Monday, August 17, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Update from Uganda Mission
Update from Uganda Mission Team.
Thank you again to all of those who have supported Taylor and her trip. As you will read in the letter below, the work has not stopped. We will continue to receive updates about the church in Jinja and what the church in Fayetteville is doing to help support them.
If you would like to stay on and receive the updates, do nothing and I will continue to forward them on. If you do not wish to receive these, just send me an email and let me know and I will remove your name.
Taylor will be putting together a "presentation" about her trip and we will plan on sharing that with all of you in the very near future.
Thank you again!
Lori
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"'
Greetings friends and family,
well we made it home safe and sound. I know all of the team are glad to be back with family again. I have spoken to a few of the team the last coupe of days and the jet lag seems to be smacking us all!! It does get better!
I want to thank you all for your support of us on this trip. Whether through financial donations, or prayers, or sharing the work we are doing with others your support was felt and needed by the team. We could not have done this without you!! Thank you so much.
The trip was amazing. We held 5 medical clinics and were able to see and assist almost 3,000 people. What a blessing. We handed out over 1,000 mosquito nets to pregnant women and families with small children to help prevent malaria. We also had a couple hundred people come to faith in Christ through the two showings of the Passion of the Christ movie and the prayer room at each clinic. Actually.. God did all this through us. It was a tremendous trip.
I will say it is going to be difficult for the team to explain it to you for a bit. I have been three times now and still have trouble describing it. There are times when exhaustion and frustration set in, but honestly I remember the blessings. Seeing a child smile as they play games and sing songs. Having a parent thank you for helping them see the doctor. Getting word that the 2 infants rushed to the hospital are doing better. Seeing your friends freely giving of themselves in service for others they do not even know. Sharing a time of fellowship with our hosts who thank us for coming and blessing the people they work with daily. Worshiping in a new church building in the middle of a village. These things far out weigh the inconveniences to our normal comfort zone. It is such a blessing to have been a part of what God is doing.
I want you to know that the Uganda mission is not over. We have new projects we will be working on in the near future. If you would like to stay involved or updated please let me know and I will keep you in the email group. Here are a few things we have going on currently and coming up:
1. CYORF newsletter - Pastor Edward sends out a monthly newsletter to update what is going on and needs of the ministry in Jinja.
2. Child Sponsorship - for $31 a month you can sponsor a child through CYORF and provide food, clothes, school, medical attention, and spiritual guidance.
3. CYORF monthly partners - we also collect donations to assist Pastor Edward and CYORF with their monthly budget.
4. (New) Purchasing a new vehicle for CYORF - we will working to buy a new 4x4 for CYORF so they can travel to the various villages where they minister
5. (New) Water well in Mayuge district with CYORF
6. (New) Water well and church building for the East African Methodist conference in Koch Gomo
Again, the team would like to thank you for your prayers and support while we were in country. Your prayers were felt trust us and they were needed to do all that God wanted us to do. Thank you for being there for us. Talk to you soon and hopefully see you in Uganda one day!!
We love because God first loved Us.
Chris Thornton
Thank you again to all of those who have supported Taylor and her trip. As you will read in the letter below, the work has not stopped. We will continue to receive updates about the church in Jinja and what the church in Fayetteville is doing to help support them.
If you would like to stay on and receive the updates, do nothing and I will continue to forward them on. If you do not wish to receive these, just send me an email and let me know and I will remove your name.
Taylor will be putting together a "presentation" about her trip and we will plan on sharing that with all of you in the very near future.
Thank you again!
Lori
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"'
Greetings friends and family,
well we made it home safe and sound. I know all of the team are glad to be back with family again. I have spoken to a few of the team the last coupe of days and the jet lag seems to be smacking us all!! It does get better!
I want to thank you all for your support of us on this trip. Whether through financial donations, or prayers, or sharing the work we are doing with others your support was felt and needed by the team. We could not have done this without you!! Thank you so much.
The trip was amazing. We held 5 medical clinics and were able to see and assist almost 3,000 people. What a blessing. We handed out over 1,000 mosquito nets to pregnant women and families with small children to help prevent malaria. We also had a couple hundred people come to faith in Christ through the two showings of the Passion of the Christ movie and the prayer room at each clinic. Actually.. God did all this through us. It was a tremendous trip.
I will say it is going to be difficult for the team to explain it to you for a bit. I have been three times now and still have trouble describing it. There are times when exhaustion and frustration set in, but honestly I remember the blessings. Seeing a child smile as they play games and sing songs. Having a parent thank you for helping them see the doctor. Getting word that the 2 infants rushed to the hospital are doing better. Seeing your friends freely giving of themselves in service for others they do not even know. Sharing a time of fellowship with our hosts who thank us for coming and blessing the people they work with daily. Worshiping in a new church building in the middle of a village. These things far out weigh the inconveniences to our normal comfort zone. It is such a blessing to have been a part of what God is doing.
I want you to know that the Uganda mission is not over. We have new projects we will be working on in the near future. If you would like to stay involved or updated please let me know and I will keep you in the email group. Here are a few things we have going on currently and coming up:
1. CYORF newsletter - Pastor Edward sends out a monthly newsletter to update what is going on and needs of the ministry in Jinja.
2. Child Sponsorship - for $31 a month you can sponsor a child through CYORF and provide food, clothes, school, medical attention, and spiritual guidance.
3. CYORF monthly partners - we also collect donations to assist Pastor Edward and CYORF with their monthly budget.
4. (New) Purchasing a new vehicle for CYORF - we will working to buy a new 4x4 for CYORF so they can travel to the various villages where they minister
5. (New) Water well in Mayuge district with CYORF
6. (New) Water well and church building for the East African Methodist conference in Koch Gomo
Again, the team would like to thank you for your prayers and support while we were in country. Your prayers were felt trust us and they were needed to do all that God wanted us to do. Thank you for being there for us. Talk to you soon and hopefully see you in Uganda one day!!
We love because God first loved Us.
Chris Thornton
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
What an awesome trip!
We met Taylor at the airport last night about 4:45. I could tell from the minute I saw her, with the ever present smile on her face, that she had a wonderful time. To cement her good experience, the first words after "I missed you" were...."We need to talk about the trip to the Amazon next year. I want to go."
We all headed over to her dad's house to share her homecoming and were blessed by several stories and gifts.
Unfortunately her camera didn't work, BUT, one of the guys from the trip is compiling pics from everyone and giving a cd to all the mission team members.
All of that being said, we will be having a get together soon so Taylor can tell everyone about her trip.
Keep checking back or if you want me to email you the details, send me a note... lori.swearingen@yahoo.com
Thanks for all your prayers!!
Love to all!
Lori
We all headed over to her dad's house to share her homecoming and were blessed by several stories and gifts.
Unfortunately her camera didn't work, BUT, one of the guys from the trip is compiling pics from everyone and giving a cd to all the mission team members.
All of that being said, we will be having a get together soon so Taylor can tell everyone about her trip.
Keep checking back or if you want me to email you the details, send me a note... lori.swearingen@yahoo.com
Thanks for all your prayers!!
Love to all!
Lori
Monday, August 3, 2009
HOMECOMING!!!!
I just want to say thank you to friends and family alike who have prayed for our missionaries and missionary families this week. The prayers were felt. It has also been a blessing receiving encouragement from many of you. Please continue to pray them through all the way home.
It looks like their flights are on schedule. They are currently split into three groups arriving at three different times this evening.
Chris will probably send out one more e-mail in the next couple of days just to let you know final details of their work.
Thanks so much for supporting and encouraging us.
In Christ's arms,
Kysia
It looks like their flights are on schedule. They are currently split into three groups arriving at three different times this evening.
Chris will probably send out one more e-mail in the next couple of days just to let you know final details of their work.
Thanks so much for supporting and encouraging us.
