B-29

First of all, thanks to Scott Baker for having a world plan on his Blackberry.

So, we made it to Uganda as scheduled. We thought me might have to spend Saturday in Amsterdam because our flight was 3 hours late leaving Detroit. Missing our connection in Amsterdam would have meant not being able to fly into Entebbe until Sunday...flights here are only every other day...but our pilot made up for lost time.

Saturday and Sunday were great days of rest. We got to go to a Ugandan wedding, and 2 hours later, we went to the reception. I'm glad I experienced it but will be okay if I never have to again. I left my camera on the bus that brought us back to where we are staying, and it hasn't shown up yet so I have no photos to put on here.

We just finished day 2 of clinic and things are going well. I've held many babies, been peed on, laughed a lot and cried a little. I'll write more later about the area we are in right now.

Tomorrow is our last day of clinic at Namulanda and we will eat an American meal tomorrow night. Thursday is our rest day and we will shop and go to the Nile for a little boat ride. Friday and Saturday are clinic days at Zana Presbyterian clinic.

I miss my friends and family. Please keep praying.

Penny, Ota is almost 5 now and cuter than ever, and thanks for the slippers, they have been very useful.

Round 3

I leave tomorrow morning for Uganda. Some of my friends joke that last year I helped cure AIDS while there. This year, they joke that the plan is to put a system in place that will continually purify all of their water. If only! But I am really excited about this year's trip. I feel like the past two years I have just been getting my feet wet but this year, I'm ready to jump in all the way. I want to love on the Ugandans and listen to their stories but most of all I want to tell them about the real reason we are all there...that the Jesus they have heard about is real and loves them and wants to have a personal relationship with them. All the medicine in the world cannot cure their need for a Savior.

Please pray for our team as we minister to the sick and dying. Pray that the enemy would be bound from the clinic and surrounding areas (last year, the spiritual warfare was easily felt). Pray that the Gospel would fall on open ears and open hearts. Pray for health for the team; some are going with family issues and health issues that could interfere if allowed to do so. Pray for the Lord to do a work in each of our hearts, giving us a passion for Christ and a passion for His children. I am so excited!!!

Here is our flight itinerary:
Thurs., 6/26 Birmingham 10:05 AM Northwest NW3793 - Detroit 1:12 PM

Thurs., 6/26 Detroit 5:20 PM NW6 - Fri., 6/27 Amsterdam 7:00 AM

Fri., 6/27 Amsterdam 11:10 AM NW8441 - Entebbe/Kampala 8:15 PM

Sun., 7/6 Entebbe/Kampala 10:20 PM NW8470 - Mon., 7/7 Amsterdam 5:50 AM

Mon., 7/7 Amsterdam 3:20 PM NW8617 - Detroit 5:50 PM

Mon., 7/7 Detroit 9:43 PM NW5839 - Birmingham 10:50 PM

Here is our itinerary while there:

Saturday - rest, visit clinic site, logistical stuff
Sunday - church and hang out with church folks
Monday - Wednesday - clinic
Thursday - rest day from clinic
Friday - Saturday - clinic
Sunday - church, shopping, airport

I would love to be able to blog while there but I'm not sure what the internet situation is going to be like; there is only electricity a couple of hours a day, how often will internet be available?

For God, For Learning, Forever

We started week two of AGS yesterday with the AGS Olympics. They are always fun and funny and the students usually enjoy themselves. Here are a few photos from the event.

Austin and Angus

Greg giving instructions.


Jason's just a little thirsty.


No, they aren't really pregnant, except for Karen
(4th from right) and she is staff.


Bill trying to get this team organized.


Relay races


Cooling off after the olympics.

Number 11

This past Sunday I started my 11th year of working with the Alabama Governor's School. For two weeks each summer since 1998, I have moved the most important of my belongings into a dorm room, eaten cafeteria food, driven 15 passenger vans, and hung out with high school students, and I have honestly loved each year of it. The students keep us entertained with the funny things they say and discuss and do and they keep you on your toes. My favorite quote so far from one of these "best of the best" is as follows: "If you don't wake up in the morning, there is no hope for a good day." Thank you Gillis from Andalusia for giving us that to ponder.

Hold Me Jesus

I went to another funeral today for one of my students. Nicholas was a precious 6 year old and he died suddenly this past Saturday. I have been dreading this day all week. No one likes going to funerals, especially not those of children or when the circumstances were tragic as they were in this case.

In situations like this, I always expect that families will be angry and bitter with God (and I'm sure they do go through some of that), but it quickly became clear today that this family is drawing their strength from the Lord. I had no idea what to expect at the funeral but I have to tell you, I'm a little jealous of Nick right now - he is in Heaven with Jesus! And while his family is grieving their own loss, they are also celebrating that Nick is at Home. Please pray for the Peeks if you think about them.

Almost Done

Our school year is coming to an end (YAY!!!). Today was the Kindergarten Celebration. I'm going to try and share some of the video I took of them singing...PRECIOUS!! For now I'll share a collage of me with each of the students from my favorite K5 class!

Update

I've been "going through the motions" in a couple of areas of life recently and I think my heart is actually beginning to catch up a little. Why am I surprised?