Good evening, ladies!

We are less than 6 months aways from our trip! There is so much that goes into just one trip. This means tons of details, which can quickly become overwhelming. Many details will not be known until closer to time for various reasons. For this reason, information will roll out to you in section, as it applies or becomes available. A big part of traveling in Africa is flexibility and patience and that starts with the planning. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move through this together!

So, first thing...ticket are purchased! We will be departing Atlanta at 5:53pm EST on Friday January 22, 2016. Those of you who will be flying in can go ahead and look for flights. Your arrival time will need to b e at least 4 hours prior (2 pm EST) to our departure time. Those driving will need to arrive at the same time so please allow time for traffic! We will get together/organized, check in for our flight, and then eat lunch together. We will arrive back in Atlanta on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 1:05pm. It is strongly suggested to allow at least 3 hours after our arrival time. This will be to allow plenty of time to get back through customs, say proper goodbyes, and have plenty of time to make it to your next gate. 

Next up is luggage. This will be a short but VERY sweet trip, so as with our last trip, everything you will need for the week will be packed into your carry on and your personal item. PLEASE make sure that your carry on meets airline standards BEFORE you get to the airport! We will be carrying containers with supplies, two per person. I will post details on the group trip page with details later as I get more information on what we will be packing in each. There is a 50 lb. weight limit per container. Those flying will be responsible for costs in getting them to Atlanta. These costs will be reimbursed to you. You will turn in your receipts for these costs to me upon arrival in Atlanta.

I know that packing has come up already so I will briefly touch on that. For all trips for clinic or into a village, skirts (just below the knee or longer) are required to maintain cultural respect. I recommend long skirts so you can bend and squat as needed without having to worry about anything showing. Your should be modest: nothing low cut or revealing and at least three fingers width for sleeveless shirts. Pants for town or around the Guesthouse are acceptable. There will be more detailed information on everything you will need to pack in the Trip Guide you will receive soon.

Before we get to execute any of this stuff, your paperwork is required. Please have your basic information forms (no scanning required) completed no later than September 15. All forms requiring scanning/notarization should be completed by October 15. Yellow Fever immunization (This is NOT and optional vaccination. You can NOT get into Uganda without it.) and passport scanning are required no later than December 1. Please make sure you read each of these forms and understand them before you complete and submit them.

Last two things: First,I want to schedule two google hangouts, one in early November and one two weeks before we depart. Please email me (amy@solehope.org) with day of the week and time of day preferences for these sessions. Second (and last), this is the first time  Sole Hope has had a group entirely made up of Advocates traveling to Uganda. We serve a united in advocating for Sole Hope and I want this trip to be just as unified and on the same page when we travel. I will be sharing a monthly prayer focus each month leading up to the trip. This month's is Provision. 

August: Provision

For the rest of this month, I would love for us to focus on praying for God’s provision. We are two months into official fundraising for each of our own trips and at the same time Sole Hope is in the middle of a huge undertaking for new facilities in Uganda. God is Jehovah Jireh, our ultimate provider. Let’s focus together in thought and in prayer on this attribute of God. Cover this trip, both for you and your fellow Advocates, and Sole Hope’s Next Step project in prayer for provision for finances, materials, and people.

Scripture References: 1 Kings 17: 2-6, 1 Kings 17: 14, Matthew 17: 27, Matthew 6: 26, Psalm 37:4

As alway feel free to message or email me with ANY questions you may have!

In His love,
Amy