Until we meet again

As time nears for us to leave this place, we want to thank God for the privilege of coming here. We pray that we will honor Him with all He has brought before us; that we have been the hands and feet of Jesus to the people of Uganda and we, too, will be transformed by this experience. To each and everyone of you, thank you for your prayers and financial contributions that made this trip possible. Your words of encouragement and prayers have blessed our team and we look forward to sharing more of our journey with you. We are due to arrive back in the states over the weekend. God bless you all. Sara

Jinga

On Monday evening, we gathered with the World Vision staff for a closing dinner. We reflected upon the ministry that we had done during our stay in Gulu. Handshakes, hugs and parting gifts were exchanged. Susan, our sweet, charismatic WV staff member, was dressed in her best for this dinner. When she was ready to leave, she hiked up her dress, hopped on her motorcycle and did a wheelie out of the parking lot. You go girl!

The next morning, we were packed into the van for our 8 hour journey to Jinga, the source of the Nile. Jinga was our paradise. We will start debriefing here before our reentry to the US.

Some of the team, the more spiritual part of the team, wanted to retrace the footsteps of Moses by riding the rapids on the Nile. Scott and Elizabeth were able to personally experience the ride in the Nile without the protection of the boat or the luxuries of air under the boat. No worries, they both resurfaced to tell about their escapades. James, being inpatient to live by his motto, "Taste death, live life," fell off the front of the boat while just floating along. Gene powered through and showed them all how it was done and remained in the bottom of the boat the entire trip. You are the man, Gene!

Torrey, Sheryl and Tami went on a float trip experiencing three 0.5 class rapids-about the magnitude of standing water. Better safe than sorry though they did spend time floating around the Nile, too...but the difference being, they chose to!

We said goodbye to one of our dearest team members, Tami, as she departed for the US a couple of days early. Shooty-dooty (one of Tami's favorite expressions)! She will be missed!

WV Children of War Rehabilitation Center

This is Elizabeth. Our group was able to visit this center that provides counseling and care for former abducted children and others who were victims of the war and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The atrocities committed against these children included rape, young marriage, servitude, forced killing, cutting off of limbs, and forcing children to be soldiers. Children were abducted from their homes over a twenty year period, so many of the children grew into adulthood in captivity.

We also heard about some of the issues these young people face as they seek to reenter the community. Because children were often used to kill or abduct other children, tensions in the villages could run very high. Often the child's community and even their own parents feared and/or mistrusted those who returned. The children must deal with their emotional and spiritual pain, including guilt and shame over the past, in addition to their physical injuries.

Though at one time the facility held many more children, now much of the work is done within the communities. There were approximately eight young men currently residing at the facility; we were able to briefly meet four of them. They had all been former members of the LRA.

It just broke my heart to think of these young men spending a decade in horror, and they represent so many more: a generation that has experienced brokenness most of us can not begin to imagine.

Praise be to the Lord who has the power to redeem all things.

Global Day of Prayer

Sunday May 31 saw the eight of us divide into three teams to celebrate in three locations the Global Day of Prayer! In a stadium and in two large outdoor school yard venues each team gathered with 500-800 nationals about 10 AM for 5 hours of singing, dancing, preaching and guided prayer in many forms. James, Gene and Torrey spoke or led prayer in their venues and had their messages translated into Luo, the language of most of the attendees. There is something very special about praying with Christian believers who have undergone so much suffering yet who now praise the Lord with exuberance as peace has finally returned to this part of Uganda! Twenty years of war have left over 1,000,000 men, women and children dead and everyone else with deep emotional scars from the trauma. How this land needs the certainty of long term peace now! It is still somewhat uncertain. How these dear people need trained Christian leaders! Many have been killed. How they need to know that people are with them in prayer and in resources. We were so humbled and honored to represent all of you who are both praying for and giving to these people! Despite the fact that we were the learners and have had lives so filled with material blessing, these people treated us as honored guests and thanked us a hundred times for our willingness to be with them in this great day of prayer. - Torrey Olsen / World Vision Director of Christian Engagement

