Alyson's Year of Learning, Loving and Serving in Uganda

When Alyson Morris graduated from the University of Alabama last May with a degree in elementary and special education, she didn’t expect her first classroom to be thousands of miles from home. But God had been planting seeds for a long time.

Two years earlier, Alyson had joined a team from her college church—First Baptist Tuscaloosa—to visit Hope Alive! through a connection with Michael, Hope Alive!’s educational specialist. The trip was more than a short-term mission; for Alyson, it was the beginning of a calling. She had been praying for an opportunity to teach, to serve, and to learn from a new culture. When she met the students and staff at Hope Alive!, something clicked.

“I fell in love,” she said. “Not just with the place, but with how Hope Alive! serves students—teaching them academically, yes, but also helping them become well-rounded people who love the Lord.”

When Michael mentioned the need for extra support with educational programming and an opportunity to teach at a school in Gulu, Alyson didn’t hesitate. “I asked him if he was serious, and everything moved quickly from there.” She moved to Uganda in mid-May and stayed for a full year, serving as a volunteer educator and immersing herself in community life.

Alyson jumped in wherever she was needed—teaching writing, supporting struggling students, leading games and songs at Saturday Club, visiting homes for worship and prayer on Wednesdays, and helping with special events like the leadership summit and holiday programs.

“It’s all been a joy,” she said. “The people in the community are so eager to praise the Lord and hear from Him. And the kids coming up through Hope Alive! have that same hunger. It’s wonderful to witness.”

While she came to serve, Alyson also found herself deeply blessed by the people she met. She built strong relationships with mentors and staff—especially at the school where she taught—who encouraged and supported her throughout her time. “The people I worked with aren’t just doing their jobs,” she reflected. “They’re living out a calling. They’re there because they love the Lord, and it shows."

She also found friendship among fellow missionaries, attending an expat Bible study group with believers from the UK, Canada, Argentina, and beyond. “It’s been such a gift to be surrounded by people from different cultures, all united by a love for Christ.”

Alyson’s year in Uganda was full of new experiences—including learning to make fresh juice (a slow but rewarding process!) and falling in love with matooke, a mashed banana-like dish. But it was the spirit of community that left the deepest impression. “Everything here is relationship-oriented. It makes life more joyful—and it gives you so many more chances to share God’s love.”

Now back in the U.S., Alyson is preparing to begin a new chapter teaching fifth grade. She recently completed Hope Alive!’s 5.1K walk with her mom and grandmother—an experience that gave her the perfect opportunity to share more about the ministry that shaped her so deeply. “My grandmother is a huge walker, and I told her, ‘You’re doing this with me when I get home!’ It was a great way to include her in what I’ve been doing in Uganda and give her a glimpse of the community I’ve come to love.”

As she looks ahead, Alyson hopes to carry forward a spirit of joy, generosity, and intentional connection. “This year has changed the way I think about relationships, service, and what it means to really live in community with others. I’m coming home with a deeper desire to love people well—and to keep showing up wherever God calls.”