July 5, from Vinicius Gripp

First of all thank you all for reading these e-mails, replying to me
so kindly with beautiful messages and praying for us. Sunday was a great day. I preached twice, at 7 and at 9 am. The second service was in Luo, the local language, so I had to be translated. That was an interesting experience. Afterwards, we went to K-Zone, a place that has a swimming pool, a gym, a TV and food. After swimming and eating, we saw and even participated in some Northern Ugandan traditional dance. It was awesome. Then we saw the US-Brazil game, the final of the Confederations' Cup. I was very glad with the final result of the game (Brazil won), even though it was a pretty though one.

This week has been really intense. On Tuesday we went to a hospital.
We saw a lot of sick people, including people with broken bones,
children with malaria and some even with bad nutrition. We went there
to give them a comforting word and tell them about God's love for
them. I'm very happy we had the opportunity to go there and share a
little bit of the pain they are going through. On Thursday, my group
(we were divided in four groups, each group having about the same
number of Americans, Kampalans and Lirans) went to our first school.
It was a very great moment. We got to talk to 300+ middle/high school
children about HIV/AIDS, Sex and Christ. We used skits, shorts
speeches and a great time of Q&A. During the latter, the children got
to ask several interesting questions that they had concerning sex and
HIV/AIDS prevention mainly, but also relationships and other things.
On Friday, I went to see the home of one of the Lirans who is working
with us. He lives in the village in a very isolated place. After
walking for two hours, we arrived there. Everybody from his family
welcomed me so warmly. I was amazed. They wanted me to even spend the night there. :) It's amazing to see how some people here have so
little, but they don't let you leave before they give you at least a
cup of tea. Their hospitality is inspiring.

During the rest of the time, we have been working in construction,
building the floor of the youth center that's been constructed here.
The purpose of this building is to train leadership and provide a good
environment for the youth in this district (half of the Ugandans are
under 15). The work there was though. Mixing stones, sand and cement
to make concrete with no machines. But it was good to see the result
of our work.

Today I went to a school service and preached again. It was very good
to talk to some of the children and hear about some of their 
struggles, including the war that happened here and the fact that a
lot of them have lost one or two parents.

This week has been really awesome. Please keep praying for us during
this next week as we go to more schools and continue the work here.
Friday we go back to Kampala.

In Christ,
Vini

July 2, from Jessica Radon

Jessica's Update- Apoyo Matek!

So we have been in Uganda for roughly two weeks now, and I cannot believe the trip is at the halfway mark.  Some of us can feel the tiredness, but it is more of a good tired.  Yesterday we began physical work on the youth center, laying the cement for the floor.  I can feel the workout in my triceps. Here's a glimpse of my thoughts from the last couple weeks.

Being in Entebbe and then Kampala, almost felt like being in my second home again.  I was able to adjust well, catch up with old friends, and meet many of the new students who were going to be a part of this year's mission team.  The team training went well, and homestays at Alex's home with Vinicius have been incredible as Alex's family is so hospitable.  Since Alex lives a good distance from Makerere University, I have already experienced a taxi park many a times to a point where as long as there is someone always with me I don't quite freak out as much. 

Murchison Falls was incredible!! We actually made it to the falls!!! I wish I could send you the pictures right away.  I will try soon to get ahold of a camera cord so I can upload some to Marcus's computer.  Our bus driver drove so fast. 

We got to Lira smoothly and set up camp.  This last weekend was the beginning of teaching in schools.  We split up into four teams, each with an equal number of Americans, Makerere students, and Lirans.  My team actually set out for Apac early on Saturday.  We stayed overnight since it is at least two hours from Lira.  Before I get to how much they fed us, it was an humbling experience to teach students in secondary schools about HIV/AIDS, sex, and God's love.  We divided up parts and I spoke about sex, what it is and the value of sex according to God and how one can avoid HIV.  I was really nervous, but as I emphasized a huge point of being faithful to one you love and taking more than just a brief thought to really think about your actions, I think I saw the students really engage in our group being there. John Ludden's teaching on God's love for each and everyone of us was very, very powerful as well.  After we had question and answer time splitting up boys and girls, where I really saw some honest testimonies and questions arise from the girls at the secondary school where we were. 

