Where the Gals Are in Uganda!

The team begins the trip landing in Entebbe, then staying at a guest house in Kampala for the first few days working with Africa Renewal Ministries painting scripture verses in school classrooms, before heading west to Kabale on the western border near Rwanda. Along the way we will visit missionary friends of Lindsay's in Mbarara (about 5 hours from Kampala and 3 hours from Kabale). We have to keep reminding Yvonne that you don't have to pronounce the M! After ministering with Pastor Johnson in Kabale and Pastor Elisha in Rukunjiri (too small for the map) we return to visit some orphans Yvonne met through Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Project where some orphans began e-mailing her after receiving their gifts. It has been a great adventure for Yvonne and as she says, "it isn't over yet and just beginning." We continue to pray that God will guide our decisions and direct our paths as we are alert for what He wants us to do. What an awesome adventure!

Texas Gals Ready for Uganda!

Yvonne Pickens, Lindsay Peoples and Margaret Noblin

The Texas Team of ladies have been meeting every Thursday night for the past few weeks in preparation for the trip to Uganda. God has been in all the details as they totally began from scratch developing a new trip after another trip was cancelled. As they prayed and asked the Lord for direction amazing things started to happen. Yvonne and Lindsay have teaching background and a passion for working with children. Margaret has been working specifically with orphans so the combined effort was very interesting. As they began planning it became obvious to all of them that there were rural communities needing AWANA (an international children's ministry that trains children in the Christian faith using fun games, scripture memory verses and life applications messages to help the children become established and secure in their beliefs). As they put the word out to people, the donations started pouring in. Items for orphans in a boarding school, AWANA sponsorship support, Life Application Bibles, towels, calculators, soap and toiletries, flashlights, clothes and more. You see God gets more glory when more people are involved! Two pastors up in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda who the Noblins knew from living in Uganda e-mailed Margaret that there was a tremendous need for AWANA. The team was curious and excited about the area. Many call it the "Switzerland of Uganda" because of its lakes, mountains, cool climate and beauty. Another added interest was that the area is close to where Jane Goodall did her research on primates. As we proceed all the details are falling into place including Lindsay's school classroom being painted before she left. (She thought she would have to do it when she returned, but on a recent visit to the school the painters were there and said we will do it today!) God is very personal and in all the details when we sign on to be used for His purposes. Please pray for us as we leave on Saturday, July 8th for Uganda.