An update on our team trainings and events

Our 1st team training took place on Saturday June 25. The team had a blessed time meeting and getting to know each other better! We shared breakfast, prepped for our fundraising events, discussed our spiritual gifts and personalities, and baked dozens of cupcakes for the bake sale fundraiser. Some of you probably saw (and tasted) the red velvet and chocolate cupcakes at the church bake sale on Sunday June 26 - the fundraising was a great success. Every last cupcake was sold... raising a total of $500.43!

In addition, Louie is leading an ongoing program called "Adopt A Child in Prayer". Since we will be serving over 200 Ugandan children, we have compiled a list of each child's name, grade, and age. We encourage congregation members to sign up to personally commit and pray for one of these children - and pin the child's "apple" or "sheep" name card on to the tree painting. As Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches, please pray that these children will be the ripe and abundant "fruit" of our Lord and also that His precious "sheep" will be fed. We still have many children who are open for adoption in prayer so please do so this Sunday if you are interested! You will receive updates and pictures about your child during the mission trip.

Our 2nd and final team training/building day was held on Saturday July 9th! Again, we had another blessed time of more team bonding as well as preparation for the opportunities and challenges we might face on our trip. We looked at our role in cross-cultural missions and shared our expectations of different aspects of the trip. This was also a great opportunity to practice our personal testimonies and child evangelism with each other so that by the time we get to Uganda, it won't be quite as scary... In addition, the following evening, the pastors, mission board, and families of all the team members joined us for an informational presentation, a Q&A session, a potluck dinner, and an overall great time of fellowship.

On Sunday July 10th, two last church events took place in preparation for the Uganda mission trip: a "Jesus Loves Me" bracelet making activity and a CAR WASH!

Thank you Karen for teaching parents and children how to make the colorful "Jesus Loves Me" bracelets which we will be bringing to Uganda. We plan on doing personal child evangelism in Uganda, and the bracelets will be given out to each child after he or she hears the Gospel and accepts Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.

Thank you Joanna for organizing the car wash, which turned into a church effort! A lot of people not going on the mission helped us out, including youth and families, which was a major relief so thank you to everyone who volunteered. We washed a total of 16 cars and praise the Lord that we were able to raise another $400+ this weekend to go to our supplies fund.

There is just over one week until our departure for the mission trip to Uganda. Since there are still many details to take care, please pray that in the midst of our busy-ness we won't overlook anything, and that our team will continue to grow unified in Christ.

Thank you for reading and supporting, your prayers make a difference. Feel free to leave any suggestions you may have in the comments. 
P.S. Next time there will be more pictures!