Meeting and interacting with the Farmers' group

At the end of yet another long, bumpy road stood a local village man welcoming us to his home. Behind him and a grove of palm and mango trees lay ranging farmland. We followed the farmer along a narrow path lined with tall grasses into the heart of the main field. Because of donations to World Vision's gift catalogue, the co-op group of farmers who work this land were given seeds and other supplies that enabled them to plant a crop able to sustain the farm itself, the surrounding the community, and even enough produce to sell at the market for additional income. Cabbage, eggplant, kosovo (a local, potato-like food), okra, and peanuts are the farm's primary crops. A couple local women showed us a dozen fat, purple eggplants they had just harvested with pride.
Our journey covered at least a quarter to a half mile of farmland and we were blessed to see God blessing this community with a sustainable source of food and income. The visit encouraged us by providing a first hand look at the results of our gifts made from home. It was only because of U.S. donations to the World Vision gift catalogue that this farming co-op is able to exist. We loved seeing the farm, tromping over the countryside, and watching Gene accidently step in a big puddle up to his shin. James

Constructing shelters

On Monday, with gloves in hand, we headed to Paicho to help lay the foundation of a home for a vulnerable family of a sponsored child. This area of Africa is savannah grassland with LONG grass and tall trees scattered all over. Many families are now returning to their original villages after living in IDP camps for the past 20 years to find that their homes no longer exist or are in deplorable condition. We assisted the local community members, using their tools and materials, to begin this project. As you can see by the pictures, we all had our jobs. Elizabeth and I did our very best to haul water on our heads from the spring @ a 1/2 mile away. I will admit, Elizabeth was much better at this than I. By the time I had walked back to the work site, I was soaked. The locals had a good laugh!

From there, we visited with pastors who were building a hut for a group of OVCs (orphan and vulnerable children). These 3 children lost their parents (the father was killed by the LRA in 1999 and the mother died from AIDS in 2003) and are being cared for by their aunt and uncle who have 6 children of their own. Sara

Beading Community

After meeting and visiting Elvis, Meron and Mercy, the team traveled to meet with a group of 80 women and 10 men that make and sell beautifully handcrafted paper beads as an income generating activity. The major source of income in Uganda is subsistence farming but that has been greatly affected by civil strife for the past 20+ years. The average household income in these two ADP's is about $.90/day US. We did our very best to stimulate their economy by buying a vast amount of their inventory. For the team that visited in September, this is the same beading community except they have broadened their beading making to include earrings and purses in addition to the necklaces. Sara

Visit to the local market

After lunch, our fearless leader, Torrey, took us shopping at the market across the street from the Koro Bobi office. Can't say we purchased much but it was quite an experience!

French fries in Gulu

We were feeling right at home when we joined the World Vision staff at Koro Bobi office for lunch where we had good ole french fries with our chicken.

Ride, anyone?

How about traveling in this ambulance???

Precious Israel

When we weren't teaching, we were each taking turns loving up on Israel. He was the cutest, 2 month old little boy of a Sunday School teacher that was participating in the conference.

Sunday School Teacher Training

The Sunday School Teaching went great! We had 23 teachers the first day and 30 teachers the second day. Most of the teacher's were men. I taught the first session on "God's heart for children", and then a national children's worker taught on creative Bible lessons. Elizabeth taught the afternoon session, and did a great job.

It was so encouraging to see the eagerness of each teacher to learn everything that they could. Tami

This is Elizabeth now...Golf claps, temptation, and praising the Lord!

It was an immense privilege to be a part of the teachers' training, and a lot of fun! We were really hoping to give practical tools with a Biblical foundation in an engaging manner. I loved getting to know the participants and learning from the Ugandan trainers as well.

Golf claps~ I had individuals come up front and lead the group through all of the hand motions we were learning to tell the story of the Bible. The applause for the presenters was very loud and included a shrill, traditional yell that some of the women make when they are very excited. Since we were in the same, open building as the pastors, we got in trouble. : ) I then taught them two ways Americans show appreciation quietly - the golf clap and the silent cheer. It was hilarious! It caught on VERY well and for the rest of the sessions, 30 Ugandans were pumping their arms ad giving moderate claps next to their heads.

Temptation~ The class was divided into groups and given the assignment of finding a creative way to share a Bible story with children. The temptation of Jesus was retold with a menacing Satan and angels ever ready to protect our Lord. The retelling of Ruth included a guy with a head covering and shawl who played the part of Ruth.

Praising the Lord~ We spent some time outside singing before lunch each day. The Ugandans taught us some new songs in English, we shared a few in English, and we are participated in traditional worship. It was wonderful to praise the Lord with our brothers and sisters!

