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July 31, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Home sweet home
And just like that, we’re home Well, it wasn’t quite just like that. We left Uganda at midnight on Monday, flew through the night, and then boarded our cross-Atlantic flight to finish the final leg. All in all, our travels were great. It’s good to be home. We were not extended the grace that we were hoping for by the Minister of Health, so we’ll be quarantining at home for the next 21 days. If you have any creative ways to tell a two-year-old why he can’t go to the park, be sure to let us know. Asher asked out of habit for me to do a “snake check” before playing in the backyard, but besides that, our adjustment to being home has been effortless. Over the next few weeks we’ll certainly be reflecting on our summer in Uganda. One of the very first things that comes to mind when we think about our time away is how grateful we are for you—our friends and family who believed in us, prayed for us, and invested in our journey with Jesus to Africa. When we think about you, there’s a line that comes to mind by a missionary of old. She said, "I am carried on the shoulders of those who cannot see the landscape I describe. I owe them far more than my weight." We’ll do our best to continue to describe the things that we’ve seen, but we wouldn’t have seen them if it wasn’t for you. We owe you. To those of you who are helping us get through these next few weeks through food and favours and simple text messages, thank you too. We’ll see you soon. Grace and peace. Alexander, Rebecca, Asher & Aiden

Alexander Mills

Pastor

July 23, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
It's time to come home
In the blink of an eye By the time you’re reading this, our bags are mostly packed, we’ve said many goodbyes, and we’re charting our path towards the airport. Our time here has gone by in the blink of an eye. It’s a bit paradoxical, feeling like we’ve been here both for a single day and an entire lifetime. That’s the relativity of time, I guess. Time flies when you’re having fun. We have had lots of fun, and we’ve done plenty of hard work as well. In our family we say that hard work is good work, and our trip has been good. But it’s time to come home. Our flight boards at 11:35pm local time on Monday night, and we should be arriving back in Canada mid-afternoon on Tuesday. As we prepare for the journey ahead, here’s what this past week has held. On Saturday, Aiden woke up feeling unwell and with a rash that covered his abdomen. Rebecca got up early with him and took him to the local clinic that has been recommended to us by many missionaries. They took great care of him, both thorough and fast, and he was diagnosed with a bacterial infection. We started antibiotics that day and his condition almost immediately improved (after a very long nap). He has a dose or two left and then he should be completely past it. On Sunday we went to our last service at the church we’ve been attending and we began saying our goodbyes to some folks that we wouldn’t see again before we take flight. That began a week full of farewells. Later on that day, Rebecca got a text from Christine the midwife saying, “Mama in labour, can you come?” Me and the boys sent her off to the village, and there she found a labouring woman who was pregnant with twins! Rebecca delivered both babies safely—one boy and one girl—who happened to both be breech. It was a moment she’ll never forget. On Monday I spent my final day at Jinja Connection. We played rugby, football, read stories, and then ended our day with a feast of chicken, goat, and all the traditional Ugandan fixings. It was a treat for all of us. It’s my hope that the relationships I’ve made at Jinja Connection will continue into the future, blossoming into opportunities to work together again. On Tuesday Rebecca rejoined the folks from Mercy For Mamas to do another birth kit drop, this time in a slum village just on the outskirts of Jinja. It’s not far from where we are, but the complexion of the living conditions is altogether different than here in town. About 65 women from the village ventured to meet Rebecca and the team. Rebecca spent the morning teaching about breastfeeding, newborn care, and maternal heath. At the end of their time, the team distributed a birth kit to each woman, ensuring that they have everything that they need to give birth safely when they arrive to the hospital. Each kit costs about $10, and without this donation, many of these women would have shown up to the hospital without the supplies they need at the risk of being denied care. This is life-saving work. This Wednesday, July 22nd, was our 10th wedding anniversary. There’s some more time that has felt both like a moment and an eternity. To celebrate, we spent two nights at a river lodge called The Haven. We enjoyed good meals, spent some time on the river, saw many birds, and the boys swam in the pool—a lot. It was a serene way to celebrate the last decade and to seal our trip. Fun fact: The Haven is the scene of our first kiss. Rebecca took me there for a birthday brunch in 2012 to celebrate my nineteenth birthday. On Friday night we had a bit of a YWAM reunion. We shared dinner with our friends Barbara, Tamale, and Frank from our DTS back in 2012. It was a surreal experience, being back in this place with these people. Barbara owns a restaurant here in town, Tamale pastors a local church, and Frank is living in Wisconsin with his wife and two kids. This weekend we’ll finish packing and say our final goodbyes. We’ve made a lot of fast friends in our short time here, and the farewells are getting harder each time. Hopefully they’re not goodbyes, but see you soons. On Sunday we’ll head to our departing city Entebbe, get a good night sleep, and spend a casual day on Monday before our late night flight. Please pray for some miraculous measure of grace at Pearson upon our arrival. We’re hoping for an exception from the mandatory 21-day quarantine that’s currently required for Canadians returning from Uganda, Sudan, and the Congo. Uganda hasn’t had a positive Ebola case in many weeks. Grace and peace. Alexander, Rebecca, Asher & Aiden To get in contact with us directly now or while we’re away, email alexander@lifeabundantniagara.com. We’ll be checking in regularly.

