As a vibrant 13-year-old from North Coast Calvary Church, she recently embarked on a meaningful GO! Trip with KATW. Her journey began 8 years ago with a meal-packing event, and she recently returned from helping build a playground for children in Uganda. After witnessing the impact of serving through FOOD, PLAY, and STORY, Ava shares her inspiring experience, reminding us that the call to serve knows no age limits.
How did your experience at the meal-packing event 8 years ago shape your desire to continue serving others, both in the U.S. and abroad?
Packing the meals 8 years ago helped shape my desire to serve in another country. When I helped pack the meals, I thought about the family that was going to eat the rice I scooped or the vitamin packet I put in the bag. I wanted to be there to give the meals to the kids and serve them in their country.
What was the most meaningful or memorable moment for you during the playground build in Uganda, and how did it impact your faith?
The most memorable moment while building the playground was when the kids would get out of school, they would run over to the site and watch us work. It showed how they were just so excited for this gift and it was so sweet. When we were lifting to move the heavy metal poles to the site, I spotted a couple of kids grab some poles and help us! We told them this was a gift from us and they didn’t need to help but they shook their heads and wanted to. It was so sweet because they were so happy and excited.
What motivates you to keep serving, and how do you see God working through these experiences?
What motivates me to continue serving is the joy I felt while I did it. I felt the Lord’s spirit and presence like I’ve never felt before. I felt so happy knowing that these kids I am serving are going to be changed and feel loved and know that they matter in this world.
How has your relationship with KATW helped you grow spiritually, and what advice would you give to other young people who are interested in getting involved in service?
KATW helped me in such a great way spiritually. They helped open my eyes to the other side of the world and experience what it feels like to live in such a different community and place. A piece of advice I would give is to just go for it. I get it can be scary – I was pretty nervous before we went, and constantly had stressful thoughts: What if the kids don’t like me? What if the kids don’t interact? What if it’s awkward with them? What if something goes wrong? I was nervous but I am truly so glad that I ignored those thoughts and realized that none of that was going to happen. The kids were so welcoming, excited and so full of joy! It was never awkward, the kids loved to play with our team and nothing went wrong!! Overall, my advice is that even though you are nervous, it will all turn out amazing, and just do it because you will be so glad you did.
What differences or similarities have you noticed between serving in the U.S. and Uganda, and how have those experiences shaped your perspective on global service?
One thing I have noticed that was different about serving in the US versus Uganda was that here, I feel like people do it more for trying to get something out of it, whether it’s money or just something to put on a resume. I also feel that some people in the US feel annoyed to do it, or think “Oh great, it’s another thing I have to do” or “Ugh, I don’t have time” but once I went to Uganda I saw how people were so excited and wanted to serve so badly. I noticed too that in the US, you aren’t experiencing the impact that packing meals has [first hand], but you see how those meals help kids and families in such a great way.
KATW is incredibly blessed to see partners like Ava “grow up” with us, staying deeply connected to our ministry as they develop spiritually.
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