In Christ's arms,
Kysia
Saturday, August 1
The float trip on the Nile was Amazing!!!! We all had a great time and it is hard to describe it. We went through grade 2 thru grade 5 rapids today..... Many rafts tumped over.... I was in the boat with Keith, Dewey, Clint, Rebecca, Laura, Katie, and Elizabeth and we named our boat the Sons of thunder.... Our chant after each rapid was Thunder Thunder Boom..... We never tumped over.... We did lose Laura and Rebecca on one rapid and on the last rapid known as 50/50 we lost Keith, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Laura, but we did not turn over.... Awesome.... It was incredible to think we were swimming in the Nile river..... This river has so much historical and biblical significance; we were floating down it like baby Moses!!
We had slow and lazy parts where they let us jump out and swim and the rapids were just indescribable..... I saw tons of smiles and lots of laughter and tired people..... Wait till you see the video and pics.... Our guide Dave was incredible... He took us to as extreme as possible rapids without flipping us.... He was outstanding with the boat.... I cannot find the words anymore.... I would do it again in a heartbeat.....
It was great to see Sue, Hank, Cheryl, Tamara, Taylor, Liliia, Joey, Mary, Mike, Gary, Jody, Brittany, Hannah, and Susan and the Sons of Thunder conquer those rapids and love evey minute of it!!!!
And I was only kidding about the hippos and crocs.... It was the nile perch as big as a man and the snakes we had to watch for!
Just kidding!!! No animals to worry about.... Its the rapids that can get you!
One other thing.... We had to remove our sandals and we got to walk around Africa barefoot.... Everyone is getting a baggie of meds to take when we get home.... We all will be de-wormed!!
This was a great day. We have gotten to see the best and the worst of Uganda and the team needed this fun filled day.
And please pray for Dr Cross... He had to pull out early with a dislocated shoulder. He is doing good but he needs prayers.
We have an early morning tomorrow... Breakfast and team meeting at 6am... Church with Edward in Mayuge at 9am... Drive to Kampala at noon.... Lunch, zoo, and seeing the market and them begin the flight home at 10:20pm.
God bless you.... See you all in a few days!
Crt
We had slow and lazy parts where they let us jump out and swim and the rapids were just indescribable..... I saw tons of smiles and lots of laughter and tired people..... Wait till you see the video and pics.... Our guide Dave was incredible... He took us to as extreme as possible rapids without flipping us.... He was outstanding with the boat.... I cannot find the words anymore.... I would do it again in a heartbeat.....
It was great to see Sue, Hank, Cheryl, Tamara, Taylor, Liliia, Joey, Mary, Mike, Gary, Jody, Brittany, Hannah, and Susan and the Sons of Thunder conquer those rapids and love evey minute of it!!!!
And I was only kidding about the hippos and crocs.... It was the nile perch as big as a man and the snakes we had to watch for!
Just kidding!!! No animals to worry about.... Its the rapids that can get you!
One other thing.... We had to remove our sandals and we got to walk around Africa barefoot.... Everyone is getting a baggie of meds to take when we get home.... We all will be de-wormed!!
This was a great day. We have gotten to see the best and the worst of Uganda and the team needed this fun filled day.
And please pray for Dr Cross... He had to pull out early with a dislocated shoulder. He is doing good but he needs prayers.
We have an early morning tomorrow... Breakfast and team meeting at 6am... Church with Edward in Mayuge at 9am... Drive to Kampala at noon.... Lunch, zoo, and seeing the market and them begin the flight home at 10:20pm.
God bless you.... See you all in a few days!
Crt
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 31
Whew!!!! I wasn't so sure about the African Airlines.
I received a text message from Taylor this morning. She is doing well, excited about rafting tomorrow and excited to come home. She sends her love.
Lori
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 7:37:18 AM
Subject: We have landed back in entebbe
We had a nice visit with the Invisible Children organization this morning and also visited Gulu HS. We flew to Entebbe and the second group just landed.
We will be driving to Jinja for the evening and may stop at the source of the Nile!!
Thank you for prayers for safe travel.
I received a text message from Taylor this morning. She is doing well, excited about rafting tomorrow and excited to come home. She sends her love.
Lori
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 7:37:18 AM
Subject: We have landed back in entebbe
We had a nice visit with the Invisible Children organization this morning and also visited Gulu HS. We flew to Entebbe and the second group just landed.
We will be driving to Jinja for the evening and may stop at the source of the Nile!!
Thank you for prayers for safe travel.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 30
We are officially done with the clinics. Today we set up in Layibi which is a village just outside of Gulu. Shortest drive so far!!
It was a tough day physically as I think everyone has poured themselves out each day and we are longing to see our families. It was a great day!! We saw 483 people in medical and dental and around 40 in wound care. The unofficial total people treated this trip is over 3,000 with 300 people coming to faith in Christ. What a blessing. We planned on 1,500 and God doubled it. As the afternoon ticked down you could see team members beginning to hit walls. Emotionally and physically we are exhausted, but we have been blessed by the people so much!! It has been outstanding. I am proud to say I assisted Rebecca with the extraction of 5 wisdom teeth on a lady today. I held the light. I wanted to stop after the first one because I had seen all I wanted to see and more but they encouraged me to stay. She was the last patient. And I am man enough to say I was weak in the knees, but I did it. Pretty sure I cannot do it again!!
Tonight at dinner we got to fellowship with our hosts. This was an incredible time. They affirmed and thanked us for the partnership and the blessings we have brought. It was a great time to celebrate. We sang a graet song right in the restaurant that we need to sing in church! I loved it. And while it might seem strange to be singing worship songs in the hotel restaurant when there are close to 50 people eating they simply let us. It was a great example of scroipture that says in heaven all will worship the Lord. Every tribe, tongue, and nation. This was happening tonight.
My idea or image of the church.... The body of Christ is so much bigger now. Coming to this beautiful place and serving with our hosts expands your idea of the church. I am honored to call them friends.
I must say as well that God has blessed us with great hosts. Connecting us with the UMC church in Gulu and Edward in Jinja was simply that. Divine. These men and women love the Lord and have been wonderful. Awesome people of faith. Living it each day.
What a great day. Tomorrow we visit the Invisible Children office and a group flies to entebbe at 10am and another at 1pm. We then go to Jinja with Edward and will visit the source of the Nile. Please pray for safe travels as we will be separated for a bit.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This trip has blessed many people. We appreciate your support. We look forward to sharing with you. And we apologize in advance for the red dirt we will leave in the shower the first few days home. It goes away eventually!! We are all filthy!!!
Talk to you tomorrow night.
God bless
It was a tough day physically as I think everyone has poured themselves out each day and we are longing to see our families. It was a great day!! We saw 483 people in medical and dental and around 40 in wound care. The unofficial total people treated this trip is over 3,000 with 300 people coming to faith in Christ. What a blessing. We planned on 1,500 and God doubled it. As the afternoon ticked down you could see team members beginning to hit walls. Emotionally and physically we are exhausted, but we have been blessed by the people so much!! It has been outstanding. I am proud to say I assisted Rebecca with the extraction of 5 wisdom teeth on a lady today. I held the light. I wanted to stop after the first one because I had seen all I wanted to see and more but they encouraged me to stay. She was the last patient. And I am man enough to say I was weak in the knees, but I did it. Pretty sure I cannot do it again!!
Tonight at dinner we got to fellowship with our hosts. This was an incredible time. They affirmed and thanked us for the partnership and the blessings we have brought. It was a great time to celebrate. We sang a graet song right in the restaurant that we need to sing in church! I loved it. And while it might seem strange to be singing worship songs in the hotel restaurant when there are close to 50 people eating they simply let us. It was a great example of scroipture that says in heaven all will worship the Lord. Every tribe, tongue, and nation. This was happening tonight.
My idea or image of the church.... The body of Christ is so much bigger now. Coming to this beautiful place and serving with our hosts expands your idea of the church. I am honored to call them friends.
I must say as well that God has blessed us with great hosts. Connecting us with the UMC church in Gulu and Edward in Jinja was simply that. Divine. These men and women love the Lord and have been wonderful. Awesome people of faith. Living it each day.
