Uganda Update #2

1/9/09 7:31am (California Time)
Well, I’m somewhere over the Middle East right now. I just realized most of my flying has been over an ocean. It’s interesting being over places like the Grand Canyon, Ireland, Kuwait… Kind of unreal.

This plane is unreal too. I’ve never been so spoiled on a flight… Countless movies, TV shows, games, and so much more at my disposal. I don’t think I’ve ever watched so many movies in one sitting! (Literally…I really have to pee!) ;)

We’re almost through our second flight and should be landing in Dubai soon. I hear it’s a gorgeous city, but I’m not sure we’ll get to experience much other than the hotel. Hopefully we’ll take in a lot of scenery on the ride from the airport to the hotel. I’m looking forward to one last night in a comfy bed and morning with a fresh, warm shower.

It’s not quite real to me yet that I’m about to spend 4 weeks in Gulu. I don’t think I’ve adjusted emotionally, physically, or spiritually. If you could pray for those adjustments, that would be great. I’ve been sitting on this plane for nearly 13 hours. As I’ve watched movie after movie, I keep thinking I need to be preparing my heart and mind, but honestly, I’m not sure where or how to start.

…And we’re landing…

1/9/09 2:05pm (California Time) / 1/10/09 2:05am (Dubai)
We made it to our hotel in Dubai at about 11pm, had some dinner, and showered. We get to sleep for a few hours, then we had back to the airport at 6am for our last flight into Kampala, the capital of Uganda. We’ll land at 3pm (Saturday, 4am PST), hop into a van, and drive about 6 hours up to Gulu. We should arrive in Gulu, Uganda around 10pm (Saturday, 11am PST). Hopefully we’ll get a good night’s sleep, and then the real journey begins.

Please pray for rest (especially for Rob and Leah as they’re sleeping around baby Abel’s schedule) and adjustments (to the time, the climate, and the culture) as we settle in in Gulu. Also, pray that our hearts and minds would be ready and open for whatever God has in store.

Thanks a million!Jenelle

Uganda Update #1

We're leaving tomorrow morning!! ...at 5am! We will be traveling for about 48 hours before we arrive in Gulu, Uganda. I'm excited...and overwhelmed. Still packing! We raised MOST of our funds, but could use a little more help. We would also still like to raise more for the farm project. If you're still interested, please let me know.

If you want to receive updates (I will try to send them as often as possible while we're gone), PLEASE respond to this email ASAP. I will do my best to get a mailing list together, but the internet access is going to be rough. I will also try to post updates and photos (if the internet connection allows) on Facebook. If you're on there, find me there!

Thanks so much for your prayers and support.

Jenelle

Uganda...9 days and counting

Almost a year after my last post, I'm back! I'm leaving for Uganda in NINE days. That's crazy. As I go, I want to write. I hope you guys will hang with me through my journey.

It's crazy to think we leave so soon. Life has been so busy that I haven't really been able to process much regarding the trip. As I sat at our team meeting tonight, I realized how excited I am. Until tonight, I have been consumed by other emotions...

I'm scared... It's going to be really hard to leave some things that I love. I have no idea what to expect. I don't know if I'm strong enough or wise enough to handle what we will encounter. It's not the safest place in the world, and the spiritual warfare will be different than anything I've ever experienced.

I'm unprepared... I still don't have the money for the trip. I haven't studied nearly as much about the culture and the country as I would like to. I have shopping and packing and several other things that still need to be done.

But I'm excited. My heart has ached since I last returned from Vietnam (about 3.5 years ago). My heart longs to be in other cultures, to learn, to stretch, to discover... I miss it so much. I can't wait to be out of my box, out of my routine, out of my world and my life... observing, absorbing, being shaken. I can't wait to meet the people, see the sights, and just be rattled. The most important things on the packing list: camera, notebooks, laptop. I'm so anxious to be a sponge.

Now, if I could just get all the other details taken care of before I hop on that plane!

Christmas in Uganda

To those of us who love the work of Favor of God Ministries and who have been praying for the precious people of Uganda, the below message is for you:

We are writing to ask for your help…

Over the past few months, the groups and families that contribute monthly to the ministry of Favor of God have fallen behind in their giving. In addition, Francisco, the ministry's office administrator was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident while working last month and had to be taken by helicopter to a hospital in another city. Favor of God used all of their resources to ensure he got all the needed care (and thank God, he is on his way to recovery and should be back in Gulu next month). But because of these hard times, Favor of God Ministries was not able to pay their 25 full-time and 40 part-time employees their November or December salaries.

Will you help?

We are believing that the Favor of God family here in the states will come together to provide not only November and December's payroll but also a surprise Christmas bonus for these precious families!

To be an answer to their prayers, send or drop off a check to:
Favor of God Ministries
6640 Calvin Ct
Riverside, CA 92506

In order for the funds to be received in Gulu before the staff leaves for their winter break next Friday, we need to wire the money by Tuesday, December 18th at 2pm ! So, please EMAIL us back with the amount you will give, then send or drop off your check right away! If you are interested in supporting Favor of God on an ongoing basis, print, complete, and mail the Contribution Form to the address on the form.

All our love,
The Favor of God family in Riverside, California