July 13, 2008

...Until we meet again.

Hey guys! This will probably be my last update from Uganda because tomorrow we go to Entebbe for debriefing and then leave Tuesday morning.  Definitely not looking forward to 11 hours in the Nairobi airport, but we're going to finish debriefing there, so at least we'll be occupied for a while. Looking forward to seeing all of you when we return!

The last few days have been emotional. We left Lango with a goat
roasting celebration and speeches of thanks and goodbye. And I'm pretty sure I can speak for the whole team when I say we can't believe the end came up so fast. But the work there is continuing and going well and we're very excited about it. The youth center's roof is being put on as I type and the windows and doors are almost fitted! All that's left is cementing the walls and floors. 

So now we've been in Kampala a few days. Yesterday we went souvenir shopping and this morning we went to church. We're planning on hanging out this afternoon then spending time with our host families this evening. Please pray for safe travel back. See you soon!

Janel

July 9, 2008

Learn.Laugh.Love. 

Greetings from Lira! We are currently finishing up youth leadership
conferences here in Lira. Our whole group split up into about three
different groups and then went to different churches to talk to the
youth about how to become better leaders and also about how amazing the lord is.

We have also split into even smaller groups of about two or three and have preached at prisons, hospitals and schools. Let me just tell you that I preached at a prison and it was the scariest, most amazing experience that I have encountered in quite a long time. Those prisoners are super friendly and really love God. They also thought that my accent was ridiculous and laughed at me when it took three different prisoners to help interpret my sermon. About 1/3 of the group is off preaching and the rest of the group just got back from a school here in Lira for deaf people and it was such an amazing experience hearing about the work that this school is doing...in helping deaf people empower themselves and realize that they can go to school and shouldn't feel like they are not accepted by the rest of the world. Bonnie, one of the boys we met, mentioned that he would love to see us talk to those with disabilities about leadership...which we had never even thought of before. And we decided that that was an excellent idea. So yall who are thinking of going to Uganda next year, you will be able to experience something as amazing as spending time with people who have disabilities and even teaching themselves how to gain more rights and empower themselves!!

Let's see...we head back to Kampala this Friday and then we leave
Kampala and leave for Paris on Monday. Although we spend most of the time on Monday in the airport because we have an 11 hour lay over. 

Awesome? I really want to say that Uganda has changed all of us for the better. We really have begun to discover what makes us tick. I have definitely discovered a lot about myself and found ways to laugh about situations here in Uganda that would have frustrated me back in the U.S.  I really think that God is teaching us about patience. I have learned that when the water at the church we are staying at stops working for two days straight...we just have to go without showers and without washing our hands for two days. And then we have to learn to laugh about it. When the car breaks down three times on our way to a church conference and we arrive hours later than we had planned...we learn to laugh about it. When we have posho (which is flour and water and tasteless, basically) every meal of every day...we learn to laugh about it. But not only that...we have also learned how awesome God is...especially when you can see women weep in prison when we are praising and you can watch
as little children dance and praise God with all their hearts. I
honestly can say that despite every thing that has frustrated me here in Uganda, I really am going to miss this place and all the things that I have learned and all the beautiful people that I have met. I hope all is well in all of your lives. We shall see you all in about a week!

Take care!

-Jessica

July 8, 2008

Sharing the good news!

Hello again!  Hope everyone is doing well.  We're good.  Can't believe we leave Lira in three days and that we leave Uganda in a week!  The time has gone by so quickly.  Thank you for your prayers!

We've been busy with our leadership conferences the last several days. Jessica and Lauren went to Corner Adwari on Thursday and Friday and came back with some great stories.  The entire team ran one in Lira Town Saturday and Sunday, and Ryan and I are actually on our way back from one in Apac (car broke down conveniently by an internet cafe) and then Frankie and Jenni will go to Amolatar tomorrow and Thursday.  They've been really fun so far.  When we tried to get in the car to leave today, we were surrounded by kids from the nearby school who all wanted high fives / to touch white skin.  It was really cute.  Got some great pictures.  :)

Sunday morning, we went to different schools and venues to preach before continuing the conference in the afternoon.  Since Josh has left already, I went to the church with three services to preach (and let me say how glad I am that I don't have to be at a 6am service regularly!). I had a great time.  The first two services were in Luo so I had a translator and then in the English service I realized how little I actually had to say!  Time goes by a lot faster when you're only saying everything once!  But aside from my experience, I'm pretty sure everyone else had a good time too.  Frankie preached at the hospital, Jessica at the prison, Lauren at the rehabilitation school and Jenni and Ryan went to other secondary schools. 

