Final preparations...

The night before we leave and the children have gone to bed extremely well!

We've checked in on-line and are bringing together the last elements of the luggage and books....how many books do you take? - especially when there's no TV. It's going to be really refreshing!

With 4 children our experience of holidays is that you don't get much time to read - though as the sun goes down earlier (Kampala being near the equator and all) and with the culture shock / new environment I reckon the children will get off to sleep pretty quickly.

Reflection times and early morning devotions are planned and Yellow Fever certificates and passports have been scanned into my laptop in case of emergency.

Malarone (anti-malarial) has been taken for the first day - and we're so wrapped that Samuel took his normally just like his sisters! DUDE!

Really grateful for all the well wishing, scriptures and telephone calls we've received - we're touched and know we go with the love of many.

And something else to give thanks for - I received an email from a couple who gave a significant gift to the project in response to an article in the Oxford Mail. I had to study the email in order to take it in - thank you SO much - you know who you are!

Whilst we've not (yet) raised our target, we have raised over £5000 between us and Mat for the project - rather, we have been supported by countless generous people who have given sacrificially to see the lives of the Watoto children changed.... and the nation of Uganda changed, hopefully forever.

As we've been "facing" this trip for a while we have often imagined what we'll see, who we'll meet and what we'll experience and I find myself growing deeply in gratitude for the life we and our children are able to live...and I wait with "heart-open interest" to how our children will react to the realities of life in Uganda.

Please pray we don't get bitten by the mossies (or lions!) and that we stay healthy and safe to enjoy serving everyone we meet.

Next time I write we'll be there (this time tomorrow we'll be over the Sahara). Be blessed!