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2019 Uganda Mission - Day 8

10/13/2019

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As we wrap up our last day, we feel overjoyed to have accomplished this mission and helped so many people.
​

Thanks to your donations, we were able to give 7200 mosquito nets, 7200 prescriptions, 625 glasses, 400 toothbrushes and 200 toothpastes.

The most common diseases and health issues that we target and that people suffer from are Malaria, Chest infections, Diarrhea, hypertension, skin infections, parasites, Tubercolosis, sickle cell in babies and Typhoid. Ulcers are also common as many people can only afford one meal a day, usually eating a root called cassava.

In addition, HIV and AIDS are very present, 2 million of people are infected and there is 7% of new infections every year. Our doctors were able to test for HIV. 

A big issue here is that public hospitals, who often treat HIV and AIDS, are underfunded and corrupt. Private clinics get prescriptions from the hospital and then resell the medicine at prices far too high for local communities to afford.

As today was our last day, we had an enormous crowd, it was our record-breaking day. Aidah, our host, managed very well and helped us reach as many children and sick people as possible. We try to not let anyone go home without seeing the doctor, but its impossible to reach everyone. We still served the majority of people who came, giving over 1350 prescriptions. The work done by the doctors, nurses and translators was phenomenal. They worked from 9 to 5 with no breaks except for lunch. 

The team did a great job. The prayer tent was packed and God was definitively working through us.
We were all tired but as Greg said in his devotional, we finished the race strong.

Our last day was magical. We danced with some of the kids to “Mama Africa”. Our amazing youth pastor and translator, Isaac Israel, taught us the African dances. In exchange, we taught them the Macarena! 

This year was the first year we did the children’s ministry. Lorine, Becca and Michael really got to connect with the children. A highlight of the day was when some girls came back from the first church to see us and dance with us. Later, Lorine and they had a conversation where they taught Eteso to Lorine and she taught them French. One of the girls asked if we could see the Sun in the US. That was quite cute and funny! 

We gave these people some comfort and care but what they gave us is more than we could ever imagine...These people have a light in their eyes, a tender soul and are filled with gratitude for any help from their “American friends” as they called us.

As we leave them, we leave a part of ourselves with them in Africa. We hope to come back next year to build new relationships and give what we can. It’s difficult to express how much these people touch our hearts and change our lives. Their kindness and grace is contagious. You never come back the same when you come back from Mama Africa!

Lorine and Nathalie
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2019 Uganda Mission - Day 7

10/12/2019

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Good morning COTHA!

I’m the third newbie on this trip.  I’ve become known as the old guy who can’t hear. It’s been a bit tough trying to understand their English since tend to speak so softly. I’m managing however. 

God put it on my heart for a very long time to come on a mission trip to Uganda but I never felt that I could leave my business for that long.  We began our day with breakfast, prayer and devotion (led by Becca).   Then we set out on a very rough road to minister to our third church.  I’ve hunted on ranches in Texas and fished off roads on Utah Indian reservations that were smoother than these roads.  The Soroti road authority has a very nice building along the route but I doubt anyone is there because no one is working on the roads.

We arrived at the church about an hour later to be greeted by a large group of people. They seemed very happy we were there.  My usual duty in the morning since the start of our trip has been to distribute mosquito nets.  That’s where I started this morning . We have this lovely Ugandan lady named Jennifer that runs the show.  We have become very good friends.  It will be very sad to leave her smiling face when we start home. It’s been interesting to watch the people come with a somber face to get there nets and when I hand the net to them I say “may God bless you”.  It’s hard to describe the smile that comes across their face.  I always get a thank you or God bless you to.  I’ve participated in all duties except the kids programs.  We have left that to Becca, Micheal and Lorine.  

It is definitely out of my comfort zone to pray over some one.  I’ve prayed for Holy Spirit to guide and direct me in what to say.  Of course, he’s all over it.  It seemed in the beginning that I knew what I wanted to say but it just wouldn’t come out.  It finally happened today.  I looked forward to it instead of being scared out of my mind.  The experience has been extremely satisfying.

I’ve counted pills directed by my other new friend Esther Ruth. She sings some very beautiful songs for us as we work. I’ve helped with fitting glasses on our friends as well. It’s fun to watch the expression on their face when things are suddenly clear for them. 

