Our first 3 days in Uganda

It is hard to believe we have only been in Uganda for 3 days - already we have seen many salvations and healings and have loved building relationships with the children and staff of Tent Peg Missions.

Our first day we spent the time getting our head around where we were and had a swim in the afternoon - it hasn't rained since we arrived so it is feeling very hot!! Our next day after praying we went down to the local soda shop on a treasure hunt - we prayed for about 9 people and saw healings, lives set free and destiny's called out. We then spent a few hours with the pastors of the Rivers of Life church in Jinja where we will closely be working hearing their vision for the church. Later that day we went to Youth with a Mission for a special 50 year celebration with Loren Cunningham (it was running 2.5 hours late!)

Yesterday we went to a local primary school and ran an outreach with them, many were saved, healed and set free and finished our day on another treasure hunt where more great miracles happened!

Today the team are running a leadership conference at Rivers of Life church

Packing, packing and packing

We are into our final day in NZ before we fly out tomorrow. The preparation for this trip has been amazing! We have all been blown away by how God has faithfully (not always quickly) met each need we have had. Emirates have changed their baggage allowance enabling us to take things we never thought were possible - including a full trampoline! People laughed at me when I told them I was just taking a trampoline mat and springs but now we are even taking the frame! God is so good!!

Yesterday we had an exciting release day at Ministry Training College. We were able to share some of the vision God has given us for this trip (and our impressive dance) and we all received prayer. It was such a great way to start this trip!!

We leave Christchurch at 4pm Saturday and arrive in Dubai at 5:45 (dubai time). It makes the flight time not seem so long when you see it in local time (NZ time it will be around 2-3pm). We have a two night stop over in Dubai (as someone prayed yesterday this is like an oasis of refreshing for us all) before we leave on Tuesday morning to head to Uganda. Staff in Uganda are now not sleeping as they expectantly await our arrival! And I am sure some of the team are sleeping less at the moment as well!

Please use this blog as a way of writing what God has been speaking to you about this trip. Although there are only 16 in the team, God has many more that he wants to use in His purposes for Uganda. Below you can click on the comment tab.

FOOTPRINTS OF HOPE WALK

What an amazing day we had yesterday at the sponsored walk! Around 100 people joined us as we created Footprints of Hope. There was a great sense of community as we all gathered to make a difference for the formerly abducted children in Northern Uganda. We had lots of laughs and the riddle to solve around the walk kept many talking to the finish line! A warm coffee tea and piece of chocolate cake was well deserved! Many received spot prizes. A big THANK YOU! to all who took part in the walk through walking and sponsoring! Please know your support has made a huge difference and don't forget to check back over the next 2 months for progress as we go to Northern Uganda.

New Brighton Market

What a great day we had at the New Brighton Market. Josh and Steve spent all day Friday making sweets to sell - the fudge was very popular and all sold! Steve had a real skill in selling fudge - people just couldn't say no and at the end of the day, several people commented about how much fudge they have purchased!

We signed up 10 walkers keen to join our sponsored walk! And those not so keen on walking but just as passionate about leaving a footprint of Hope sponsored those of us doing the walk!

As part of the entertainment there were pancake races and to raise our profile we entered. Josh did us proud - coming first in the mens section and even bet all the Firemen! What a champion we have! I think Josh might be our water carrier if we need one in Uganda and Steve will definitely be on cooking duties! All up a fun day with lots of cool new relationships and even some rabbits!

PREPARING TO GO

The smiles say it all - we are so excited. It is such a priviledge to partner with God in seeing footsteps of Hope in Uganda. Last night we had an amazing time together in worship and praying about what God was saying to us about what we are to do in the different projects we are working in. Two words that kept coming up through the night were Hope and Joy.

I know some of you are wondering how did this group come together? This mission trip is part of the course run through Ministry Training College in Christchurch and they have joined with Tent Peg Missions who run projects in Uganda.

We will be working in 5 different projects:

• Hope of Hope - a healing home for disabled children who have experienced trauma.
• Hope Reaching - a community outreach to children at risk in rural Uganda.
• Footsteps - a life skill and counselling programme for formerly abducted child soldiers.
• StepUp - a church outreach programme working with vulnerable children.
• Church Programme - working with a newly established church.

Home of Hope Children

and Staff.

A formerly abducted

child soldier.

Over the next 2 months as we prepare to go we will be adding more information about what we will be doing and what God has been speaking to us all about.

We hope you enjoy following what we are doing!

Blessings

Footprints of Hope Team