After we had a dance party and ate lunch around 5pm.  When we left to go figure out homestays that night, we ate again dinner only a couple of hours later at the Reverend's near St. Thomas.  We then had to go drop off John Ludden and Thomas from Makerere at their homestay where they provided sodas, baths for some, and literally what felt like a seven course meal with every possible Ugandan food you could try.  And of course we had tea afterwards.  Then we all went to bed.  I stayed with Evelyn at the Reverend's as I would be preaching at St. Thomas's the next morning beginning at 6 am!!  Man, did 6am come early but I was so grateful to have gotten to sleep in a bed that night as in Lira we are sleeping in tents. 

In my sermon, I spoke about the parable of the workers in the vineyard and how God's grace and love for us does not discriminate and is more than enough. Using my personal testimony, I spoke about finding it easiest to relate to the workers who started early and felt frustrated when they received the same pay.  I have had a pretty good life and always been hard-working in my life; Jesus is not saying we don't need to work hard in our life, but he wants everyone to come and know his grace and love for each of us.  Instead of being jealous of one another and frustrated we should be grateful for what we do have, and because of his amazing grace for us we are better able to love each other and be a light so other's may know God's grace and love.  I'm not sure if my sermon came out in those exact words at the time, but that was my message.  And even though I was nervous, God gave my strength and courage to speak out even when one of the services had a translator. 

Sunday night we had a huge rain storm and one of the tents partially collapsed and everything inside got soaked, but God provided much sun the next day and luckily nothing important was ruined or lost.  Unfortunately, United States lost to Brazil in the confederation cup for soccer on Sunday night. 

I have really seen the friendships and relationships I have with my friends from Kampala and in Lira really strengthen, though the hardest part has been finding topics of conversation with the Lirans.  Youth in Lira are mostly 5 to 10 years older than us and already have families of their own.  But they are studying still, especially because of the civil war period that interrupted their lives, and they are figuring out jobs just like many of us.  I look forward to seeing Mark Labberton and his wife Janet in a week, and thank you so much for keeping us in your prayers as we continue this amazing work in Lira and in Uganda! God bless and talk to you again soon!!

love always,
Jessica


June 29th, from Jon Guerra

We began going to schools and talking about hiv/aids awareness and the gospel. People have really seemed to like it. We were all pretty nervous about going and talking in front of so many people, but people have seemed to find there nitch. John Ludden's group was out at Apac for a day and a half but it seemed like forever. They say the trip was really good.

On Sunday we all split up and went to different churches and preached, the majority of people chose either the parable of the prodigal son or the day laborers. Most people preached twice on Sunday but I had to go 3 times. One I had to make up on the spot. It was really challnging to preach for me because i had never done it before. 

We have been watching the confederations cup games. Yesterday was the final usa brazil we all went to watch it. But when we got back from the game it was pouring rain and we found a tent collapsed and most of the tents filled with water. We had to move everything out of most of the tents and into the main room of the diocese. All of this took place after 12 so we are all pretty exhausted today and moral is pretty low after that. Also Lauren sprained her ankle pretty bad while we were watching the game. But it seems to be getting better but we are bringing her to the clinic today to get it checked out.

June 28th, from Vinicius

Dear friends,

This week has been great here in Uganda. On Monday we left Kampala and we drove North to the Murchison Falls National Park. The huge Nile squeezes between two rock walls making this amazing falls. So much power... In the park, we also saw some wild animals in their original habitat: elephants, zebras, antelopes and many more. We spent a night there and the next day we headed to Lira, where we are staying for two and a half weeks. After we got here, we started connecting with the
youth from here. We've been having several conversations with them, trying to understand how they live, what their struggles are and sharing some of ours too. We became a team, the ones coming from Berkeley, from Kampala and from Lira. It's now hard to tell us apart, specially the Californians from the Kampalans.