What a great day. Tomorrow we visit the Invisible Children office and a group flies to entebbe at 10am and another at 1pm. We then go to Jinja with Edward and will visit the source of the Nile. Please pray for safe travels as we will be separated for a bit.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This trip has blessed many people. We appreciate your support. We look forward to sharing with you. And we apologize in advance for the red dirt we will leave in the shower the first few days home. It goes away eventually!! We are all filthy!!!
Talk to you tomorrow night.
God bless
Wednesday, July 29
Hello family and friends!!
We had another great day of clinics and ministry at Koch Chorom. I will be brief tonight as I am tired and I have stayed up to late. A group of us went on a stroll around Gulu town after dinner for about an hour. It was great. I had an ice cream at the market and just enjoyed being out with friends after a great day.
We have been blessed so much by your prayers on this trip. And we have needed them because everyone has had a time of AARRGGHH and needed a special blessing to make it through. Your prayers do that. This is hard, but man the ministry that is happening. Wow.
We saw 520 people in medical and dental today plus Keith and April took care of wound care and probably saw another 100 kids. Amazing. About 150 people came to pray to began their faith journey with Christ and join the local church. Incredible. We handed out another 200 mosquito nets to pregnant women and babies. Just an flood of blessing.
The doctors keep seeing people and using their skills to help. Always giving.
April and Susan do whatever and whenever. These nurses amaze me.
Rebecca and Mary are turning Liliia and Dewey into full fledge dentists!! Katie pulled her first tooth today! This team would go all night if needed.
Mike, Hank, and Clint are great at crowd control and always looking for ways to make the process smoother to see more people. These guys are grace in motion!
Sue and Therese are amazing. Prayer warriors. The battle is on and they are covering everyone with prayers. These ladies crack us up and make us laugh and touch our souls when needed.
Katie, Cheryl, Laura, Pam, and Elizabeth never stop in pharmacy. This place is hopping from the start to finish and then some. I have spent most of the clinic days with these ladies and I love them. Always working, always laughing, always serving, never stopping, and always entertaining themselves by picking on me! Hey.. Whatever I can do for the team. Seriously... These ladies give their all everyday... Have you ever tried to read a doctors handwriting!!
Tamara, Hannah, Joey, Taylor, and Brittany just have a ball with the kids. A little rough in spots today, but they are awesome with them. Taylor never stops smiling!! Even when talking about the difficult times she is smiling. Her joy and heart is great to see!
Jody is a great leader. Always watchful, stays flexible, always honest with us. God has gifted him.
Tomorrow is Laibi (sp?) Which may be our biggest clinic yet. We close a little early to go to Gulu HS to show the Passion of the Christ. This is the last clinic. We need prayer to finish strong. That is our prayer. Help us finish strong. We have seen almost 1,900 total people in 4 days. God has dome a good work through us. We want to finish strong. Through weariness and health issues ( aches, pains, GI troubles).... And emotional toil. We have poured ourselves out. Fill us up to overflow again.
Thank you and good night. I hope these emails are a blessing to you. We love you and appreciate your support. We miss the heck out of our families!!
Talk to you tomorrow.
God bless
Crt
We had another great day of clinics and ministry at Koch Chorom. I will be brief tonight as I am tired and I have stayed up to late. A group of us went on a stroll around Gulu town after dinner for about an hour. It was great. I had an ice cream at the market and just enjoyed being out with friends after a great day.
We have been blessed so much by your prayers on this trip. And we have needed them because everyone has had a time of AARRGGHH and needed a special blessing to make it through. Your prayers do that. This is hard, but man the ministry that is happening. Wow.
We saw 520 people in medical and dental today plus Keith and April took care of wound care and probably saw another 100 kids. Amazing. About 150 people came to pray to began their faith journey with Christ and join the local church. Incredible. We handed out another 200 mosquito nets to pregnant women and babies. Just an flood of blessing.
The doctors keep seeing people and using their skills to help. Always giving.
April and Susan do whatever and whenever. These nurses amaze me.
Rebecca and Mary are turning Liliia and Dewey into full fledge dentists!! Katie pulled her first tooth today! This team would go all night if needed.
Mike, Hank, and Clint are great at crowd control and always looking for ways to make the process smoother to see more people. These guys are grace in motion!
Sue and Therese are amazing. Prayer warriors. The battle is on and they are covering everyone with prayers. These ladies crack us up and make us laugh and touch our souls when needed.
Katie, Cheryl, Laura, Pam, and Elizabeth never stop in pharmacy. This place is hopping from the start to finish and then some. I have spent most of the clinic days with these ladies and I love them. Always working, always laughing, always serving, never stopping, and always entertaining themselves by picking on me! Hey.. Whatever I can do for the team. Seriously... These ladies give their all everyday... Have you ever tried to read a doctors handwriting!!
Tamara, Hannah, Joey, Taylor, and Brittany just have a ball with the kids. A little rough in spots today, but they are awesome with them. Taylor never stops smiling!! Even when talking about the difficult times she is smiling. Her joy and heart is great to see!
Jody is a great leader. Always watchful, stays flexible, always honest with us. God has gifted him.
Tomorrow is Laibi (sp?) Which may be our biggest clinic yet. We close a little early to go to Gulu HS to show the Passion of the Christ. This is the last clinic. We need prayer to finish strong. That is our prayer. Help us finish strong. We have seen almost 1,900 total people in 4 days. God has dome a good work through us. We want to finish strong. Through weariness and health issues ( aches, pains, GI troubles).... And emotional toil. We have poured ourselves out. Fill us up to overflow again.
Thank you and good night. I hope these emails are a blessing to you. We love you and appreciate your support. We miss the heck out of our families!!
Talk to you tomorrow.
God bless
Crt
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 28
Thank you to all that are faithfully reading the emails AND telling me you are! I am on pins and needles each day waiting for these, not because I am worried or scared but because I can't wait to hear the wonderful news that they bring! I, of course, love it even more when Taylor is mentioned and am so blessed to always have "hard work" or "big smile" attached to her name.
Thank you again to all that have supported her mission trip with prayers and giving...I can't wait to see her face when she returns but I already know what will be on it under the dirt and exhaustion and that is the LIGHT that GOD is sending through her.
Please say an extra prayer for strength and energy and that the team will not be homesick, let them always see what they are giving to others and not what they are "missing" back here!
Love to all,
Lori
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"'
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 2:34:49 PM
Subject: Clinic in Koch Gomo - northern Uganda
Greetings!
Today was our first clinic with the Methodist Church in Northern Uganda. It was a displacement camp called Koch Gomo. We have visited it all three years.
Side bar.... The camps are where the people in the villages fled to when the government gave them 48 hrs to leave their rual homes for safety. These were people in danger of the LRA and child abductions. Some of the people have begun to move back home since the rebels have stayed in Sudan and Congo, but they maintain a hut in the camp just in case. It is still a desparate situation due to there are no jobs, no real school or medical attention, and they subsistance farm for food plus government aid.
The day was difficult but incredible. We saw 619 between Drs and dentist and mothers getting mosquito nets. We received a $5,000 grant from the NWA UMC district office for nets and bought 1,000 to giver away in the North. We gave away around 300 today.
We had 4 doctors - Cross and Thorn plus Moses (a Ugandan Doctor) and another Ugandan doctor, plus Rebecca and Mary pulling teeth. They pulled 87 teeth today alone! Dewey and Hanna helped them and Liliia today in dental and Dewey pulled his first tooth! Rebecca has invited anyone wanting to pull a tooth to jump in and help. I am not sure I am ready!! Maybe! Katie and Elizabeth are in they say.
We had a great set up and the system flowed very well. We plan to use it the next 2 days. Keith set up a wound care station and spent the day treating, cleaning, and dressing wounds on kids. He saw around 100! I am always amazed at keith's heart. He interacts with the kids and always steps up to do whatever is needed. This was huge today. Awesome!!
