The team is now sleeping in Kampala. Tomorrow around noon they will head to the airport and their flight is scheduled to leave at 4:15pm(their time) and head to Dubai. The Safari was awesome. They saw every animal you can think of including a lion… which from what I was told, they don’t always get to see. The next day they ventured (I believe by boat) onto the Nile and saw crocodiles and hippos. They also took a hike up to the waterfalls that was described to me as “completely epic”. Tracy is feeling much better and her and the girls made it for the safari and hike to the waterfalls. Everyone who wasn’t feeling good before are now felling much better. This is great news. The bus ride to Kampala was another sing-a-long filled travel and somehow the singing turned into a great game of “Would You Rather”. A game that I am sure made for a very fun drive!

As for their flight info… here it is: tomorrow’s 4:15pm flight from Entebbe to Dubai is flight #724. It’s a 7 hour flight and they will have about an 8 hour layover in Dubai. Then they will leave at 8:20am (their time) from Dubai and head to LAX on flight #215. They are due to land at LAX at 1:45pm(our time) Sunday. All of these flights can be tracked on Emirates.com. I will try and track them and post updates of flight status. We’ll all be praying for safe travels.

I’ve been asked to write this entry because the team can not. The power has been out for the past few days in Gulu. They have a little more driving to do before they arrive at the Lodge for their mini safari. After that they will begin their two-day travels home. Sorry I don’t have more to share… that’s all the update I was given as well. I was told they are sorry they have not been able to update the blog as often as they’d like to, due to the power outage. But to assure everyone at home that the entire team is doing great.

July 4, 2010. Independence Day. Happy 4th to you all! The team celebrated with a rousing round of ‘Star Spangled Banner’ while driving over bumpy red dirt roads. No physical fireworks today, but God has made up for it spiritually.

We met at 8:30 a.m. for the English speaking service at Gulu Bible Community Church. The church was mostly filled and the team all sat together at the front. It was sprinkling just enough to keep the dust and the temperature down which was pretty sweet. It can get awfully toasty come church time on Sundays. Worship began and was led by one worship leader, Mark, and 6 choir members.

The RH team was welcomed by Pastor Chris and the congregation and then Mindy shared her testimony for us all. She shared about the fact that though she is enduring a very difficult last few months, the love and hope of Christ never changes. There was a genuineness in how and what she shared that left many in the room with tears of understanding. She spoke truth and it was very, very good. Pastor Martin taught the rest of the service about the call of God on our lives. It was a great message and many people came forward for prayer afterwards.

Following this service, the Acholi Luo/English service began at 10:30. Most of the team was outside preparing the children for VBS while the insanely awesome worship was happening inside. They dance and sing unto the Lord the way I picture David dancing before the Lord in the Old Testament. So good! Bryan Johnson shared his testimony before Pastor Martin taught the same message and, yes, again it was incredibly powerful. He was not only well spoken but his testimony encompassed so much of God’s grace, forgiveness, redemption etc… and it was a great encouragement to everyone.

The VBS crew was outside teaching with puppets about God’s promises through the story of Moses. Tristin played the part of Moses while Mary, Janelle, and Tammi played the others and taught through the story. Larsh was entrenched in the middle of the kids passing out stickers while Joy found a month old baby that she could snuggle with. The worship wands were passed out and it was precious to look out and see kids with arms raised, wands waving and eyes closed as they praised the name of Jesus. Sometimes you just have to stop, focus on what is before you and take it all in. This was one of these moments when you breath in the goodness of God and wonder how on earth you got to be so fortunate to participate in His ever unfolding plan.

Soon after VBS ended, we headed straight to the Acholi Inn to grab some lunch before we had to return to GBCC. Since Joy was sharing her testimony at the third (Kiswahili) service, she, Ralph, the Taber girls and Janelle took the bus back to GBCC and the rest of the team took Boda Bodas (moped/motorcycles) from the Acholi Inn to the church. The third service is in Kiswahili and is mainly made of of Congolese who are living in Gulu. This is a group of people who are near to our hearts as it was a RH team in Jan. 2009 that lead many of them to the Lord which was the catalyst for the third service starting.

Joy was amazing. Genuine and honest. She spoke the truth about pain in her life, but how her faith and trust in Christ brought her through it. After she spoke the Congolese women prayed for Joy and thanked God for her testimony.

