Friends and Family of the Uganda Traveler Team,

It is funny to me that there are guidelines for communication and electronics use for our teams that travel to Uganda. My understanding has always been that it is to help people focus on God's work, his whispers and what he wishes for us to see there, without all of our worldy distractions.

That is the PRIMARY reason but now I have a new reason------because 9 times out of 10, the communication just ain't gonna get here!!

So sorry for the long silence but I have been waiting for communication directly from the team. Keri got a new Blackberry loaded with everything needed to communicate with us so that we could pass along info. The info I have sent out so far was coming directly from our partner's staff at Mosaic Vision Ministries, who are coordinating the team's itinerary. Yesterday, after growing weary of waiting, I asked that they ask Keri if her phone was working. Well, lo and behold, she was e-mailing me but nothing was making it all the way here.

Long story short, after changing the battery on her phone, I received the following two e-mails in the last 12 or so hours.


DAY ONE: We say goodbye to compassion kids this am & many mosaic kids that stayed over.
Crazy night with amazing performances by kids led by ezra & damari. There is
deep bonding between sponsors & kids now after years of visits and even new
sponsorships. Trudies kids clung to her like life itself and Emily was beautiful
w/Rose :) (received 9:23 PM Monday)

TRANSLATION AND EMBELLISHMENT BY ME: Everything is going as scheduled. They also visited the Child Survival Program on Monday AM and Keri texted that it was a powerful visit. Mothers and children being cared for and are grateful to know that our church is so committed to them. In the afternoon, Keri refers to the sponsored children visits. This was the time that people were able to visit their sponsored children, either from Compassion International or Mosaic Vision. This is always an amazing time, a time when sponsors have the opportunity to look into the eyes of a child that they have been writing and praying for for months, may even multiple years----SO AMAZING.

Day 2: What a day. Haven't debriefed with other team yet but our pod was stuck in
thunderstorm on a mountainside in little house, no lights, lightening flashing &
a room full of orphans dancing & singing for us. Like a movie. We offered a
couple of weak songs but sung with heart :) we slogged back to van through
plantation in mud, me in my 99 cent thongs (forgot my shoes this am) then
crawled down mtn. One rock at a time to get back before dark. Spielberg version
out soon :) Deeply impacted by Mosaic today. Many tears & prayers. Went to
Shallon's house where we helped build latrine I think. Remember bad blonde cow?
She was no where to be seen. We are tired, thankful & some of us broken. (Received 8:43 AM, Tuesday)


TRANSLATION: Today was a hard day for the team as they were out in the field visiting some of the homes where many of the Mosaic Vision orphans live, alone as most have lost their parents and families. Child visits are always rough as the scenes that are encountered are difficult. Broken is a perfect description of how God brings many to their knees when coming face to face with His children, feeling the pain and sorrow he feels daily for 'the least' of His.

Tomorrow is a second day of field visits for part of the team. Please pray for their continued protection in the field, for the drivers and the staff that cares for our team while there. Pray that both the team and the children will encounter the Love and presence of our Father during these visits.

For the other part of the team, it will be the beginning of the Youth Conference. Pray for travelling mercies as they go out to their sites. Pray that their words would touch hearts and that they can truly reflect His light.

More to come as I hear from Keri or other team members. Rest assured I am sending as I receive.

Pray and continue to know that the team is well and is wrapped in His cloak of protection!

Kelly Boaitey