Thank you so much for your prayers.  We'll see you all in about a week and a half!

Janel

July 3, 2008

Birthdays in Uganda, and a Continuing Ministry

Greetings again from Lango Diocese!!!  It is really good to be here.
We've been working really hard shoveling dirt into the youth center so that hopefully soon we can add cement and have a floor!  The team is doing really well.  The boys are little work horses and I've been impressed with the amount of dirt and sweat Lauren and I can get on ourselves.  Jessica has been making runs to the market to buy all our food and I've seen Jenni several times learning how to cook in the kitchen.  So we're doing really well.

Today began the next phase of our ministry here.  We will be doing four different leadership conferences and open-air evangelism in different places around the Diocese.  We will be doing the next one in Lira Town all together, but sending two small groups to each of the other three.  Lauren and Jessica left today to Corner Adwari for the first one.  And Happy Birthday to Jessica and Marcus today!!!!  I woke up to tell her happy birthday and then sent them on their way.  :) But we did hear that they arrived safely and I'm assuming they are having a great time.

The rest of us are continuing construction and having a blast. Although it rained hard last night, so the dirt we're shoveling is quite a bit heavier today...  But we're having a great time.

Thank you for your prayers.

Janel

July 1, 2008

 Preach it! ... Ryan's Thoughts

Hey everyone. Things are still going well here in Uganda. I'm updating you now via an internet cafe in downtown Lira. Our stay at the Bishop's compound has been great so far. Aside from our run-in with an army of fire ants during the night earlier this week, things have been going smoothly. I'm telling you... humankind is fooling itself in Uganda. Insects truly call the shots around here. Anyway, we're planning a small 4th of July celebration for later this week. We Americans are going to try our hands at cooking some American food for everyone that night. Hotdogs and potato salad anyone? 

On Sunday our team of about 30 split into 8 groups and visited all
different churches in the Lango district (there are hundreds and
hundreds of churches around here). I was lucky enough to be elected the preacher in my group, so I was able to give a 25 minute sermon in two different services at St. Peter's Adiel Church. It was really an interesting experience for me. I was nervous to be giving a sermon for the first time and didn't know what to expect (especially since it was a traditional Anglican service). The church was small and very humble in construction and furnishings, and I began to feel very out of place. However, after seeing the excitement and love that this congregation showed, I felt very humbled myself and almost unfit to be their speaker. Despite my fears, I was able to give a decent sermon and was very well-received. I was even given some ears of corn as appreciation. Frankie also gave a sermon on Sunday (at a different church), so you'll all have to ask him about that.

That's all the time I have here. We have about 2 more weeks here in
Lira, so lookout for more updates. God has been incredibly kind to us thus far. We appreciate all of your prayers!

                                                                         Love, Ryan

July 1, 2008

A Test of Faith... We made it to Lira!

It has been a crazy week, but for Africa standards, not so crazy. :) On our way to Murchison, the bus broke down. We all got out and they "fixed" it for a while and then we continued to the last city before the game park where we had lunch. While eating, the driver got the bus checked out and so then we left for the park. Once inside the game park and right about dusk, the bus starts going slower... Seeing as how this happened last year, I couldn't help but laugh. And then we reached the place where we stayed last year and I just kept praying that we'd keep going because it was too expensive. And we did. We made it past (by maybe 50 yards) and then broke down for good. Now, by this time, it's dark and we are in the middle of a game reserve, so everyone has to stay on the bus. The people in front had to move back where there were people
crammed already so that was interesting. Always an adventure. We finally sent guys back to the place, got a mechanic, and long story short, six of us prepared to sleep on the bus because there was no room in the vans that took us to our "hotel". Frankie started playing the guitar, the rest of us tried to sleep until Marcus was attacked by the bug which Frankie claims could pay rent in his apartment. Marcus stepped on it, it slapped back and a battle ensued. Finally, the bug lay whimpering in a pile of its own blood and we slept peacefully until one of the cars came back to take us to our lodging.

