from this trip, and that it will impact my life forever. I feel challenged to give generously, beyond what is comfortable, and to always be thankful for all I have.  

Are there any funny stories of being with your mum and travelling together?

We always have good fun! One day, after spending time with the boys we sponsor, we were both feeling quite reflective. Just then, Sammy from the Spring Harvest team jumped onto the minibus with a live rooster in hand – gifted to her by one of the local families. That moment, with a flapping bird right behind our heads and the bus being filled with laughter, combined with the wonderful privilege of meeting the boys we sponsor, is a memory I’ll never forget.  

What was a highlight of your trip?

I will always remember a few of the girls we met at the church and community project next to Lake Victoria. We played games for hours, talked about life and learned a lot about each other. Spending extended quality time with these wonderful children was a privilege.

Cathy Madavan has written for Woman Alive regularly, and last year produced our ‘Mothers of daughters’ column. She is a speaker, writer and broadcaster. She is on the board of the Kyria Network and speaks regularly for Care for the Family and Spring Harvest (where she is on the planning board). Her latest book is Why Less Means More: Making space for what matters most (SPCK). Find out more at cathymadavan.com and connect with her further at: @cathymadavan       CathyMadavan

Izzy Madavan is based in London and is a freelance graphic designer. She also a part of The Way, a digital youth platform, where she is a content producer and presenter.