FINAL FLIGHT

Safe and sound on final flight home!!
Please note: We arrive on United Flight #935 coming from London Heathrow scheduled to arrive at Lax at 1:49pm, please call or check online to confirm the arrival time.

Jan Allen, Cat & Marta are traveling separately so their parents should stay connected through them.

Thank you!! See you in La!!

Susi

SAFE IN LONDON

We've landed safely in London, I'll let you know when we take off from here for our final flight home!

Susi

UP, UP & AWAY #2

Here we are again, sitting safe and sound on flight #2 bound for London. I'll text when we arrive in London, 11:00pm Cali time. Then again when we're on our London flight heading home (it will be in the middle of the night about 2:30am Cali time). After that we're home and I'll let the kids start calling their parents. Thanks!!

Susi

UP, UP & AWAY

We are all on flight #1 safe and sound just waiting to take off for the quick flight to Nairobi. I'll text again when we are on the next flight for London. Should be in 4 hours.

Susi

HOME SWEET GUEST HOUSE

We are back home, (well to the Muyenga Guest House) anyway. The low flow showers were probably the best showers of our lives! I'm pretty sure we all just washed our tans off!! We are clean, happy and excited to be relaxing at our home right now.

Tonight will be our final evening devotions to share thoughts, feelings and the individual impact of this trip. It's always a special time, one of my favorite gatherings as a group. Tomorrow will be more relaxing, shopping, goodbyes and then it's off to the airport for our epic travel adventures. Our time at Bethany was incredible, we are tired and sore but absolutely loved every minute of it!

I'll send an update when we're all safely aboard our first flight from Entebbe to Nairobi. It should be around 9:30am Cali time.

Susi

RAIN ON ME

We'll we have officially ended our last full day of working at Bethany Village ad we are happy but exhausted! Today we finished painting the ceiling of one house and dug more holes for banana trees. The excitement of the morning was a brief rain storm for about 30 minutes just before we left for our morning of working. The rain helped make digging go much more smoothly and our skill level definitely improved, although we noticed one of the local workers dug 4 holes and we all had about 1/2 foot left to finish 1 hole! After lunch we harvested casava plants, we were so excited thinking our time of digging was over......as it turns out casava is a root that is dug up from the casava tree! A few of us helped deliver the casava to the 11 homes at Bethany Village, it was a perfect way to end the day!

It's bittersweet to realize we are experiencing our final sunset at Bethany!

Susi

FALLING IN LOVE

Second full day at Bethany Village and we have all fallen in love with this place. It's a mix of emotions because we don't want to leave and yet we miss home all at the same time.

Today we divided into three teams to paint the ceiling of 3 homes. It was hard work but well worth the sore muscles and tired bodies. It will be another great night of well earned sleep!

We go back to digging holes for the banana trees tomorrow.

Susi

THE HOLES

Just a little FYI. The holes we are digging are for banana trees!

Susi

ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT

Good morning to you. It's early evening for us after a long hard day working. The morning began with an orientation at Africa Renewal Ministries with Michael, the office liaison with mission teams. After a quick tour, we loaded our boats for a beautiful ride to Bethany Village, about 45 minutes from Ggaba. Our arrival at the Bethany dock was breathtaking, the green beauty was amazing! After a tour of the property we ate lunch and it was off to work digging holes, 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet in depth. Easier said than done when digging through clay dirt like that! We are exhausted but in great spirits, this team worked like champs! We shall all sleep well tonight!!

In order to conserve my battery, I will only send one message at the end of each evening, so first thing in the morning for you back in California.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Susi

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

All the children would like to wish their Fathers a very special HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
Well we are home from a full day of teaching Sunday School, lunch and games at the primary school, a special trip to visit the new property for the high school and a stop at Pastor Dongo's new home still being built. Tomorrow we leave early in the morning for orientation at Ggaba Community Church and then a boat ride to Bethany Village for new adventures.
I won't send a message in the morning, I'll wait until we arrive at Bethany so it won't be until early evening our time, so early morning for you. We are still healthy and enjoying our time here!