Alexander Mills

Pastor

July 16, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
This is our last full week of ministry
A story about a Good Samaritan It’s our last full week of work and ministry here. Time is winding down faster than we can believe. This will be one of our last updates, and before we go, I want to tell you a story. Late last week, Rebecca posted a short story to her Instagram and Facebook about Christine, the midwife who introduced her to midwifery. She has a compelling story about how and why she became a midwife, and how she’s been doing it in the same village every day since 1996. Rebecca’s story mentioned that her and Christine saw 56 women in clinic last week. The cost for an entire course of care? $20. Some women pay all of it. Some pay some. Some pay none. Christine takes care of them all, often at her own expense. Christine told me today, “Life is a free gift. How could someone lose their life because someone else was unwilling to help? I care for each of these women as if they have paid in full.” Friends and family who follow Rebecca and saw her story quickly started writing her, asking if they could send money to Christine. Over the course of 24 hours, people had donated over $2000. This week, we were able to withdraw those funds and entrust them to Christine. First and foremost, the support is going to cover the course of care for over 100 women who couldn’t otherwise pay. In addition to that, men have already begun (and now completed!) excavating her previously impassable entrance to install culverts and pave a parking space for emergency vehicles. Previous to this, there was no vehicle access to her clinic. Today, Rebecca and Christine spent the morning at the pharmacy restocking all of Christine’s medications that she often gives out to her community for free. Not only will this restock the essential like gloves and IV kits, but it will also include life saving medications for birth emergencies. Next week she’ll also erect an illuminated sign so that people know how to find her. The Ministry of Health has been pestering her to do that for some time. Christine’s first act of midwifery back in 1996 was a true Good Samaritan tale. She delivered a stranger’s baby on the side of the road. Today she thank us (and you, too) for being a Good Samaritan, empowering her to do Christ’s work where she lives. On Monday this week we had dinner with an old friend from our YWAM days, and met her twin girls. Our kids played together while we shared dinner. Barbara is pregnant with her third child, expecting a boy in just a couple months. On Tuesday Rebecca joined Christine for another clinic day. She saw women in and out all morning, including delivering a healthy baby boy. The routine care of pregnant women in the clinic included doing examinations ,administering medications, and giving IVs. On Wednesday we spent our final day at Pambazuka Ministries, a home for pregnant teens and elderly widows. Rebecca spent the morning with the 15 girls who had gone through the year-long program two years ago and have recently returned to the ministry for a month-long refresher. She hosted an “Ask The Midwife” question and answer session, and then taught on menstrual cycles and family planning. We came to Uganda with beads from home that were meant for this session. Each girl made a menstrual bracelet that will help them track their cycles easily. We spent Wednesday afternoon at Amani Baby Cottage again. Our boys savoured each last moment of play with their fast friends on a hot and sunny afternoon. The goodbyes were a little teary eyed for everyone. On Thursday we met up with Barbara again as she hosted us at her home. She was proud to show us where she lives. Rebecca and Barbara then went to the hospital so Rebecca could meet and greet her sister who had just delivered a baby boy the day before. Today, Rebecca spent the morning with Christine restocking her medications from the pharmacy, as well as visiting a graphic designer to settle on the plans for the sign that should be erected next week. I was able to go the clinic this afternoon to take some photos and videos that they can use to start an Instagram page. We have two more days of work planned next week before we wind down for a little getaway. Rebecca and I will be married for 10 years on the 22nd, so our little family is going to stay for a couple nights at the scene of our first kiss. We’ll enjoy the space, enjoy each other, and then begin packing next weekend to start our journey home on Monday. This week was sunny and hot, but it ended with a welcomed rainstorm. Rebecca and Asher enjoyed every drop of it. As it stands today, we’re required to quarantine at home for 21 days upon return to Canada. We’re hopeful that we’ll be screened graciously at the airport and by some sort of grace we’ll be exempt from isolation. For now, that’s a prayer. You can join us in hoping for that. Ebola Update 🦠 It was announced today that the last Ebola patient in Uganda has been successfully discharged from hospital. That begins a 42 day countdown to declare the end of an outbreak. Stay Updated I’m planning to write one of these posts every other week or so while we’re away (depending on internet access). To stay up to date on our trip in real time, subscribe to these posts below to get them sent directly to your inbox whenever we write. Grace and peace. Alexander, Rebecca, Asher & Aiden To get in contact with us directly now or while we’re away, email alexander@lifeabundantniagara.com. We’ll be checking in regularly.