We were split into 4 groups that have been going to different schools
in this district. We have been giving talks about HIV/AIDS, how to
prevent it and sexuality. We have been using skits (short comedy
scenes) and Q&A sessions to facilitate the discussion. Our main goal
is to tell them about God's love for them and how we can save lives
from this disease.

We have also spent time in different schools, just hanging out with
the kids, playing soccer with them and doing anything that comes up.
Yesterday I decided to go for a walk and I found a school. The kids
were really excited to see me and the teacher invited me to tell them
a few words. It was a lot of fun. Afterwards, I participated in a
choir practice with a group of them. It was good to see how much they
were engaged in school even though their schools have so few
resources. I hope to have been an encouragement to them the same way they were one for me. One of the kids, who was kind of hosting me,
told me that there is a tree called Vino (that is almost Vini) and
even went there and took a branch of this tree for me. We also ate
mangoes together and had a really nice talk.

Tomorrow I'm going to preach at a church here. That is exciting and
scary. The first service will be in English and the second service in
the local language, Luo, so I will be translated.

Prayer requests:

• Our time in the schools, specially the HIV/AIDS and sexuality talks
• Tomorrow's preachings, both me and the people who will be preaching in other churches
• That we will bring love and encouragement for the patients in the hospital we will visit next week
• Our health, eating such a different food and in the midst of some bugs we are not used to

Thank you for reading this e-mail and for caring and praying for us.
Sincerely,
Vini

June 27th, from Nick

Greetings from Lira!

As you hopefully all know by now, we are safely and securely tucked away at the bishops place in a little community just outside Lira called Boro Boro.  We are still in the process of figuring out what our lives look like here as three cultures: northern Ugandans (Lira), southern Ugandans (Makerere students), and ourselves look like.  Our days are consisting of doing laundry together in the plaza, gathering for worship, and preparing to train for the times we will travel to the villages all around to do presentations about HIV/AIDS and the Gospel.  In fact, this Friday, Monica is leading a team to an invitation of about three schools of high school age kids.  Her team consists of the three cultures mentioned above and she is co-leading with a member of each.  At the school, they will all do a presentation composed of skits, question and answer, and personal testimonies.  I know she is excited to get out there and work alongside the efforts in the local communities!

Back at Boro Boro headquarters we have been learning much about the issues here in Lira particularly the HIV/AIDS.  Many of the students have expressed what a unique and interesting opportunity we are having to see what is going on the ground here in Uganda.  In the upcoming days, especially this Sunday, we will all spill out around the Diocese of Lango to do preaching, teaching, and whatever ministering asked of us.  Please continue to pray for us in terms of preaching with humility and boldness as well as continued safety in travel.

Blessings

Nick

June 26th, Gab and Jon Guerra

Gab and Jon Guerra here just telling you how much you have missed.
Okay truth is Nick asked that we send an email telling what has been going on.

For starters, we got to Lira before the estimated time. I do not need to tell you that that has never happened from the time we started doing this mission. (Yes, Josh you were praying for something to go wrong but sorry, you sent solid guys who are almost perfect at planning.)
So have split into smaller groups that have been planning how to do their different missions. Yesterday was particularly interesting because we met as the whole mission team to agree together what the pillars of our message would be. It was interesting to hear people tear down the plan and build it up together affresh giving their diffrnt approaches to the topic heavly geared by the diffrnt cultures we are from.

But yes, we finaly all found common ground. The different groups planned who will be incharge of what and seems like they will all rock.

Monica is leading the first group to go out and they are on their way out now.
We were on the radio the other day. Nick and Monica did a great job. I was the amateur. 

The team is getting along so fine we are considering getting the Americans to stay in Uganda. 

Please pray for all the people that will be preaching, they are getting nervous.

Okay have to go play with some village children now.

