Here we are again in just 23 days our trip to Uganda will begin. Many believe that is the beginning of our journey the minute we step onto the plane... But is it??? Our journey actually begins the minute we step off the plane here in Wichita at the end of last years trip. Many of us are already planning the next years excursion in our hearts and minds. We have so much to do long before we hit the road. We have numerous team meetings welcoming new comers to the and preparing our hearts for what God has planned. We become familiar with our new teams and build bonds that will last a life time. We study the cultures of where we plan to go and focus on the tasks that lay ahead of us. We have to plan fund raisers to aide in the costs associated with the trip. The church is always so supportive of the missions team in this regard. Even though there are only a few actually going we take the hearts of our church as a whole with us. We have had great successes thus far raising funds. Bowl-a-thon did great Gospel music night was inspiring. Easter breakfast was delicious. And the dinner auction rocked. Wow what an honor to be a part of this great adventure. Team 1 leaves in just 23 days. We have a few things left to do like getting all if the areas of ministry ready for all the lives we will touch over there. We need to pack ourselves and all of the 16 to 20 extra totes and bags we take with us. As the days draw closer we will continue to update our progress. We live you all and keep us all in your prayers for good health and clear minds as we get closer to our departure and ultimate adventure for God.

Goodbye Uganda

It is always bitter sweet when we get to this portion of the trip. We love being here and it becomes our year long mission to return and be a part of what God is doing in Uganda. But after two weeks some are very ready to get home while others say they could stand to be here a few more weeks. We do miss our loved ones in the states and as it comes each visit, it is time to say good bye. Goodbye to our lovely host Colleen and her wonder home. Goodbye to our ever watchful eyes of our drivers Sunday, and Moses who take such good care of us. Goodbye to the birds singing us a wonderful morning song. Goodbye to the people who’s love and kindness is overwhelming and heart breaking. Goodbye to Uganda the land that holds many American hearts in its loving arms.

I am always to torn to leave. I love the people here so much that it breaks my heart to leave. But I also love my family to much to stay. I do miss my husband kids and grandkids so I will leave my part of my heart in Uganda and return home to them. I will start working on my next journey back to Uganda as soon as I return home. Thank you to our church family for allowing us the privilege to come and serve in your place. Thank you to my family for allowing me to be gone so I can enjoy my time here. Love to all Kimberly

Wow two weeks. These two weeks has gone by so fast. We have done many things in the Lord. Going to the village and seeing their culture and love and hunger they have to grow in the Lord was so awesome. The kids are so fun to hang out with and love. These people have nothing but they have everything, they have Jesus, Joy, Happiness!!! I would hope that everyone in their life time would get a chance to come here. It is a humbling experience and really shows us how blessed we really are. Let us not hold our blessing but sow. This last week I had a chance to work in a married’s seminar and was great to see how much work God is working in their marriages. We’ll see you soon. Doug

Carl says, today is departure day, but I am sad to leave Uganda, my second home, and it's wonderful people!

Uganda...Africa...WOW!! I don't even have words to describe the experience. It's been eye opening and life changing. NEVER take anything for granted. I will miss the generosity and openness of the people in Kabwangasi village. Their sharing all they have when they have nothing at all. It reminds me of the woman in the bible who gave all she had as a tithe at church to honor God. These people gave to us to honor the work we were doing FOR God. Amazing! Absolutely amazing!! While I am glad to be returning home as I miss some very special people, my heart will always have a special place for Uganda...Bobbie

Sorry to say goodbye, but had a great experience as usual. Love the people but the kids stole my heart again and again. Words cannot express the love I have for the people and land of Uganda, Africa. God Bless the people of Uganda in a great way. My love Genda

It is always bittersweet when it is time to leave. In some respects the time has passed quickly as some projects were left incomplete. But the time away from loved ones has seemed long. The hardships, discomforts and inconveniences we faced were minor compared those who live here. We saw new places and met new people all of which will share that special place in my heart with all my other Uganda memories. Jerry