From there we headed to the prison. For many on the team, this was a highlight. The women went to the women’s side and the men to the men’s side. The RH women said the felt life they were walking into a life group. The female prisoners were full of the joy of the Lord and were spirit filled. Most of the women were Christians, but some accepted the Lord after testimonies were given.

On the men’s side, a prisoner named Steven lead the men in worship and encouragement. It is a surreal experience to be in front of 500 prisoners who are worshipping God. Brian Larsh served as a host and introduced Carvalho and Johnson to give their testimonies. They spoke on giving and receiving forgiveness. Afterwards, Larsh invited men up to the front to accept Jesus, and about 25 came forward.

Larsh challenged the prisoners who were already saved to disciple their new “brothers and sisters” in Christ. That is when Tim told him “bro, it’s only brothers.” With a look of horror on his face, Larsh tried desperately to correct himself before the interpreter communicated that Larsh had called them sisters. But the interpreter had has back and corrected him before telling the crowd what Larsh said. All the guys on the RH team were trying to contain their laughter, and failing. Good times.

Ralph has an interesting experience with shaking hand and a water balloon.

Tracy is sick and did not get to go to Guru Guru yesterday. A few others on the team are feeling sick as well. Please pray for health as we head into the last few days of the trip.

Afoyo - Tracy and Tim

We painted GBCC and packed mercy bags for the hospital patients and prisoners. Larsh caught a chicken, and put it to sleep. Tim went to 5 places to find chicken and chips and gave up.

Pray that Tracy gets some sleep so that she will stay up and write the blog instead of me.

Xoxo,
Tim

“You are a cop-out guy” - Sean Galaway (Krochet Kids Intl.)

Hey guys, just a quick posy to let you know I posted some photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=188104&id=703872586&ref=mf

I hope you will be able to view them.

More to come.

-Tim

Thursday - July 1. We headed after breakfast to the church where we had a sweet devotion time led by Tammi and worship led by Brian Johnson. A long time friend of RH’s Uganda teams, Jonah, greeted us at the church and spent the day with us. Before we headed out, and since it was just our team along with the GBCC volunteers, we wanted to spend a bit of time praying for one another. Tressa and Mary were fight a little cold, and few others wanted prayer for various things so we gathered around them and prayed. It never ceases to amaze me at how God shows up, cares for each of us in unique and specific ways…and that we get to be apart of it. phenomenal. Knowing what the day ahead was scheduled to look like, a few people were feeling inadequate or tired from a restless nights sleep or whatnot and Jesus covered each person with reassurance, comfort, and truly blessed them in ways that are hard to comprehend. All that I know is that the way we came into the devotion/worship/prayer time and the way we left it after experiencing the hand of our living God on us were two totally different things. He never lets us go without His provision. He is so predictable in His faithfulness. Not sure why I ever question it. Guess that’s why He is God and I am not. whew.

After some sweet prayer time, we left for Alero Cuku again. We were bringing a large tent for some shade, so Larsh and Bryan C. went with the truck to go ahead and set it up. With all the volunteers, we needed a few more seats so called the truck back to pick up Ralph. We set out for the village. Its about an hour and 1/2 drive and stunningly beautiful. Upon arriving to the site, we noticed that it was completely empty. A far cry form the hustle and bustle of yesterday’s medical outreach. hmmmm we were a little nervous that nobody would show up. Not only that, but, uh, where was the truck? They left before us and …oh wait.. they arrived about 15 minutes after us. confusing. Apparently Allen (driver) and Justice (another volunteer) decided that this was a good time to go pick up a package, deliver it, host a ride for a few ladies, drop them off, go get some cement, drop them off, get some gas and….sure, why not go pick up poor Ralph that was waiting for them at the church, then grab some roasted cassava. Gotta love the pace of Uganda. In spite of the set back, they had amazing conversations with the two guys from GBCC and that ended up being some of their highlights of the day.

With the tent now there, they began assembling it and several men, women and lots of children came to check out the haps where we all were. While most of the guys set of the tent, several of us shared the roasted cassava, played with the kids, and chatted. Toby was in the midst of many, many children blowing bubbles for the them as they laughed in delight. Timory and Tristin were busy making pipe cleaner wands and bracelets to hand out to the kids in the bus. We had some snacks and began the days programs around lunchtime. Ralph, Brian Johnson, Joy, Tim, Mary, and Bryan C. were on the adult bible teaching team while everybody (Brian J. also helped lead the kids in song, too) else helped host a mini-VBS for the kids of the village. There were around 50 or so adults that came for the teaching time as they sat under the tent in the heat. The RH team taught through the prodigal son parable, prayer, pressing on through trials and suffering, the joy set before us in Phillipians, and forgiveness. All were believers and half way through Kelsey came up with tears in her eyes and urged us to stop and pray for those that were there. So we did. It was a sweet time of interceding for our Ugandan brothers and sisters.

