Students Share Gods Love in Uganda

July 21, 2014

Nine OBU students and one staff member journeyed to Uganda May 23-June 13 to share Gods
love by teaching children at a Ugandan primary school. The team also spent time serving at a
local organization for poverty-stricken children.

OBU team members with the children and teachers at Busuubizi Primary School.
Each year, dozens OBU of students, faculty and staff take Global Outreach (GO) Trips which
enforce OBUs mission to transform lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence,
integrate faith with all areas of knowledge, engage a diverse world and live worthy of the high
calling of God in Jesus Christ. OBUs Avery T. Willis Center for Global Outreach mobilizes,
trains and sponsors GO Trips.
The team was led by Monica Mullins, director of student success at OBU. Students participating
in the trip included Jen Sturm, Megan Mattke, Kailey Shuler, Kimberly Robinson, Kari Callahan,
Sienna Golden, Haylee Dowler, Raquel Dudzevich and Emma Beck.

For Mullins, this was a return trip to a land and people she spent the previous summer serving.
For others, such as OBU student Kimberly Robinson, the trip was her first time to travel out of
the country. Robinson, a sophomore communications studies major from Krum, Texas, was
speechless when she stepped off the plane onto Ugandan soil. I couldn't believe just how
beautiful the scenery was, she said. On the contrary to the stereotypical impressions of Africa
being a dry, desolate area, Uganda is the opposite. Everything in Uganda is lush and green. The
roads are made out of red dirt, and the contrast between the two colors is extraordinary.
The country of Uganda, which sits on the equator, is home to a veritable melting pot of ethnic
groups and cultures. The landlocked country, roughly the size of the state of Oregon, boasts a
population of more than 35 million people, many of which who do not have a personal
relationship with Christ. Several of the families the OBU team met live in small houses with dirt
floors and could fit all of their possessions in a single suitcase.
During the first week in Uganda, the team spent their mornings at a local school for children. I
am happy to see our team return to this school which we so enjoyed last summer, Mullins wrote
in a blog describing the teams first morning at Busuubizi Primary School. This rural
government school has limited resources and we are thrilled for the opportunity to encourage and
bless these students and teachers.
The team used translators to tell Bible stories and share the Gospel with the children. Two of the
children accepted Christ. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing salvations happen, and it made
my heart so full to see some accept Christ while we were there, Megan Mattke said, a junior
piano major and English minor, from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
In the afternoons, the team hiked about a mile to serve at 100% hOPE's Hope Village property.
100% hOPE is a Christian non-profit organization, established to give children in developing
countries a future and a hope through creating self-sufficient communities. They partner with
local, poverty-stricken communities in Uganda to promote the spiritual, economic, physical and
emotional development of children.
Currently, they are cultivating 12 acres to build Hope Village. The village will include nursery,
primary, secondary and vocational training schools; agriculture; a football oval; a piggery; and
homes for the students. The OBU team spent a week at their piggery clearing the property of
stumps and debris, cleaning pig stalls and building a retaining wall to prevent erosion. The team
demonstrated their work ethic and strength, once again proving that OBU girls are a tough
bunch, Mullins said concerning her all-girl team.

One afternoon while traveling to the piggery, the group stopped at a local shop that sells
homemade shoes and sandals. Their host later explained that the shoemaker usually sells one pair
of shoes per week, on a good week. Kari Callahan, a junior communications major from Tulsa,
Oklahoma, said that buying shoes from the shoemaker was the most rewarding part of her trip.
We were able to bless her by purchasing six pairs in one day, Callahan said. That is six weeks
of living income in one day. She was filled with joy and just continued to repeat, I do not have
words.' Not only did I get beautiful shoes, but I also was able to provide for her.
The next few days were spent fellowshipping with their host family and the locals, worshiping
and sharing their testimonies. The team also hosted a festival for the local children. They played
games together, did face painting, sang songs together, and acted out the story of David and
Goliath, complete with water balloon "stones."
On Sunday, the team attended the church built by last summers OBU team. They were able to
see the work and lift up the pastors and congregation while there. Seeing the continued impact of
past GO trips is a huge motivation to continue sending out teams. Students who participate in
GO trips experience the need for global outreach and develop a passion for sharing the Good
News of Christ.
It truly is incredible to witness the vast number of people that have never heard the name of
Jesus before, Robinson said. We forget that in America. GO Trips enable students to take
another look at America as well. Robinson, who had never been out of the country, hopes to
return to Africa in the future.
Kallahan, who also hopes to return to Uganda soon, said saying goodbye was extremely difficult.
It was hard to leave those sweet smiles I think I speak for the whole team when I say that we
would gladly go to the airport and get on a plane right now to return to Uganda.

