Even more from Uganda....

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Check out these incredible pics from Adopt Uganda team member, Abby Lunsford.

More Uganda 2012

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Here are more pics of our journey to Busia, Uganda taken by team member, Chris Jones.  Enjoy!

Uganda - Summer 2012....Go Light Your World!

UGANDA 2012

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More photos to come from this life changing adventure as well as TONS of video footage.  Just need time to sift through it all.  I tried my best to leave captions, so just read along.  Remember, I'm super jet lagged right now, so there are very likely many errors in spelling, grammar, etc etc etc.  What day is it anyway?

1 Day....My itinerary!

For those of you that have been keeping up with this humble blog since the beginning, my thanks!  Just for you....here's my itinerary for the next several days! :)  Ok, even if you're a late comer to this slice of the web, no worries. Glad to have you along on my journey!


Alyssa's Itinerary


Wednesday, 6/13

• Depart Cincinnati @ 2:15 PM to Dulles (DC)
• Depart Dulles (DC) @ 5:49 PM to Brussels, Belgium  ...... long flight (pray it's a decent movie, no obnoxious folks in the cabin, and for sleep!)

Thursday, 6/14

• Depart Brussels @ 10:40 AM to Entebbe, Uganda ..... another long flight (yay)
• Arrive in Entebbe @ 9:50 PM (local hotel....hooray)

Friday, 6/15

• Drive into Busia, Uganda!!!!!!!

Friday-Sunday (6/15-6/17)

• Getting acclimated to the area, meeting with Lucas & Prossy Hamirie (local pastor & wife).  Helping out whenever & wherever needed.  Going over materials for upcoming conference.  We'll either be staying at old or new orphanage building depending on status of progress.  We will be in the SAME location for our duration in Uganda.

Monday-Saturday (6/18-6/23)

• The main event....our Children's Leader Conference will take place this entire week.  We'll be working with church children's workers from surrounding districts (this includes some from Kenya) teaching them techniques they can apply in working with children in the church environment.  PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS EVENT!!!

Sunday-Wednesday (6/24-6/27)

• Again, helping out whenever & wherever is needed. Much of our extra time will be spent (I'm sure) working on the new orphanage and (I hope) with the children of the area including those in the orphanage.

Wednesday, 6/27 or Thursday, 6/28

• Depart for Entebbe (driving from Busia)

Thursday, 6/28

• Entebbe to Brussels @ 10:55 PM

Friday, 6/29

• Depart to Dulles (DC) @ 12:00 Noon
• Depart to Cincinnati @ 5:00 PM
• Arrive in Cincinnati @ 6:48 PM

ONE WEEK....what did I forget?

ONE WEEK from this very moment I'll be meeting the rest of my team in Cincinnati (which we all know is really NKY).  We'll sort our luggage, make sure we're all at our 50 lbs limit.  Man, we're taking loads.  In addition to 2 weeks worth of clothes, hand sanitizer (which I'm reminded to take nearly everyday), and other various & sundry items, we're also toting building supplies, medications, literature, Bibles, and fun things for the kids at the orphanage.


Anyone who knows me can imagine that packing of clothes for two weeks can be daunting....much less packing for a continent and country that is essentially another world.  Right now, all of those things are set aside in my bedroom.  Yes, LOTS of hand sanitizer, handiwipes, travel sizes of a variety of items.  Oh, and batteries.  LOTS of batteries as electricity is still iffy once we're there.


I'm finding myself in this final week of preparation working a lot on the family calendar.  Amelia suggested yesterday that I should just make a giant calendar and put it on the wall so everyone would know what to do everyday that I'm gone.  She's visual...like me.  Yeah, I probably should make a giant calendar because sometimes I'm not sure people read my texts, emails, or BLOGS!!  Anywho....


It is quite humbling for a mother to step out of her role and let others take over.  One of my teammates said to think of it as it's their way to show service just as I'm serving those in Uganda.  That helped, but it's still going to take a bit for me to let go and relax knowing that my kid is getting to her practices, swim meets, etc.  Moms out there, you feel me?


Meanwhile, I have 7 days to completely set my eyes toward Africa.  In that time I'm asking for some specific prayers from those of you who read this:

• Peace of mind for me and the rest of my team
• Safe travel from Cincinnati to Busia
• Understanding between our team and those we're there to serve
• God's ultimate purpose will shine through
• Children at the orphanage and in the village will feel love of Christ through us
• Safety of the team while we're in Africa and on travel home
• Peace of mind of our families here in the US while we're away

Thanks for reading!