It's been an awesome 2 weeks that went by too fast. Laying brick for the new Church is always rewarding to me because my dad was a brick layer when he was alive. Working on the new kitchen that's in memory of Tom Moffit with the limited tools that we had was a challenge. Making the desks & seeing them being used was great. Sorry we did not get more made, but that's Africa. The very best part of my trip was seeing the children my wife & I sponsor. This has been another great & rewarding trip. Scott

The time has came for us to leave and to head home, have mixed feeling want to stay a little longer but want to came home and see my family and friends that I love and miss so much, this has been a great 2 weeks and so much fun, got to send a day with Annie and that was so fun, can't wait till next year hope to spend my time with them, ok every one get ready for the story and the things we can do here, I have ideal to share. Today is going to be good can't wait to see the kid!!!!!!! Janelle

Wow! Saying goodbye to family is so difficult. And the people here have truly touched our hearts and treated us as family. We have been so blessed with the opportunity to help build, not only buildings, but help to build and change lives. From playing with the children to teaching couples on trust and love languages and teaching pastors about budgeting, SHAPE, community and prayer. To see their faces and hear their questions with such interest and eagerness to learn so they can be able to pass these teachings on was truly the biggest blessing of all. The opportunities we have had and the villages with have visited, the tasks we have completed, the games, the teachings, etc are too many to mention them all. We are grateful to Coleen and Tim and their staff for their hospitality. It is not easy to have your life interrupted. They all seem to take it in stride. To Sandi (pronounced Sunday) and Moses our drivers, to Christine and Lancy our cooks, we give our blessings and a special gratitude for putting up with our craziness. We love UGANDA and will miss them, but we are also eager to see our friends and family. Can't wait for the long plane ride home. We love you all!!!! Thank You CCC and friends for the opportunity! Terry and Norma Allred

This has been my 4th mission trip and each gets better and better. This time my goal was to build 200 school desks. We brought the saw, nail guns, nails, screws, screw guns, saw blades etc. and figured as soon as we get there we will start the production line. Well the air compressor didn't work soooo shoping we go and the rain slowed us also. The lumber is ship to us in small quantities and arrives soon, which means sometime today or tomorrow, or maybe even the next day. Well this is our last day here and we have completed a total of 29 desks and delivered 10 into a school so far. The really good thing we have taught several people here how to use the nail guns, which they had never seen before and were duly impressed with the air hose connections and how they worked. So the desk production can go on without our help. This has been a very rewarding and fruitful mission. Will see you all soon. Delbert Goertz

This has been my 3rd year to come to Uganda and it has been as much or more fun than my first trip. Paster John thank you for the sermon on meek ant weak!! Uganda will continue to sing The Gospel Fuzzies. God has been so good an as always faithful!! Blessing to you all. See you soon. Hannah Robinson

God bless we love you signing off from Uganda

Thursday, October 27

We have had another fast and furious two days Wed and Thurs. We split the team; as some have ventured into wildlife reserves to experience some of the incredible wildlife and natural beauty of Africa (Murchison Falls, hiking, cruising the nile, etc.) The remaining team members have continued to teach, build, repair and serve at Murchison Bay and Kasubi Schools.

It has been so touching to see so many of the Children of Promise sponsored by Central Community Church members and in particular those on the team. Carl and Betty's Angel led us in final worship and praise at Murchison Bay. And the kind of rousing youth-led service we've come to treasure here in Uganda. Larry and Cheri Clark's Allen has become quite the handsome young man and just like Larry, very onry. As hard as it is to imagine, Allen managed to add dance steps to the worship celebration and his contagious smile had many of us laughing.

We have also been Blessed to lead a couple of days of a marriage conferences and lead some sessions with area Pastors all day on Thursday. Many of our men have been painting, fencing, building and many of our team's women have led huge VBS Tues, Wed and Thurs--I don't know how they keep up the enthusiasm.