I helped in crowd control and running scripts from doctors to pharmacy. I am not sure how Mike and Hank do it! This is front line and my first time. Emotionally it is draining. Almost all your interaction is telling people you cannot cut them in line or give them medicine or a beanie baby. It is tough. Breaks my heart. They do it with calm and grace and mercy. Outstanding guys!! Taylor helped me be the gatekeeper for the medical clinic and late in the day people began trying to walk into the drs area without a card. She did a great job. She needed a break from childrens ministry and I needed help. It got crazy as we neard the cut off point. It is always hard to tell the remaining people they will not be seen. You hate to do it but you have to stop sometime. I struggle with this part, but I know good was done today. God blessed us with a smooth, as smooth as it can be, day. We had over 20 people come to faith and get connected with a church. There was a 2 month old baby who was starving to death because her mother was not producing milk. The drs got the baby hydrated and found some help for the mother to begin feeding the baby. That is an awesome feeling. God at work. All I can say.
Childrens ministry looked like it was a ton of fun again. Tamara, Brittany, Joey, and Taylor always have games going on and I always hear kids laughing.
As we were wrapping up Keith and Tamara had the kids shouting out the teams names. They loved it!!! It was a great ending to a blessed day.
It was hard today. It was hot and there was no time to stop for lunch and relax. Everyone ate late and quickly. But we had people beginning a faith journey, a baby's life saved, medical attention to hurting people, and an opportunity to say we are here because we love you and we love you because God first loved us.
Everyone had some good rest last night and we were under attack last night. The bus ride, confusing hotel rooms, and hot and dirty people make for possible distractions. We worshipped though and prayed and rested. And today the Lord blessed us with the opportunity to love others.
A group of 5 stayed and showed the Passion of the Christ at the camp as well. Not sure how it went yet. Will report tomorrow.
Thank you again for your prayers. We are in need and feeling them. Keep them coming.
Mary sends out a "I miss you" to her family.
We are at the point of the trip where we need extra grace. We are less than a week from returning home. We miss our families. We have 2 more ministry days. And we all stink and are covered in red dirt. It will all wash off after a few showers at home. No worries!
Good night. We love you. Talk to you tomorrow after the day is done.
God bless
Crt
Zeph 3: 18-20
Thank you again to all that have supported her mission trip with prayers and giving...I can't wait to see her face when she returns but I already know what will be on it under the dirt and exhaustion and that is the LIGHT that GOD is sending through her.
Please say an extra prayer for strength and energy and that the team will not be homesick, let them always see what they are giving to others and not what they are "missing" back here!
Love to all,
Lori
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"'
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 2:34:49 PM
Subject: Clinic in Koch Gomo - northern Uganda
Greetings!
Today was our first clinic with the Methodist Church in Northern Uganda. It was a displacement camp called Koch Gomo. We have visited it all three years.
Side bar.... The camps are where the people in the villages fled to when the government gave them 48 hrs to leave their rual homes for safety. These were people in danger of the LRA and child abductions. Some of the people have begun to move back home since the rebels have stayed in Sudan and Congo, but they maintain a hut in the camp just in case. It is still a desparate situation due to there are no jobs, no real school or medical attention, and they subsistance farm for food plus government aid.
The day was difficult but incredible. We saw 619 between Drs and dentist and mothers getting mosquito nets. We received a $5,000 grant from the NWA UMC district office for nets and bought 1,000 to giver away in the North. We gave away around 300 today.
We had 4 doctors - Cross and Thorn plus Moses (a Ugandan Doctor) and another Ugandan doctor, plus Rebecca and Mary pulling teeth. They pulled 87 teeth today alone! Dewey and Hanna helped them and Liliia today in dental and Dewey pulled his first tooth! Rebecca has invited anyone wanting to pull a tooth to jump in and help. I am not sure I am ready!! Maybe! Katie and Elizabeth are in they say.
We had a great set up and the system flowed very well. We plan to use it the next 2 days. Keith set up a wound care station and spent the day treating, cleaning, and dressing wounds on kids. He saw around 100! I am always amazed at keith's heart. He interacts with the kids and always steps up to do whatever is needed. This was huge today. Awesome!!
I helped in crowd control and running scripts from doctors to pharmacy. I am not sure how Mike and Hank do it! This is front line and my first time. Emotionally it is draining. Almost all your interaction is telling people you cannot cut them in line or give them medicine or a beanie baby. It is tough. Breaks my heart. They do it with calm and grace and mercy. Outstanding guys!! Taylor helped me be the gatekeeper for the medical clinic and late in the day people began trying to walk into the drs area without a card. She did a great job. She needed a break from childrens ministry and I needed help. It got crazy as we neard the cut off point. It is always hard to tell the remaining people they will not be seen. You hate to do it but you have to stop sometime. I struggle with this part, but I know good was done today. God blessed us with a smooth, as smooth as it can be, day. We had over 20 people come to faith and get connected with a church. There was a 2 month old baby who was starving to death because her mother was not producing milk. The drs got the baby hydrated and found some help for the mother to begin feeding the baby. That is an awesome feeling. God at work. All I can say.
Childrens ministry looked like it was a ton of fun again. Tamara, Brittany, Joey, and Taylor always have games going on and I always hear kids laughing.
As we were wrapping up Keith and Tamara had the kids shouting out the teams names. They loved it!!! It was a great ending to a blessed day.
It was hard today. It was hot and there was no time to stop for lunch and relax. Everyone ate late and quickly. But we had people beginning a faith journey, a baby's life saved, medical attention to hurting people, and an opportunity to say we are here because we love you and we love you because God first loved us.
Everyone had some good rest last night and we were under attack last night. The bus ride, confusing hotel rooms, and hot and dirty people make for possible distractions. We worshipped though and prayed and rested. And today the Lord blessed us with the opportunity to love others.
A group of 5 stayed and showed the Passion of the Christ at the camp as well. Not sure how it went yet. Will report tomorrow.
Thank you again for your prayers. We are in need and feeling them. Keep them coming.
Mary sends out a "I miss you" to her family.
We are at the point of the trip where we need extra grace. We are less than a week from returning home. We miss our families. We have 2 more ministry days. And we all stink and are covered in red dirt. It will all wash off after a few showers at home. No worries!
Good night. We love you. Talk to you tomorrow after the day is done.
God bless
Crt
Zeph 3: 18-20
Carli
I just want to say for all of you out there who are reading this that I have an AWESOME daughter named Carli!
Carli used to be my little shadow. It is so true what people say because when she was younger, she went absolutely everywhere with me, to the bathroom, to the kitchen, to sleep. If you were not an immediate family member, she would hide behind my legs. So back to what people say, "Cherish this time now because she will grow up and won't be your shadow anymore." OMG! They were SO right!
Carli is growing up and I DON"T LIKE IT! I want my shadow back!!! I miss her always crawling up in my lap and laying next to me....and....needing me!
Carli is growing up to be a very beautiful, very smart, very athletic young lady. She is the light of my life and I love her more than anything!!! I want such good things for her: confidence, a good job, to get married when she is 40 and not a day sooner (ok, well maybe 39 if I like the guy) Actually, I have found her a mate. My friend from college, Katrina, has several boys she can choose from and they will be great choices because they have awesome parents!
I'm back from chasing rabbits, CARLI, I love you, your Bo loves you and you are absolutely wonderful!
Love,
Mom
Carli used to be my little shadow. It is so true what people say because when she was younger, she went absolutely everywhere with me, to the bathroom, to the kitchen, to sleep. If you were not an immediate family member, she would hide behind my legs. So back to what people say, "Cherish this time now because she will grow up and won't be your shadow anymore." OMG! They were SO right!
Carli is growing up and I DON"T LIKE IT! I want my shadow back!!! I miss her always crawling up in my lap and laying next to me....and....needing me!
