Is it less than 3 weeks to go....?!

So much has happened since the last post that I have neglected to update everyone as often I would have liked - I sincerely apologise.

Today we have been jabbed with the Yellow Fever vaccine - much less traumatic than the Hep B that's for sure! The children were pretty cool about it this time.

The nurse giving us the jab has spent some time in E Africa working for an NGO - she suggested we look up a song that teaches basic Swahili - this is going to compliment the children's learning of the Watoto children's choir repertoire. I had no idea the Hakkuna Matata song from the Lion King was genuine! Have a listen and learn - écouter et repeter!



This Sunday was our official sending from the church - so wonderful to have Abu praying for us in "Ugandan" - and moving too. We were at both services and felt equipped in prayer with a whole section of the church praying for us.

Fundraising


The Gala Dinner raised all the missions teams a shared out £3k - Joan's Ugandan Evening raised a few hundred - the Cake sale rasied over £400 (one precious lady bought a cake for £100!) - Fun day (was a great deal of work and was disappointing save for the wonderful support of our lovely pastorate)- with another Joan special evening coming up on the 14th July...

We are over the £3000 fiundraising mark for the project - this takes into account the gift aid (less Justgiving's fee) and Mat's Iron Man sponsorship - his site can be found HERE.

Preparation


Nikki has been working out a schedule of devotions for the trip - Nikki Joan and I taking turns to lead - and Hope and Olivia are leading the children's devotions using a book given to us by the Clarks in Washington State.

We have enjoyed great support from Watoto's co-ordinator, Ope Saola, based in Dagenham and she has hooked us up with a lady from Hillsong Church, Leatherhead who has been so successful at accumulating baby clothes for Baby Watoto Gulu that she has had to rent a warehouse. We have secured 6 extra bags from BA(and some assistance at HRW and Entebbe!) - we already had 12 as a family - which will be full of supplies for the little ones........ Please can I take my guitar......please.....?

So, whilst I'm juggling work and mission prep, Nikki is busy with laundry and packing already. She has already sorted my Crocs - arrived today and they're a dream - I've no idea why I held out for so long! And she's also liaising with Ope closely to ensure clarity of costs, itinerary and logistics.

We're getting so close - we feel like we're already there...

If you'd like to be included in the prayer group and receive updates whilst we're there please click HERE.