Susi

GOING TO CHURCH

Another beautiful morning at Muyenga Guest House!
We are departing soon for our walk down to the church.
Ugandan church is full of life and joy, can't wait!

Susi

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US

Good afternoon back in the USA! We have finally finished all the school desks we purchased with the bake sale money and the proceeds from Mr. OCS. Such a wonderful accomplishment and much needed blessing to our friends at God Cares High School. I think there will be a formal presentation to the school on Friday before we leave. The students are so excited and are so grateful. Our team worked incredibly well together and were diligent in their tasks throughout the building process. I am extremely proud of them all! Later this afternoon we spoke at the beginning of their Awana program. Tyler Marta and and Holly all shared their gratitude and love for the children during the program. It was a blessing to hear from each of them, and it was quite amazing because the scripture Holly chose to share happened to be the exact scripture they were learning about today. None of us were aware of their theme but God used Holly
to confirm this verse to be true. Pretty cool!! We spent the rest of the day just hanging and playing with kids at the primary school. The team from Westmont invited us to join them for a special dinner they hosted for all the children who board at God Cares. It was quite a sight to see the excitement on the children's faces as they received their soda and beef, it's been months since they last ate meat. Another incredible day in Uganda. Tomorrow is an early morning for church and teaching Sunday school. I will send another update tomorrow.

A NEW DAY

The team is preparing to walk down to the church again for our ride to the primary school so we can finish the desks, help with Awana and play with our little ones today. All is well and I shall send a full update at the end of the day again. Thank you!

Susi

A FULL DAY

Sorry for the later update today. It was a full day today and we didn't return home until just before dinner time. We were up early and at the primary school to put desks together. It was quite a task but the team pulled together and we came close to finishing. We left early to return to the high school because we were invited to attend their Annual Music Dance Drama event. It was amazing! The high school is divided into four teams and the compete in four categories-poetry, original drama, traditional dance and singing. They were incredible and it was such a treat to enjoy a piece of their culture with them. Two of Pastor Dongo's children joined us for dinner at the house and we enjoyed getting to know Worship and Thanks (children's names). It's late and I'm out of words for now. I'll send another update in the morning!

Susi

DANCE/DRAMA/SINGING COMPETITION

Another great morning in Uganda. We were up early today so we can begin putting desks together and make it to the high school to watch their annual dance/drama/singing competition. I will send a longer update tonight. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We are all healthy and loving life in Uganda!

Susi

WASHING OF FEET

Thursday in Uganda is now coming to a close as we sit down to one of George's wonderful pasta dinners! We have been spoiled with the food here, I don't think anyone will come home hungry.....well, maybe for an In-n-Out or Ranch burger! Today was the high school chapel we were asked to help lead and we quickly learned that our version of worship seems inadequate compared to the way they worship. They sing and worshop unashamed and it's truly humbling to witness! They express their sincere love for the Lord in a pure and honest manner. During our portion of chapel we wanted to talk about love, Gods love for us and our love for others. The team decided to follow the example of Christ and offer to wash the feet of the students in chapel. After Tina and Christian spoke, Lily read from John 13 and then extended the offer for the students from God Cares to have their feet washed by our students. It was a truly beautiful sight to see our students sitting at the feet of our Ugandan brothers and sisters washing their feet, praying with them, talking, smiling and connecting friend to friend. I have no doubt the impact was felt on both sides of the washing tub!

Back at the primary school we sanded and varnished the last coat and will begin to put all the pieces together tomorrow for finished desks! This morning several people mentioned how sad they are about leaving in a week, and we haven't even met the kids at Bethany Village! Another incredible day of learning, connecting, serving, being served, loving and being loved!
Look forward to some amazing stories from your kids!

Susi

GOOD MONING FROM UGANDA

Almost everyone woke up early to catch the beautiful Ugandan sunrise. I encouraged them all last night to get up early and just like everything else, they took full advantage of capturing the moment! Another example of how amazing this group is, they are here to experience every possible aspect of where we are and that isn't always the case on trips like this. Today we'll be at the high school for chapel then back to work on our desks. I'll send another update at the end of or day.