Carli is growing up to be a very beautiful, very smart, very athletic young lady. She is the light of my life and I love her more than anything!!! I want such good things for her: confidence, a good job, to get married when she is 40 and not a day sooner (ok, well maybe 39 if I like the guy) Actually, I have found her a mate. My friend from college, Katrina, has several boys she can choose from and they will be great choices because they have awesome parents!
I'm back from chasing rabbits, CARLI, I love you, your Bo loves you and you are absolutely wonderful!
Love,
Mom
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 27
We arrived in Gulu around 4:30 pm after an 10 hour bus ride from Jinja. That was.......... Interesting. Our bus was lively and fun, but it was hard. Traveling that far without much space is always difficult. It took us around 2 hrs just to get through Kampala which is chaos. The driving here is like a rollercoaster. Fast. Twists and turns. Near misses. And you end up screaming at some point! There are no lights or lines on the road. You have to be aggressive or you will not make it. I cannot count the time we have come flying past another bus, car, motorcycle, or person so close you can reach out and touch. Scary.
But the trip was long. The team is very tired and prayers for rest tonight. Everyone needs it. Gulu is hotter, dryer, dustier, and more desparate. This place is a war torn area trying to recover. The kids tomorrow will be more aggressive because violence is what they have known. It will be crazy and we need prayers for tomorrow. Rest and peace tonight and covering tomorrow. It is hard to describe this way, but the camps are just different. We want to be a blessing tomorrow. That starts with rest.
We crossed the Nile river on the way here and saw some amazing rapids. It got most of us excited about this Saturday when we float the Nile in Jinja. What a treat it will be at the end of the trip. It was beautiful. Also on our bus we picked up a guest. A huge bee, and I mean largest thing I have ever seen.... Killer size, flew into the bus and almost ate Dewey!!! Keith says it was a moth, but the way Clint, Hank, and Katie knocked each other out of the way to avoid it, I go with bee. It was a monster!!! And we almost lost Dewey!!!
When we arrived we went to the World Vision Children of War Rehab. Center. This place is special to me because it is how I heard of Uganda and the war from an article in the World Vision Magazine. There are currently 5 people there. Most are not children as they have grown up since being abducted. This is the place the former child soliders go when the army rescues them from the LRA. They treat them medically and begin to help them work through the trauma. Please, be sure to ask one of the team members about what the child soldiers have gone through because of the evil Joseph Kony. It is more impactful that an email. But... It is not a sad place. The healing and new life and forgiveness that happens is all God and grace. I weep when I hear the stories. God is at work repairing broken lives there. Powerful.
Tomorrow is the first clinic in the IDP camp Koch Gomo. We visited there on the scouting trip in 2007. Prayers for saFe travel, rest tonight, and blessings and and strength tomorrow.
Good night all. We miss you and love you. Thank you for the support.
CRT
But the trip was long. The team is very tired and prayers for rest tonight. Everyone needs it. Gulu is hotter, dryer, dustier, and more desparate. This place is a war torn area trying to recover. The kids tomorrow will be more aggressive because violence is what they have known. It will be crazy and we need prayers for tomorrow. Rest and peace tonight and covering tomorrow. It is hard to describe this way, but the camps are just different. We want to be a blessing tomorrow. That starts with rest.
We crossed the Nile river on the way here and saw some amazing rapids. It got most of us excited about this Saturday when we float the Nile in Jinja. What a treat it will be at the end of the trip. It was beautiful. Also on our bus we picked up a guest. A huge bee, and I mean largest thing I have ever seen.... Killer size, flew into the bus and almost ate Dewey!!! Keith says it was a moth, but the way Clint, Hank, and Katie knocked each other out of the way to avoid it, I go with bee. It was a monster!!! And we almost lost Dewey!!!
When we arrived we went to the World Vision Children of War Rehab. Center. This place is special to me because it is how I heard of Uganda and the war from an article in the World Vision Magazine. There are currently 5 people there. Most are not children as they have grown up since being abducted. This is the place the former child soliders go when the army rescues them from the LRA. They treat them medically and begin to help them work through the trauma. Please, be sure to ask one of the team members about what the child soldiers have gone through because of the evil Joseph Kony. It is more impactful that an email. But... It is not a sad place. The healing and new life and forgiveness that happens is all God and grace. I weep when I hear the stories. God is at work repairing broken lives there. Powerful.
Tomorrow is the first clinic in the IDP camp Koch Gomo. We visited there on the scouting trip in 2007. Prayers for saFe travel, rest tonight, and blessings and and strength tomorrow.
Good night all. We miss you and love you. Thank you for the support.
CRT
This just in! Thank you, God!
Team is in Gulu now. They are visiting the World Vision Rehabilitation Center for Child Soldiers of War and then will retire for the evening. Clinics will probably begin Tues.
Sunday, July 26
Greetings family and friends
Tonights update will be short as it is late, has been a long day, and we have an early morning headed to Gulu.
It was a great day!!! We started out by going to church at His Mercy church and worshipping in the new building. It is more beautiful in person than the pics!!! I am still processing the experience. It was very emotional for me. To see this building complete after being a part of all God did to provide the funds is.... No word describes it for me. I loved it. Edward was smiling and had a packed program. Therese gave a blessing to the church and Jody shared as well. I was asked to speak and give the prayer of dedication. I have no idea what I said!!! I will try and share more tomorrow. A pic is attached. (picture didn't make it, will send it later- Kysia) It was awesome. I just cannot describe it. For all who supported this project with prayers or money or whatever thank you. Your faith has blessed these wonderful people. Just to awesome to describe.
We also went to Mayuge and showed the passion of the Christ movie. There were around 300 people watching the film. After it was over around 60 people decided to begin a faith journey with Christ. Jody and Edward did a great job speaking. It was interesting to be in a class room after dark. Once the sun goes down it is pitch black. Wild but very blessed tonight.
Also, as we were setting up the movie some of the team began playing games with the kids. Brittany was in the middle of some sort of Ugandan dodge ball. April, Keith, Joey, and Dewey were kicking a soccer ball around and then played goalie while kigs took turns. It was great to see the interaction. Liliia and Taylor just hung out and made kids smile. These two ladies and Joey (our youngest members) have been incredible. They simply engage people and kids and make connections and bring tons of smiles. Their faith and love is just incredible.
Well I am off to bed. It is 9:45pm and I have to be ready t leave at 5:30pm. The team is very tired as the days have been long. Please pray for us.
Tomorrow we load on a bus and drive to Gulu. Should be a great African adventure. I have no idea what to expect. The drive is around 8 to 9 hours!! We plan to visit the World Vision Children of War Rehab. Center in the afternoon. That will be very emotional. Just an awesome place where love and grace are present. I look forward to emailing you tomorrow. Thank you for your support of this trip. The team is truly being the hands and feet of Christ.
Good night. Talk to you tomorrow.
God bless
CRT
Tonights update will be short as it is late, has been a long day, and we have an early morning headed to Gulu.
It was a great day!!! We started out by going to church at His Mercy church and worshipping in the new building. It is more beautiful in person than the pics!!! I am still processing the experience. It was very emotional for me. To see this building complete after being a part of all God did to provide the funds is.... No word describes it for me. I loved it. Edward was smiling and had a packed program. Therese gave a blessing to the church and Jody shared as well. I was asked to speak and give the prayer of dedication. I have no idea what I said!!! I will try and share more tomorrow. A pic is attached. (picture didn't make it, will send it later- Kysia) It was awesome. I just cannot describe it. For all who supported this project with prayers or money or whatever thank you. Your faith has blessed these wonderful people. Just to awesome to describe.
We also went to Mayuge and showed the passion of the Christ movie. There were around 300 people watching the film. After it was over around 60 people decided to begin a faith journey with Christ. Jody and Edward did a great job speaking. It was interesting to be in a class room after dark. Once the sun goes down it is pitch black. Wild but very blessed tonight.
