Be the Answer to Someone’s Prayer.

Join us in Uganda and have your passions ignited and hearts awakened.

What Happens When You Say “Yes”

For over 20 years we have provided opportunities for people to serve on short-term trips and internships to Uganda, Africa. We’ve seen people discover more of their God-given purpose and potential after they’ve said “yes” to serve on a team with us. We know your passions will be ignited and your dreams awakened.

Join us on a life changing trip. We promise, you’ll never be the same!

Serving icon.

Ways to Serve

You’ll have the opportunity to love and serve children in local villages through activities like teaching, VBS, Saturday gatherings, feeding, playing, and more.

Orphaned & Vulnerable Children Support

We’re passionate about equipping our neighbors with tools for success through impactful community development initiatives.

Village & Community Development

We welcome medical professionals, students, and volunteers of all experience levels to support our team in providing care during medical outreaches.

Medical & Dental Missions

Join water well celebrations—joyful moments of dancing, singing, and gratitude as clean water begins to flow and lives are transformed.

Clean Water Wells

Field of Dreams

In 2006, one of our founders was walking along the dirt trails of our recently purchased 25 acre property in Uganda. Suddenly, Mike was reminded of the famous line in the movie, Field of Dreams,

“If you build it, He will come.”

He began to have a clearer vision of God’s heart for this property and knew that amazing things would occur when SMI began to build!