I’ve found the Ugandan people to be very appreciative of what we are doing for them. I’ve been impressed at how respectful they are, especially the women and young ladies. The young teenage boys can sometimes be a handful but Becca has done a super job with all the kids.

Today we handed out 1070 mosquito nets.  The doctors saw 1273 patients.  We wrapped things up late afternoon after a long hot day and headed back to our hotel on that same rough road we came on this morning.  We will return tomorrow morning to do it all over again before some of us come home.  Another group of us are going on a two day safari before we head home on Wednesday.  I have dearly loved being here serving these wonderful beautiful people, and looking forward to the return trip next year.

Phil Staley
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2019 Uganda Mission - Day 6

10/10/2019

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Exhausted! Long day at the church and a long, bumpy, hot, one-hour ride in each direction, but I should probably start at the beginning. 

It was a typical day with breakfast at 7:00, devotion at 7:45 and on the road at 8:00.   Lorine did the devotion on Proverbs 16:9 and talked about God’s plans vs our plans and shared some personal testimony.   Becca prayed and then we separated into two teams headed in different directions. Becca, Michael, Nathalie and Lorine were scheduled to go to Soroti Primary Development School and the remainder of the team began the hour-long trek to the church. 

As a side note, this is the same school that Pastor Morris attended as a child. Currently the school has a student body of 1,000 children but only 800 were present today as it was market day and some of the kids had gone to market with their families. When the team arrived, the children had a program planned which included singing the National Anthem of East Africa and the National Anthem of Uganda. The headmaster also gave a speech.   Michael and Becca gave a short teaching on Creation to Salvation and also taught the children a new song.  The team then handed out 800 mosquito nets! 
 
So, we need to back up a little bit before relating the other reason why the team went to the school. Last year when Nathalie was on mission with us in Lira, she had several conversations with the nurses and found out that most teenage girls in Uganda miss multiple days of school each month due to a lack of feminine hygiene products (sorry, is this too risqué for church?). I will say that each time we say those three words, it makes Lee blush, sooo, we say it a lot.   Anyway, God put it on Nathalie’s heart to do something to help. After the mosquito nets were distributed, all the students were dismissed except the girls (200 girls).  A three-month supply of feminine hygiene products was given to each girl (in a black plastic bag) with the promise of additional supplies to be provided every three months for an entire year. I can’t tell you what a huge difference this will make for these girls. 
 
The school team rejoined us at the church around noon. We all rotated through the various “jobs” at the church again, counting pills, handing out mosquito nets, praying/evangelizing, testing for reading glasses, etc.  It was a long day and we didn’t arrive back at the hotel until 6:30 pm. 
 
Some stats for the day:
# patients seen:  1,375
# nets distributed:  1,200 at church/800 at school
# flies in outhouse:  uncountable put close to one million
 
Some words/terms I learned this week:
Smoky vision – can’t see far away
Irish – means potatoes
Somehow – used the way we would say somewhat or kinda. 
 
Debbie
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2019 Uganda Mission - Day 5

10/9/2019

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Here’s the second “newbie” in the group...Let me first thank God for giving me the courage and will to join the mission group to Uganda. Also, thanks to my husband for encouraging me. Believe me, after being married for 48 years, I have not even visited my parents without Desmond by my side.

At first when I was assigned to do this blog I was a bit reluctant because I’ve never done this kind of thing before, but with God all things are possible. (Mark 14:36) I have been to many parts of the world but Africa has been in my heart for the longest time.

Today is the third day of our mission. We started the day with morning prayer and devotions lead by Natalie from Isaiah 61:1 referring to people with addictions. Then we started our journey around 8:30 to a second school in a rural area. It took us 45 minutes to get there. Oh boy, that was a bumpy road.

The place was already packed when we got there and it was nice to see how our team got together and had the place ready in no time. We had 8 booths for doctors to see patients. One station to distribute glasses and another to distribute worm tablets and 1000 mosquito nets. We had a booth for prayer and counseling, and a pharmacy in the van to distribute medicine. There were about 1000 people including children.

I’ve noticed that so many children only have a mother to rely on, yet she has no income. This is a major problem since every family has at least 5 to 6 kids who have never even seen a doctor.