Also, as we were setting up the movie some of the team began playing games with the kids. Brittany was in the middle of some sort of Ugandan dodge ball. April, Keith, Joey, and Dewey were kicking a soccer ball around and then played goalie while kigs took turns. It was great to see the interaction. Liliia and Taylor just hung out and made kids smile. These two ladies and Joey (our youngest members) have been incredible. They simply engage people and kids and make connections and bring tons of smiles. Their faith and love is just incredible.
Well I am off to bed. It is 9:45pm and I have to be ready t leave at 5:30pm. The team is very tired as the days have been long. Please pray for us.
Tomorrow we load on a bus and drive to Gulu. Should be a great African adventure. I have no idea what to expect. The drive is around 8 to 9 hours!! We plan to visit the World Vision Children of War Rehab. Center in the afternoon. That will be very emotional. Just an awesome place where love and grace are present. I look forward to emailing you tomorrow. Thank you for your support of this trip. The team is truly being the hands and feet of Christ.
Good night. Talk to you tomorrow.
God bless
CRT
Friends and family,
Please be in prayer for the team as they head into the next leg of the trip. Nothern Uganda is war torn and in desperate need of help. People are hungry and have been deprived of a Government that protects its people. The work will be emotional, but rewarding. Kysia
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Greetings family and friends
We have finished our second day or clinics in the village of Mayuge. and wow.... Awesome and crazy day. When we arrived this morning there were a couple of hundred people already lined up as word had spread of the clinic. I have attached a picture of the scene when we arrived. I hope it works and gets to you.
I have not heard the count of people treated yet, but it was at least, and probably in excess of, the 323 we saw yesterday. Amazing work again by all. The doctors were on their toes and had some challenges today. First the crowd continued to block the door to the clinic area trying to get in even when they were told to move back. It was mad at times. Keith, Hank, and Mike again kept control and were grace in action. Their job is tough as they are front lines and have people begging to get them or their family to the doctor. Hard to tell people they will not be able to get in at the end of a clinic. They are incredible.
There were 2 infants rushed to an area hospital today. Tough. Both were breathing on their own by the time they arrived so there is hope. The docs were awesome. To be able to see an issue and jump to action to save the child first and them get them to the hospital for better care then we are able to provide in the clinic is... I don't even have words for it. Dr Thorn and Cross are amazing men of God using their talents to serve Jesus. Incredible.
Rebecca and her crew were hopping again. And they, again, lost count of how many teeth were pulled. Bring relief to people and always coming out with a smile. Our medical staff does it constantly. They are simply amazing.
And I have attached another pic to show how awesome the beanie babies have been!! I saw lots of smiles from kids holding a beanie baby. Some of them it is their only toy. The pic is of a 10 year old boy who is caring for his baby brother. Their parents have died and they are orphans. He is the head of the house. I have to say I was ready to load them up and bring them home with me. Broke my heart, but my wife shared a beautiful quote from mother Teresa today that sums up this work... So many needs you can wonder if what we do makes a difference because it is not big enough. But she said... "We can do no great thing, only small things with great love". That is what we do. With great love in our hearts because God loved us first we come and spend time and provide relief and let people know God loves them. I love that and it is true. To say thank you or greet them in their own language and shake a hand or put a hand on their shoulder let's them know they are of value. God values them. Thanks Kysia.
It was another late night and long day. I was in pharmacy again and did not get to see much else as it is busy from start to finish. I heard from Joey and Taylor that childrens ministry went great. These 2 always had a smile on their face today!!! It is awesome to see. We have some amazing young people on this trip. People who are tired, hot, worn out and yet serving and helping and loving people with joy and passion. I love it!!! I work with Katie, Laura, Elizabeth, and Dewey in the pharmacy and we are having fun!!! As crazy as it is their passion and joy overflows. Their faith is what inspires me.
Last thing... As we were waiting on the last things to be loaded Keith grabbed Joey's guitar and began singing the Cartoon Song by Chris Rice to the kids. He and Clint were dancing and singing in cartoon voices and getting tons of smiles and laughs from the kids. It was a nice ending to a blessed and hectic day. Great job guys!
Oh yeah... We also got to meet a secretary in parliment. He was in the area and heard of the clinic and came to find Edward and thanked us. Never did I think I would ever be talking to a member of the Ugandan government!! It was a nice treat to have him take time to come and speak to us.
Well... Off to bed. Tomorrow we go to church with Edward in the new building at His Mercy church!!! I am so excited. We will also take part in the dedication of the building with local politicians. It is going to be a great day. I have waited for this for a while. I am sure I will cry. Oh well!! We will also go to the source of the Nile and after lunch we are going back to Mayuge to show a movie - The Passion of the Christ. Monday is the 8 hour bus ride to Gulu.
Keep praying. They are being answered and felt. We could not do this without the prayers of the saints.
Talk to you tomorrow.
God bless
Crt
Jer 33:3
We have finished our second day or clinics in the village of Mayuge. and wow.... Awesome and crazy day. When we arrived this morning there were a couple of hundred people already lined up as word had spread of the clinic. I have attached a picture of the scene when we arrived. I hope it works and gets to you.
I have not heard the count of people treated yet, but it was at least, and probably in excess of, the 323 we saw yesterday. Amazing work again by all. The doctors were on their toes and had some challenges today. First the crowd continued to block the door to the clinic area trying to get in even when they were told to move back. It was mad at times. Keith, Hank, and Mike again kept control and were grace in action. Their job is tough as they are front lines and have people begging to get them or their family to the doctor. Hard to tell people they will not be able to get in at the end of a clinic. They are incredible.
There were 2 infants rushed to an area hospital today. Tough. Both were breathing on their own by the time they arrived so there is hope. The docs were awesome. To be able to see an issue and jump to action to save the child first and them get them to the hospital for better care then we are able to provide in the clinic is... I don't even have words for it. Dr Thorn and Cross are amazing men of God using their talents to serve Jesus. Incredible.
Rebecca and her crew were hopping again. And they, again, lost count of how many teeth were pulled. Bring relief to people and always coming out with a smile. Our medical staff does it constantly. They are simply amazing.
And I have attached another pic to show how awesome the beanie babies have been!! I saw lots of smiles from kids holding a beanie baby. Some of them it is their only toy. The pic is of a 10 year old boy who is caring for his baby brother. Their parents have died and they are orphans. He is the head of the house. I have to say I was ready to load them up and bring them home with me. Broke my heart, but my wife shared a beautiful quote from mother Teresa today that sums up this work... So many needs you can wonder if what we do makes a difference because it is not big enough. But she said... "We can do no great thing, only small things with great love". That is what we do. With great love in our hearts because God loved us first we come and spend time and provide relief and let people know God loves them. I love that and it is true. To say thank you or greet them in their own language and shake a hand or put a hand on their shoulder let's them know they are of value. God values them. Thanks Kysia.
It was another late night and long day. I was in pharmacy again and did not get to see much else as it is busy from start to finish. I heard from Joey and Taylor that childrens ministry went great. These 2 always had a smile on their face today!!! It is awesome to see. We have some amazing young people on this trip. People who are tired, hot, worn out and yet serving and helping and loving people with joy and passion. I love it!!! I work with Katie, Laura, Elizabeth, and Dewey in the pharmacy and we are having fun!!! As crazy as it is their passion and joy overflows. Their faith is what inspires me.
Last thing... As we were waiting on the last things to be loaded Keith grabbed Joey's guitar and began singing the Cartoon Song by Chris Rice to the kids. He and Clint were dancing and singing in cartoon voices and getting tons of smiles and laughs from the kids. It was a nice ending to a blessed and hectic day. Great job guys!
Oh yeah... We also got to meet a secretary in parliment. He was in the area and heard of the clinic and came to find Edward and thanked us. Never did I think I would ever be talking to a member of the Ugandan government!! It was a nice treat to have him take time to come and speak to us.
Well... Off to bed. Tomorrow we go to church with Edward in the new building at His Mercy church!!! I am so excited. We will also take part in the dedication of the building with local politicians. It is going to be a great day. I have waited for this for a while. I am sure I will cry. Oh well!! We will also go to the source of the Nile and after lunch we are going back to Mayuge to show a movie - The Passion of the Christ. Monday is the 8 hour bus ride to Gulu.