Real Stories from people impacted by
Show Mercy Missions

leighgoolsby
leighgoolsby
Volunteer 07/21/2024
What a blessing to be in Uganda in partnership with Show Mercy! All of us came with the goal of being the hands and feet of Jesus and being a blessing to the beautiful people of Uganda. It was a fruitful, spirit-filled week, but so much of the blessing was ours! Uganda with Show Mercy has been indescribably beautiful. We will return home bold and courageous for the sake of the gospel. So grateful!
Marinanding
Marinanding
Volunteer 06/11/2025
This is my 3rd time serving with Show Mercy. Every time I come here, this place and this staff bless me so much! Show Mercy is organized with everything that they do. I always feel so safe and cared for during my time staying here. The outreaches are well organized so that every person who comes to serve gets to experience things both within and far beyond their comfort zone. I've gotten to experience an array of different things, with many different age ranges, and serving alongside many different people and staff members....
SSolley
SSolley
Volunteer 04/07/2025
I just finished spending the last two weeks in Uganda serving with Show Mercy International. I love this ministry and it is the fourth time that I have served with them since 2019. The ministry has improved year by year if that's even possible as it is so terrific and far surpass anyone 's dreams of helping on a mission. The staff are wonderful and kind and treat you like family.. There are many ways to help in this ministry...
jcmcgarity1286
jcmcgarity1286
Volunteer 03/13/2025
My name is Caden McGarity, and I can confidently say there is no place on earth like Show Mercy. This is my fourth year to Uganda and my second to Show Mercy International. Jesus is evident in the lives of the staff, and there is peace, love, power, and hope here. My highlight moment of the trip involves a month long prayer. Last year I was able to deliver a baby on my birthday at the clinic and was believing that it would happen again....
JohnThomas
JohnThomas
Volunteer 07/20/2024
My time with Show Mercy has completely changed my life. The presence of the Lord here is so evident and undeniable! The staff has built us up and encouraged us as we walked in our callings! I am so moved by the love, joy, and kindness poured on me while serving here! I would recommend anyone to come and serve alongside the Show Mercy team! Jesus is the center of every single outreach...
jacoblotz914
jacoblotz914
Volunteer 02/03/2025
My time at Show Mercy was fantastic! Working alongside the staff was a great blessing as we served the people of the community with deep needs. Interactions with the community are inspired by the Holy Spirit and everything is done out of love! The most impactful moments during our visit were the times when it was evident that God was moving and accomplishing his will from our obedience...
EAlcantaraJr
EAlcantaraJr
Volunteer 02/03/2025
Show Mercy is a PHENOMENAL organization! The work they are doing is outstanding! Not only do they serve vulnerable communities by uniquely meeting their needs, but they also love each individual as if they were family. This ministry is remarkable. Serving alongside Show Mercy has challenged me to serve and love on a new level. I am forever marked and transformed by this ministry.
leighgoolsby
leighgoolsby
Volunteer 07/21/2024
What a blessing to be in Uganda in partnership with Show Mercy! All of us came with the goal of being the hands and feet of Jesus and being a blessing to the beautiful people of Uganda. It was a fruitful, spirit-filled week, but so much of the blessing was ours! Uganda with Show Mercy has been indescribably beautiful. We will return home bold and courageous for the sake of the gospel. So grateful!
Marinanding
Marinanding
Volunteer 06/11/2025
This is my 3rd time serving with Show Mercy. Every time I come here, this place and this staff bless me so much! Show Mercy is organized with everything that they do. I always feel so safe and cared for during my time staying here. The outreaches are well organized so that every person who comes to serve gets to experience things both within and far beyond their comfort zone. I've gotten to experience an array of different things, with many different age ranges, and serving alongside many different people and staff members. One of my favorite things is that the staff does so much beyond what their job description calls them to do. They sit with us at meals, play games with us, and truly take part in the fellowship that happens among the different teams serving here. This place feels like family whether you come with family, friends, or even strangers. Magic truly happens here, and I pray that this ministry will thrive for a very long time!
SSolley
SSolley
Volunteer 04/07/2025
I just finished spending the last two weeks in Uganda serving with Show Mercy International. I love this ministry and it is the fourth time that I have served with them since 2019. The ministry has improved year by year if that's even possible as it is so terrific and far surpass anyone 's dreams of helping on a mission. The staff are wonderful and kind and treat you like family.. There are many ways to help in this ministry. When you are at the base, you have the opportunity to try different aspects of the ministry or focus in on what you feel your best giftings are. I enjoyed visiting the elderly and each time they put together many opportunities for me to interact with them. I also love visiting my sponsor kids and watching them grow. I love the staff there and have grown quite close to them all. They treat me like I am their sister or their mother. + shower me with love. Each time I'm there, I feel so overwhelmed and grateful for all the love and effort that they pour into me. They help me grow my relationship with God. + Help me refocus on him when I return home to Canada as well. Thank you for all you do to help us to serve. Thank you for all you do to help Uganda. God bless you SMI
jcmcgarity1286
jcmcgarity1286
Volunteer 03/13/2025
My name is Caden McGarity, and I can confidently say there is no place on earth like Show Mercy. This is my fourth year to Uganda and my second to Show Mercy International. Jesus is evident in the lives of the staff, and there is peace, love, power, and hope here. My highlight moment of the trip involves a month long prayer. Last year I was able to deliver a baby on my birthday at the clinic and was believing that it would happen again. At midnight when I thought it wasn’t going to happen, I was informed that a mother showed up and was in labor. I broke down in the moment in awe of God’s love and grace to answer my prayer. Myself and two other team members were able to not only help deliver one baby, but also two more that came in during the night. One was a 14 year old that experienced a terrible act, but, in what the enemy intended for good, God was able to redeem and bring life. I am so blessed to be able to be a part of God’s work, and He is doing miraculous things every single day. Praise the Lord. Yesu Akwagala!
JohnThomas
JohnThomas
Volunteer 07/20/2024
My time with Show Mercy has completely changed my life. The presence of the Lord here is so evident and undeniable! The staff has built us up and encouraged us as we walked in our callings! I am so moved by the love, joy, and kindness poured on me while serving here! I would recommend anyone to come and serve alongside the Show Mercy team! Jesus is the center of every single outreach, and it is truly beautiful to witness the lives impacted by Show Mercy! The Holy Spirit had His way this week, and I am beyond grateful He allowed me to be a part of it! Thank you, Show Mercy and thank you, Jesus!!
jacoblotz914
jacoblotz914
Volunteer 02/03/2025
My time at Show Mercy was fantastic! Working alongside the staff was a great blessing as we served the people of the community with deep needs. Interactions with the community are inspired by the Holy Spirit and everything is done out of love! The most impactful moments during our visit were the times when it was evident that God was moving and accomplishing his will from our obedience. This trip is life changing as the love of the Ugandan people inspires team members to boldly share the love of God while fostering to physical needs. This ministry is very intentional to create relationships with the people we interact with, creating lifelong discipleship to Christ. Show Mercy intentionally seeks to do God's will and it is very evident that God is in it by the impacts and testimonies I witnessed and experienced while I was here. I would encourage anyone to go boldly for Christ and Show Mercy in Uganda is a great place to do so!!!
EAlcantaraJr
EAlcantaraJr
Volunteer 02/03/2025
Show Mercy is a PHENOMENAL organization! The work they are doing is outstanding! Not only do they serve vulnerable communities by uniquely meeting their needs, but they also love each individual as if they were family. This ministry is remarkable. Serving alongside Show Mercy has challenged me to serve and love on a new level. I am forever marked and transformed by this ministry.