Meanwhile, VBS was going strong. Bammer led the charge and acted as emcee. She was amazing, of course. Brian J. led the kids in worship with hits such as “Pharaoh, Pharaoh” (props to Janelle here), Wi-Polo (an ugandan favorite) and others. The kids loved all the hand motions (more props to Tammi for her VBS expertise) and singing. So fun. To loosen them up even more, Tressa and Bryan Larsh were “tricked” into copying some dance moves and then sitting on a wet sponge in front of all the kids. “High-larity” ensued. Some wands (straws with different colored curly ribbon coming out one end) were passed out to the very polite 100+ kids sitting under a wooden shade structure. The Taber girls helped pass them out to the eager awaiting hands. More songs were sung praising the name of Jesus as they waved the wands to created a sea of moving color. very cool. Before they left to play some games with the kids, they were led in many rounds of “bung-a-low” curtesy of Tristin Taber. ‘cuz…her hands are high, her feet are low and this is how she bungalows…go, baby, go. And yes, Timory, perched atop a bench, led it all by her lonesome with as much sass as anybody could ever muster. Fun games were played and then the entire VBS relocated to the school that was across the road. Tammi worked the evanga-cube while Mindy taught the kids the gospel message. Upon hearing it, at first just a brave few, then many hands were raised as the kids asked if Jesus would become their savior. Again, priceless. To end the VBS time, each child made a salvation bracelet with leather string and some colored beads that were strung on it to symbolize sin, death, the blood of Jesus, being made new, and new life. When the kids were asked an hour or so later what the beads meant, each one recited exactly the meanings. These are pretty amazing kids, and God is even more so. What a great time. Afterwards, some toys and clothes were handed out to the villagers where we were met with the shril “yai, yai, yai” from the women asa they showed their joy and appreciation. We prayed for the village and sadly had to head back to Gulu town. Today was awesome. Everybody loved it.

The ride home incorporated lots more singing, laughing, chatting and rejoicing in what God had done that day. We ended the day with some pretty incredible pizza (oh yes) from a restaurant in town and lots of Stoneys, Cokes and waters. A day that we can unabashedly say “this is the day that the Lord has made! and i will rejoice in it”. Can’t wait to see what is in store for us the remaining days in Gulu.

Our time in the Alero Cuku village on Wednesday was amazing. We got to the village and set up a medical clinic, pharmacy and a wound care clinic. When we arrived there were already several hundred people in line. We set up five stations for doctors to examine patients.

Wound care was intense. Dr. Rafael had to inject lidocaine in many of the patients and cut out dead and infected flesh. In northern Uganda people can lose limbs when common cuts become infected. Our team were rock stars in holding kids and praying for them as they were being treated and squirming in pain from the treatments. We also assisted the doctor by handing gauze, tape, hydrogen peroxide, etc. Joy picked up on the system quickly and treated several patients, scrubbing off dead skin and cleaning the wounds. The whole team took turns there.

In other areas people were playing with the kids. Blowing bibles, duck duck goose, and the famous Kristin Nunes dance party. Others worked the pharmacy, including Toby and Tristin who demonstrated their math skills. Tim and Tressa went out to huts to tell people about Jesus. Brian Larsh went out with a guy named Tom from EV Free Thousand Oaks, and Richard who is the pastor of the new Alero Cuku village church that was planted by GBCC.

Dinner was Ethiopian, which was amazing, or not so good, depending who you talk to (ie. Joy) . Plenty of Stoneys around the table. Good times.