Alyssa

17 Days...68 Degrees and Partly Cloudy

Thought I'd switch my WeatherBug app to Kampala's local weather station.  What's that?  68 degrees, partly cloudy. Oh, there it is...98% humidity.  Well, it's not the 90-100 degree temps one would associate with Central Africa...or at least me, the chick's who's never been.  But, I'll take their current weather over this sweaty mess right now!  Yeah, yeah...ask me in three weeks after I've been walking in dust and communing with bugs for a while.  Still, I do not like hot.  Anyone who knows me, knows this.  Have I mentioned I'm going to Africa?  He tends to nudge us out of our comfort zones, huh?  


Now, let's talk location.  I'm not going to Kampala, but it seems to be the nearest town recognized by most weather services.  Busia's district is in the southeastern section of Uganda right across the border from Kenya and just to the right of Jinja, the source of the Nile (crossing my fingers I get to see this).  Uganda sits to the north of Tanzania separated by Lake Victoria.

Look, Ma! I'm close to the equator!

Busia's also just a scoot above the equator...literally.  This is why I was shocked when I checked the current weather conditions there (and that it's hotter here in the Bluegrass)!  Now, the rain makes sense.  Packing extra shoes for sure.  I've heard from seasoned trekkers that those are a must....and no sandals!


My performing arts camp begins tomorrow which will provide a nice diversion for a little while.  I'll be singing, dancing and acting with 9-10 year olds for five days, but naturally Africa will be on my mind constantly for the next 17 days...

22 Days....Now what am I doing again?

Sadly, my last update was back in carefree 90+ days of planning and prep.  Now...it's seriously crunch time.  Serious.  As in this girl had a full on panic attack Sunday afternoon. Yes.  One of those couldn't stop the tears, hugging my knees kind of moments.  What the heck have I gotten myself into here?

You lived among the least of these

The weary and the weak

And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.

Local kids of Busia

Ironically, it's only been lately that folks have seemed to realize, "Oh...you're going to Africa?"  Um, yeah.  Now, I know that MANY people have know for months but I've started to find it kind of funny actually.  It is hard to explain what I'll be doing, though, especially to folks who aren't involved in church.  I don't mean that to sound condescending...it's just that it's, well, kind of a "churchy" what I'm doing.  Literally.  I'm leading a church conference.  Literally.

In a nutshell, here's the Cliffs Note version:

My itinerary is June 13-29.  We leave out of Cincinnati. Fly into Brussels then onto Entebbe, Uganda.  Then, apparently a very long ride to Busia.

During the Monday-Friday period we're in Busia, my team will host a conference training local church children's leaders methods on teaching children's worship.  The whole concept of children's worship in their culture is foreign...something so everyday to us.  Basically modeling VBS-type activities with them for the first half of everyday, the allowing working with them in the afternoons on developing their own ideas.

The other days that we're there will be spent ever how we're needed...working at the orphanage doing drywall, plumbing, painting, playing with the kids (yay), administering medications, etc.  Who knows what else?

Follow You into the homes of the brokenI'll follow You into the worldAnd meet the needs for the poor and the needy, GodI'll follow You into the world

Noah's Ark Orphanage - New Building
Busia, Uganda

93 Days....What About Kony & Busia, Uganda?

Yep, this is where I'm going in 93 days. The country that's been plastered all over YouTube, social media, twitter...you name it. Am I going to a dangerous area? No. Busia is in the southern portion of Uganda. Much of what was mentioned in the viral video produced by Invisible Children centered on the horrible crimes of Kony in Northern Uganda. What's not as well known is that most of the struggle with the LRA has moved out of Uganda's borders. Is Kony a real threat? Heck, yes! A monster! Our pastor used the words "evil personified."

In Busia, the likelihood of those children being abducted by Kony or his LRA minions for the unthinkable was not the same reality. However, this does not mean that the children in Southern Uganda do not also live in fear. This does not mean that they do not fear for their own safety (from those they know), for hunger, for lack of knowledge. These children need prayers. These children need love. These children need a Savior.

93 days....please pray for me & my team as we continue to prepare.

100 Days.....

This little Light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

It was determined this afternoon at our prep meeting that this would be our theme song. We are the light of the world, but our goal is not simply to swoop in, sing a few songs, do a few crafts, tell a couple of bible stories and pray for the best. We've a challenge set before us: carry our light, show how Jesus was the Light, how we who believe now have that light within us and try to let it shine in a world of darkness....even in a place where the lines of light and dark are blurred.

More news on the brutalization of children from Pastor Lucas (local Ugandan pastor). An everyday example of how children are abuse lies at the heart of poverty - hunger. When there's not enough food for everyone in the family, they do not feed the children. Because of this, some children will take or steal food. Those who do may be tied up, beaten, etc. These are very typical occurrences according to Lucas...but so foreign to me.

Hide it under a bushel - no,
I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let is shine!

105 Days....Trusting...Waiting

Since our last meeting at FOCUS, this Adopt Uganda team member has increasingly felt the weight of the mission that lies before us.  Linda Griffith, our team leader/mentor/guru/woman of awesomeness, laid some heavy stuff on us about what the local Pastor was hoping we could bring during our short stay.  It wasn't something simple like teaching the parables or the story of the loaves and fishes.  No.  His number one concern was the continued brutalizing of the local children.  That's right.


