Watoto Team 2010 - and they're off

The 2010 Long Creek to Watoto team of 7 strong left on their journey to Uganda this morning.  It was great to see them so excited about what God will do on this trip but hard at the same time to see them go.  This was due partly because on one hand I'm so happy they will be getting to see some of the people we have come to love and also that they will have such amazing new experiences but of course from a purely selfish viewpoint, we aren't going.  

I am very much looking forward to the blog posts from the team when they have access and time.  Also looking forward to the great stories when they arrive back.  Remember them as they travel... one of the hardest bits is getting to and from ... health, safety, relationships, team unity, these are just some of the things to pray about.

It is so cool to think about this 5 year dream of John and Sherry's to get to Gulu.  It will no doubt affect them profoundly.  It's just all so very wonderful.

Thanks so much to those who stepped up to the plate to help as I gathered things to send to some folks at Suubi Mountain.  To our friends the Hebb's who helped me get a dress form for Teacher Noel at the Vocational School; to the girls where I have been working this past number of weeks who brought in creams, shampoos, etc.; to my dear Sis who gave yarn and fabric; each one who contributed in large and small ways.  Thank you from my heart

 

Uganda Team 2010 - no not us this time

Greetings... so slack am I... we come home from Uganda and basically stop writing!  It's been an interesting and challenging winter but now that Spring is arriving and we are thinking of the next team from our church heading to Uganda hearts are also lifting.  Alas, we don't fit in their luggage... we'd love to be going again.  But, lots of things will fit in their bags, which is the reason for this post.

I have some things in mind that friends we connected with in Uganda last fall could certainly use ... if you found that you had some of these things around that were available to send, please let us know:

-full balls of yarn with labels (anything but fingerling - fine or baby yarn which they can get in Uganda)

-knitting needles and crochet hooks

-knitting and crochet patterns

-dress and garment patterns

-left handed scissors for school work

-meters of fabric (not winter weights and only garment sized pieces please)

-balls of crochet thread

-tatting patterns (lace doilies)

-small scissors for sewing

-6" ruler/gauge

-clothespins - wooden

-sweet corn seed

Thanks for giving this some thought!  Nancy

DATES AND TIMES FOR PRESENTATIONS

Well, we are excited to share thoughts and stories about our journey to Uganda and it looks like we will have opportunities to do that.  Yesterday at our church we showed just a few photos and talked briefly... just skimming the surface really... for about 8-10 minutes but hopefully it was just enough to interest folks to hear more about our adventure.

We want to let you know about the dates and times for future presentations in case any of you are interested in coming along... tusanyuse okulaba - translation: you are welcome (to come).

WHAT:  Watoto/Uganda Journey Presentation
WHERE:  Long Creek Baptist Church
WHEN:  Sunday, November 8, 2009, 6:00 pm
WHO:  For anyone interested
FORMAT:  Slides with brief notes followed by an informal time of Q&A and sharing more stories.

WHAT:  Watoto/Uganda Journey Update
WHERE:  Long Creek Baptist Church
WHEN:  Sat. Nov 14 at 6:00 pm
WHO:  Mostly for our immediate and extended families but anyone is welcome
FORMAT:  Our church family knows a fair bit about these trips we have taken to Uganda but we believe we have been negligent about sharing this information with our own extended families and we would like to correct that situation.  This will be an opportunity to update anyone who wants to hear about this seemingly crazy adventure we are on.  There will be photos, slides, stories and a time for Q&A and of course just a nice time to get the family together.


We'll post other times and dates here as they come up.


Thanks for your interest

BACK HOME

Yes, we are back at home on PEI again.  There are still some things to share about our last week in Uganda where the time just flew and provided us much living but no opportunity to record it here.  We'll also be sharing in a few places about our journey so we'll try to let you know about those here. 

Tomorrow morning, Sunday, October 25, we'll be sharing just a taste (5-7 minutes) with a few photos at our church service for Long Creek Baptist (at the APM Centre at 10:00 am).  Very soon we are hoping to have an evening to share a longer version with opportunity for questions,etc. and we'll let you know when that date is set.  We also plan to have a time for our families and other interested friends to come and see the photos, hear the stories, etc. so we'll keep you in touch.

Stay tuned! And again, thanks for your comments (SO much appreciated!) your thoughts and prayers toward us.

HEALTH PRAYER REQUEST

October 12, 2009

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to those in Canada!

We would like to send out a prayer request to you please.  Chad and I and Gerry have not been feeling well last night and today - upset stomach mostly.  We think it is probably something we either ate or drank yesterday while we were in Jinga but we don't know for sure.  We are managing to keep going but energy level is down for sure.  I am developing a cough as well.  As you know, travelling with cough or fever is not recommended and may not even be permitted so please pray that whatever it is will be gone by tomorrow and that we do not develop fever (we leave Uganda on Wednesday morning and fly all day, arriving in Halifax shortly before midnight).  And of course Gerry has to keep working here so it is important for him to be healthy as well.  Imagine staying healthy for the whole visit and being ill the last few days!  The other thought is we did visit someone's home for cell group last Wednesday who neglected to mention that he had been home sick for several days before and was on antibiotics for a nasty flu.  We hope that is not the case but  people are not as conscious about passing things on here yet.  So with that no-so-good news, otherwise we are doing fine and we enjoyed a wonderful weekend with lots of new things to tell you about but that will have to wait for the minute.  Tomorrow will be a difficult day as we will be saying goodbye to so many new friends so please remember that for us as well.

I am not sure but perhaps the next blog post will be from home... we'll see what we can manage.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers towards us.  We thank God upon every remembrance of you...