This is the 2nd Part of this blog. Read Part 1 before continuing:
6. One week our contact at BCR told the Kampala team they
would be going to a village called Kyampisi, but they did not know what the
team would be doing while there. But when we pulled into the gates of the
“Jesus House,� the place where we stayed, we could not have expected what we
found. Working with
Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) we soon learned
about a terrible thing occurring in Uganda and throughout Africa that, frankly,
none of us had ever imagined. The amazing staff and volunteers of KCM have been
working on a campaign to End Child Sacrifice, where children are typically
kidnapped, murdered, and mutilated as a religious practice of witchcraft (read
about our dear friend Allan here).
This is still going on to this day, and the folks at KCM are doing whatever
they can to see an end to it. The team fell in love with this ministry and
found that their hearts were broken for the children and people of the village
of Kyampisi like they had never felt before.
would be going to a village called Kyampisi, but they did not know what the
team would be doing while there. But when we pulled into the gates of the
“Jesus House,� the place where we stayed, we could not have expected what we
found. Working with
Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) we soon learnedabout a terrible thing occurring in Uganda and throughout Africa that, frankly,
none of us had ever imagined. The amazing staff and volunteers of KCM have been
working on a campaign to End Child Sacrifice, where children are typically
kidnapped, murdered, and mutilated as a religious practice of witchcraft (read
about our dear friend Allan here).
This is still going on to this day, and the folks at KCM are doing whatever
they can to see an end to it. The team fell in love with this ministry and
found that their hearts were broken for the children and people of the village
of Kyampisi like they had never felt before.
7. As we had to split the Uganda team into two teams and
send them to two different locations, Audrey and I traveled back and forth
between the teams to oversee the whole group, making sure everything was
running smoothly, and that the discipleship aspect of our program was still
active. This gave us the opportunity to raise up leaders in each of the teams
to be in a place of authority and decision-making while Audrey and I were not
with them. Though we ran into some difficult situations, there was nothing our
leaders could not handle, and it was great to see God develop new gifts and
talents in them.
send them to two different locations, Audrey and I traveled back and forth
between the teams to oversee the whole group, making sure everything was
running smoothly, and that the discipleship aspect of our program was still
active. This gave us the opportunity to raise up leaders in each of the teams
to be in a place of authority and decision-making while Audrey and I were not
with them. Though we ran into some difficult situations, there was nothing our
leaders could not handle, and it was great to see God develop new gifts and
talents in them.
For the Lira team, we had Danielle “Jalisa� Peddy. This
woman of God had no idea that her world would be turned upside down in less
than two months, but that is exactly what God did. She came in praying for God
to bring her back home a different person she was before the trip, and this set
her up for success right off the bat. Within the first week her understanding
of God was blown out of the water, and her desire to see her teammates reach
that place of dependency on The Lord showed that she would do anything to
glorify The Father. Audrey and I are incredibly proud of Danielle and her
willingness to step into leadership. Please pray for Danielle as she listens to
God about where He is taking her next. (Git some, D!)
woman of God had no idea that her world would be turned upside down in less
than two months, but that is exactly what God did. She came in praying for God
to bring her back home a different person she was before the trip, and this set
her up for success right off the bat. Within the first week her understanding
of God was blown out of the water, and her desire to see her teammates reach
that place of dependency on The Lord showed that she would do anything to
glorify The Father. Audrey and I are incredibly proud of Danielle and her
willingness to step into leadership. Please pray for Danielle as she listens to
God about where He is taking her next. (Git some, D!)
For the Kampala team, we had Joseph Batts. When he first
showed up at training camp, we knew there was a boldness
and confidence in him
that would be great for leadership. Joseph stepped up to preach, take teammates
to the hospital, and even stop to help a random man shovel concrete. His hard
work ethic was a great example, and his worship was an inspiration. He
represented a true man of God, and was a great brother to the others on his
team. Even with some frustrating situations and his own allergies trying to get
in the way, Joseph worked hard to see that God was given all the glory. Pray
for Joseph, that he would continue to press into the Lord and seek out what God
is calling him to.
showed up at training camp, we knew there was a boldness
and confidence in himthat would be great for leadership. Joseph stepped up to preach, take teammates
to the hospital, and even stop to help a random man shovel concrete. His hard
work ethic was a great example, and his worship was an inspiration. He
represented a true man of God, and was a great brother to the others on his
team. Even with some frustrating situations and his own allergies trying to get
in the way, Joseph worked hard to see that God was given all the glory. Pray
for Joseph, that he would continue to press into the Lord and seek out what God
is calling him to.