We had lots people coming up for prayer and I had two of them who are suicidal. I felt like their problems and temptations were similar to ours, but if they only knew God, things could be different.

​I ask for your continued prayers that our discipleship will make a long lasting impact on these lives. Thank you to all of our donors for your generosity, you are making a difference. It was a tiring but impactful day, and we are seeing God’s hand at work! God Bless and good night!

From Ewena Goonesekera
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2019 Uganda Mission - Day 4

10/8/2019

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Hello, COTHA! We just completed Day 2 of our first church which is where we worshiped on Sunday. One of the pastors we worked with last year shared that one of the boys with a critical leg injury last year that required surgery is doing great and back at school. His parents are eternally grateful. The donations from COTHA made that happen. With your support lives are saved and improved.

We started the day taking Houston weather with us as it was hot and the crowds were really large. Our team was completed today as Nathalie and Lorine made it to the mission trip. It is a blessing to others to have such a large team as 12 of us are working now.

With the large team we are out praying more and teaching scripture and worship. This church and area have a large number of children. Becca and Lorine took out soccer balls and the kids loved kicking the ball around. Awty International donated coloring books that Lorine brought. Becca, Lorine and Michael tried giving out pages of the books for them to color. To say it was challenging for the kids to understand that we had enough for all of them would be an understatement. It became untenable and Becca and Lorine moved the coloring to the church where the kids were waiting for the doctor.

In the afternoon Becca taught the kids dance moves to the songs we use at COTHA and they picked them up quickly. The children are really good at dancing and praising Christ through song. They plugged Becca’s phone into their system to play the songs. The children here are scriptually advanced and were testing Michael and Becca yesterday and Sunday.

Today, Michael and Becca were able to teach the children and young adults. There was a teenage girl asking why Absalom killed his brother which became a scripture lesson on 2nd Samuel Chapter 13 with age appropriate kids.

Vicky and Ewena were on the prayer team that brought a woman to Christ. They said you could see the Holy Spirit really change her. The woman had 7 children and none of them had ever seen a doctor before today. They also prayed for a young lady who had numbness on one side of her body.

Lee and Doug prayed for a woman who is taking care of someone’s baby because the mom had died and dad was in prison. The baby is doing well. The doctors treated 965 today and we gave away 1000 nets. Tomorrow we head to a new church that is in the bush about an hour away.

​Micheal Thompson

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2019 Uganda Mission - Day 3

10/7/2019

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We’ve just completed our first official day in the mission field, and I have to say it was nothing like I expected. To be fair, I’m not sure what I expected. But I am a HUGE planner, and I did my best to prepare as much as possible for this week of mission work. I packed and repacked. Asked way too many questions - about what to wear, what to prepare, what will our jobs be, where will we stay...and the entire team was so helpful with answering my many questions.

So in my mind, I was as prepared as I could be for what God had in store. But how does the saying go? God laughs when we make plans? Yeah that sounds about right. The statement made already half a dozen times this trip is “Well, that’s never happened!”

God most definitely has His hand in this trip. We are just following His plan, and it is so incredibly humbling to recognize our minuscule part in this mission. Don’t get me wrong. I am beyond grateful to be called to serve in this capacity. Not many people have the opportunity to serve half way around the world. But this is His trip.

Our devotion this morning solidified this - Debbie shared the verse on her heart this morning before we set out for the Church in Soroti. It was from John 15:4-7. And her devotion read: “I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you have only vague ideas about it. You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey. However, there is a better way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today.” Indeed.

I’m one of the “newbies” on the trip, so the team asked me to share some of my observations with fresh eyes. This country is beautiful. The people are beautiful. They are wise and humble and so solid in their knowledge of the Word.

Do you know what the biggest prayer requests from the children were today? They did not ask for new clothes (theirs were threadbare) or food to eat (I did not see them eat all day besides the fruit off the trees) or shoes for their feet (they had none). They asked for God to help them be humble and wise. For wisdom and humility. Talk about a sobering moment.

These babies were asking to be more humble. So as I sit here reflecting on our first day of mission work, I can honestly confirm what all other missionaries know: I will never be the same.

We handed out 1000 nets, the Ugandan doctors and nurses served over 800 patients, and we prayed for 125 people - 75 of those children. Thank you, God, for the opportunity to serve You in this capacity. And thank You for all of our blessings.

