New updates: Summer 2012

Hello All!

Yesterday our Mission Team arrived at Entebbe Airport of Uganda. When we landed, we were stopped by customs because our boxes of medicine and shoes did not pass regulations. The team prayed hard together, and the Lord answered our prayers because, after half an hour, we were allowed to pass through without inspection.

As soon as we stepped out into the clear Ugandan air, we were welcomed with flowers and warm hugs from Doctor Jolly, and other members from Action for Children. The team took a bus ride through the beautiful African countryside and then through the bustling city of Kampala, and thanks to the grace of God, we learned that the village we are staying at is very far from the Ebola site.

The team finally arrived at the Action for Children village around 7 PM. We were welcomed by the most exhilarating sight! As we pulled into the village, crowds of small children poured from their homes along the road, screaming and jumping, and ran alongside our bus until we came to a stop. As our members stepped off the bus, the children began clapping and singing the songs they had learned from VBS last year at the top of their lungs. What a miracle it was to experience such love and welcoming from children who were thankful to the bottom of their hearts for the Jesus, God’s message, and the mission team.

Later that night, we received a great introduction from the Action for Children staff. They served us a delicious meal of organic vegetables and warm, local bread. For the rest of the night, the team set up their tents, unloaded some boxes, and enjoyed a refreshing night of rest in the newly built classrooms. 

Early this morning, the team gathered for an energizing hour of devotion, followed by a simple, but delicious breakfast. The team has just finished a long meeting with the Action for Children staff. The meeting was very productive and we have smoothed out many of the items on the program. We have decided to spend Sunday afternoon distributing shoes to the children after the morning service.

This morning during our devotion, Timothy Lee led our team through Genesis 12:1-9, the topic of the blessings that Abram brought to the world by following God. Yesterday, we found that we have brought a similar joy to all the children in this village. Like Abram, we have brought blessing to all of them just by coming here and sharing the message of God. A member of our team, Elizabeth Huang, confirmed just what a blessing the children view our arrival as. We are coming back for them. Many of these orphans feel that no one cares for them. To know that our group from TCBC is coming back from for them is a very important feeling for them. To a child who feels that there is no one to love them, and no one to care for them, our presence is an immense blessing.

Thank you, members of TCBC who are following our journey and mission in Uganda, here are a few items on our prayer request list;

• Please pray for the 40 patients who are already waiting to be treated at the village Clinic by our mission team Doctors, Tina and Gou Ping. These patients were unexpected and our team is already getting down to work!
• Pray for our team member Allison Dai, who is feeling slightly unwell due to the warm weather, and tiring travels. 
• Pray for the health of all the members of the team;  to get enough sleep, avoid sickness, and stay nourished and energized.
• Pray for tomorrow morning’s Sunday service and worship.

-Uganda Mission Team