Planes, Customs and The Rosa

Aboard the Rosa after arriving in Uganda

About an hour ago our team, The Great Eight, arrived in Gulu.  Tomorrow morning begins medical clinics in the village of Amora, which is past the village of Opit (that means it's OUT there and will involve a bit of a drive.)

Let me update you on a couple of things and then I'd like to share some prayer request.

The plane travel went smoothly.  There was a delay in Amsterdam, but the team used the time to get to know each other better. 

Customs.  Last year our team was stalled at customs due to new laws.  We lost one of our medical supply bags, (but were so thankful the other seven made it through!)  This year we changed things up a bit.  We worked with an Ugandan doctor and ordered all our medicines from within the country ahead of time. The packed medical supplies consisted of things like gauze, Ziplocs for the pharmacy, etc.  Basically stuff that helps the clinic to operate minus the meds. This also allowed more room in the bags for ministry supplies. 

When our team arrived to the long line at Customs, one of the local customs officers pulled Chris aside to ask what was being carried.  Chris basically said toys, supplies, Bibles etc.  Chris then offered the officer a Bible (Is that a bribe?) to which he replied, "No thank you. I already have one."  After he made sure to ask about medicines not being part of the "supplies," he waved the entire team through without even scanning the bags.  It was the fastest any of our teams have made it through customs.   That people, is the power of prayer and what God can do.

After leaving the airport another surprise awaited The Great Eight.  Every year our teams hire the same driver, Grace (we love him!  Even if we called him by the wrong name for ten years.  We still love him.)  Grace purchased a new bus this last year.  So the team boarded the new Rosa (bus' name).  They will spend LOTS of time on Rosa.

Now The Great Eight are at their first ministry destination. 

Prayer Requests:

Headed to Gulu.

1) The team is tired.  A good nights rest would be awesome.
2) Heart preparation for the medical clinic tomorrow.  Medical clinics are hard work and can be very emotional.  Hundreds of people show up, because they hear there is a doctor.  Out in the villages there aren't many doctors. The conditions can be really rugged. 
3) That our team would pour God's love lavishly over each person they encounter.
4) It is a custom as you enter each village to retain the favor of local politicians.  Sometimes they try to take advantage of the clinics by getting their friends in first, when other needs are much more desperate.  Please, pray for God's intervention in this process and for wisdom for Greg, Chris and our Ugandan partners who will be helping negotiate through this process.
5) Above all - God's work and will to be accomplished.

Thanks, so much!

Kysia