Pastors Teaching

Arriving on boda bodas (local bicycle taxis) came thirty pastors from Gulu and nearby Paicho Bungatira and Koro Bobi. The topic they wished to learn more about was spiritual leadership. At the two day training, we taught four sessions beginning with spiritual leadership of self, followed by spiritual leadership of family, church and community. The pastors, some with no theological training, were hungry for knowledge and receptive to this new information. Following the training, pastors received a certificate. This training is the first in a series of four the pastor's hope to receive. Scott

The Best Team in the World!

Some of you reading this will know that I'm not the best short term mission team leader in the world. Details don't excite me. I'm more unconcerned about schedules and keeping to them, than many folks. The best thing I have going for me is that I love and care for people and that seems to cover many of my other faults.

Now, I say all of this because God knows my shortcomings and He gave me the best team in the world to travel with to Uganda. For all of you friends and family members of the team, please know that your prayers for the team have been, and are being answered. The team is representing Christ and Cherry Hills so well. We came, in part, to prove ourselves as worthy partners for Would Vision and the Church here in North Uganda and I think the Lord has empowered us to do that. We have encouraged one another and the people we are working with, be have held one another up, have prayed together and laughed together. I've been blessed by the wonderful group of people and can't wait to see how the Lord will use this team in the months ahead! Gene

Meeting Mercy

I waited all day to meet Mercy, Tabi and I's sponsored child. I felt anxious...what would the meeting be like.
At the end of the day, we walked from the World Vision Koro-bobi office to the largest remaining Internally Displaced Camp in Gulu. There, was Mercy's little hut. Her grandmother was inside and waved us into the hut. There were 5 chairs waiting for us, and there was Mercy hiding in the dark behind the door. There were 4 children there, and at first I couldn't see Mercy because it was so dark. But out she came with BIG eyes watching this white person enter her world.
She was so warm and sweet---and very little. Mercy lives with her grandmother, mother, big brother, and two little sisters, and mom is expecting soon. I gave Mercy the gifts Tabi had picked out for her and showed her on the globe I brought where we lived, and where she lived.

From her letters, I knew she liked to sing. I asked if she would sing me a song. She stood proudly and sang.
One gift we gave her was a jump rope. The children in the camp tie together long pieces of grass and use as a jump rope.
We went out side, and she showed me how she could jumprope.

It was a great meeting although I left overwhelmed by such poverty, and concerned for Mercy's future. I prayed for Mercy before I left and asked God that Mercy would grow up to know Jesus as savior, because Jesus is the only hope she has. Tami

Elvis is alive and living in Northern Uganda

Last summer when the church hosted the World Vision AIDS Experience, Lorna and I committed to sponsor two World Vision children, one in Mozambique and one in North Uganda. Elvis is 8 years old and lives in a very rural area outside of the city of Gulu on a small piece of land owned by her family. Oh, and Elvis is a girl! We have found out that Elvis is not a common name here in Uganda, for a boy or a girl (for that matter, where in the world, outside of La Vegas, is Elvis a common name?! I have to tell you though, our Elvis is the most gentle and sweet 8 year old you'll ever meet.

She and her family spent many years in an internal displacement camp in North Uganda due to the horrible rebel movement that has terrorized this part of the world for 20 years. The family has just recently moved back to the family farm and they are trying to rebuild their lives. The good news is that their little plot of land is like a garden of Eden, with lush vegetation that provides fruits and vegetables for the whole family.

Meeting Elvis was a bit "awkward". I'm not sure they have a lot of white folks come to their home and Elvis was, not unexpectedly, a bit shy. We exchanged greetings, heard from her uncle who's the head of the family, meet her mother and siblings and came to understand that her father had died sometime in the last year. I brought Elvis a few gifts from Lorna and me and she seemed to particularly like the lavender flip flops. As we parted, I promised to write her more frequently and I plan on keeping that promise. In the mean time, because Elvis is a sponsored child, she will have access to school, health care and other services which World Vision and Cherry Hills will be providing in this area in future years. May the Lord bless Elvis and her family! Gene

A Visit to Meron

I had the privilege of representing my family in meeting Meron, a beautiful 10 year old girl, and her family. The visit followed much of the same form as the visits to the other sponsored children, with introductions and short speeches by both me and the family. Meron was pretty reserved, but could not hide her smile as she jump roped, looked through a kaleidoscope, and played catch. She brought out her report card to show me that she is doing well in school and even gave me three pictures from her photo album. These very well could have been the only copies she had. I was also given a large bag of peanuts.

