A couple of months ago I heard that our church would be sending a mission team to Uganda. Every time I hear of ANYONE going to any part of Africa for any reason, I have a pang of "I wanna go!" But, this time, when I heard about this trip, I had a pang of "I have to go!" Later, when I heard more details, I was even more excited to get on board.

Here's the deal. Our church has had a on-going relationship with the Charlotte Eagles pro soccer team. Through that partnership, the church was introduced to Sports Outreach Institute, a missionary organization that brings the gospel and practical aid to people in need in Africa and Mexico through sports ministry and other means. SOI has noticed a trend in Uganda where villages they've visited just aren't there a few months later. So, they are asking for churches to "adopt" a Ugandan village where they are already working but cannot meet all the needs. The church chooses a village and then sends teams every 6-12 months to continue the development of the village. The first trip, the one I'm going on in February, is the "scouting mission" to discover the village we'll be partnering with. Then, subsequent teams will build relationships, dig a well, teach about sanitation and hygiene, buy a brick-making machine, help build a school/church, purchase lifestock and train in husbandry, etc. I'm so excited about this strategy for ministry and feel so very honored to be going on the scouting trip.

We leave on Feb 10 which sounds like a long time from now, but it's really only 4 short months away! If you are one of my praying friends, I would so appreciate your daily or weekly prayers during the preparation time. Right now, I'm most nervous about how the timing will work out with our adoption plans (no word yet...). As if I wasn't anxious enough to get our mystery baby home as soon as possible, this trip makes me feel like Baby needs to come home NOW! :) The other concern is, of course, the money. I know it will cost some $3,000 to go, but I don't know the deadlines yet (we have a meeting next week, so I should know more then). Timing things perfectly and funding them adequately happen to be two of God's specialties, so I'm looking to him to do his thing! But, I'd be so grateful to know you've joined your faith with mine and are praying along the same lines.

Yippeee!!! I'm going to Uganda!!!!