The next day, the drivers were supposed to get the bus fixed but didn't, so we had to punt yet again. We eventually got three vans to take us out of the park to the town on the other side. I have never seen Ugandans move that fast (we had to get across the Nile and we needed the ferry that left in 6 minutes). So we sped through the park and only stopped to admire the LION!!! It was in a tree by the side of the road. And seriously, that made it all worth it. Anyway, once in Pakwach, we waited for a pickup (for the luggage) and a taxi to take us to Karuma so we could get on public transit to get to Lira. The pickup is one of those like half bed things and we piled 30 people's luggage and two people on top. The 14 passanger taxi had 21. I still have the bruises. But we all made it safely. Finally. I got to bed that night at 3:30am.

But since then, it's been good. Lots of construction work at the youth center which has been tiring, but fun. No big news to report from there. Lots of shoveling. We got filmed for the news yesterday and interviewed for the paper today. Oh and we were on the radio a few nights ago. One of the guys we work with manages a station so we got the hook up. It was awesome.

Church Sunday was cool. Each of our small groups went to a different one. Frankie and Ryan preached at their respective churches. And the church I went to gave us corn, beans, oil and money for food. :)

Now we're preparing for the leadership conferences which start thursday. Jessica and Lauren are going to the first, we all do the second in Lira, then Ryan and I and then Frankie and Jenni. With our small groups, of course. So we'll all get more preaching experience in with the leadership conferences followed by open air crusades in the afternoon. :)

So that's about it. Josh left today. It was good to have him here. We're also all pretty tired. We took today off (which meant laundry which is just as tiring), but we aren't getting a whole lot of sleep at night. Especially when the girls' tents are attacked by killer ants. I would have been fine because Jess and I are inside, but Jenni and Lauren came (at different times) knocking on the door for shelter and let me tell you, two inside a bug hut is not that comfortable. :)

Anyway, I need to get to the market because  its time to prepare dinner and we have no rice.

That is all. I'm sleepy, but good.

                                                                 Love you guys.
                                                                         Janel

June 28, 2008

Kopango? -Kope

In Lango, that means...how are you? Answer: well. Jenni and Jessica speaking, here. Right now the team is staying at the church compound, just yards away from the community center that we have begun working on. The team last year broke ground and built the center from the ground to window height. Since then the youth in Lira have finished building the walls. Our goal is to finish the floor, windows and roof. Yesterday we began filling the floor with compacted clay (or something reddish...). The ladies shoveled the dirt like buff men and pushed the wheel barrels, while the boys packed the dirt. After we finish leveling the dirt, we will pour cement. Although right now we are waiting for some more of the reddish clay and lumber for the roof...and knowing Ugandans, it wont be here until next week, once we are already gone. Hahaha. But it is not all about building...it is also about the beautiful relationships that we have begun forming since our arrival and that we continue to build stronger every single day. The Langi people are the most welcoming and polite people we have ever met. They work so hard to make us feel comfortable, useful and well fed (they fill our plates to the brim, even when we say that we are full...it's awesome :D). The way they welcomed us Wednesday evening at 1am was incredible- they gathered around our trucks and were cheering, yelling, singing and dancing with love as we rounded the corner. Then they began hugging every single one of us and shaking all of our hands, saying welcome and thank you for coming. Langi people say thank you (apollo) to everyone...it is their common greeting.  Our time here at the compound has been so peaceful...a time for us to understand the culture of those that live in the North. Even those from Kampala have been greatly affected by the kindness of the Langi people and the poverty present here. We spoke to someone on the Kampala team about his experience coming to the North and he said that he has become very emotional because he noticed the other day that the children passing our compound on their way to school were not wearing any shoes...and that was the first time in his life he had ever seen that. He realized how little he knows about other parts of Uganda. But even though this piece of Lira that we have been experiencing is poverty-stricken, the people have the biggest hearts and the most love for God that we have ever experienced. They praise God with so much enthusiasm and selflessness. We have so much to learn from these people...we are even making a list of things we are going to bring back the U.S. like awesome phrases, dance moves and other bits of culture that we want to share with all yall (such as hand holding...because everyone holds hands here, even best guy friends). They dance for hours at a time...just praising God. And when we join them, they welcome us, but also laugh at us because we look ridiculous. So to wrap these shenanigans up...Jenni and I have to peace out on some boda bodas (bicycles that are taxis) back to Bora Bora. We are very safe, very well fed and very ecstatic because these people we have met are amazing, in a nut shell.

We miss you all very much. God bless and please keep us in your prayers!!