Students See God Working in Spain

July 28, 2014
A team of four OBU students and one faculty sponsor spent May 25-June 12 in Spain teaching
English to local high school students and praying for opportunities to share the gospel. Despite
the language barrier, the OBU team was able to form relationships with the locals and saw God
work in the hearts of Spanish students.

The OBU team poses with 13 local high school students that came to attend church on their final
Sunday in Spain.
OBU adjunct Spanish professor Janet Burns served as the teams mentor. Students Tristan
Campbell, Kristen Sidler, Autumn Eads, Courtney King and Ashley Snow all traveled on the
team.
The team worked in two suburbs of Seville, Bormujos and Mairena. Seville is one of eight
provinces that make up the Andalusia community and is the largest province with a population of
over 1 million citizens.

Located in south Spain, Seville is the hottest area in Europe. Even with temperatures in the
100s, heat didnt stop the team from immediately falling in love with the culture. Spain is a
beautiful, sunny, urban, relational place, said Sidler, a senior English education major from
Argyle, Texas. It was incredible to me that every restaurant had a patio outside with umbrellas
to shade customers from the sun. Seville gets hot, so shade is a necessity.
The students found that sharing the hope of Christ in Spain was a challenge. In the past, Spanish
leaders used religion as a tool to control the people. They now have religious freedom, but their
hearts have become hardened toward the gospel. Burns found this to be the most challenging
aspect of their trip. This mentality was difficult to combat, so we worked on building
relationships with the people, she said. In doing so, we prayed that they would see that we
loved them because Jesus loves them, and hopefully through this process, they would ask us why
our lives were different and then we could share our faith in Christ.
During their first week in Spain, the students served as support for teams already working in the
schools. They spent the next two weeks teaching and building relationships with the local
students.
The team members also built friendships with the locals by joining English clubs in the area and
hosting a vacation Bible school for children. These English clubs allowed Spanish adults and
students the opportunity to converse with English speakers each week.
As the days passed, the OBU team diligently showed love to every Spanish local they came into
contact with, praying that the Lord would change their hearts and open their eyes to His love.
One Friday evening, the students threw a party for the community attended by 130 local
students. The team was overjoyed to see that the Lord was hearing their prayers and changing the
hearts of the locals. That night the team was able to plant seeds of hope in the hearts of the locals
through the Gospel story.
The Sunday before the team left, they attended one last service at a local evangelical church in
the area. The OBU group was excited that 13 students attended the service. For some of them, it
was their first time to attend a non-Catholic service.
Sidler said that seeing the local students come to church was the most rewarding part of her trip.
Even though some said they only came for us, they still came and were able to hear the word of

the Lord in church that day. One student said he really enjoyed it. That gave me so much joy and
hope for the other students.
The team was amazed how God answered their prayers and softened the local students hearts to
hear His message. One of the students was so intrigued by what he heard that he plans on visiting
the church again. We were so blessed to know that at least one student wants to learn more
about what the Gospel means, said King, a junior vocal music education major from Oklahoma
City.
The students traveled to Spain by way of OBUs Avery T. Willis Center for Global Outreach,
which mobilizes, trains and oversees Global Outreach (GO) Trips. Each year, dozens of students,
faculty and staff take GO Trips which align with OBUs mission to transform lives by equipping
students to pursue academic excellence, integrate faith with all areas of knowledge, engage a
diverse world and live worthy of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.
King, who has been looking for opportunities to travel to a Spanish speaking country, was
overwhelmed by how much God worked while on their trip. Sometimes we are so stuck in our
own world, we forget to think about how big this planet is, and how big our God is, said King.
There are ministries all over the world sharing the good news of Jesus, and getting to see that
and participate in that is life changing.
For me, trips like this are a way to serve others in the short term, but allows practice for living
in the long term at home, Sidler said. It forces you to take your relationship with the Lord
seriously, be aware of others outside of yourself, as well as get out of your comfort zone and
share the Gospel with others.

