Author: Jennifer

For the second time in three years, Man Up and Go climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa, to raise funds and awareness for the fatherless (read more about why we do this HERE).

Five adventurous souls took off from the U.S. on February 23 to visit Man Up’s partners in Uganda and then climb the mountain. Two missed flights, one delayed flight, one missed connection, 6 delayed bags, and 22 COVID tests later, the men successfully trekked up and down the highest free standing mountain in the world, aka the “Roof of Africa.” 

In all, each of the men successfully completed the adventure and were proud of their accomplishment, not just for themselves, but for the Lord and for the recipients of those who would benefit from the money raised. Here are some of their words: 

“A trip I will not soon forget as I was pushed physically, mentally and spiritually.  What an opportunity to see and experience the challenges God places before us – as a means of growing me in my faith and trust in Him, as witnessed in the lives of AMP participants, and as experienced personally by reaching the heights of his wonderfully created Mt. Kilimanjaro!” – Jimmy L. 

“Despite my inexperience in the mission field, a global pandemic, and my preconceived notions of a dangerous place, I felt God calling me to Man Up and Go. I had to fully surrender myself to trusting Him and allowing Him to be both my physical and mental strength as I experienced one of the biggest obstacles – a literal mountain – in my life.”  – Jared F. 

“Trip of a lifetime: supporting men who are prioritizing their faith, family, and financials while also challenging our fitness, fellowship and faith on one of God’s great creations (Kilimanjaro)!” – Jason C. 

“Traveling globally during a pandemic, multiple COVID tests, climbing the tallest mountain you’ve ever seen, seeing lives and families transformed for God’s glory….with God all things are truly possible!” – David D. 

“The challenge of the climb so closely mirrors the challenges of life. Patience, endurance, perseverance, love, and hope – each of these were necessary to get to the top, and each of these are necessary to navigate life in a manner God wants. Truly inspiring!” – Jeff F. 

While we won’t give you a play by play of everything that happened, some of the obstacles incurred on the mountain include: 

• No luggage (fear we wouldn’t have the proper gear) 
• Headaches starting on Day 2
• Nausea, vomiting, gastro issues, dehydration 
• (You wanna come next time, right?) 
• Monotony
• Mental anguish 
• Snow…LOTS of snow
• Fatigue
• Home sickness 

All the more satisfying for the men when they have the following photos upon which to look back. We hope you’ll enjoy them and consider climbing Kili with us the next time around, in 2023!

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The following blog post is written by Man Up Champion and trip leader Laney, who recently led a team of high school students to Uganda. 

Man Up and Go recently hosted a trip with Calvary Christian High School students to our ministry partners in Uganda. We had a service-filled schedule for the 7 days we spent in country. The team spent time with Pastor Andrew in Jinja serving his ministry at Bethel Junior School and Home Again Ministries. The latter part of the trip was spent a few hours up the road in Pallisa with Pastor Sam and his ministry at Kerith Children’s Home.

Experiencing an international mission trip with high school students is unique and spiritually refreshing. For many students, it was the first time they left had visited another country, especially with a mission focus. I was privileged to see God pulling these students out of their comfort zones, revealing to them a place and people who are so different, but in many ways, so the same. There is something special about witnessing a person, particularly a student, have an “aha moment”—when they realize the world is not exactly as they have thought it to be; when they begin to understand that the gospel is absolutely global and for all peoples; when they start to sacrifice their own comforts and what their own culture tells them to pursue, for the sake of seeing souls won for the Kingdom.

Service activities on our trip included painting Bethel Junior School, teaching life skills classes to primary and secondary students, serving at Home Again ministries Super Saturday feeding program (which fed a record number of over 2,200 children in just a few short hours), providing school supplies to Kerith Children’s Home, and feeding needy families in the Pallisa community.

We certainly did a lot, as that list is not entirely inclusive. Yet, in an American culture where Martha is glorified, Jesus calls us to be Mary. In Luke 10, we are reminded that our faith is not all about doing. Jesus desires so much more than that. “…but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better…” (v 42). We were made for relationship. We are called into relationship—with our Savior and one another.

Establishing relationships is the key to long term impact for short term mission trips. Greater than an activity or project we did, playing a game of soccer with the kids was so much greater. Letting the girls braid our hair was so much greater. Looking into the eyes of those sweet babies and hugging them tight was so much greater. Relationship will always be greater, because relationship is where the message of the gospel becomes real.

Short term mission trips can hurt as much as they try to help. It is important that short term trips are not solely focused on bringing items and doing activities from the perspective of saving the communities that are being served. This can often result in reinforcing the poverty stigma and perpetuating shame in that culture. Man Up and Go works closely with our local partners to spend our time and resources in efforts that empower communities and encourage our ministry partners. These efforts largely focus on providing education and teaching vocational skills through the Biblical lens of the gospel.

So what can you do now to continue spreading the love of Christ and empowering the Ugandan communities Man Up has partnered with?

I am sure we could brainstorm wonderful ideas, but I think this is best left to the local ministry partners who live and work in those communities every day of the year. Here is what they had to say about how you can help starting today:

• Take a trip with Man Up and Go. The pastors and their ministries would love to meet you, introduce you to the people they love, and serve alongside you.
• Sponsor a child. A monthly sponsorship provides a child with education, a school uniform, school supplies, and a meal every day. Education is the key to providing an empowered future to child.
• Pray for their ministries. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).

I am so proud of the CCHS students and the work they are continuing to do now that they are home. I am so proud of the organization that is Man Up and Go in their efforts to empower men, women, and children in the name of Christ. And I am constantly so humbled that the Lord chooses me to serve His kingdom in such a way and to know Him.