There is so much to tell about my most recent mission trip to Uganda, I’m not even sure where to start. Well that’s not true, I want to start by saying thank you to all of you who donated toward my trip. I was so blessed by all of you as you continue to support me in my many trips overseas. This year I led a team of 16 people and through your donations and the monies raised by the other team members, we were able to cover all costs for the trip and purchase much needed supplies when we arrived. We had a really great group this year, and we accomplished a lot.
We had a church in Nebraska that rose over $100,000 earlier this year for the building of the new baby’s home. When we arrived in Mokono, Uganda, we were amazed to see how much work had already been done.
The walls were already up!!! Our team worked on landscaping, building a deck, building a changing table, and painting. We also did a short vacation bible school at Kidron Valley, brought lots of supplies from the US, and purchased bunk beds, crib mattresses, tricycles, curtains, a table and chairs, a fan, plastic plates and cups, office chairs, etc.
Our team was made up of folks ranging in age from 19 (turned 19 while we were in Uganda) all the way up to age 68. People often wonder. Is it really cost efficient to send a mission team to do construction? Wouldn’t it be more cost efficient to just send money over to Uganda and pay the local workers to complete the projects? If the only purpose of a mission trip is to build, then it is definitely NOT cost efficient. However, there are many reasons for short term missions that go far beyond construction. The relationships built between the people who travel and the people who live in Uganda that are grown over this time are priceless. In addition, our team shares the gospel through words and actions with local widows and children through prayer, VBS, and hugs. In turn, the people of Uganda bless our hearts so much and show us what it truly means to have the joy of the Lord. I don’t think I could ever express through words the impact that these mission trips have had on my life. I encourage anyone and everyone to go on a trip with us someday. I would love for you to see what God is doing and be blessed by the people of Uganda too. Soon, AHH is hoping to take a Friendship Team to China to work with an orphanage with which we recently began a relationship. I hope to go on that trip as well, so be on the lookout for more fundraising letters. LOL
I really do not have the words to express how grateful I am to all of you for your continued prayer and financial support. If you have not already liked A Helping Hand on Facebook, please do. We send out monthly updates about what is going on in Uganda and usually link those to our Facebook page.
The Ugandan red dirt is still on my shoes, and I don’t want to wash it off. It is a reminder to me that God is the Lord of all nations. When I am in Uganda, my heart is full and my spirit feels God’s presence even more fully than at home. When I enter the worship service in Uganda, tears come freely. Although I have experienced God just as close here at home, I look forward to going to Uganda because I know that God presence will overwhelm me. If you want to be overwhelmed by God, I pray you will join us on our next trip.
As always, if you wish to donate to any of my mission trips or to the ministries of AHH in Uganda, China, Guatemala, or elsewhere, please send checks to:
A Helping Hand Adoption Agency
1510 Newtown Pike Ste 152
Lexington, KY 40511
Or give on line at
http://ahelpinghandadoption.org/donate/
