THURSDAY, 8/28/13
    Uganda God Cares Bible Camp Day Four

     Back to Camp, after hotel b/fast of pineapple, eggs, sausage, & bread.  Great sharing time at Devotions by Team today.

     Weather is overcast, yay,..cuts that amazing African sun,..right here on the Equator!!  Served b/fast to camp kids,..roll, tea, banana.  These kiddos only get 3 meals a day at Camp.  Many go days without food in the bush. 

     Got ready for Todays's Bible lesson for kids.  For Craft we will give each kid a marker & a clean white bandana.  They get to decorate it anyway they want, perhaps with a theme from their lessons, which are on the Fruits of the Spirit.  This is where they get very creative!!

   Facilitator/translator David with girls and their bandanas...

                 With girls & bandanas made at craft time.......

     My facilitator friend, Samuel,-who is a refugee from Congo,-has been an answer to our prayers for him.  Last time I saw him he was so lullen looking, & rarely talked.  He has seen more thanb you or I could even imagine.  God has answered our manyt prayers.  This year he has blossomed into a joyful young man.  I gave him a large wuitcase and some clothes,-including 2 shirts, 2 pants, socks, & t-shirts.  Thank you to all the Donors who make it possible to bless African kids.

     The bandana creating was really enjoyed by the kids.  Yes, pandemonium broke out now & then,..but hey,...This Is Africa!!!

    With friend and namesake, Rogers, at Uganda Bible Camp.....


     Later in morning we all worshipped together with Barrett & the Band.  The kids LOVE Praise & Worship time.

     Classic Africa Missions Moment:
     All of us walked about a mile with the entire Camp group to their soccer field,..for games.  Just arriving, we heard quite a commotion.  A young African asked me to come pray for a young girl who was manifesting with a demon.  God gave me strength to proceed.  Dave & Barrett were already there, and I joined in praying with them and the Africans for her deliverance!   The whole thing seemed so surreal to us Americans,..except that I had seen this many times in my childhood in the Congo.  After much prayer, she calmed down, and was able to sleep.  The girl, who will remain unnamed, is a house worker for someone, and from a Muslim family,..who are also into witchcraft.  God is good, and powerful over all.  Later that day,..she came to Bible Camp, all cleaned up,...and, wanting to tell us 'thank you' for helping her!  God is so good.  She was accepted into the Camp,..fed, watered, and loved on.  Neither Barrett, Dave, or myself had 'done' anything,..it was ALL GOD!!!

Wagezz(Rogers)African name

WEDNESDAY, 8/28/13, God Cares Camp, Kampala, Ugand

     Tuesday nite I got to use the Team cell phone for a 2-3 minute call to my fiance, Linda, In texas.  Fun,,, & so good to hear her voice!!  Last year my International Phone turned out to be wayt too expensive,..so this Ugand MNTN cell phone is a much better option,-even for Internatinal calling.  It works out to a little over $1/minute, which is MUCH cheaper that that International phone was last year-:).  Even 3 minutes or so of hearing from a loved one is sweet!

     Served b/fast, did Praise/Worship, then today's Bible lesson on Fruits of the Spirit.

     Next came prepping for the clothes distribution, jewelry distribution, & shoe distribution. Things were divided into two rooms by size & genbder.  One smaller for the boys, while a larger room for the girls.  The distribution took over 2 hours.  Ladies work with girls, and guys with guys, & I distribute jewelry.  Thanks certainlty go to Kerusso, INc., Ark, USA, & GTLuscombe, Inc. Chicago, IL, & various individual donors for their WONDERFUL donations!!  Approx 620- kids were brought a great deal of joy, thank yous, & smiles.  As I always say,...'helping Uganda's children,....one at a time!"

                  Distributing GTLuscombe Scripture Pens in Uganda God Cares School/Orphanage

                   Scripture Pens for kiddos!!.....