FAQ

A typical short-term trip lasts 10-14 days. The cost varies depending on the length of the trip, extra outreaches, and safari add-ons. The money helps to cover the costs of housing and food while at the SMI base, transportation to and from the airport, Show Mercy outreaches, clean drinking water, a team t-shirt, and administrative expenses. Your contributions assist in supporting the ministry and mission of Show Mercy International.

Anyone can apply to join us in Uganda; however, anyone under the age of 18 will need to have a signed parental or guardian permission and liability release in order to be considered.

Team numbers range from 5 to 25 persons depending on the time of year. Interns or long-term employees usually join visiting teams. You can come alone or with a few friends if you don’t have a team. There is very seldom a time when we do not have volunteers at our base in Uganda.

-Visa fees ($50 for a tourist visa) obtained through the following website. https://visas.immigration.go.ug/

-Any vaccinations or medications (malaria preventative). Yellow Fever is required.

-Airfare unless otherwise noted

-Money for souvenirs and an occasional meal when we are away from the Show Mercy Field of Dreams base

There are a variety of choices available. A quick Google search will turn up numerous businesses that offer quality protection at competitive prices. You will be given access to a Managed Missions page once you have submitted an application and been accepted as a team member, which will also include options for travel insurance.

Please click here and enter the referral code SHOWME when requesting a quote. You can also use other travel agents or online sites such as vayama.com, orbitz.com, travelocity.com, etc. You will fly into Entebbe, Uganda (EBB). Other airlines that fly to Entebbe include Delta/KLM, Turkish Airlines, SN Brussels and Ethiopian Airlines.

There are some consistent activities on every trip. You’ll spend time with children in our sponsorship program. We also participate in weekly village outreaches to orphans and widows, visit and pray for the sick or work in our Show Mercy Hospital and Maternity Center on our Field of Dreams property (if you qualify), share in schools and local churches, host VBS or similar outreaches. Occasionally there are simple building projects, farming outreaches and new water well opening celebrations. Team members are also encouraged in their faith. There are regular times of group worship, devotions, and prayer. Usually, a team trip’s itinerary is shaped by the interests and backgrounds of its participants. We accommodate teams with medical backgrounds by giving them a chance to participate in activities of that nature.

No. There is always the opportunity to travel without a team. There are very few times when team members are not serving with us in Uganda. You can just assimilate into the teams that are already there. Team members are still required to fill out an application, submit all required liability forms, stay at our base, and agree to follow our ministry guidelines. Please contact us if you would like to travel outside of a scheduled team trip.