I'm with kids ALL THE TIME.  I live with one, easily count another 25 as my own at school, and hang out with yet another 15 or so at church every Sunday.  Children are at the very core of my existence.  I've been a whistle blower on occasion having seen my share of kids from abusive homes or those who'd been sorely neglected in other ways.  In our society, this behavior is simply not acceptable - whether you're a Believer or not.  Ethics are ethics.  You don't beat a child.

Linda explained more to us that Pastor Lucas had shared with her.  In their society, it's perfectly acceptable for a child to be caned.  Where women are essentially second class citizens in their world, children rank far below.  His desire for our team is to communicate, somehow, Christ's compassion and character.  How do you change a culture?  This is a monumental task.


Please be in prayer for me, for our team, as we plan our conference for the children's leaders.  

Super Bowl Across the Globe

As we in the US wrap up another Super Bowl Sunday, the kids in Uganda might be kicking around another ball.  Like so many other countries around the globe, the national sport in Uganda is football (read: soccer); however, they love their cricket, too.  In fact, the Uganda national cricket has become quite popular lately.  Not to mention, the Uganda national rugby union team won the 2007 Africa Cup.


One way we hope to reach the children when in Busia is through play: sports, imaginative, song, dance and maybe just being still.  One way we hope to help the children's leaders is to show them how to connect with their children through play and how it ties with scripture and the stories of Jesus.  A concept so simple to us, but still so foreign to them.


Please be in prayer for our team as we prepare our minds and hearts for the task ahead!

141 Days and Counting....

Light of the World

"You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill." (Matt 5:14, The Message)

Linda Griffith, our team leader, shared our theme with us yesterday and our focus verse.  The Jan L'Ecuyer song "Salt and Light" immediately entered my head and hasn't left since I walked out the door at Focus Ministries.  Look it up...good song.


There are 12 going on this trip.  Many who've gone before to our village, some multiple times, and a couple of newbies...including me.  3 men, 9 women. Some retired, some professionals, some students.  A great mix of folks.  Lots of laughs at yesterday's first official team meeting.  (Note to self: Find out blood type.  I'm sure "red" will not cut it on the official forms.)

Overwhelmed?  You bet I am!  Let's see...I have shots to take (yellow fever, hep A, tetanus) and then there are the malaria pills.  Good news is we'll sleep in mosquito netting, but probably on mats on the floor.  I know some of you are wondering about the actual physical setup when we get there.  Me too. :)  You know me.  Yes, I LOVE 3rd grade 4H camp every fall.  This is something completely different!  Plumbing...um...we might have it?!?

Let go and let God.  He will provide the resources to go.  So far, some of my personal fundraising efforts have really proven that He is behind this!  So thankful!  And, I'm sure that by June, I'll have no problem with the thought of being without electricity for unknown lengths of time....or a working toilet.....

149 days....

Since going public with the news of my international adventure, the questions and comments have been quite entertaining.  


1) It is Uganda, not Iguana.  One is a country in equatorial Africa.  The other is a reptile.  
2) No, I am not going to bring home a new family member! :)  I AM going as part of a mission team of 12.  For more info, check out Adopt Uganda!
3) Yes, the news is full of scary info, but stick with facts and don't jump to conclusions.  The Republicans primaries are also getting pretty ugly right here...might be good to get away!  
4)  YES!  It will cost a lot of money, but I have faith that everything will work out for funding to pull through so I can do what I need to do! :)


I figured during my countdown, it might be a good idea to share some interesting facts about Uganda.  Hey, you never know when you might be on Jeopardy!

FACT:  Uganda is a safe and friendly land-locked country in East Africa.  It has a well-developed tourist infrastructure with excellent national parks that showcase Uganda's wide variety of wildlife including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life..."

So, here's the deal. I'm going to Africa.  And....there you have it!

Yes, I know I've been sitting on this news publicly for a while now as it's taken a lot of personal reflection, prayer, worrying about cost, who's going to keep the world spinning while I'm away, etc.  HOWEVER, apparently people go on trips all the time without major catastrophes.

That being said.  I'm going to Africa.  Uganda to be specific.

WHO - Check out www.adoptuganda.com.  This group is amazing and the family behind it is even more incredible.  Their heart for missions, spreading hope and love across the globe, is really contagious.

WHAT - We'll be primarily stationed in Busia working closely with the people in that village.  My position will be helping local women learn how to work with the children in a church setting....something that sounds so basic to anyone around these parts, right? We'll also be working with the orphanage in addition to the local church congregation.  So, so many needs there....all over.  Clean water, medicine...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

WHEN - Late June of 2012....closer all the time!