Apollo, Jess and Jenni 

June 25, 2008

Josh is in Lira - but where's the team?

Not to worry - the team is on their way, in African time! I (Josh) flew into Kampala this morning and met with the chaplain. Then I drove straight up to Lira (well, as straight as you can go with all the potholes in the road.) The trip took about 5 hours. We were supposed to meet the rest of the team here. Half way to Lira though, I received a phone call from Janel - "So, we broke down in the park." Apparently the team's bus broke down several times on the way to Murchison Falls only to finally die 1 hour away from their campground. Thanks to 2 generous drivers staying at the park, the whole team made it to their campground. But, the bus was still broken... so, no safari in the morning. Not to worry! The bus company was sending spare parts and a new bus. They would be here by 2pm. However, at 3pm, the bus driver admitted that he had not yet ordered the parts. Needless to say Janel and the team fired the bus company at this point. They hired two smaller buses from the campground and crossed the nile. From there, our friends in Lira are sending their own vehicles to pick us up. The team should arrive around 9pm tonight. Tents will be set up and the work begins tomorrow. These travel challenges are a pain, but they are also great times for the different cultures to bond. Please pray for the group as they finish their journey here in Lira.
Everyone is well and in good spirits. Thanks for your continued support in prayer!

June 22, 2008

Big Day at Church... Janel's Thoughts

Hello!  We're about to go back to the hostel after a LONG day of church.  We went to three services (all of which are at least two hours long) and were supposed to be introduced at a fourth, but we were late coming from the other service.  It was really encouraging to worship here and be welcomed and prayed for by the congregations at St. Francis Chapel.  In the 4:00 service, Frankie and I joined the worship band and rocked out a little bit.  We had a lot of fun and I think I saw Jenni taking a video, so you'll have to take a look at that when we get back. 

Tomorrow we continue training and then head off to Murchison Falls and Lira on Tuesday.  Please continue to pray for the unity of the team - Lira, Berkeley and Makerere together - as well as for traveling safety as we prepare to leave.

June 21, 2008

Welcome Lira Team... Janel's Thoughts

Greetings again from Kampala! The team from Lira arrived on Thursday and we've been spending the last few days getting to know one another, sharing cultural differences and learning languages. It's been quite exciting. We moved to a hostel not far from the Makerere campus so that we could all stay
together, which has been pretty cool. Lots of mosquitos, but also lots of good time to be together.

Right after the Lira team arrived on Thursday, Bishop Zac came to speak to us. He talked about the Body of Christ and how each of us have something to teach the others about who Jesus is. I was very encouraged by it. He also encouraged us to try each other's food, so yesterday we had pizza and fries for lunch. The rest of the time, we eat matoke (steamed bananas) and stew. And then yesterday, we spent the afternoon sharing cultural differences in
small groups and learning about each other. There were some hilarious things shared and some very eye-opening things. I felt that my group was very honest and open with each other, and I think the others were the same, which also encourages me. I know we will be able to have more conversations as the month goes on. So praise God for that! :)

Tomorrow we'll be attending four or five services and Frankie and I get to play on the worship team in one of them! It's pretty cool to be learning new songs and playing together. Be sure to ask Frankie about it when we get back!

Oh - the other thing we've been learning how to do is dance! There are so many different cultural dances, so it seems every time I turn around, there's a group of people teaching us how to do another kind of dance. Or trying to teach us... pretty sure we haven't learned how to do it yet. But we have some AWESOME videos of trying!

I think that's all for now. Thanks again for praying for us. Please keep our health in your prayers. My stomach so far is the only one that's been affected, so keep praying that no one else gets sick!

Love you!
Janel

June 19, 2008

Preparing to meet the team from Lira... Janel's Thoughts

excited and a little bit nervous for them to come.  Please pray for unity as the three teams finally become one.

We're also moving to a hostel from our homestays so that we can all stay together.  It was sad to leave my family, but we will be with them for three days on the back end, so that made it easier.  Jenni and I were showered with gifts this morning - it was overwhelming and humbling.

We're excited to see them again at the end.

Other than that, not much new.  We all say hello!  :)

Love,
Janel

June 18, 2008

So, we've arrived... Frankie's thoughts

So we have arrived in Uganda! The last three days have been a whirlwind, but at the same time, it feels like we have been here for much longer.