​Becca Rivas
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2019 Uganda Mission - Day 2

10/7/2019

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​Wow, what a day!  Your team met for breakfast at our hotel in Soroti, gathered for our morning devotional (today led by Karen and focused on the opportunity and importance of witnessing), and then departed for church services quite close to the hotel.  And what a beautiful church!  Spectacular landscaping, a finished cement floor, additional buildings and the sound of close to 200 voices singing.  They greeted us warmly and we sat on the front row.  

Soon we separated for our separate duties.  The women met in the pastor’s home (on premises) and Mama Ida led the discussion.  She spoke about the 4 types of testimony: What our neighbors say about us? What we say about our selves? What God says about us? What Satan says about us? Debbie, Ewena, Karen and Vickie are still raving about the lesson.

Becca and Michael took the children into the Parish Hall for what must have been a fun-filled hour.  Becca estimated about 120 kids, infants through age 15.  These kids, in the opinion of our team, are well-schooled and asked great questions.  The Adam and Eve puppets, the globe, songs and hand actions and a parachute augmented the lessons. It was so fun to watch the children rush to hug Becca and Michael when we left the church; clearly, both our team and the children made an impression on each other.

The men remained in the church and Lee, Phil and Greg led a lesson focused on Proverbs and how we act.  The men, both our team and the local men, agreed that regardless of nationality, race or age, ‘men are men’.  Imagine the challenge of giving marital advise to Uganda men you’ve just met!  A bond was struck and the sincerity of their thanks to us confirmed that God was in control and our words made an impact.

All returned to church and the service began with the choir singing and about 25 children dancing.  For quite awhile.  No, for a long time.  Seriously, singing and dancing for about 40 minutes!  The faces and the voices of these children will last forever in our minds.  

Presentations and prayers led to the day’s sermon, delivered by ‘Father’ Doug.  His discussions from Mathew 7, ending with the Golden Rule, were both well-delivered as well as well-received.  We are excited to see Doug’s new career as a man of the cloth unfold.

We’ve returned to the hotel and are mindful that as we sit here, separating medicines, toothpaste and tooth brushes, you our church family have gathered for church services in Katy.  (Becca sent a text message to Alex, just to see if he’d respond, and we’re so happy to note that he DOESN’T monitor his cell phone during the service!). We miss you but feel your prayers supporting us as we begin our week.  Tomorrow begins our medical mission, 2 days at the church we attended today, and we’re ready for the long days ahead.  It’s rainy season here, a storm approaching as I type.  

Finally, a comment on the team.  Three ‘newbies’ here now with another arriving tomorrow, 4 people over the age of 70, staff, vestry, congregation members, introverts and extroverts, but hand-picked by God and bound together in excitement and commitment.  We’ve already had tears, matched by laughter, praise and concern, plenty of African tea, licorice and snack bars, swarms of mosquitoes and the biggest beetle you’ve ever seen!  There’s fun and love here; we hope Uganda is ready for us.

Yeah God!!

Lee Stranathan
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2019 Uganda Mission - Day 1

10/7/2019

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The team arrived safely after almost 2 days of travel.  We are in Soroti in northern central part of Uganda.   The hotel has proven to be a nice home for the coming week.

We first want to thank everyone for their prayers and financial support.  We exceeded our goal of $50000.  Your generosity will enable us to visit not only 3 chuches and their villages but also a school of nearly a thousand students.   God has opened so many hearts we know he will be doing great things this week.  

We arrived in Entebbe at about 11 pm and were in our hotel by midnight.   Yeah time for real sleep except we had to get up very early for a 7 am departure to drive about 7 more hours.  Drives like this are real opportunities for team building.  

The countryside is blessed with good rains so everything is green making for some beautiful views.  You still see lots of poverty but from 10 year view things seem to be improved.  Our first timers were astonished how impoverished some communities remain.  

We did stop in Mbale for lunch and visited the Covenant Bible College which supplies the pastors the the Eastern Africa Presbytery Churches.   They have a wonderful facilty that has about 45 students.  They are in the midst of building a dormitory and dining facilty to help lower the cost of going to the college as well as meet new government standards for their certification.   The project is moving forward but has struggled with rising costs and schedule slip.  Sounds like one of my projects. You can get more info on their website. 

