Family & Friends!!!

We are thrilled to write this letter to update you that we will be returning to Uganda in January of 2016! Just typing that sentence brings so much excitement and allows a little bit more of the reality to sink in! When Matt Mooney, the director of the non-profit organization, 99balloons, asked us to lead the team, we were humbled, ecstatic, and really just couldn’t imagine saying no. We had already expressed to one another that we deeply desired to return to Ekisa, the special needs orphanage in Uganda, we just didn’t realize it would be this soon and that we would be given the honor to lead a group.

 Unlike our last trip to Africa, where we went to Kenya and Uganda, this trip will be solely focused on Ekisa and the community in Uganda. The trip is from January 8th thru January 18th and the team will consist of a few familiar faces as well as some newcomers. The week that we spend in Ekisa will be the week that the children are out of school and they have requested that a “day camp” time be set up by our team. Ryan will play a large role in leading the day-campers. Andrea will have the privilege, again to do some counseling with staff members, people in the community, and be there as a support for the needs of the team and whoever God brings on our path. 

                The two founders of Ekisa, also known as “the Emilys” came to the United States recently for a time of rejuvenation and healing. The work at Ekisa and what these ladies and their staff do is indescribable. Getting to hear updates from Emily and Emily was such a blessing and so encouraging to hear of the growth that has happened in the lives of these precious children with disabilities. But the needs are still so profound. Our team will bring physical therapists, day-camp volunteers, a nurse, photographers, and as we compile this letter, more are applying to join this trip.

                Right now as I, Andrea, sit here and type, I can’t help but be so overwhelmed that God has asked us to participate in something so remarkable…to see the joy of these children’s faces during the day camp is like nothing we have ever experienced. To have so little, to be considered so low, so meaningless, but to fully feel the joy of the Lord…that is what you see in these kids’ smiles. Wow. God in His amazing, amazing mercy, has reached into our home and said, “no, I don’t NEED you, but I WANT you…on this journey.” We are blessed when we are called to bless.