Surprise!

January 30, 2011
Good thing my computer automatically puts in the date, otherwise, I would have no idea what day of the month it is.  I knew it was Sunday, because we had church services, but other than that, no clue. 

In case you have forgotten, God is good!!!!  I left Kodiak with 15 trunks Monday evening and I arrived in Entebbe, Uganda Wednesday evening with all 15 bags.  Thank you Lord!!  When I arrived in Entebbe and as I was waiting to get my visa I was praying that I would have no problems getting all my bags.  I asked a couple of Ugandan men for help and as I was walking past customs, I let them know I was going to an orphanage and I told them what was in the trunks.  They asked me to open four of the trunks.  As I opened the lid to the second truck they said oh ok, you are good to go.  What a miracle that was.  

Thursday morning a group of 22 teens came from the orphanage in the bus to pick me up from Entebbe, to make the long trek home.  We stopped in Kampala for lunch and then we made one other stop.  Apparently they had been having issues with the tire all the way to Entebbe, so the tire was going flat and we needed a new tube.  So we had to stop and take care of that.  We finally made it back to the orphanage late afternoon, were I was greeted by the rest of the gang.

I would have written sooner, but I got sick along the way.  So I have been sick since I have gotten here.  Don’t worry, it is not malaria!!!  Just the good old American flu. Hopefully in the next couple of days, I’ll be feeling much better.

So, yesterday afternoon, Mark and Amy (full time missionaries here) were helping me go through the 15 trunks.  A lot of the kids start school on Monday and we were looking for all the back packs to hand out to those who need them.  As we were going through them, I asked Mark “So how are things going with the teen project?”  So Mark lets me know that they are just waiting for the money so we can begin.  They tore down an old hut were the new building is going to be built.  So I decided it would be the perfect time to let him know what I was up too.  So I told Mark and Amy that I had the $29,000.00 that was needed to start the project.  They both looked at me quite dumbfounded and were absolutely amazed.  The funny thing was the night I flew in to town the missionaries and some visiting families that are here we in a meeting and they were talking about the teen project and how they just needed the money to begin.  So I the EMI group who is building something here on the compound now, will also be able to begin the teen project.  I am so excited that I will be here for the beginning of the project and will be able to pass along some information about how things are coming along.  But through all this, please remember I am still in Africa and they do things on their own time schedule.  J 

Thank you so much for everyone who financially gave, as well as to those who were praying for this project.  I am so amazed and blessed that all the finances came in.  We are going to hold back some of the games and things I got from Grand Slam, so that the teen building will have some new supplies.  Everyone here is so excited about being able to begin.  Thank you for making it possible.

 Deb

On My Way to Uganda

Jan 25, 2010  4:30AM

I am sitting in the Anchorage airport, waiting for my first flight of the day.  For some reason this flight always seems like the longest, even though it is only a four hour flight.  After I arrive in Seattle, I will then fly to Amsterdam and then on to Entebbe, Uganda, both of these flights being close to 9 hours each.  I will then arrive in Entebbe Wednesday night at 8:15pm, which is 8:15am Alaska time.  Please be praying that I will make it through customs with no problems or glitches.

I wanted to send this first email, just to let everyone know how much I appreciate the prayers and support.  I also want to send some feedback in response to my email that I mailed out the first part of December letting everyone know that I would be returning to Uganda for three months.

For those of you who might be a part of Global Outreach or associated with them, please do not pass on this information to the missionaries at GSF, it is a surprise!!!   I am about $4000.00 short of my goal in raising money for the teen project.  God is so good!!!!  I shouldn’t be amazed, but I continue to be amazed at how giving and supportive people are of my time in Uganda and of this orphanage.  Besides the amount of money people have given, you would never believe the amount of stuff I am taking with me.  Thank you for all the financial donations as well as all the gifts of pack packs, games, clothes, and so many other things.

Last night I checked in 15 bags.  Yeah you read that right!!!  A friend earlier in the week asked me “so how many bags are you taking, since you will be gone for 3 months?”  I told her I was taking 15, “Oh my word she says, you moving there?”  My response was well 2 bags are mine and the rest is for the kids, I am thinking 2 bags is not much for 3 months.  The even more incredible thing about all this, is that most of the stuff in the trunks was all donated by people in the Kodiak Community.  You guys are so amazing!!!  Besides the 15 bags, there are still 3 trunks that I refrained from bringing that mom will bring with her when she comes for a visit. 

I just got to say, my mom is pretty great.  She packed all of the trunks, except my two bags.  She loves to do it, and I am glad she does because I don’t enjoy packing.  Most of you know that I typically pack a few hours before I have to leave.  For the record, I was actually packed about 8 hours before I left, which is huge.  J  So thankfully mom likes to do it otherwise it would have been a nightmare me packing 15 trunks last minute.   On Saturday and Sunday I was still getting donations from people.  I came into mom’s house and I said check out what someone just gave me.  Mom’s response “Debbie what part of we don’t have any room left don’t you understand??”  My answer,  “But mom everyone wants to give and I can’t say no.”    Mom thank you for taking so much time packing, and labeling everything.

Thanks everyone for being a part of my life and a part of my experiences at GSF.  A special thank you to Kodiak Lions for donating money for me to go toy shopping for the kids, they are going to love everything.  Also thank you to Mr. Ron at Grand Slam, for sending so many extra games and things for the children.  A big thank you goes out to Era and the night crew for helping make sure all my bags got on the flight and for waiving the fees.  You guys are the best.  Thanks again to you all.  The next email you will receive, will be after I am at GSF in Africa.

Deb