From Watching to Going: My Journey to Kaabong
By Allen Draninva
The first time I heard about missions was during my third semester in college when someone sent me a Global Link Afrika video. At the time, I didn’t know anything about GLA, but as I watched, something stirred in my heart. I prayed and told God, “I wish I could be one of those people going out into places where there is no gospel.”
Two semesters later, in semester five, the GLA team came to my school for a training. During the session, they played the very same video I had watched earlier. In that moment, I knew this was not a coincidence. I felt that God was calling me to take part in His work, and I signed up for the missionary internship program.
Before joining GLA, I believed missions was mainly for Westerners/Whites. I thought they were the ones who brought the gospel to Africa, so missionary work was for them. But through the internship, I have learned that anyone can be involved in missions if God places a conviction on their heart.
These three months in Kaabong, serving among the Karamojong community, have helped me grow deeply in my faith. I have learned that I can hear God through Scripture, through burdens He places on my heart, and through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I have also experienced Him at work in practical ways.
One lesson that stands out is that God is looking for willing hearts. When we draw close to Him and fellowship with Him, He reveals Himself more clearly. I have also discovered that people are ready to hear about God. Many are willing to know Him, we just need to go and share the gospel with them.
In these few months, I have seen God’s hand in ways I had never experienced before. One testimony came when I was praying and trusting God for financial provision. I asked Him to show me practically how I could trust Him in this area. That Friday, I fasted. Then on Saturday evening at around 6 pm, I received an SMS notification that I had received UGX 21,000 from a sister who is a fellow missionary. This increased my trust in God. I now know that He truly provides for my needs.
Another testimony happened through our hospitality ministry at Kaabong Referral Hospital, where we provide meals to patients. One Tuesday, a woman in the surgical ward told us she was tired of eating posho and beans and wanted something different. Her words stayed with me.
On Friday morning during prayer, I felt a heavy burden in my heart that I could not shake. I tried to keep myself busy, but the burden remained. That afternoon, I bought some bread and went with the school leader to visit her. I shared with her from Jeremiah 30:12–18, and we prayed together with others in the ward. After praying, I felt the burden lift.
Through this experience, I learned that God cares deeply for His people. He provides not only physical needs but also spiritual nourishment. I continue to pray for those who are hungry and thirsty to come to Christ so that He can fill them. I also pray that God will use me as a vessel to reach those who do not yet know Him. Serving in Kaabong has shown me that when God calls, He also walks with us.
Allen is a Global Link Afrika missionary intern serving among the Karamojong in Kaabong district, Uganda