       Distributing Kerusso, Inc. Jewelry to Orphan, with Brandy,-Team Member

With 10 yr. old girls at God Cares School/Orphanage in Uganda, Africa


 After the distributions we served them rice, poshu(a local mix of flower & water), & meat.  The sunb shone bright & bHOT while we served kids, teachers, & leaders,-all outside.  Had barely enough today to serve them all....

    As planned, at 3pm our Team went to our hotel for some much needed R&R!!  At 5pm, our bus took us downtown for a dinner "out".  We returned to hotel Stallion by 9pm.  All of us were ready to sleep.  We will now be ready to serve the final two full days of Camp,....

   Classic Africa Mission Trip MOments
     At the downtown restaurant in Kampal, I couldn't help but remember eatingv there with the Buyamba California group last year.  On a whim I decided to try to fdind Wifi on my cell while at the restaurant.  Yes, I told the Team,..there IS Wifi.  The joke was on me,..as my phone was the ONLTY one that could not connecxt to their Wifi-:(-:(

   Wagezz(Rogers)African name

TUESDAY, 8/26,13, GOD CARES CAMP, DAY TWO:

     After a long but exhilarating day at Camp on MOnday, we returned to the Hotel around 10pm.  Went straight to bed.  Sweet, sweet sleep!!

     Today's Classic Mission Trip story:
      One of my U.S. vendors, Kerusso, Inc., had donated 60 nice cross necklaces to give out in Uganda.  I decided it would be a good idea to give them to the Camp's Small Group Class Facilitators/Translators.  These men & ladies often watch American groups like ours hand out a bunch of stuff to the kids,..while on one reall consiers the 27 Facilitator/Translators.  So, as I handed out the jewelty to them a strange thing happend, - strange that is, unless you grew up in Africa as I did!!!  Thge '27' facilitators swelled to 60!!!  As I love to say, This is Africa!!

         Team Leader, Dave Schmille, napping on bare mattress, God Cares Orphanage/School

      Team Worship Leader, Barrett Snare, napping on bare mattress, God Cares Orphanage/School.

                          Myself,  napping on hard cement floor, with suitcase for headrest...



I'm amazed at the high energy level of activity along Kampala's maibn thoroughfares.  Woe, & it lasts deep into the nbight.  I'm tired & headed to bed.

     Our leader, Dave, announced that due to our long daytime hours, we will leave Camp tomorrow, Wednesday, at 3pm, for a break We'll make a trip to downtown Kampalam for shopping & a nicer dinner.  YAY, Dave!!

Wagezz(Rogers)African name

MONDAY, 8/26, 2013 God Cares Bible Camp:
     Up early at the Hotel Stallion.  Had some quiet time,m tthen b/fast: pineapple, white bread, Nescafe Instant coffee, some kind of egg filled with 'something', and then short sharing of devotions with Team.

    

     Hotel Stallion, Kampala, Uganda,....OOPS, no Wifi, and no hot water!!  This is Africa!!

     Off to Camp at 7;15am.  Served b/fast to children, thenn praise/worship.  While kids were in small group devotions we prepared for our MOnday Lesson & Crafts for the kids.  They are divided into groups by age,..about 100 in a group.  Ours had 10 year olds.  Pretty roudy, but lots of fun.

     After Lesson time, the older kids were sent to something new this ytear: Sex Education.  Pastor Irene brought a good presentation of issues like abuse, HIV, STD's, and so on.  The kids were very aattentive, & were encouraged to turn in personal questions to Pastor Irene.  Some of their issues were UNBELIEVABLE!!

    Lunchtime, and rain,..in between HOT sun!!  Several of Team watched a cow being slaughterd for dinner tonite,..interesting,..This IS Africa!!

    Afternoons were sports, siesta, small groups, & hanging out with kids.  They love to talk, look at our pictures on phones, & tablets, and to laugh.  They also rub our arms/legs to see if our color comes off,  And, our body hair, too.

    The cow took a LONG time to cook,..so Supper was served after dark, & outside, by flashlights.  Fortunately, no children were burned.