Students Bring Encouragement to

Cameroon Believers
July 29, 2014
In late May, six students and one faculty member from OBU journeyed to Cameroon expecting
to bring news of Jesus Christ to the nationals, but soon discovered they were sent to bring
encouragement to local Christians.
Each year, dozens of students, faculty and staff take Global Outreach (GO) Trips which affirm
OBUs mission to transform lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate
faith with all areas of knowledge, engage a diverse world and live worthy of the high calling of
God in Jesus Christ. OBU's Avery T. Willis Center for Global Outreach mobilizes, trains and
oversees GO Trips.
The teams mentor, Dr. Yvonne Mbote, assistant professor of chemistry at OBU, was familiar
with the culture and its people. She spent seven years as an assistant professor at the University
of Buea in Cameroon. Students participating in the trip included Haley Nickerson, Thayamie
Cortes, Jennifer Land, Jacklynn Williams, Tanner Messer and Hannah Madison.
The group stayed in Buea, the capitol of the southwest region of Cameroon. The city is located
on the eastern slopes of Mount Cameroon, one of the largest active volcanoes in Africa. The
team enjoyed the scenery of Africa and the breathtaking view of the volcano.
Our first ride through town showed us gorgeous sights of greenery, banana trees, brightly
colored houses, dirt roads filled with women carrying anything you can think of on their heads,
children walking to school and people selling various fruits along the sides of the road, said
Jennifer Land, a junior nursing major from Denton, Texas.
The western area of Cameroon is heavily Christian, and Land said she was amazed and inspired
by the faith of local believers and how they unashamedly and outwardly praised Jesus.
Our experience identifies much with Paul's travels in the New Testament, when he purposefully
set out on certain occasions to encourage the churches, said Land. The need of the people in
Cameroon, and the purpose of our trip was to create long-term relationships, share personal
testimonies and hopefully offer encouragement to a hardworking and lovely people,

For Land, her trip to Cameroon was nothing like she expected. I have traveled much in my life,
but my first night [in Cameroon] was the largest culture shock I have ever experienced, Land
said.
She remembers seeing thrown-together buildings made of wood and make-shift siding, deserted
shacks and various military checkpoints. My heart sunk as we traveled in the middle of the
night along the roads of Cameroon from Doula Airport to our home in Buea, where we were
staying for the next three weeks, she said. I remember being frightened, exhausted, shocked
and confused at why the Lord had brought me to such a place.
Lands fears were quickly replaced with peace as she and her team began meeting the locals and
seeing the work the Lord was doing in the surrounding villages.
Hannah Madison, a junior graphic design major from Lawton, Oklahoma, fell in love with the
beautiful people and scenery of Africa. The people of Cameroon are very welcoming, she said.
They always wanted to talk to us and everywhere we went they would smile while waving at
us.
The OBU group spent their first week volunteering at a hospital. The group shadowed student
nurses, helped patients and built relationships with the doctors, nurses and patients.
While working at the hospital, the students were given opportunities to pray with patients.
We saw the Lord move in people in a different way than you normally see, Madison said.
The rest of their trip was spent visiting orphanages, worshipping in several local churches, and
attending classes at the University of Buea. While at the churches, the students shared their
testimonies and short messages of encouragement with the congregation.
For Land, one of the most rewarding parts of the trip was seeing how faithful the believers were
in tithing. Even those that don't have much give a little, because they see that the church and
God's people is where their treasure lies, Land said.
Jacklynn Williams felt the biggest reward came from the personal lessons she learned while
serving in Cameroon. I learned about myself and knowing that God can use me everywhere,
even for little things like putting a smile on someone's face, said Williams, a junior psychology
major.

The students were grateful for the opportunity to serve internationally, and their lives were
changed by the experience.
To understand and have my eyes opened to how different and dynamic God's world is, is a
priceless gift I cannot fully explain, Land said. Our God is larger than I can ever fathom, He is
greater than I presently realize, and the more I travel the bigger He becomes.

