Compassion and reason

After last year’s trip to Africa, we noticed the students at Uganda Christian University (UCU) had a need for professionalism training. This year we addressed that need through sessions on dining etiquette, professional dress, presentations, interviewing, and CV/resume writing. We were able to take t-shirts, business portfolios, thank you cards, pens, interviewing flash cards, CV books, and ties to give to the students that attended our sessions. The turnout for our sessions was great; we reached over 150 students. We were so humbled by the reaction of the students to sessions. They attended the sessions entirely on their own, with no incentives. Their enthusiasm as they asked us questions showed us they really valued the material we shared with them.

Our relationships that we developed with some of Compassion International’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) students last year have been an invaluable asset to our team. We were so well received by the students at UCU because the students could see that we were already friends with the LDP students. The LDP students all started as children in Compassion projects. On Saturday morning, we spent our day serving at a Compassion site. While at the project we had an opportunity to worship with the children, feed them, and organize fun games which we turned into a carnival like atmosphere. During the carnival time, the children had their nails painted, played soccer, had face painting opportunities, three-legged races, sack races, and jump rope games. When the children were learning Bible verses we went to a Compassion home to visit the families of children who attend the project. While at the home we got to see how the families live, ask them about jobs and learn about their everyday lives. It has been such a unique opportunity to see the full spectrum of a child’s life in Africa; from growing up in poverty, yearning to learn God’s word to being transformed by the grace of God into an educated young adult, confident in God’s purpose for their life.

I have always wanted to come to Africa on a mission trip. When a friend of mine told me about a new trip being formed, Baylor Accounting Mission Trip, I was sold on the idea. This trip would allow me to integrate the skills and knowledge I have gained in the business school with my faith. I returned on the trip this year because after seeing the benefits of teaching basic business skills to students and local businesses I wanted to further what began last year and be a part of a lasting impact. This has been a unique opportunity to use my accounting and business knowledge to further God’s kingdom.


Written by: Tori Sanchez and Kathleen Simpson, Tory is a senior accounting student from Corpus Christi. Kathleen is a recent graduate from the 5 year accounting program and will begin working at Ernst & Young in the Fall. The two are on the Uganda accounting trip for the second time and are roommates.