God has provided our strength and encouragement as we have been so end-to-end this trip and we are told again and again and again by our brothers and sisters in Uganda; please express to the people of Central Community Church and Pastor John--Thank you for loving God enough to love the people of Uganda. They pray for us continually and truly love you.
With tears in my eyes again today; we leave these villages and job sites unbelievable humbled by what God is doing through the members of Central Community Church for our group of Christian sisters and brothers in Uganda--We Are Truly Blessed! Terry

Wednesday October 26th

Team safari has had a great time we began our journey at 530 am wed we were picked up before dawn and started the five hour drive to where the animals natural habitat is. We arrived at the boat launch and took the ride up the Nile to see the magnificent falls. After two hours we reached the base of the falls How mighty the water is, as it cascades down the side of earth it has chipped away through the years. Then the team hiked up to the top. Now that is a wonderful adventure itself. The rain showers that we thought would keep us from going to the top stopped right in time. We were able to stay in a new camp site Sambyia river lodge. Very beautiful. Dinner was served by candle light and we had electricity when we woke at 530 am. Breakfast was served to us before we left in style. We took our safari and saw elephants, graffes, etc... Rained mist most of the way but finally got to pop the top and sit on the roof of the van. Now off to see the rinos and back to Kampala. We are all well and in great spirits.

Marriage Session

Today half of the team stayed at the Stevensons and made desks (at 11 pm still waiting for the lumber to be delivered). So that team pretty much waited today. The other half went to an orphanage called Murchicen Bay. Some worked with youth about purity, some with small kids playing games, and the rest worked with young marrieds and singles about love languages, trust, and God honoring ways to be better husbands and wives. We also played some team building games with the couples which went splendedly. they all were running around trying to work together what a fun experience. But then somehow Kansas winds and rain caught up to us. We had a good Kansas storm. And since we were in a big party type tent everyone held onto the tent just to keep it on the ground. It was intense for a while, but once it calmed down we just continued on. The people were so very receptive of the lessons and truely want better marriages and lives. A great day. Heavy bumper to bumper traffic on the way across Kampala and made it safely back to base camp. Supper was wonderful so much so that I think everyone gained weight today. We hope everyone at home is well we are all healthy and having a great time sharing Gods love.

Children

The team went into Kampala today to shop for Children of promise gifts. Wow what an experience. Wall to wall shops of clothing of all sorts and in what can only be described as a huge three and four story building/ warehouse where hundreds of owner operated businesses try to yek out a daily wage to feed their families. Some of us got to meet with our children with them seeing their sponsors getting great big smiles and running to their open arms with huge hugs. NO ONE CAN EVER SAY WE ARE NOT MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY SUPPORTING THESE KIDS.
The sad part of the day was sitting in traffic and having the street children come up to the van and ask for money for food. I am not talking about teenagers but children who looked to be around the age of 5 or 6. If only they had sponsors then they might have a place to live and sleep and be loved and care for. I can not even imagine my children at that age and now my grandchildren ever living in such conditions.
Hundreds of orphaned children roam the streets of Uganda’s capital. Most have drifted in from rural areas – mainly northern Uganda, a region blighted by decades of civil war. Some are former child soldiers and the rest come from nearby slum areas following family breakdown – through HIV/AIDS, poverty and domestic violence. Almost all the children on the streets are using drugs and, over time, most boys resort to theft and many girls become prostitutes.The biggest fear for every street child is alienation – having nowhere to belong, no friends, no family.
Pray that God will keep providing for the project’s needs as it grows and reaches out to the huge numbers of children on Kampala’s streets. Issues facing children in Uganda
Malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhea are the main causes of under-5 mortality. Approximately 20,000 babies are infected by HIV annually through mother-to-child transmission.
Nearly half of the estimated 2 million orphans are orphaned due to AIDS, with the total expected to rise to 3.5 million by 2010.
Net primary school attendance has risen to 87 percent.
Children and women comprise 80 percent of the 1.4 million people forced to flee their homes due to conflict. They live in more than 200 camps, with limited services.
The LRA has abducted more than 25,000 children since 1986.
In the conflict-affected districts, around 40,000 unaccompanied children the ‘night commuters walk every night from their homes in outlying villages to urban centers, in search of protection from the threat of LRA abductions and attacks

Breaks your heart you too can help one child at a time sponsor a child