Students Experience Cultural Exchange in

Central Asia
July 30, 2014
Four OBU students and one faculty member travelled to Kazakhstan May 17-June 16 with the
purpose of pointing local college students and business leaders to Jesus.
Dr. David Houghton, dean of the Paul Dickinson College of Business and professor of business,
served as mentor. Students Danielle Young, Hanah Sheppard, Chase Lanphear and Alec
Daugherty served on the trip.

Pictured left to right: Hanah Sheppard, Danielle Young, Valeriya Giggsy, Chase Lanphear,
Dasha Kruglova, Anastasiya Ollinik, Maxim Belyeyev, Alina Prygova, Alec Daugherty and
Angelina Yunkman.
Each year, dozens of students, faculty and staff take Global Outreach (GO) Trips which enforce
OBUs mission to transform lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate

faith with all areas of knowledge, engage a diverse world and live worthy of the high calling of
God in Jesus Christ. OBU's Avery T. Willis Center for Global Outreach mobilizes, trains and
oversees GO Trips.
The team was stationed in Ust-Kamenogorsk, which is in the northeast part of the Kazakhstan.
The modern city boasts 300,000 citizens and has a diverse culture that represents Asian and
European influences. Although downtown Ust-Kamenogorsk could be compared to Oklahoma
Citys downtown area, there are numerous buildings with Soviet-era architecture.
The team spent much of their time at Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) attending
lectures and talking with students. The students main purpose was to share Christ, but the trip
also served as a cultural exchange for KAFU students.
KAFU began through a partnership with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and the Kazakhstani
government. Although it is a secular school, Christian influences have been woven into its
mission through partnerships with faith-based organizations. These partnerships influence the
university to teach servant leadership material to students and faculty, and encourage them to
pursue kingdom work.
OBU student Hanah Sheppard enjoyed spending time at KAFU. The most rewarding part is that
my team and I made good, genuine relationships with the students who worked with us, said
Shepard, a junior anthropology major from Aledo, Texas. We learned a lot from each other.
For team leader David Houghton the trip continued a journey he began in 1999. Houghton has
close ties with KAFU and was excited to see the progress the school has made since his last visit
in 2001. He previously served as a consultant for KAFU and also taught classes.
I became involved [with KAFU] because I believe that universities train leaders, Houghton
said. Kazakhstan's leaders are being trained in places like KAFU, so it was a strategic decision
on my part to work with them. These were very similar reasons for why I entered academia in
the first place and why I feel called to OBU specifically.
For Houghton, the most rewarding part of the trip was seeing the growth of his early work in
Kazakhstan as well as the churchs growth. Houghton went on to tell the story of a student whose
life was changed while she was attending KAFU. Through the work of KAFU, she was exposed
to Christian beliefs, became a believer and then shared Jesus with her family.

Her dad, mom and sister all became Christians, and her dad now serves as the pastor at a local
Baptist church, Houghton said. The church has grown in miraculous ways and the student,
years later, after earning her masters at Southwestern Seminary, now serves the youth of their
church today.
Although the team easily connected with students, it was a challenge to share the Gospel with
them. Kazakhstans two main religions are Russian Orthodox and Islam, and locals do not
openly talk about their religious beliefs.
OBU student Danielle Young loved getting to know the students, but found it hard to share her
beliefs with her new friends. It was quite difficult for us to share the Gospel, said Young, a
junior international business major from Okmulgee, Oklahoma. So, we tried to live out our
beliefs by our actions. We had some good conversations about our beliefs and I believe we were
able to leave a few of the students thinking.
While in Kazakhstan, the OBU group learned about different cultures and how to be a light in a
foreign place. OBU student Charles Lanphear, a sophomore international business major from
Kansas City, Missouri, learned that when you step out of your comfort zone and serve Jesus in a
new place, it strengthens your faith.
It not only changes the lives of the people you share the gospel with, it also changes your own
life, he said. It gives you the chance to appreciate different mindsets and cultures, which is
good training for life.
Young agrees that traveling on international trips helps students understand the complex world,
and its cultures. It gives God an opportunity to use you in ways you may not have been aware
of, she said. I believe participating in a GO Trip helps students find out more about
themselves.
For more information on GO Trips at OBU, visit the Global Outreach Web pages or call (405)
275-2850.