Our first two nights in the guest house were fantastic. It was in a
beautiful residential area near the airport. We had a chance to walk
around a bit and see some of the town as well as some sweet dance moves from some of the local youth. I can already tell that Reggaton is my new favorite music. We've been spending a lot of time with the Ugandan team and they have given us an incredibly warm welcome. We're now taking part in our homestays in Kampala and our host families are amazingly generous. Jessica and I are staying with our friend Alex and his family and we've already been treated to two of the largest and most delicious meals of my life.

We're here now at the Univeristy Chapel getting ready to head off for a day of fun at a swimming pool, which is great cause it is HOT! I can hear some music being played in the next room so I want to go take part!

While this isn't much detail about our trip; it is great just knowing that we are in great hands and being treated very, very well. Our hosts are just as excited as we are to be here. It is truly an amazing place and the best part is our journey has just begun. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

Best,
Frankie

June 18, 2008

Greetings from Kampala!

Hello!  We are so happy to have made it here safely!  Uganda has greeted us nicely with wonderful weather, amazing people and somewhat friendly mosquitoes.  And I say friendly because at least Jenni and I haven't been bitten yet!  Not sure about the others...  :)  We did lose one bag on the way over... the guitar.  But, Gab called this morning and it has finally been found, so we should be getting it soon!  Praise God! 

We spent our first two nights in Entebbe resting and trying to get over jet lag.  We got to visit Lake Victoria with the Kampala folks and spend a lot of time getting to know them.  It's been great.  For me, it's been especially nice seeing old friends and catching up.  I love it.

Yesterday we moved to Kampala and began our homestays.  Frankie and Jessica are with Alex, Ryan and Lauren are with Merque and Mildred, and Jenni and I are with Jeff!  I haven't seen the others yet today, but Jenni and I are having a great time, overwhelmed with the hospitality and absolutely loving our family.

Today we are doing more relationship-building in Kampala and then the rest of our team will arrive tomorrow from Lira.  We are so eager to meet them and begin building our whole team from Berkeley, Kampala and Lira.  Please pray for unity as we bond together and get to know one another.  Please also continue to pray for safety and health.  Ryan got sick on the day we left and then I got it a day later.  Mostly just stuffy nose, but we'd appreciate prayers for health.  :)

Thank you so much!  It's great to be here and so good to know there are so many people praying for us. 

Blessings,
Janel

June 15, 2008

MADE IT!

Just spoke to the team leader, Janel. They have arrived safely in Entebbe and the team is doing great. Gab Iguma picked them up and they are settled at the guesthouse. The next 2 nights in Entebbe are spent getting ready before they head into Kampala.

June 14, 2008

ON THEIR WAY

June 13, 2008

STUDENTS PREPARE

June 9, 2008

5 DAYS AWAY

June 6, 2008

1 WEEK LEFT

So, i just purchased 4 big tents for the Uganda team and all the students who are going are all very excited now.  There is a buzz in the air and all who are going or planning it can feel it!!!!  :)  Go Team, the Send Team gives you their love.

 Safe Travels!

May 29, 2008

May 21, 2008

April 22, 2008

Can't believe we'll be there in two months!  I'm getting super excited...its becoming real.  The Go Team has had a lot of fun in training, getting to know each other, learning about Ugandan history and culture, and preparing our hearts for this trip.  Please pray for us as we start to realize the enormity of traveling across the world and encounter God.

Fundraising is also going!  Support letters are coming back and we're encouraged - thank you to those of you who've helped us!  If you haven't yet, just click the link on the side!  :)  And the Send Team has had a Bake Sale and is preparing a Times and Talents event, and we're beginning to see fruits of the labor.  Our large goal still seems large... but every day it gets smaller.  Pray that God meets us and provides for our needs.

Thank you so much for your support and help!  We really appreciate all of your encouragement.  I know some of us talk about the trip ALL the time, so thanks for your patience listening to us.  We're excited!  

Blessings to you,
Janel Averill
Go Team

March 19, 2008

So everyone is excited!  Just hosted a letter writing party with the Send team for the Go team which was fun with lots of great snacks. And the Send team decided on which projects will be the focus of the trip.  I must admit though, the next step is a daunting one.  We are now looking at HOW to fundraise the assets to actually undertake the building and scholarship projects that we decided on last night.  Please be praying for us as we step forward into uncharted fundraiser territory -- we ask for wisdom and creativity, as well as trust that God is guiding us as this is a first for some of our members.