My parents are actually the sponsors of Meron, but it was a blessing to meet her and to pass on my family's prayers and concern. I hope to be more involved in relationship with her in the future

Lord, please continue to bless and protect Meron and her family. May she grow to know and love you!! Elizabeth

Visit to the Water Project

As you entered the blog, you saw a photo of a little boy getting a drink of water. That photo was taken by the CHCC team that visited Uganda last September when they visited a community water hole. Our team went to that same water hole today. What a difference! World Vision has tapped into the artesian spring and piped fresh flowing water into a concrete conduit. People collect water at the constantly flowing water pipes, the run-off flows down the conduit and provides water for a rice field. The site was just completed and has only been open one month, and World Vision staff tell us that already, skin diseases among the children have measurably decreased. To reach the site, we walked along a narrow path through the bush, meeting people carrying water containers all along the way. About 150 families, or approximately 1,000 people depend upon this water source with some walking three to five miles to get their water. Sheryl

Serve or to be served...

After torrential rainfall last evening, we awoke to another beautiful day in Africa. We began the morning with a breakfast that included mangos that were given to Sara from Rocky's family. Absolutely delicious!!! After a call to action devotion presented by Elizabeth, we loaded up in the van, our home away from home, and headed to Gulu Cluster office.

Health clinics in Paicho-Bungatira

According to Uganda Ministry of Health standards, every parish should have a health center, but Paicho and Bungatira have 14 parishes and only 10 health centers, of which six are closed and in bad shape because of the war. Only two health centers have staff accommodations. Most staff reside miles away and arrive late for work. Two health centers have inadequate maternity wards, and pregnant mothers give birth with the help of untrained midwives, which increases the risk of HIV infection. There is a high prevalence of preventable diseases such as malaria, diarrhea and respiratory infections and the immunization coverage is very low, 55% for Paicho and 37% for Bungatira. The health problems are exacerbated by low incomes and the inability of primary caregivers to address basic health care needs in the households.

We visited two health clinics, one in Paicho called Atoo Health Center II and the other in Bungatira, Punena Health Center II. Though they were both "level II" health centers, there were stark differences!! Atoo has only been open for about 6 months and a government hired nurse treats approximately 10 patients per day. The main disease seen here is malaria. In addition, approximately 2 babies per week are delivered but this health center does not have facilities to administer care overnight. Consequently, the mothers go home shortly after giving birth. We did not see any basic care items nor did they have lab capabilities. Their access to pharmaceuticals is inadequate, sometimes due to some staff taking them to sell to private clinics. If the clinic is unable to treat a patients condition, he/she has to walk several miles into town for treatment.

Punena has been open for 2 years and has a staff of 10. They treat approximately 250 patients per week and have a "good" supply of medical care items including a microscope for diagnostics. The "Maternity Ward" had a delivery room and a recovery room with 3 beds. Again, this facility is only open during daylight hours resulting in mothers/babies go home shortly after giving birth. This lack of postnatal care gives rise to a high mortality rate for the mothers. In the near future, World Vision will be building a staff house that will allow the clinic to be open 24 hours/day. Sara

Sara visits Rocky

It is hard to imagine ever meeting your sponsored child but actually getting the opportunity to visit with him twice...in one year...behind comprehension!! The excitement that I felt as we drove up to the path to Rocky's home was indescribable!! There stood Rocky, waiting for me to arrive! What a greeting we had! Last time, he was so shy and didn't say a word. This time, he gave me a BIG hug and we chatted all the way to his home. He is attending school where he is in P-2..that is 2nd grade and is doing well with his studies. His grandmother, Sulina, whom races him and his brother along with many other orphans greeted all of us as we arrived at their home. Rocky was able to tell me the names of our family as I showed him current pictures. It brought tears to my eyes!! He practiced with the jump rope that we had brought for him. I couldn't pass up a chance to play a little soccer with the ball that we had brought, skirt and all!! Rocky made me the most amazing car made of light wood and colored with Uganda colors. Truly a masterpiece!! He also gave me a picture that he drew of himself and his home. A budding artist to be sure!! It was AWESOME!!! May the Lord bless you mightily, Rocky! Sara

Primary school

We visited another primary school in Koro. There were many more pupils attending in classrooms as well as under thatched coverings outside. Tami and Elizabeth were in their glory taking pictures of the children and showing them on the camera. Most of these children have never seen what they look like so you can imagine the joy that this brought them.