LOJ Community

Christmas 2009 is a special time for Terry and I because several of us are off to Uganda to work with Robert on improvement projects.  I have had several people ask how we will keep in touch and I have decided to use the LOJ Community site to blog about our work while we are there.

First things first though, let's meet the team:

Ron Neal (a local realtor) and his 2 sons (Justin and Cameron) are the advance team.  They arrived in Uganda on the 22nd and Mityana on the 23rd.  The Neal family have just one thing driving their mission, they want to work for the children and experience making a real difference in the lives of others.  While in Mityana, they will do various jobs including farming and working around the school.  All going well, they will see the school work begin again and be able to help in the actual building process.  How cool for Ron and his sons to have Christmas day with Robert and Esther and their whole extended family !!

On the 28th, Terry and I will finally arrive in Mityana.  This will be Terry's second trip but the first time for me.  I have known Robert for long enough to become friends and I have a powerful burden for their efforts.  I can't wait to meet my brothers and sisters and bring them blessings and encouragement.  Terry and I will be focusing on getting the computer lab up and running and then teaching teachers how to operate it.  Once the lab is completed, we will also be inventorying the work Robert's team wishes to do and documenting project dependancies.  Through discussion, we hope to gain a good understanding of their goals as well as their existing and potential revenue streams.  Most importantly, Terry and I want to make close relationships with Robert and his core team so that we can work effectively together at great distance.  This work is so important and near to God's heart.  What a blessing to be able to support it and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

On January 18th, Sharon Johnson and her daughter Rochelle will be joining us.  Sharon is a Project Manager by trade and she will be helping Terry and I learn as much as possible about the needs on the ground.  I know Sharon's skills will be a great asset as we move ahead with additional work at the home.  Rochelle is a teacher and is looking forward to time with the children (as we all are).  Sharon will be staying for the Impact Nations journey starting on the 24th and her daughter is using Uganda as a spring-board for further adventures abroad.

Also on January 18th, Pastor Bruce will arrive.  Bruce is the advance crew for Impact Nations and will be part of the health clinics and healing ministries during the Journey of Compassion before returning home.

On January 19th, Gord Winder arrives.  I am very excited about Gord's missions because it will have a direct and lasting health benefit for the whole community.  Gord has been working with engineers and fabricators in Victoria to build a mould for making water filters.  These filters are cheap to make and can be provided to rural areas that have need for clean water.  Gord will train people in Mytyana to build the filters and set them up.  Then King's Kid staff can bless their community and perhaps gain revenue as well.  Pry for this very important work to be most successful !!

Finally, the day after Terry and I leave, the Impact Nations team touches down and starts on the ground training for rural health clinics in 6 different locations.  It will be amazing to hear the stories LOJ people return with after helping and healing so many.  

What a blast it is to be on God's Great adventure! He is good and his burden is not only light ... it's energizing !!

I'll keep you posted as our teams journey unfolds.  Please watch this area for updates.  Also, if you are missions minded you may also want to add your name to the Missions Email List (see the menu to the left of this article).

Blessings,

Andrew and Terry