Super tired right now. - Tim

Tuesday June 29. Morning came WAY too early for most of us. ok… all of us. But this team is amazing and everybody rallied for the day ahead. Breakfast was (like most everyday will be) at the Acholi Inn and consisted of scrambled eggs, beef sausage, toast, potatoes, beans and coffee or tea. Pretty sweet. Brian C. led a devotion after breakfast encouraging the team through scripture. Pastor Chris (pastor of GBCC), Pastor Martin (GBCC), Pastor Peter (Gabba/ARM) and Jez (ARM) met the team for the first time as well. While Tim and I had a meeting with the the aforementioned peeps as well as a few other GBCC leaders, the team headed to the church to meet up with the volunteers from GBCC as well as a team from EV Free that we would be partnering with for the next two days. The village that we went to Omee 1 was a ways out in the bush; over an hour away from town. The medical area was set up under a large tent structure and by the time the day was over, over 300 patients were seen and many more wounds were treated. Each team member participated in each of the areas of ministry and every last one of was awesome in how they dove in with both feet and smiles on their faces. Today was a bit of a learning curve as this was the first experience in an Ugandan medical outreach as well as having the other team taking charge of most of the medical areas. Larsh and Tressa jumped in at the wound care station where were serious wounds to deal with. Go big or go home is what I always say. They assisted for a while and were also able to hold and pray for the patients as they were being treated. It was tough but they were awesome at it especially knowing that temporary pain would bring about healing in the long run. Mindy, Bammer, Mary and Tammi were amazing as they took on about a million (or so it seemed) kids of all ages. But low and behold they were prepared with bubbles, balloon animals, bible stories, and loads of songs. Priceless. Brian C. brought out the soccer ball and had an sweet game with tons of kids. That is, until one of the kids ran of with it. whah, whah, whah…. Everybody also joined in at various times in the pharmacy filling prescriptions. Its a pretty behind the scenes kind of a job and some like it better than others. That’s the way it is with everything though, right? Joy found some….well…joy…when she was able to chill and pray with those waiting for medications. Kristen was a rock star as she was the first one called upon to giver her testimony in front of the crowd gathered for the medical clinic. She was incredible nervous beforehand and some team members pray for her and her nerves calmed down and was able to share about God’s faithfulness in her life. After sharing 10 people asked to accept Christ as their savior that day! Amazing. He always is! Janelle popped around throughout the day and loved every minute of it as Ralph kinda directed and redirected everyone on the team so each member was able to experience all aspects of the mission. Tim, myself, Kelsey and our girls joined the team a few hours after the team got there. The kids of the village had most likely never seen white kids before and they were fascinated with them. Toby, Tristin and Timory got a taste of what it’d be like to be rock star as they were oogled, stared at, touched, patted and giggled at for the better part of the day. Tristin was awesome at helping to write out the prescriptions on the bags to be distributed, while Timory and Toby hung fairly close to myself or Kelsey. The girls ended up spending a bit of time in the bus to get away from the masses and watched the goings on outside from there. Around two or so the rain clouds rolled in, along with some thunder claps and lightening. Most everybody ended up under the shade structure and the chaos got worse as we all tried to finish seeing all the patients that needed to be seen, fill then hand out the prescriptions and tend to those at Wound Care all while being cramped by several hundred people trying to get out of the rain. It was still all good though. Everybody was seen and God was glorified. We left the village around 5:oo, drove home along the crazy, bumpy, pot hole ridden, wet dirt road. It was decided that everybody…yes everybody…had to sing a song by themselves for the whole bus. We ended up joining in on most songs in our very own version of mobile karaoke. So from Disney themes songs, Elton John, and John Denver to random rap and even cheer songs were sung. amazing??? probably not, but incredibly funny. The bus dropped us at Kope Cafe where we ended the night with some beef/rice, banana pancakes, steak sandwiches and bottled sodas. Exhausted and fulfilled we headed off to bed. Ready for day two. Bring it!
-tracy

After a nice breakfast in Dubai, we hit the Dubai airport and left on our final plane. After a stop in Ethiopia, we landed in Entebbe, Uganda around 2:30pm. To our surprise, our good friend Sean Galaway (Krochet Kids) met us there. I thought he was there to see me, but turns out he just wanted to see his hot girlfriend Kelsey who is with us.

Our boxes of donations combined with luggage for 18 would fit in our bus. But never fear, Moses (our bus driver) and George (our friend and ARM rep) found us a van to bring up the luggage.

We arrived in Gulu just before midnight on Monday. It had been 48 hours since we left Costa Mesa. The team is all well and in good spirits despite the long journey. Each member seems to want to find the positive side of every situation. There seems to be an overall excitement about finally making it to Uganda. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the people, the language. It is all brand new. Now we will sleep, hit breakfast at 7am and head out for a day of medical work in a village.

Afoyo, Tim

The team left LAX on time and had a smooth flight to Dubai. After getting lost in the uber-gigantic airport, we made it through customs and now we’re off to the Millennium hotel for some shut eye and a hot shower. FYI - It’s 8pm and it’s 100 degrees. Yep.

All for now. - Tim