Uganda

We just arrived in Uganda.
At the airport in Nashville, we were told we would have to pay $30 per bag that we checked . Amanda Lawrence, with Visiting Orphans, was still at the airport and she was able to negotiate with United so we didn't have to pay these fees. There were 6 of us, so that saved our team $360. What a blessing. We met up with the other 8 of our team in Amsterdam. It was about midnight in TN time, but we ate breakfast at a McDonalds in the airport that was very expensive. We then flew from Amsterdam to Entebbe, Uganda. I was able to sleep about 5 hours of that flight.
We are staying at the Airport Guest House. Samantha and I are roomies tonight. We have a pet salamander in our room. We just ate pumpkin soup and bread outside with lots of bugs. We are tired and ready to go to bed. It is 10:00 pm here, so 1:00 pm in Tn. Off to bathe and bed for us. Good night.

Prayer Guide for Africa

Uganda/Ethiopia Prayer Guide

Team Members: Pamela Johnson, Tracey Jones, Samantha Sellers, Carrie Walker

First and foremost, please thank God for providing richly for all of us to go on this mission trip! He has gone above all that we asked or imagined that He would do. (Eph. 3: 20-21) We are going with full bags of supplies, clothing, games, bubbles and more to share some love in the name of Jesus!

Here is a brief look at our itinerary:

Wed. April 7^th – fly out of Nashville around 1pm

Thurs. the 8^th – Arrive in Entebbe and check into the Airport guest home for one night

Fri. the 9^th My Father’s House Orphanage and a new, small orphanage run by Alice of about 25 children

Sat. the 10^th – All day with Katie and Amazima spending time with the children in her program

Sun. the 11^th – Church with Pastor Isaac and the day with the children of Canaan’s Children’s Home

Mon. the 12^th – All day with the children at Canaan’s

Tues. The 13^th – fly to Ethiopia; visit the impoverished Bole Bulbula area of Addis

Wed. the 14^th – visit the children at Mother Theresa HIV orphanage and Ahope HIV orphanage

Thurs. the 15^th – visit with the children of America World Transitional home and paint a mural; Kids Kare orphanage

Fri. the 16^th – Visit the Korah city dump and get to know the children there; possible change: we may visit the children at their church, Great Hope

Sat. the 17^th – Work with the Dahley Community Project ministry; fly out at 10:50pm to head home!

Sun. the 18^th – Arrive home around 11:30pm!

Please pray for unity for our team. “Live in harmony with one another.” Romans 12:16

Pray that we would all have flexible attitudes. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Please pray that even as our hearts are broken we will remain strong and serve with our whole hearts. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Ps. 51:10

Pray for the precious families we are leaving behind to follow Jesus to Africa. We are 4 moms with 15 children!

Pray God will continue to show us how blessed we are and prompt our hearts in ways that He would have us serve and minister more, sharing our blessings. “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word.” Ps. 119:37

Pray that our bodies will adjust well and that we will tolerate the new foods. ;) “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish His work.” John 4:34

Pray that the Lord’s righteousness goes before us and prepares the way for our steps.

Ps. 85:13

Pray that everyone we meet will see the love of Christ reflected in us for His glory! “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12 “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matt. 5:16

Pray that we will adjust quickly to the different time zone and have lots of energy to the work for which we were called! “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11

Pray that we are forever changed. Pray that we take on more of Christ and lose parts of us along this journey. Pray that we have our own special time with the Lord each day and remember we are spending time with Him in Africa.

Pray that we would be ambassadors of the hope to which we are called in Christ! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! I n His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in Heaven for you.” I Peter 1:3-4

Good Friday Fun!

We had beautiful weather on Good Friday, so we decided to take a family day and head to the Natchez Trace. We headed south and went to Jackson Falls, a little hike to a waterfall nearby. The kids thought it was a big adventure hiking down the trail to the "surprise" (waterfall) at the end. Aiden kept saying "loud water" over and over. We even saw a snake on the trail. Yikes!


Abi posing so pretty!

Handsome man!


He still has that crinkled up nose smile we love so dearly!

Friends for now...

So, so precious!


Beautiful. We talked about God creating this waterfall and how he created such beauty all around us this spring.



One great family shot!

It was a beautiful day and a great way to celebrate Easter.