Greetings!
It has been awhile since the last blog post, but we are now preparing for our next trip to Uganda! This will take place June 2 - June 18, 2012. Several of our group have traveled to Uganda with a Park Place team before, but we also have several who have never experienced Africa. A few have never even ventured outside the United States. How exciting!!
We had an extended meeting Saturday morning that involved laughter, food, and a lot of information. Several of our group were missed, but many were able to join us at the home of Carma and Randy. Personally, it was my first real meeting with this team. It was nice to be with people I haven't seen in awhile. It was also nice to meet Ms. Sharon Davis... one of our most recent additions to the group. We also welcome Denise Kriebel. As of now, then, our group includes Carma Wood Hammel, Deb Breeden, Sandra Overstreet, Denise Kriebel, Sharon Davis, Sue Hammel, Shelby Cantley, Marvin Ginn, Laura Willowby, Kelsey Stiers, Joel Minnich, Chelsea Kulesa, and myself, Alex Hammel.
This meeting was especially important as we gave each person a focus area for our experiences at Kasubi school and the village. Joel, Carma, and Chelsea will be leading a Music Workshop at Kasubi. Laura and Sharon will be leading a Teachers Workshop. Marvin and Shelby are going to share their expertise on computers and technology. Denise and Sandra are looking forward to working in the Children of Promise Office and perhaps the library as well. As for the rest of us (Deb, Sue, Kelsey, and me)... we are going to do whatever we're told. :) This could include painting, working with kids at Kupona, playing soccer, leading a class, going on home visits, etc. We are all preparing, however, for the infinite flexibility that one must have in Africa. We are preparing for those opportunities that ask us to step out of our comfort zone... those opportunities that ask us to give more of ourselves than we thought possible. There is no way to truly be prepared. Therefore, we are in a perpetual state of preparation.
But there is One who is prepared. We can let go of that gripping fear that tells us what we can't do. "Everything is possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23
These are things I am thinking of right now as I prepare for my second trip to Uganda. I invite you to join us in this season of preparation. Walk alongside us (literally or figuratively) as we look forward to what God has in store for us. Thank you, Lord, for this amazing opportunity. Prepare our hearts to receive and accept the wonders You have planned.
Until next time,
Alex