8. Both teams had an amazing 4th of July
experience outside of the U.S. Audrey spent the holiday in Lira, while I joined
the other team in Kampala.
experience outside of the U.S. Audrey spent the holiday in Lira, while I joined
the other team in Kampala.
Audrey ended up giving a teaching about the Holy Spirit,
based off teaching from our leadership, her own experiences, and scripture, and
the entire team was impacted in incredible, yet unique, ways. They all saw a
new side of God they had never seen before, and He showed Himself to them in
intimate and exciting ways. Now they know what the early church really looked
like (see the book of Acts).
based off teaching from our leadership, her own experiences, and scripture, and
the entire team was impacted in incredible, yet unique, ways. They all saw a
new side of God they had never seen before, and He showed Himself to them in
intimate and exciting ways. Now they know what the early church really looked
like (see the book of Acts).
The Kampala team and I went to the American Recreation
Association in Kampala, where a couple hundred American citizens gathered to
celebrate the day of Independence. They had everything from hot dogs and
hamburgers (delicious) to American face stickers (for the girls of course,
right?), and to top the night off they gave quite an impressive fireworks
display! It was crazy to celebrate such a holiday outside of the U.S., but it
was an experience we will not forget.
Association in Kampala, where a couple hundred American citizens gathered to
celebrate the day of Independence. They had everything from hot dogs and
hamburgers (delicious) to American face stickers (for the girls of course,
right?), and to top the night off they gave quite an impressive fireworks
display! It was crazy to celebrate such a holiday outside of the U.S., but it
was an experience we will not forget.
9. As far as health is concerned, Audrey and I found that
our previous trip around the world (including Africa) built up our immune
systems, so that we did not get sick (besides some slight throat irritation) at
all. This was only by God’s grace, and it allowed us to really focus on the
teams instead of ourselves. However, with only two of the twenty four
participants having been to Africa before, the immune systems of the team were
not quite up to snuff. Though we took the proper precautions regarding sickness
(including malaria prevention, mosquito nets, drinking clean bottled water),
the mosquitoes bit (Malaria), the water was not completely clean (Typhoid
fever), and the air was not fresh enough (throat/respiratory infections). But
everyone was able to recover well and they were all fighting off sickness so
they could get back out into ministry. Please pray that everyone’s immune
systems would be built back up and that everyone is at perfect health, right
now, in Jesus’ Name!
our previous trip around the world (including Africa) built up our immune
systems, so that we did not get sick (besides some slight throat irritation) at
all. This was only by God’s grace, and it allowed us to really focus on the
teams instead of ourselves. However, with only two of the twenty four
participants having been to Africa before, the immune systems of the team were
not quite up to snuff. Though we took the proper precautions regarding sickness
(including malaria prevention, mosquito nets, drinking clean bottled water),
the mosquitoes bit (Malaria), the water was not completely clean (Typhoid
fever), and the air was not fresh enough (throat/respiratory infections). But
everyone was able to recover well and they were all fighting off sickness so
they could get back out into ministry. Please pray that everyone’s immune
systems would be built back up and that everyone is at perfect health, right
now, in Jesus’ Name!
10. I got to white-water raft the Nile River- AGAIN!
There were several times that I told the team I would love to do it again if I
had the money when Audrey and I took them all to Adrift Adventures in Jinja,
but I never expected them to pool their own money to see that I got to go again.
So though they certainly surprised me, and I was not able to express my
excitement well, I had an amazing time during my encore ride on the Nile River!
So thanks to the entire team for your love!
There were several times that I told the team I would love to do it again if Ihad the money when Audrey and I took them all to Adrift Adventures in Jinja,
but I never expected them to pool their own money to see that I got to go again.
So though they certainly surprised me, and I was not able to express my
excitement well, I had an amazing time during my encore ride on the Nile River!
So thanks to the entire team for your love!
It was a blasty!
BONUS!
