Rain

Last evening (June First) we lost power which explains why you did not hear from us. Most of the team spent yesterday and today working at the pre-school. Randy was giving physicals and the everyone else was supporting him,,,taking height and weights, taking blood pressure pricking fingers for blood samples,  keeping the children occupied with crafts, hand washing, fingernail painting, administering vitamins,,,, as soon as I get pictures from those who were there I'll post.

The process was not as smooth the first day...the first kid got his finger pricked and started to cry which started all the kids in the room crying...so they quickly re-arranged the process!

New Life Preschool Day 1

After a taxi ride to the village of  Mbiko, Syd, Karen, Kerri, Jill, Katie, and I arrived at the school. I think the best way to describe it is that it's a beacon of hope in an ocean of poverty. The children were  excited  to see us. When we entered the classroom the chanted, "Welcome visitors! We are New Life Nursery Preschool. We are happy you are here We are (fill in the blank....baby class, middle level, top level primary 1.)

We worked in 3, each team visiting all 4 classrooms. Jill and Syd told bible stories to the kids, much to the children's delight. Karen and I sang songs and taught the children hand motions to go with them. Kerri and Katie handed out crayons and construction paper, had them draw A heat with a cross inside of it and then showed them how to fold the paper into fans.

Kerri summed it by saying the "The dedication of Betty and the teachers was inspiring, the fruit of their labor reflected in the happy faces of the children."

 First Level Primary

New Life Preschool

Baby Class

Baby Class

This little girl hung around and watched us along with other village children who couldn't afford to go to school. Betty's school is too small to take any more kids!

We Arrived!

After two long travel days we arrived in Entebbe at 7:15AM local time  with all our bags ! An amazing miracle considering all the hub-bub surrounding our departure! We are all OK but tired!  After a two hour ride to Jinja, we attended a wonderful, loud, energetic, spirit filled service. Then off to the Hunters for rest, food, showers and fellowship...more later but just wanted everyone to know we're here safe and sound.

Starting Out

We took the American Airlines ticket agents in Salt Lake by surprise this morning. We arrived 3 hours before our flight was to leave, with 4 fifty pound bags each (44 bags!) as well as our carry on luggage. "You can't take all that on the plane", the woman exclaimed, "the plane is too small. And your carry on luggage is too big! And it'll cost you $140 for each bag over the 3 bag limit. " She wasn't happy, having expected a routine day and now had to figure out how to get all of us and our luggage on our way. With help from her collegiate, some of our luggage was re-routed and placed on other flights, a call to British Airways confirmed that it was only $60 dollars for each extra bag. Our carry ons turned out to be OK. And lots of help from the sky cap, who we generously tipped, eased the burden of carrying and lifting the bags . We were thru security by 10:15, in plenty of time for our 11:15 departure. She didn't know about all the folks praying for us back home! Tomanya!
Once we were all boarded on the plane, the captain came on and told us they needed one volunteer to take a different flight. We couldn't leave until that person got off. They started out offering $300 dollars. 10 minutes later, a woman left with a confirmed first class ticket to chicago and $500 dollars. The steward handed her a $20 dollar bill from his pocket, thanked her and told her to go get lunch on him. He was based out of Chicago and said he wanted to get home for the weekend. Every one clapped and cheered for her. Tomanya!
Once we took off the captain told us President Obama is also heading to Chicago this weekend arriving about the same time as we are suppose to. No planes can land or take off until he has landed so we may have to circle for awhile! I hope we get there before him! Tomanya!

Mama Africa Video Shot by Chad Two Years Ago

Chad will be shooting 4 more videos for Lilly's Album on this videos. She will sell them them to help the Next Generation Ministry.

We're proud of our youngest team member!

Ariane is a sophomore at Century High School and the youngest of the Africa 2010 team.  She has always had a passion for serving, and serving in Africa has been a dream of hers since she can remember.  At the early age of 11 she raised money for tsunami victims of India.  Soon thereafter, she raised enough money to build a well in Honduras bringing fresh water to +200 families.  Ariane has collected over 100 pairs of socks and shoes for the children of Rock of Ages preschool and their families and looks forward to putting them on each little foot during a very special birthday party for the children.  Ariane hopes to go into the medical field and is looking forward to working side-by-side with Dr. Fowler, checking blood pressure and blood glucose levels of all those who will recieve physicals.

Equality Respect Organization Donates MOney for Uganda

SHANTYL  DELPHINE BETTY PRESENTING BETTY $400.00 FOR UGANDA

EQUALITY RESPECT WAS FOUNDED BY SISTERS MONIQUE MICHELLE BETTY AND SHANTYL DELPHINE BETTY IN 2008 ON A PROMISE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PROMOTE EDUCATION ABOUT UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS IN SCHOOLS.
 OUR COMMITMENT IS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.  Please visit our website www.equalityrespect.org HELP BREAK THE CYCLE