Students Return to Zambia to Share Gospel

July 31, 2014
A team of OBU students traveled to Zambia May 27-June 23 with a burden to share their faith
with people residing in and around the remote village of Isoka. OBU's Avery T. Willis Center for
Global Outreach mobilizes, trains and oversees GO Trips.

Pictured above, left to right: Joseph Hefner, Jenna Huckabee, Mikayla Harrison, Dayla Rowland,
Hannah Burnett, Paige Groves, Molly Foreman and Andrew Tucker.
Each year, dozens of students, faculty and staff take Global Outreach (GO) Trips which enforce
OBUs mission to transform lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate
faith with all areas of knowledge, engage a diverse world and live worthy of the high calling of
God in Jesus Christ. When students participate in GO trips, they often return home with their
hearts changed and discover a deeper personal relationship with the Lord.
OBU has sent a team to Zambia each of the last three years. Dayla Rowland, OBU student
ministry associate of evangelism and mobilization, served as mentor to seven students, including

Paige Groves, Mikayla Harrison, Molly Foreman, Joseph Hefner, Hannah Burnett, Jenna
Huckabee and Andrew Tucker. For some, the journey halfway around the world was a new
experience. For others, like OBU student Hannah Burnett, the voyage reacquainted her with
Christian believers and Zambian locals she met on a past GO trip.
Burnett, a senior family and community services major from Richardson, Texas, made her first
trip to Zambia during the summer of 2012. I cannot begin to explain what it means to be back in
Zambia again, Hannah wrote in a blog describing her second trip to Africa. The Father has
blessed me beyond belief by allowing me to come back.
Two years ago, Burnett and her teammates saw 15 new believers baptized in Isoka. On this
return trip, two of those served as translators for the OBU students. Burnett was overjoyed to see
these old friends - whom she saw baptized - serving the Lord whole-heartedly. I got to see the
change in their lives. It is so encouraging to know that I have brothers and sisters around the
world passionately pursuing the Lord with every ounce of their being, Burnett said.
Paige Groves, a senior nursing major, had never been to Africa and was excited to see the Lord
working. After worshipping with our brothers and sisters this morning, I am convinced that
Zambia is one of the most beautiful places on earth, Groves wrote in a blog. The people of this
country amaze me, with their kindness and warmth. Fellowship this morning left me in awe of
how the body can come together, regardless of age, background, or culture and worship so
freely.
Upon their arrival, they found their host home without running water due to a broken pump.
While waiting for the water pump to be replaced, the team spent the next week and a half
drawing water for bathing, cleaning and drinking - one bucket at a time.
For many, the situation could have been viewed as an inconvenience, but Rowland saw it as a
practical lesson. It was a privilege to draw water every day. So often we take for granted an
unending supply of water, she said. Rowland, who made the return-trip to Zambia as the teams
leader, viewed the daily task as a reminder of the spiritual water that leads to eternal life. We
take for granted the spiritual water that comes to us in fact we forget that we even need it for
survival and begin to rely on ourselves.
The OBU group stayed in Isoka, but traveled to neighboring villages to share the good news of
Christ. Zambia is saturated with false teaching and works-based beliefs that are based on the idea

that one must work to gain their salvation. To combat these beliefs, the students spent most of
their time going house to house visiting with the villagers.
The team spent two days in the Chipote village. As the team shared, the people gathered, some
listening, while others turned away. The longer they spoke, the more intently the people listened
and many were receptive to the gospel message.
One particular home filled with four women, requested the story of the prodigal son be
explained. Harrison described how the story was a picture of the love that the heavenly Father
has for His children. We were able to explain how the Most High loves us, even more than our
earthly fathers, she wrote in a blog. One of the women began to tear up and said she finally
understood it was such an exciting moment!
As the team spent more time in the local villages, they were given many other opportunities to
plant seeds of hope by answering questions and sharing their own personal testimonies of how
great the Lord is.
For Burnett, the most rewarding part of the trip was seeing the Holy Spirit change the lives of the
Zambian people, pulling them out of darkness and bringing them into the light.
The Father is working in these places, Burnett said. False beliefs have infiltrated their hearts
please lift them up for softened hearts and a teachable spirit. Ultimately, the Lord has gone
before us and will go after us. Only He can change their hearts.
Molly Foreman, who traveled to Zambia the past two summers, encourages students to take
advantage of the international service opportunities OBU offers.
There are skills and life lessons that are taught through travel that can't be taught in a
classroom, Foreman said. The Lord really opens up your eyes to see Him in a new way. You
learn about different cultures, how to better relate to others, and you are pushed out of your
comfort zone in many different ways.
Read a detailed account of the teams trip to Zambia.
For more information on GO Trips at OBU, visit the Global Outreach Web pages or call (405)
275-2850.