11. I wanted to write out my personal travel schedule
from the whole trip, just so you have an idea of how much of Uganda I really
got to experience. So here is where (and when) I went in June and July (travel
time estimated, not including sitting on a stationary vehicle)
from the whole trip, just so you have an idea of how much of Uganda I really
got to experience. So here is where (and when) I went in June and July (travel
time estimated, not including sitting on a stationary vehicle)
June
8th– Bus from Gainesville, GA to Atlanta Airport, GA (2 hrs.)
June
8th– Plane from Atlanta, GA to Amsterdam Airport (9 hrs.)
8th– Plane from Atlanta, GA to Amsterdam Airport (9 hrs.)
June
9th– Plane from Amsterdam Airport to Entebbe Airport, Uganda (8
hrs.)
9th– Plane from Amsterdam Airport to Entebbe Airport, Uganda (8
hrs.)
June
9th– Bus from Entebbe Airport to Bugolobi Guesthouse (2 hrs.)
9th– Bus from Entebbe Airport to Bugolobi Guesthouse (2 hrs.)
June
11th– Bus from Kampala to Lira (6 hrs.)
11th– Bus from Kampala to Lira (6 hrs.)
June
20th– Bus from Lira to Kampala (6 hrs.)
20th– Bus from Lira to Kampala (6 hrs.)
June
21st– Bus from Kampala to Kabale (10 hrs.)
21st– Bus from Kampala to Kabale (10 hrs.)
June
25th– Bus from Kabale to Kampala (10 hrs.)
25th– Bus from Kabale to Kampala (10 hrs.)
June
27th– Bus from Kampala to Lira (6 hrs.)
27th– Bus from Kampala to Lira (6 hrs.)
July
4th– Bus from Lira to Kampala (6 hrs.)
4th– Bus from Lira to Kampala (6 hrs.)
July
5th– Van from Kampala to Kyampisi (2 hrs.)
5th– Van from Kampala to Kyampisi (2 hrs.)
July
11th– Car from Kyampisi to Kampala (2 hrs.)
11th– Car from Kyampisi to Kampala (2 hrs.)
July
11th– Bus from Kampala to Lira (6 hrs.)
11th– Bus from Kampala to Lira (6 hrs.)
July
18th– Bus from Lira to Kampala (6 hrs.)
18th– Bus from Lira to Kampala (6 hrs.)
July
19th– “Mission truckâ€� from Kampala to Mbale (10 hrs.)
19th– “Mission truckâ€� from Kampala to Mbale (10 hrs.)
July
23rd– Bus from Mbale to Lira (6 hrs.)
23rd– Bus from Mbale to Lira (6 hrs.)
July
26th– Bus from Lira to Jinja (5 hrs.)
26th– Bus from Lira to Jinja (5 hrs.)
July
29th– Bus from Jinja to Kampala (1 ½ hrs.)
29th– Bus from Jinja to Kampala (1 ½ hrs.)
July
30th– Bus from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (1 ½ hrs.)
30th– Bus from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (1 ½ hrs.)
July
30th– Plane from Entebbe Airport to Amsterdam Airport (8 hrs.)
30th– Plane from Entebbe Airport to Amsterdam Airport (8 hrs.)
July
31st– Plane from Amsterdam Airport to Atlanta Airport, GA (9 hrs.)
31st– Plane from Amsterdam Airport to Atlanta Airport, GA (9 hrs.)
14 buses
4 planes
1 van
1 car
1 “Mission Truck�
122 hrs. (5 days,
2 hrs.) spent in major vehicle transit
2 hrs.) spent in major vehicle transit
It’s crazy to think I spent almost an entire week on some
sort of long-distance travel! Wow!
sort of long-distance travel! Wow!
Overall, this summer was an amazing experience, as well
as unique. It was very different from my time on The World Race, as I was able
to focus much more on leading the team in bringing God’s Kingdom to Earth.
Thanks to the entire Uganda team for the amazing summer. Love you all, and
praying for big things!
as unique. It was very different from my time on The World Race, as I was able
to focus much more on leading the team in bringing God’s Kingdom to Earth.
Thanks to the entire Uganda team for the amazing summer. Love you all, and
praying for big things!
Audrey
Andrea
Beth
Brent
Candis
Danielle
David
Elizabeth
Emily
Grace
Jenny
Jodie
Jordan
Joseph
Kaia
Katie T
Katie W
Katy
Kayla
Rachel
Samm
Sara Jane
Shelby
Travis
Will
Thanks for reading.