Alexander Mills

Pastor

July 9, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Helping with hands in many ways
A place of origins Uganda is special to our family in many ways. First and foremost, it’s where Rebecca and I met almost 15 years ago. Hindsight has given us new perspective of just how extraordinary our love story is; that a Canadian boy met an American girl in an African country and are making a family out if it. Beyond that, we both unearthed our vocations here. It was in Uganda that I first heard the voice that called me to be a pastor. It was also here that a woman named Christine introduced Rebecca to the ministry of midwifery. In all these ways and more, we’re seeing full circles. Let me tell you about some more. On Monday I spent my day at Jinja Connection again. It has become a weekly rhythm. Their mission is to rescue and rehabilitate children who live on the streets of Jinja. About 30 kids came back to the centre from our street walk, and we spent the day playing rugby, doing class, and playing football. On Tuesday Rebecca headed into the village on her own to meet an old friend, Christine the midwife. Christine operates a midwifery clinic on her own, serving the entire village and beyond since 1993. After losing her sister to childbirth complications, Christine became a midwife at a young age with the goal of saving even one woman from a preventable death. It’s safe to say, she has saved many more. Christine first introduced Rebecca to midwifery back in 2012, so it was a joy and a privilege for Rebecca to join Christine in her practice. Rebecca ran the entire clinic day, seeing 56 pregnant women over the course of the day. We were also able to give to the clinic an entire duffle bag of medical supplies and live-saving equipment that we brought from home. On Wednesday Rebecca returned to Pambazuka Ministries, a home for pregnant teens and elderly widows. 15 girls who had gone through the year-long program two years ago returned to the ministry this week (and their children!) for a month-long refresher. Rebecca spent the entire morning with them, hosting two sessions: maternal mental health, and a devotion on enduring hope through struggles. As we do each Wednesday afternoon, we headed back to Amani Baby Cottage. We’re able to go there as a whole family, and our kids fit right in with the 33-or-so kids that live their full time. We snack, we play, we laugh, and we love. It’s a highlight of our week. On Thursday afternoon it was my turn to go to Pambazuka. I met with the male staff for two hours under the mango tree, doing some teaching from the scriptures and some pastoral care. “It’s nice to sit in a group like this with just men,” one of them said shortly after we sat down. “We work hard to make it easier for women, and we don’t have much space like this to sit and share with men.” It’s Friday as I write this, sitting on the porch with an ice pack and a tensor on my left quad. We just got back from Jinja Connection where we had a staff vs. kids soccer match. I pretty severely injured my quad earlier in the week, and I’ve been resting it up for today’s match. Everyone has been looking forward to it. I played goalkeeper in an effort to take it easy on my leg, but my injury got the best of me. I watched the rest of the game from the sidelines as they played to a draw. After our fun we headed back to the centre and shared a meal together after the more than 30 kids finished washing up. P.S. the jerseys you see the kids wearing are a generous donation from the Daly family. The staff and the kids were excessively grateful. This week Asher came to me and said, “Dad, I forget what home looks like.” I told him to close his eyes, and as he did I led him on a mental journey of our home. It came back to him quickly. His forgetfulness is a sign to us that he’s simply having a really good time here. Both of our boys are experiencing all sorts of new joys in new friends, new fruits, and new critters. Here’s a gratuitous photo dump of some pictures that we snapped this week. Ebola Update 🦠 Life in Jinja continues completely undisturbed. Ebola is not breaking out here, although the situation in the Congo is still very serious. Pray that the Canadian government laxes the 21-day isolation requirement by the time we’re headed home. Stay Updated I’m planning to write one of these posts every other week or so while we’re away (depending on internet access). To stay up to date on our trip in real time, subscribe to these posts below to get them sent directly to your inbox whenever we write. Grace and peace. Alexander, Rebecca, Asher & Aiden To get in contact with us directly now or while we’re away, email alexander@lifeabundantniagara.com. We’ll be checking in regularly.