Students Share Jesus with College

Students in East Asia
August 1, 2014
Four Oklahoma Baptist University students and two alumni traveled to East Asia June 1-July 2.
The group focused their time and energy on building relationships with local college students in
hopes they would be able to share the Gospel. The Eastern part of Asia has over 100 colleges
that are filled with young adults searching for meaning and fulfillment in life. Through these new
friendships, the team witnessed lives changed by the powerful love of Jesus.

Each year, dozens of students, faculty and staff take Global Outreach (GO) Trips which enforce
OBUs mission to transform lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate
faith with all areas of knowledge, engage a diverse world and live worthy of the high calling of
God in Jesus Christ. OBU's Avery T. Willis Center for Global Outreach mobilizes, trains and
oversees GO Trips.

The team stayed in a host home in East Asia. Surrounded by mountains, the area is considered to
be the countryside. Although they were located 30 minutes from the city district, the area still
had many urban comforts, such as taxis and buses. The team spent most of their time at the
university close to their host home.
We stayed right across the street from the university that we worked, one OBU student said.
This made it easy for last minute lunch appointments or even to just go hang out on campus. I
really enjoyed where we were.
This student said she didnt originally choose to go to East Asia. She applied for a GO trip, but
didnt specify a country trusting that God would send her where she needed to go. Dr. Joy
Turner, director of Global Mobilization at OBU, soon suggested the East Asia GO trip.
I prayed about it and really felt God's peace about going, she said. I really believe that it was
all a God thing. I know I was serving where I was supposed to be.
Another student, a senior special education and elementary education major, said God laid East
Asia on her heart during a previous trip to the same area. During the summer of 2013, she spent
time in East Asia, teaching English to elementary students.
It was such a blessing to be there [last summer] and I couldn't wait to return and see what His
plans were for me this time as well, she said.
Although there was a language barrier, God provided translators and the group was able to form
friendships with several students.
They're very social, but the people as a whole are searching for a higher meaning in life, she
said. They're looking for something more than just the dream everyone has of a good college
education, a good job, a good marriage and great children. They're beginning to realize that it
won't satisfy them.
One evening the group watched a Gospel film with a few local students. One of the locals was
engrossed while watching the crucifixion of Jesus. [She] could barely watch, yet she couldn't
take her eyes off Jesus being nailed to the cross, she said. It was a sweet moment when she
said her favorite and most difficult part of the movie was that Jesus died so she could be
forgiven.

Hearing her new friend say those words was one of the most rewarding moments of the trip. It
was so precious to see a dear friend realize this for the first time, she said.
Seeing lives changed by the Gospel is what motivates OBU to send teams around the world on
GO trips. Those who participate in these trips experience first-hand how powerful and sovereign
God is. Team members go with the intention of serving others, but realize tremendous blessings
personally, growing closer to God and making unforgettable memories and relationships.
It is amazing to see how God has changed me through this experience, one student said when
reflecting on her trip. He called me to get outside my comfort zone and try something new,
which caused me to be more dependent and trusting toward Him. It strengthens and grows your
faith and beliefs beyond what they were before.
For her, the trip changed her outlook on the world and the need for sharing the Gospel. Going
on these trips causes us to be aware and in-tune with the lost people and nations of this world,
she said. I have always thought I would teach young children; however, after this trip, I could
easily see myself working with college students, if that is God's plan.
Going somewhere to serve has the power to change your perspective on the people in your life,
the second student said. It's so amazing to see God work in great ways when we surrender and
are out of our comfort zone.
I've been twice and would go back again in a heartbeat. You never regret going, but people do
regret staying behind, she said.
For more information visit www.okbu.edu/GO or call (405) 275-2850.