June 21st, 2009: from Monica

Hey everyone!! We arrived safely in Entebbe and were welcomed at the airport by our Ugandan brothers and sisters. This week has been such a whirlwind for all of us but we have thoroughly enjoyed all of it :) For those of us who have been on this mission in previous years, it has been such a blessing to be able to see all of our old friends; and for those who are here for the first time, they are enjoying making many new friends and experiencing this amazing culture. This week has been full of team building and getting-to-know-you games. Our home stays are amazing yet again and the people are so hospitable here. We were commisioned today by the church at Makerere Universityand leave for Lira tomorrow. We would love continued prayer as we leave for Lira and that our bus ride hopefully will not take too long ;) Thank you all and we will update again soon!!

June 21st, 2009: from Vinicius

Finally I get a chance to write to you! :)

The trip was long. We left Monday evening and only got to Entebbe International Airport Wednesday morning. On Tuesday we stopped in
London. We had 8 hours there. So two friends of mine and I took the underground and went to the city. We went to a few museums, saw the Big Ben, the Parliament building and the Thames River. It was a good break. When we got to Uganda, a big group of Ugandans went to pick us up at the airport. It was amazing. Then we headed straight to a host house, where we stayed the first night. The first day was really intense, a lot of conversation while we were exhausted. But we got to rest and most of us were able to recover from the jet lag in the first two days.

On Thursday, we went to Kampala. We got to meet some more people and then we headed to our home stays. I'm staying with Alex. His family is really nice. They are so adorable and welcoming people. I've been eating very good food at his house.

Yesterday, we went to Jinja, a city at the source of the Nile River and we got to have a very relaxing time under trees by the Nile. I've just been enjoying Uganda a lot. In many ways, I feel like I'm in Brazil, the weather is great (I don't need a jacket), sunny. The people are really friendly and flexible. Some things are really interesting. The traffic of Kampala is crazy. Basically no traffic lights, motorbikes, vans and cars all around, and people walking in between the cars.

Today we went to church. The service was really amazing, the worship was great and the sermon very deep. Tomorrow we will be going to Lira, a small city in Northern Uganda. We will be staying there for 3 weeks, working mostly in schools. We will also be going to some villages. I can't upload pictures now. Maybe I won't be able to do it in the next 3 weeks. I hope all of you are doing well. 

In Christ, 

Vinicius

June 18th, 2009: on the ground and heading to homestays 

This is Josh here, reporting for the team in Uganda. They have just arrived in Kampala, the capital city. After a night in Entebbe they are now in Kampala and moving into their homestays. 

Here is a note from John Ludden - he really likes bananas. We arrived at Entebbe airport safe and sound at 7:30am today, Wednesday. Keep in mind that our first flight left SFO on Monday at 6:50pm. What a long and crazy ride! The weather is absolutely fantastic! Blue skies, I would say about 70 degrees with a slight breeze, and on and off slight rain with moderate humidity. Our Ugandan college team mates from the Makerere University met us at the airport and we've pretty much spent the whole day together until now, which has been fantastic. Already some fun food experiences. The bananas here are fantastic. And you know, I love bananas. They're a bit thicker texture, and the sweetness has a great delayed response. 

The flight to Entebbe was kind of brutal, but we made it. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope to send another e-mail soon! I could write a ton more about this place already, namely the extreme kindness and friendliness of the people, but I'll get another chance. 

Prayer Requests:

That we would rapidly adjust to the time difference and get some wonderful quality sleep tonight.

That our team and the University team from Kampala would start to quickly develop strong friendships and challenge each other in this week of training before we head north

June 12th, 2009: the final countdown

One and all, I hope this posting finds you well.  The team is getting close to the 24 hour mark of preparation.  Today has been our commissioning Sunday as the team stood before the church for prayer and support. 

Following the 10:00 AM service, the team is ready to go.  As Carlos said, "let's just go now."  I think the vibe is one of excited for the new relationships alongside the reunion of our returning students.  

We will be leaving California tomorrow evening and arriving bring and early in the morning on Wednesday in Uganda.  We are looking forward to meeting up with Monica in London for our layover, celebrating Jon's birthday in the airport, and finally arriving with Gab meeting us at the airport. 

Please hold us in your thoughts and prayers as we fly for a little over a day ;)  Next time you hear from us, it will be in an internet cafe somewhere in Uganda...

Nick