Alexander Mills

Pastor

July 2, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Working with street children, venomous snakes, and soccer—lots of soccer
We’re feeling right at home here The end of this week marks the halfway point of our trip. Truthfully, it feels like we’ve been here forever—in the best way. Asher plans to live here when he’s an adult. We’ll see where God leads him, I guess. Here’s a bit of what we’ve been up to. Last Friday we went to Pambazuka. An auntie took our boys around the compound for a while while I sat with Pastor James, a young man who is finding his way in his pastoral vocation. I heard about his hopes and his hesitations, and I was able to encourage him while also answering some questions. While we chatted, Rebecca met with the nurses on staff to answer questions about antenatal, maternal health, postpartum, and newborn care. There are a lot of harmful myths that she was able to gently dispel. After that, I led a devotional for the entire staff and we share a meal together. On Monday I spent the day with a local ministry called Jinja Connection. Their mission is to rescue and rehabilitate children who live on the streets of Jinja. I joined the social workers for a walk through town to seek out the children and invite them freely back to the centre. About 25 kids joined us to spend the day together. They started the morning at the rugby field, learning from professional rugby players who are volunteering their time to teach the kids. Around midday they regathered at the centre to wash themselves, their clothes, and receive a meal. They then did an hour or so of “class”, learning math and language in English, and then we headed to the soccer field. There was video evidence that I’ve since permanently deleted of me being manhandled by children on the soccer field. My legs are still hurting. On Tuesday we journeyed to Ekisa Ministries, the work of the family that’s hosting us here. Ekisa exists to help serve children with disabilities. We were so compelled by the work that they’re doing there. It was also Verity’s last day with us before she left to return to Australia. We savoured every moment with her. On Wednesday morning we said goodbye to Verity. It was so sweet to be reunited with her after all these years, and she was a tremendous gift to the people of Uganda during her time with us, teaching life saving first-aid to many groups during her short time. We spend each Wednesday afternoon at Amani Baby Cottage simply enjoying the kids. “Warm bodies to play with the children” is what they need, so that’s what we bring. This week, we also brought two new soccer balls thanks to your generosity. My legs hadn’t yet recovered from Monday, but these children were a little easier on me (the oldest is 6). We had more than one snake encounter this week (mom, this is a good time to tune out). The first one evaded us without capture, which is likely for the best since it was identified as a deadly Jameson’s Mamba by the photo we took of it. The next time we saw a snake we knew what to do. We called Steve from Snakes Uganda, and he came with all the necessary tools to capture it. Although this one was harmless, a gentle Battersby Green snake, he caught it nevertheless and relocated it to the national forest. We celebrated Canada Day with milkshakes, and we’ll spend The Fourth of July at the pool. We’ve caught more lizards and tree frogs this week than a 5-year-old can keep track of. The sun is hot, and the passionfruit juice is cold. Next week is shaping up to be full, with visits to Jinja Connection, antenatal days in the village, our weekly visit to the baby cottage, and more. Ebola Update 🦠 Life in Jinja continues completely undisturbed. Ebola is not breaking out here, although the situation in the Congo is still very serious. Pray that the Canadian government laxes the 21-day isolation requirement by the time we’re headed home. Stay Updated I’m planning to write one of these posts every other week or so while we’re away (depending on internet access). To stay up to date on our trip in real time, subscribe to these posts below to get them sent directly to your inbox whenever we write. Grace and peace. Alexander, Rebecca, Asher & Aiden To get in contact with us directly now or while we’re away, email alexander@lifeabundantniagara.com. We’ll be checking in regularly.

