Almost there

God has shown us once again that we are not in control of mission trips.  After a two hour delay in Newark - they couldn't find the trash cans believe it or not - we finally were in our 7 hour flight over the Atlantic.  In Brussels we had an hour and a half layover before our flight to Entebe.  Ooops.  Our flight to Entebe is cancelled.  A 10 hour layover for another flight rerouted to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, so we took a little tour of downtown Brussels.  Wow!  What architecture!  Very nice folks all the way around but a long trip so far.  Eight hour over night again and we are in Addis Ababa now with a three hour wait for the final flight to Entebe.  Everyone is in good health and in good spirits despite the trip being 3 days instead of two.  Can't wait to see Cindy and get to Gulu and get to work!  KEEP PRAYING!  God is good to have us all doing fine.  Pray especially for luggage to make all the changes/transfers.  Our teaching during the mission is discipleship and submitting to God no matter what comes our way so this is a small step in growing us in that direction.

Friday update on trip over

I heard from both Walt and Clair this morning. The flight out of Newark was delayed and the flight out of Brussels was canceled, so they are off schedule but fine. They will now fly out of Brussels at 7PM and through Ethiopia before arriving at Kampala at 1:00 AM Saturday. Last I heard, Walt and Greg were chilling and watching luggage while Karen, Peter and Clair do a quick walk-around tour of Brussels. Keep praying that fatigue and frustration don't cause them to lose sight of the Holy Spirit's leading.

Blessings~
Louise

Beth writes:

Good Morning All:

I have rec'd several text messages from Cindy early this morning. She is doing well, and was headed out to meet with Susan Morrison and Alison Barfoot this afternoon, in anticipation of picking up the rest of the team tonight!

She shared that they have seen pilgrims along the roadways, walking from Kenya, to attend the big worship celebration this Sunday....humbling! Would we do the same?

Prayers for the team as they continue traveling today and into tonight to arrive safely in Entebbe...peace-filled night's sleep tonight!

Blessings,

Beth

 

Monday May 28^th- from Cindy Pennington

Today I had the opportunity to visit this fishing village, Kikando, on the shores of Lake Victoria.  It is a community of about 2000 people that live in close to this boat landing.  I took boat just like one of these, across the lake to the community.  The Holy Spirit is working there.  There are 5 churches/congregations, and 2 primary schools.  However there is a lot of work to do, spiritually and physically.  We walked past more than one group of men who were playing a dice “game of chance”. As the kids were coming home from school (about 4:30 ….and yes they had been in school since 8:00 am) the toddlers were out running around; probably 20% of the kids only ½ clothed and hardly any with shoes on.  Water Missions has a water purification project in this community (the main reason that we went there) and is seeing health improvements already.    What a blessing to walk and interact with the people of Kikando.

Team Leaves for Uganda

Here are some of the team at the airport excited to leave for the Uganda2012 Mission trip. Everyone was in great spirits as goodbys where said.

Great job everyone! 

It was such an encouragement to the team to see so many come out to see them off...thanks to the Church Staff, also, for taking the time to come out and cheer them on(thanks Fr. Free, Brother Jamie, Melanie, Margie, Sharon and Walter!!!!!! 

The message of what a "sender" is is penetrating the Body of Christ at St. John's....the entire Drew Warfuel family showed up to cheer the team on to service. I was particularly touched that they brought their children along...teaching about missions early!

 

Also, Lynn Lawrence (wife of Bob Lawrence, St Christopher director) came along with her Ugandan flag. Our team is hoping to meet up with Newman and Trish (Sosnowski) Lawrence in Kampala this weekend! Trish and Newman are on a long term mission with Palmetto Medical Initiative.

Mama Emily looked a bit sad not to be getting on that plane! Thanks to Emily and her team of senders who feed, encouraged, prepared and loved this team onto Gulu....

Let's stay in touch with one another as we hear from the team...hit "reply all" if you hear from one of the team members so we can all hear the news. Let us also stay in touch if someone is sick, or needs something, so we can help and pray for one another! 

I "text", so my cell phone number is 843-709-1166, if anyone needs to get in touch with the Snyder ladies!

May God richly bless our TEAM as they travel, and may the God of peace which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds on HIM!   Beth Snyder

 

The rest of the team will depart for Uganda on Thursday May 31, Come help send the team off with prayers and well wishes. We will meet them at the Charleston Airport at 12:30.

Cindy has arrived

Cindy has arrived in Jinja and working with Water Missions International. She said the flight was good and the technology was working good. She looking forward to the arrival of the rest of the team.

Nine Days to Go

Cindy is taking off this Friday so keep her in your prayers.  She will be doing work for WaterMissions International for a week until the rest of the team arrives.
The rest of the team is leaving on Thursday, May 31st at 1:54pm.  We will probably have to leave the lobby by 1:00pm in case you were thinking of seeing us off!  Continue to pray that doors will be opened and that God's Spirit will flow over and through us all to each other and those in Gulu.
Thanks so much for the SENDERS who prepared us dinner on Sunday and have also prepared "goodie bags" of necessities and snacks for us all for the trip.  What a blessing you all are!  If you would like to join the senders group, please contact Emily Rudolph.

Uganda Summer 2012

The TEAM:  Cindy Pennington, Greg Snyder, Clair Miller, Peter and Karen Tetrev, Walt Miller, Peter and Jackie Rothermel and their two children, Peter and Breezy.  Leaving May 31at 1:54 pm and returning June16th at 4:06 pm.  Please pray for YOUR hands which are reaching across the Pacific to minister to our brothers and sisters in Gulu, Uganda.