     After dinner is Worship time.  All the kids were PUMPED UP & READY!!  When our worship pastor Barrett took the stage with his guitar,..the 600+ kids went NUTS!!!   Words cannot describe it.  Calling it a Rock Concert isn't reallty good enough.  The so-called Mosh Pit in fr9on of the stage filled with dancing, praising, yellin, swirling kids.  What a rush to join them in going craxy, pra8ising the Lord.  As for me, it was a long time since I'd danced, sang, & praised like that.

     About 9pm, we boarded the bus to the hotel,..To bed & sweet dreams.  5:30am comes early

Wagezz(Rogers)African name

SUNDAY, 8/25/13, KAMPALA, UGANDA
     Up early and ready for church at Pastor Dongo's Kabalagala Pentecostal Church, in Kampala.  Our driver picked us up at 7:45 am for the short ride to church.  This was a BIG day.  One of our Team member, Jena, is announcing her engagement to one of Pastor Dongo's sons, Godfrey, at the end of today's service.  Our team of 16 have been asked to dress up and stand up with Jena during the ceremony, as her family.  (Her American family could not come). 

     In Uganda the Engagement Introduction is a BIG DEAL!!   Lots of happiness, joy, dressing up, singing, dancing, and even a party!  The ceremony itself includes even exchanging of rings,..but the actual Wedding ceremony takes place at a later time.  To us Americans the Intro is just about like a wedding.  What joy filled the faces of Godfrey, Jena, the Africans and our Team!

     The actual announcement/introduction by Pastor Dongo of his son, Godfrey & Jena!

      Exchanging Engagement Rings..

After church we ate at another of our favorite places in Uganda called Chicken Tonite.  It is a rudimentary fast food chicken place.  They have drinks and fried chicken with chips or fries.  While there a downpour arrived with sheets of rain, lightning, & thunder!  We had to wait it out about 2 hours, since we were a mile's walk from our hotel.

     2pm found us all at the God Cares Primary School campus, along with the 600+ kids waiting for a ride to the Camp Campus, at the HIgh School across town.  The process took almost 4 hrs., with numerous trips.  We just hung out and renewed old friendships, and made new ones, too.

     Finally, late Sunday pm, we were able to see the end of the line heading for Camp.  So, we piled our gazzillion bags into God Cares' bus,..then shoved ourselves into the remaining seats or spaces, take your pick.  Trip to God Cares High School took around 2 hrs. thru gridlocked traffic.  Move over Los Angeles!!

     Arrived at Camp to a Rock Star-like reception, 600+ kids, screaming our names, yelling, beating on the bus & rushing the doors!!!  Each of us could only jump into a sea of smiling, squealing faces.  Hugs, kisses, more hughs, & more kisses.  What a tumultuous welcome!!  "If this doesn't raise your heartbeat, you'd better check to make sure you have one!", I remarked to our Team.  This too, is Africa!!

     Camp looked like mass organised confusion.  We hung out with the kids, ...these kids remembering EVERY word one speaks,..so we had to stay on our toes!!!-:)

                  The crush of exuberant Campers.....
After a long day we said goodbye and headed back to our hotel nearby.  Another rock star moment broke out!!  ALL of us had to run the gauntlet to make it to our bus.

     Upon arriving at the Hotel Stallion,-on the outskirts of Kampala, -we found it better, with nbicer rooms, BUT one major issue for us "connected" Americans, NO WIFI!!  Oh the anxst, and the gnashibng of teeth among the Team!!  Ovviously, we'll live with it, oh, hot water is a rarity too This is Africa.

     We setled gratgefully into our beds, after a long Sundayt.