Keep praying. They are being answered and felt. We could not do this without the prayers of the saints.
Talk to you tomorrow.
God bless
Crt
Jer 33:3
Friday, July 24, 2009
Day 2 - First day of clinic
Well our first day of clinics is done. We went to the village of Mayuge and set up at a local school.
We had a total of 323 people treated by either medical or dentists. The dentists pulled almost 100 teeth today!!
The drive to and from the village is always a blast. Windows open, kids waving, jumping, and screaming muzungu at us!!! We love to shout hello and wave back. For those who do not know.... We are called muzungu by children. It means white person. Fitting. Nothing offensive about it. Just what kids yell. We may be the first white person they have ever seen. And if they have seen one before it is not an everyday thing. It is fun!!
It was a great day. Very long as we started with breakfast at 6:30am and then we left at 7:30am. We arrived back at the hotel at 7:30pm with dinner at 8:30pm. The team will sleep well tonight! Today was very blessed. The people were glad to have us there and it did get crazy at crowd control; once again Mike was calm, cool, and graceful. He continues to wow me with his endless knowledge of everything and his mercy. He has men and women alike smiling and laughing while they wait to see the doctor and he is even stern when they get out of line. Mike is awesome.
Here is how the team served today:
Medical - Dr. Thorn, Dr. Cross, April, Susan, and Summer. The Drs were great. Saw a ton of people and did all they could to bring relief. Just awesome. April and Susan are rocks. Doing what needs to be done with love. Summer stepped up and helped her dad and it was awesome to see father and daughter serving together.
Dentist - Rebecca, Mary, Cheryl, and Liliia. This crew was awesome as well. They kept seeing people and being grace and mercy.
Children - Tamara, Brittany, Hannah, Taylor, and Joey. Once again childrens ministry is crazy and big and fun. This group has a heart for kids and it shows. There are so many children. How they do not collapse each night I do not know.
Pharmacy - Pam, Laura, Elizabeth, Clint, Chris, and Katie. Pam lead us with wisdom and laughter. She was awesome. And Laura, Clint, Elizabeth, and Katie were fantastic. Jumped in, learned how to do it, and were just incredible. Excellent job.
Prayer - Sue and Therese. These ladies rock!!! Talk about prayer warriors. Prayed for each team, prayed for all patients I think. Just spoke love and grace. All with smiles and hands raised.
Crowd control - Mike, Hank, and Keith. This group keeps it running smooth. Keith and Hank ushers patients from drs and dentists to pharmacy. When pharmacy got behind they slowed it down a bit. Mike, Keith. And Hank... Thank you. Right in the middle of it and awesome.
Jody is a great team leader. Always upbeat. Encouraging, and making sure everyone is doing ok. He jumps on where needed.
We go back to the same place tomorrow to finish. I would go into more, but I am worn out. Prayers for rest for the team. April was back to her smiling self today, so thank you. We all have aches and pains from bending over and running and everything. The team needs rest and strength.
Thank you for letting your family or loved one come do this. I am honored to serve with them. They encourage me in my faith by their selflessness.
Oh yeah.... Clint and I got to take separate rides to town for supplies with Edward on the boda boda. While in town was fun it does not compare to 65 to 75 kph down red dirt roads. This is an adventure!!
Good night. We love and miss you. We thank you for supporting us. Talk to you tomorrow.
God bless
Crt
We had a total of 323 people treated by either medical or dentists. The dentists pulled almost 100 teeth today!!
The drive to and from the village is always a blast. Windows open, kids waving, jumping, and screaming muzungu at us!!! We love to shout hello and wave back. For those who do not know.... We are called muzungu by children. It means white person. Fitting. Nothing offensive about it. Just what kids yell. We may be the first white person they have ever seen. And if they have seen one before it is not an everyday thing. It is fun!!
It was a great day. Very long as we started with breakfast at 6:30am and then we left at 7:30am. We arrived back at the hotel at 7:30pm with dinner at 8:30pm. The team will sleep well tonight! Today was very blessed. The people were glad to have us there and it did get crazy at crowd control; once again Mike was calm, cool, and graceful. He continues to wow me with his endless knowledge of everything and his mercy. He has men and women alike smiling and laughing while they wait to see the doctor and he is even stern when they get out of line. Mike is awesome.
Here is how the team served today:
Medical - Dr. Thorn, Dr. Cross, April, Susan, and Summer. The Drs were great. Saw a ton of people and did all they could to bring relief. Just awesome. April and Susan are rocks. Doing what needs to be done with love. Summer stepped up and helped her dad and it was awesome to see father and daughter serving together.
Dentist - Rebecca, Mary, Cheryl, and Liliia. This crew was awesome as well. They kept seeing people and being grace and mercy.
Children - Tamara, Brittany, Hannah, Taylor, and Joey. Once again childrens ministry is crazy and big and fun. This group has a heart for kids and it shows. There are so many children. How they do not collapse each night I do not know.
Pharmacy - Pam, Laura, Elizabeth, Clint, Chris, and Katie. Pam lead us with wisdom and laughter. She was awesome. And Laura, Clint, Elizabeth, and Katie were fantastic. Jumped in, learned how to do it, and were just incredible. Excellent job.
Prayer - Sue and Therese. These ladies rock!!! Talk about prayer warriors. Prayed for each team, prayed for all patients I think. Just spoke love and grace. All with smiles and hands raised.
Crowd control - Mike, Hank, and Keith. This group keeps it running smooth. Keith and Hank ushers patients from drs and dentists to pharmacy. When pharmacy got behind they slowed it down a bit. Mike, Keith. And Hank... Thank you. Right in the middle of it and awesome.
Jody is a great team leader. Always upbeat. Encouraging, and making sure everyone is doing ok. He jumps on where needed.
We go back to the same place tomorrow to finish. I would go into more, but I am worn out. Prayers for rest for the team. April was back to her smiling self today, so thank you. We all have aches and pains from bending over and running and everything. The team needs rest and strength.
Thank you for letting your family or loved one come do this. I am honored to serve with them. They encourage me in my faith by their selflessness.
Oh yeah.... Clint and I got to take separate rides to town for supplies with Edward on the boda boda. While in town was fun it does not compare to 65 to 75 kph down red dirt roads. This is an adventure!!
Good night. We love and miss you. We thank you for supporting us. Talk to you tomorrow.
God bless
Crt
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Update from Uganda 7/23/09
It has been a long day but very blessed.
We started out in Entebbe after a night of rest with a few team members not feeling well. April and Dr. Cross, as of tonight, are doing much better. Thank you for the prayers. We drove to Jinja, which is about 3 hours away. Once we arrived we had lunch and then headed to a community center for women who are HIV positive. This was a great time.
We pulled up to a greeting of chanting and singing and dancing! As we entered the center, which was built by US AID the ladies entertained and welcomed us with more songs and dances. I only wish we had a video recorder as a number of team members where pulled up, had a sash tied around their waists, and then proceeded to shake it with the ladies in celebration. Dr Cross, Sue, Summer, Pam, Katie, Hank, Dr. Thorn, Rebecca, and Jody did us all proud. They simply celebrated with these women. And that was what struck me. Celebration. Jody shared tonight that when he heard from Edward we would visit this center he was thinking we did not have time. A lot was left to be done. Check in the hotel, sort medicine and supplies, buy other supplies. But he knew we needed to go. And we got to experience joy. Here these women are whose bodies are breaking down. Dying. And they were joyful for our visit. Joyful for another day. Joyful in the Lord. Wow. Just a great experience for the team. There are pics of the team dancing, so no worries.