Alexander Mills

Pastor

July 1, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
I'm not an ornithologist
“Look up!” The two words that are ever ready on the tips of the tongues of all birders. Folks who are scientifically engaged in the study of birds get a fancy name: ornithologist. But for me and my clan (and many of you who are reading), we’re just birders. Not just birders, though. Birders are people who notice. Noticing, especially in our digital age that lures us constantly into attention deficit, is an act of spiritual practice. I’ve written to you recently about that. Look up, and notice what you see.How to see God From my stoop here in our temporary home in Jinja, Uganda, I can currently see and hear many birds. It’s been the joy of our time here by the Nile river. The Maribou Stock looms largely overhead. The Eastern Plantain-eater is somewhere in the distance, calling out with vocals that are easily mistaken for a monkey. And just in front of me, a Blue-breasted Kingfisher sits perched on a branch. It’s brilliant blue feathers arrest my attention. Her fire-engine beak is poised for a catch. Thanks to the Merlin Bird App, we’ve been able to identify many of the new bird species that we are seeing and hearing. I have a “life list” of 165 bird species logged on the app. One species in particular sings his morning song to us daily. Merlin describes his tune as “loud and complex vocalizations, including a mix of rattles, scratches, and piercing whistles.” In my words, I’d describe the song as beautiful—a complicated set of diverse sounds, but each with purpose and none without meaning. When I looked up I expected to see a bird that visually matched the complexity of her song. What I saw was unexpected: a plain black bird. At first sight, the Rüppell’s Starling appears boring and bland. Black. Singular. But when she soars into the sun, she shines iridescent. Purple and green, blue and maroon. Simply stunning. One caught the attention of our entire family just the other day, shining in the sun as she sat atop the iron fence. We all looked up. As she drew our attention up and towards the sky, we saw a splash of another colour: electric green. There, next to our beloved Starling, was a four-foot-long Battersby Green Snake. The tale of capturing that snake is another story for another time, because I’ve rambled on about birds for long enough to arrive at the point. Looking up as an act of spiritual practice, the art of noticing, is not just to see the good, the true, and the beautiful. Looking up from our feet as we journey on the path towards home alerts us to dangers and diversions that could cause us to stray. Our spiritual formation is not a destination, it’s a journey. It’s been called “a pilgrimage of the soul—if we want to keep growing, we have to stay on the journey, we have to stay on the road.” We must resist the despondence of staring at our feet as we trudge along. Instead, with our eyes up, we look for the signposts of the journey towards home. We meet at the Table, and receive our food for the journey. And we walk with our heads held high along the narrow path, for on our pilgrimage, we are being saved. Grace and peace, Pastor Alexander

Alexander Mills

Pastor