Morris and Aida send their love and best wishes to Holy Apostles and all the others who are supporting us.

Until tomorrow may grace and peace be with you.

​Doug Eisele
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Uganda Mission - Saturday, October 13

10/13/2018

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Today we wrapped up our last day of the mission in Dokolo and had a record-breaking day. When we turned down the dirt road we saw lots of people heading in the direction we were going, they were all walking towards the church. We pulled up and saw a mass amount of people, already lined up and waiting. Doctors saw over 1,600 patients and we passed out 1,000 nets. It makes us feel accomplished that we did what we came to do, but at the same time we realize how much more help is needed. Malaria is still a major threat here and unfortunately we are unable to give assistance to everyone, which is heartbreaking. Tuberculosis is also heavily diagnosed and sickle cell in babies. Doctors were able to test for HIV and other infections that are crucial to containing in the population. Ulcers are common as many people can only afford one meal a day, usually eating a root called, cassava. Because people can not afford to finish their homes, they have to build huts which makes for unsanitary living conditions and introduces common illnesses. Mother’s who are widowed or abandoned are helpless and left to watch over the kids, often with no way to make a living. The situation is dire, but these people have a light in their eyes, a tender soul, and are filled with gratitude for any help. 

Even though it seems like we barely left a dent, we made a difference in many lives and we can still do more. This week we saw 9,000 people, gave out 6,000 nets and over 6,000 medications. The prayer tent was busy and God was definitely working through us. The six of us are fired up and already thinking of ways to make more of an impact next year. This mission can not be done without generous donations from you all and ask that you consider donating again for our next trip to Uganda. Little by little, we can make a difference, and it starts with funding, the rest we can handle. 

Thank you for following along on our journey. 
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Uganda Mission - Friday, October 12

10/12/2018

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Today was our first day at our last church in Uganda.  The church was located in Dokolo and was almost an hour’s drive from the hotel.  The pastor is brand new to the church and Mama Aidah said he has absolutely nothing, so she is providing some food for his family and we are donating some of our clothes for his wife. 

Michael is having some major allergy problems so we let him slide on prayer duty today, but he did work nets all day.   We have had so many people come to Christ and/or recommit their lives to Christ this week that it is just amazing.   As usual we went out in teams of two and rotated off every few hours.  Natalie and Doug prayed for a young woman today whose husband abandoned her.  She has twins and no means of support, no food and soon, no place to live.   She has been staying with her sister who now wants her to leave. I would love to say that this scenario is the exception.  But unfortunately, it is not.  We hear this day after day.  Men leave their wives and children and go to live with a new “wife.”  We can only offer prayer that God will provide for and protect them.    

It’s interesting that Catholics and Anglicans are not considered believers here.  Pastor Apollo was praying with Karen and I today and he said there are two camps in the Anglican Church.  Those who just go to church every week and those who have actually trusted in Christ.  When we asked people if they were believers and they said yes and they went to the Anglican Church, Pastor Apollo would ask them which “camp” they were in and we would pray/evangelize accordingly.  Pastor Apollo pulls no punches when counseling during our prayer sessions.

We handled out 1,000 nets today (would have been more but we only take 1,000 with us each day) and approximately 130 pairs of reading glasses.  The doctors saw 1,081 patients.   I had a gentleman come up for reading glasses today and after we tried every strength of glasses we had, we found out he was blind.  We told him reading glasses were not going to help him. 😊  

Another man approached us for glasses and when I looked at his eyes they had cataracts so bad that they appeared white.  I told him we did not have what he needed but he insisted on trying on glasses.  We went through several strengths and I again had to tell him we could not help him and he sadly went away. 

Tomorrow we are back to Dokolo for our last day of mission.  As usual, the last day is a little bittersweet, and I can’t speak for anyone else, but I am tired and can’t wait to get home.  
​

An interesting aside:  our driver has begun parking our van each evening in the dining room where we eat dinner.  Kind of amusing.  Attaching a picture.
 
Debbie Blank
Picture
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Church of the Holy Apostles
1225 West Grand Parkway South
Katy, TX 77494
info@cotha.org • 281-392-3310

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Sundays 8:00 and 10:30

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