Amazing Mission Story:
     As our Team was trapped in a HOT bus, crawling thru Kampala traffic,..we became, shall we say, just a bit testy!!  Finding our bus surrounded by people on foot, or motbikes, we were gthe target of requests for anything & everything.  One of our veteran, most loved Team mebers grabbged a Pop Tart from her pack & gave it to a man outside her window,..with the word, "God Cares!".  Mission Teams being Mission Teams, that little interaction led to a great series of one-liners throughout the Team.  Our laughter at the irony of the Americans in a God Cares bus, giving a man a Pop Tart kep us laughing for days.  Go figure,..-:)

Wagezz(Rogers) African name

SATURDAY, 8/24/13, ARRIVING IN UGANDA

     Arrived into Entebbe airport at about 10:45pm local time,..after nearly 20 hours of flying.  Cleared customs, and found that all of our Ministry Bags (35) had arrived but one.  Met Pastor Dongo and his sweet wife, Florence,..and our bus driver, Samuel.  Great to renew old friendships. 

     After piling all our belongings and ourselves into a 35 passenger bus, we headed out for the 45 minute drive from Entebbe to Kampala,..and the Olympia Hotel,-we generously call it the "Hollywood Hilton".  Upon arrival came the task of putting us all into rooms at the hotel.  A couple rooms had only a double bed,..so one set of men had to sleep in the same bed the first night.  My roommate, Ken, and I were fortunate to get a twin bed put up in our room.  So, we slept alone-:)  Room was adequate,..but often no electricity, nor hot water.  We all have brought power converters so we could charge our devices while sleeping.  Got to bed around 3am,..and had to get up at 6 for Pastor Jackson to take Ken & I to a bush church he leads, about 3 hrs. drive away.  We went to preach and to deliver clothing, shoes, and jewelry to about 120 orphans there. 

     On the way to Ntunda in the bush, we were joined by Suzanne, and African lady who works in the office of the President Museveni,..the President of Uganda.  She loves to volunteer her help with the orphans.
Trip was a huge blessing,......to the kids, pastor, and to US.   After a lunch of rice, greens, mystery meat, we drove back to Hotel Olympia, to rejoin our group.  All of us went to one of our local eateries there,. called The Bistro.  We lovingly call this place "The International House of Tilapia",..because they have a great tilapia dish on the menu.  Finally, we were back at the hotel for the evening.

     This time the Wifi is actually working,..PTL.  So, many of us spent time FaceTiming, Skyping, Vibering, and other means of calling our loved ones in America.  There is an 8 hr. time difference,..so sometimes we end up waking them up on the other end of the line.  It is so good just to hear their voices.

       With Pastor Jackson in the Ugandan bush, at his church.,..one of the orphans, too

            Giving out jewelry to orphan kids, after service....

      Greeting the Bush church gathering,...

     Team partner, Ken, preaching in bush church.

Such a blessing to see all these wonderful people again.  This is Africa!!

Wagezz (Rogers) African name

Journey to Africa, 2013
   Back home & bringing y'all up to date on Uganda Mission Trip:

FRIDAY, 8/23/13:
 Closing in on Entebbe, Uganda,..our final destination. 
     But first we must stop at Kigali, Rwanda,..we are now about 2 hours to go to Kigali, Rwanda, on KLM 0535.  On our way into Entebbe, Uganda, and then to Kampala, Uganda.  Mission trip to God Cares School & Orphanage,..to present week long Bible Camp to nearly 700 kids.  This is an annual event, and a highlight of our CrossTimbers Church Mission Team.  We'll stop at Kigali, for an hour, then fly about 45 minutes to Entebbe.

     This leg of the 20 hrs of flying has been harder on me.  For some reason I started aching all over, & a low grade fever.  Might have been because there was no sleeping on the first overnite flight we took.  The family with 4 babies kept us all awake...-:( 

     Into that setting came a picture in my mind of my fiancee, Linda-:)!  With her picture came the thought of the Advil she had packed for me,...so, I took 3 tablets, chased with lots of water and orange juice. That combo, plus sweet thoughts helped me to sleep hard for about 4 hours.  Now, I'll sleep the remaining 3 hrs., PTL.  I feel much better, too.

                             Trying to sleep on KLM overnite flight 9535 Amsterdam to Entebbe
                             185 of my tunes playing in my headset to soothe me..

Wagezz,...(Rogers-African name)