The Reaction Tour Team, led by Kenneth and Gloria’s granddaughter, Courtney Copeland, wrapped up its five-day sports camp in Uganda last week. The team ministered God’s love to the youth of Uganda, with many receiving both Jesus as Lord and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Their lives were changed forever!
Below is a day-by-day recap of Reaction Tour Uganda 2016 taken from the Reaction Tour blog at reactiontour.com.
Day 1 – Jan. 5, 2016
Reaction Tour 2016 has officially kicked off! I want to acknowledge everyone who sowed into Reaction Tour for this trip! We are so thankful that we get to sow amazing equipment into the lives of 500 kids here in Uganda. Because of your obedience to sow into this ministry and into the kingdom, so many hearts have been softened to receive the Word that the Lord has prepared for them. We wish you could see this yourself, but hopefully this video will give you a good idea of what took place on our first day.
Day 2 – Jan. 6, 2016
It’s currently day five of our trip, day two of camp.
It feels like we have been here for weeks.
“May their hearts be prepared for what You have for them….” – our prayer going into this trip. It has been the most humbling experience for that to be the exact state of everyone in attendance upon arrival.
We have the honour of impacting these people in a way the Lord can only set up…We speak to them in their language here. I’m not talking about Luganda. I am talking about their passions.
For the ones that want to break the spirit of poverty and make a name for themselves, we have a leadership breakout. Today, they practised job interviews and learnt how to communicate to crowds properly. Tomorrow, we will hear their ideas of different startup businesses, and critique them to the point of investment.
For the women who have had value stripped from them, we have our beauty breakout. Yes, they learn great beauty tips here. However, the priority of this class is that no one leaves without the true knowledge of their identity in Christ. Inner beauty is the only thing that matters.
We have a class for worship as well. We have been teaching them skills to the point that they will be able to return to their land and lead a worship set on their own.
We have been speaking on the heart of worship and the fact that the last thing worship is about, is a platform.
Not to mention all the sport breakouts that are happening…Leadership is our theme for camp and this is taught in every huddle, and on each sideline. There are some very talented and gifted kids here. It’s so great to see them grow in their gifts.
The ministry time has been amazing. I don’t have words to describe the work that God has done. I know with all my heart it will continue throughout the week. Please continue to pray for us as the week continues.
Courtney Copeland
Day 3 – Jan. 7, 2016
Along Reaction Tour Uganda 2016, there have been life-changing encounters and revelations in the presence of God that will forever leave a mark of His goodness in Uganda. After a sweet time in God’s presence during the first worship session, there were over eight kids that received the gift of the Holy Spirit!
During the next few classes, we were able to equip the kids with practical techniques they can use to steward their gift, as well as give insight on the heart behind worship. Our times in worship this week have been so sweet.
It is such a beautiful thing and a privilege to travel all across the world and join up with brothers and sisters in Christ, all from different races and nationalities, and acknowledge that although we are different, we are all God’s children. I can’t wait to see what good things God is storing up to pour out next year! #RTUganda16
John Michael Howell
Day 4 – Jan. 8, 2016
The theme at camp this year is leadership—a topic that we knew the campers would be so excited about.
From day one, they were like sponges, taking in every piece of wisdom. Every day we heard amazing and practical leadership messages from some of our very best leaders, Pastor Donnie Petty and Grant Skeldon. What we began to notice was that day-by-day, their chins were raised a little higher and they walked a little taller. God ignited a spark in them and the leader that was buried deep inside, came alive.
We give all praise to the Lord for those who really received. We desire for all of them to leave understanding their potential and worth, and as I write this, we have hope that the future leaders of Uganda were marked by God this week at Reaction Tour.
But something beautiful also happened—God did a work in those who have carried the orphan spirit for far too long. The Lord poured out His unconditional love, and those who have struggled with Him were set free from those chains. I don’t have to tell you that the father figures here in Uganda may not always hit the mark, and many of the campers come from very broken homes. However, God knew what they truly needed all along—they needed their Daddy God.
This year, Reaction Tour invited Jenny Kutz to speak to the campers and she shared the message of the Father’s Love. What a message! We believe that the fatherless found a Father and the motherless found a Mother. We believe that those who felt unimportant found purpose. We can’t put into words the transformation we’ve seen happen, but all we can say is JESUS IS ALIVE AND UGANDA IS HIS!
Isaiah 64:8
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Kait Ballinger
Day 5 – Jan. 9, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOs0oO_EVuQ&feature=youtu.be
Day 5—our last full day of camp. Our hearts are filled and our hopes are high for these youth. There’s no doubt that change took place beyond tomorrow. We truly believe these people have been affected in a way that only God could have orchestrated and we are so excited!
Content taken from KCM.ORG