Yes. If you would like to organize a trip and lead a team with your church, youth group, organization or with a certain group of people, we can accommodate those requests. Please contact us for more information on pricing, availability, and activities that you would like to be involved in. If those activities fit into the mission of Show Mercy, consideration will be made for those types of organized trips. If a team leader organizes and brings at least 10 people on an organized trip, the fee to Show Mercy will be waived for one team leader. If you take a team of at least 20 people, SMI will also contribute $1000 towards airfare along with the fee being waived. Due to limited space and increased demand, we ask for a deposit of $500 to reserve space for a group.

Show Mercy has team housing on our 25 acre “Field of Dreams” compound. The houses are simple but clean and nice. We have two homes for team members that each consist of a large living room, 4 bedrooms (2 sets of bunk beds in each room along with a dresser). The bedrooms are self-contained with showers (including hot water), flush toilets, and sinks. There is electrical power available, but can be inconsistent. More detailed information will be available in your preparation packet that will be sent to you once you have applied and are accepted on the team. It is a very nice, peaceful, safe and comfortable base where you can spend time with the team or spend some alone time with God. The base was designed to provide teams a time of refreshment in between outreaches. We want you to be ready to serve those you encounter each day.

Yes. If your trip is for the purpose of volunteering with Show Mercy International, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the cost of the trip may be tax-deductible. Donations made toward your trip through Show Mercy are also tax-deductible, as long as they are made to the organization and not directly to you as an individual.

According to IRS guidelines, all donations become the property of Show Mercy and must be used to further the organization’s mission. While donations can be designated toward your trip, they are ultimately used at Show Mercy’s discretion to support our ministry in Uganda.

We recommend consulting a tax professional to understand how your individual situation may qualify for tax benefits.

Donors will receive a tax-deductible receipt for their contributions.

Stay Connected. Make an Impact.

Name

Grace's Story:

In 2004, when we began Show Mercy, we had no idea the depth and reach this journey would take. We simply said yes to helping 50 children. That’s it. No grand strategy. Just obedience.

And that’s when I met Grace—a quiet, wide-eyed little boy sitting in a church service. I invited him to sit on my lap, and from that moment on, he had a special place in my heart.

Grace’s story was painful. His father had died of AIDS, and by custom, he was sent to live with his grandparents. At just seven years old, Grace was forced to work in the fields from dawn to dusk, digging for food with his bare hands. He wasn’t allowed to go to school. He slept on the hard mud floor. His clothes were rags. He was in constant pain—his feet and hands raw and infected from living barefoot in the dirt.

When he was finally brought into our sponsorship program, everything changed.

A Heart Transformed

Grace was safe. He had a bed. A blanket. Shoes. Meals. Clean water. Medical care. An education. But more than all of that—he had love.He would run to carry my bags every time I visited. He started dreaming big, bold dreams. He told me with glistening eyes that one day he would be a pastor and evangelist for Jesus. And over and over again, he dreamed of fishing—casting nets—pulling in a catch.

One day, as he wept in my arms sharing the horrors of his early life, he suddenly lifted his head, smiled, and said something I will never forget:

“I now know what it means to be a King’s kid.”

Grace discovered who he truly was—not an orphan, not a slave—but a son of the King. That truth changed everything for him. And it became a cornerstone of this ministry’s calling.

The Final Goodbye

In 2008, we received the heartbreaking news that Grace had passed away. While being treated in the hospital for an injury, doctors discovered he had leukemia. It progressed quickly, and we didn’t even have time to say goodbye.

But then, something miraculous happened. My husband Mike had a dream. In it, Grace was sitting on Jesus’ lap—radiant, whole, joyful. He looked at Mike and said something like:

“Thank you… for showing me what a good Poppa is on the earth.”

He woke up in tears. It was as if Grace had come back one last time to say thank you—and to pass the baton.

Send your sponsored child a note!

Use this form to send a special note to your child in Uganda.
You can upload a few small photos as well.