Susi

London

Hello, Again,

I am sorry but I forgot to mention the London situation. Most of you have probably already heard but basically, we don't have an overnight layover in London as I originally thought. I was reading the itinerary incorrectly and we actually have just over 3 hours in the airport. We still arrive on June 27 at the same time, I simply misread the original itinerary sent to me by the travel agent.

I apologize for the disappointment I know this causes for a few of our students but at that point in the trip, everyone will be quite ready to be home. One blessing from this is that the money budgeted for the London layover will be used to bless Bethany Village and purchase textbooks for God Cares High School. So in the end it will work out well but I wanted to make certain everyone was aware of the London situation.

Thanks again,
Susi

Sandpaper & Varnish

Greetings from Kampala! I decided to stop off at the Internet Cafe and post today's entry myself. Many thanks to Susanne for her faithful postings and willingness to receive my text messages at all hours of the day and night.

We have adjusted well to our new time so we are waking at a far more reasonable hour, I don't think there were any up at 3am wishing for sleep. Several of us were up for the beautiful Ugandan sunrise over the trees and through the clouds this morning. Absolutely stunning and peaceful to begin the day!

After another family-style breakfast of eggs, toast, jam, and coffee we were off for the 25 minute walk to the church for transport to the school for another day of working and playing. The team sanded and applied a second coat of varnish to the school desks. After lunch we spent the afternoon playing with and getting to know the children of God Cares. I must share how impressed I am with this team of students. They all jump right in to play and visit with the children. Many more friendships have been built and stories have been shared between our students and their students. I think everyone has bonded with one or more they wish to sneak away in their suitcases.

My internet time is limited so I will end with another thank you for your prayers and support. The team is healthy, bonding with each other and the children extremely well. Lives are being changed and hearts are blending together as fellow children of God from different sides of the globe.

Blessings and thanks,
Susi

FIRST OFFICAL DAY

We are home from our first day of working and playing at God Cares primary school. Upon our arrival we were greeted by hundreds of excited little faces waiting to grab a hand and play or just sit to get to know us. They love and accept us without hesitation or pretense, they simply smile and reach out a hand! Hands that our team gladly take. It's what we've all been waiting for, hugging the children of Uganda. Bonds have already been formed between your kids and the Ugandan children, expect a request to bring one or two home! In between hanging with the children, we began the work on the school and desks today as well. It was a full and wonderful day. I think everyone is tired but extremely content! This is truly a wonderful group and I feel blessed to serve with them. Many thanks go out to you parents for raising incredible young adults!
I'll send another update in the morning.

Susi

GOOD MORNING FROM MUYENGA GUEST HOUSE

A beautiful morning. Many of the students woke up around 3am to the lovely sound of the neighborhood rooster.There was an incredible sunrise across the front yard, breathtaking! Breakfast on the poch was a great group bonding. We are definitely connecting well as a group, one person mentioned how it felt like a family meal this morning. The team is now going to the church for a ride to the primary school where they will varnish school desks. The weather is warm and beautiful, will send another update after a full day of working.

SAFE & SOUND

Cat, Marta and Jan Allen have arrived ahead of the group, they are safe in the Muyenga Guest House in Kampala

SAFE & SOUND

Hello All

Just wanted to let you know they have arrived safely in Entebbe (4:35am Calfornia time), healthy and tired but all have great attitudes. Thank you for your prayers and support.

LAKERS

THE LAKERS WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP!

Hi Everyone

I got a text from Susi at 11:15am saying they are all safe and sound on their flight out of London.

Thank you,

Susanne

We're Catching a Plane(s)

The day has finally arrived.....we're leaving to spend two wonderful weeks with the beautiful people of Uganda! After months and months of preparation and excited, we will be with our second family at God Cares.

We have an incredible team of students, alumni and staff traveling together and ready to experience the beauty and blessings of serving in Uganda.

Thank you for your prayers and support. We will keep you updated on all of our adventures.

Blessings,

Susi & Team Uganda