Once all was sorted and purchased we relaxed and then had a time of worship. We sang and enjoyed communion together. I was very moved to be worshipping and preparing to serve tomorrow with my friends. Dr Cross shared with us about the name of God and its power and even read from the Hebrew. Powerful. It was emotional as he shared from God's word and how the name of the Lord is powerful and when we are sick or tired in the days ahead we can call on His name to sustain us. Truly a blessed moment. Thank Michael. Joey and Katie have done a fantastic job leading us in worship.
And finally we went to dinner at an Indian restaurant. Let it be said that some team members are not quite ready to dive head first into the culture when it pertains to food. Dewey entertained all by eating the eyes from the fish in his dinner. The looks on many young ladies faces was priceless!
And to some of our family we apologize, but a group of us got to experience a local custom I have been wanting to do since we first came in 2007. Therese, Clint, Jody, myself, Katie, Dewey, Laura, Katie, and Rebecca got to ride on a boda boda for dinner. It was awesome and all I thought it was. Driving through town at night on the back on a motorcycle is as exciting as it sounds!! Don't be made.... The drivers did a great job!! And I got pics!!!
Well it is off to bed. Tomorrow we drive 1 and a half hours to the village of Mayuge to set up the first clinic. Everyone is ready to hit the ground running. Continue the prayers. It will be a long day and a busy day, but also very blessed!
I must say you should be proud of you family or friend on this team. Everyone is ready and willing to help or do whatever needs to be done. A sense of community has already developed. I am honored to be among them.
We did not get to the building today or visit the board. That is being saved till Sunday and the dedication. It is killing me!! The ceremony being planned is big. This building is a huge deal in town. I cannot wait to get there!
Tall to you tomorrow. God bless you!
CRT
We started out in Entebbe after a night of rest with a few team members not feeling well. April and Dr. Cross, as of tonight, are doing much better. Thank you for the prayers. We drove to Jinja, which is about 3 hours away. Once we arrived we had lunch and then headed to a community center for women who are HIV positive. This was a great time.
We pulled up to a greeting of chanting and singing and dancing! As we entered the center, which was built by US AID the ladies entertained and welcomed us with more songs and dances. I only wish we had a video recorder as a number of team members where pulled up, had a sash tied around their waists, and then proceeded to shake it with the ladies in celebration. Dr Cross, Sue, Summer, Pam, Katie, Hank, Dr. Thorn, Rebecca, and Jody did us all proud. They simply celebrated with these women. And that was what struck me. Celebration. Jody shared tonight that when he heard from Edward we would visit this center he was thinking we did not have time. A lot was left to be done. Check in the hotel, sort medicine and supplies, buy other supplies. But he knew we needed to go. And we got to experience joy. Here these women are whose bodies are breaking down. Dying. And they were joyful for our visit. Joyful for another day. Joyful in the Lord. Wow. Just a great experience for the team. There are pics of the team dancing, so no worries.
Once all was sorted and purchased we relaxed and then had a time of worship. We sang and enjoyed communion together. I was very moved to be worshipping and preparing to serve tomorrow with my friends. Dr Cross shared with us about the name of God and its power and even read from the Hebrew. Powerful. It was emotional as he shared from God's word and how the name of the Lord is powerful and when we are sick or tired in the days ahead we can call on His name to sustain us. Truly a blessed moment. Thank Michael. Joey and Katie have done a fantastic job leading us in worship.
And finally we went to dinner at an Indian restaurant. Let it be said that some team members are not quite ready to dive head first into the culture when it pertains to food. Dewey entertained all by eating the eyes from the fish in his dinner. The looks on many young ladies faces was priceless!
And to some of our family we apologize, but a group of us got to experience a local custom I have been wanting to do since we first came in 2007. Therese, Clint, Jody, myself, Katie, Dewey, Laura, Katie, and Rebecca got to ride on a boda boda for dinner. It was awesome and all I thought it was. Driving through town at night on the back on a motorcycle is as exciting as it sounds!! Don't be made.... The drivers did a great job!! And I got pics!!!
Well it is off to bed. Tomorrow we drive 1 and a half hours to the village of Mayuge to set up the first clinic. Everyone is ready to hit the ground running. Continue the prayers. It will be a long day and a busy day, but also very blessed!
I must say you should be proud of you family or friend on this team. Everyone is ready and willing to help or do whatever needs to be done. A sense of community has already developed. I am honored to be among them.
We did not get to the building today or visit the board. That is being saved till Sunday and the dedication. It is killing me!! The ceremony being planned is big. This building is a huge deal in town. I cannot wait to get there!
Tall to you tomorrow. God bless you!
CRT
Taylor's Trip
Taylor - what an awesome child! Taylor has the faith of Job. For those of you that know and those of you that don't, Taylor and I talked about her going on a mission trip this summer. She was very excited about the idea. So, in passing I mentioned it to Tata (Bo's mom) and she told me that Nana Cheryl (Bo's godmother) was planning to go to Uganda. Well, me being the smart person that I am, said "wow, that would be awesome....where in the heck is Uganda?"
That was just a few short months ago. We had so much to do to get her ready and not much time AND she had to raise over $3000 cuz mom and Bo don't have that kind of pocket change. She did it! She worked so hard by cleaning houses, selling suckers, cleaning out the back yard after four dogs, having a garage sale (or trying to), washing countless loads of laundry and generally just being our slave. She did all of this and never once complained, never faultered, never questioned whether this trip would be worth all of her hard work. Taylor knew from the moment that this trip was an opportunity that she was being called to go.
Now don't you think for a minute that planning for this trip didn't have ups and downs. There has been a LOT of conflict about whether to send my beautiful, young daughter to Africa for two weeks without a parent. We have had people close to us questioning our decision along with friends who think we are crazy. But the ultimate decision was based on faith. Faith that God will protect her and her teammates, faith that God's light will shine through her smile to every person she comes in contact with and faith that this will only strengthen her own faith and love for herself and the world.
Taylor and I, at least from my perspective, have become very close during these last few months. We have spent much time together preparing her supplies, going to meetings, raising money and finally packing. What I have learned about her in the days preceeding her departure, is what I already knew...I love this child beyond belief and prayers need to be with anyone who may harm her (her Bo would take care of that but he would have to beat me there) and that for as much as I love this child, God loves her even more and I have been entrusted with her care for this time that we are here.
As I write this, it has been two days into the 14 that she will be gone. We patiently await any email that comes from the leaders of the mission trip but know that she is with a group that has experience, she is with Nana Cheryl but more importantly, GOD and MOM are with her!
Thank you for all the prayers, keep them coming!
Much love,
Lori
That was just a few short months ago. We had so much to do to get her ready and not much time AND she had to raise over $3000 cuz mom and Bo don't have that kind of pocket change. She did it! She worked so hard by cleaning houses, selling suckers, cleaning out the back yard after four dogs, having a garage sale (or trying to), washing countless loads of laundry and generally just being our slave. She did all of this and never once complained, never faultered, never questioned whether this trip would be worth all of her hard work. Taylor knew from the moment that this trip was an opportunity that she was being called to go.
Now don't you think for a minute that planning for this trip didn't have ups and downs. There has been a LOT of conflict about whether to send my beautiful, young daughter to Africa for two weeks without a parent. We have had people close to us questioning our decision along with friends who think we are crazy. But the ultimate decision was based on faith. Faith that God will protect her and her teammates, faith that God's light will shine through her smile to every person she comes in contact with and faith that this will only strengthen her own faith and love for herself and the world.
Taylor and I, at least from my perspective, have become very close during these last few months. We have spent much time together preparing her supplies, going to meetings, raising money and finally packing. What I have learned about her in the days preceeding her departure, is what I already knew...I love this child beyond belief and prayers need to be with anyone who may harm her (her Bo would take care of that but he would have to beat me there) and that for as much as I love this child, God loves her even more and I have been entrusted with her care for this time that we are here.
As I write this, it has been two days into the 14 that she will be gone. We patiently await any email that comes from the leaders of the mission trip but know that she is with a group that has experience, she is with Nana Cheryl but more importantly, GOD and MOM are with her!
Thank you for all the prayers, keep them coming!
Much love,
Lori
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)