Update

Thanks to everyone who has been checking this blog in hopes of an update, and I hope some of you are still reading this! We finally made it to an internet cafe. Anyways, we made it to Uganda last Friday, and have spent the first week reuniting with old friends and observing some new ministries. Dad has spent almost all of his time faithfully slaving away in the computer lab at Bethel Covenant. The school has had a few problems with the lab, but the good news is that it's still working and most of the problems can be fixed. The biggest problem he is faced with is fixing the server and protecting it from the very unstable electricity here. He is meeting with an Ugandan electrician tomorrow to find out what can be done with regards to the electricity problem. Since us girls are no help with the computers, we have been spending most of our times at various schools. One of our favorite schools by far was a "tree school" where the students conduct all of their classes outside under trees. They sit on logs and old boards, and when it rains 200 children crowd into the school's one "building." The building consists of three walls, a leaky roof, and no actual doors or window coverings. It was very moving, to say the least. Brooke and I have also been able to particpate in a daily student Bible Study that takes place at Bethel Covenant High School. It is led by an American missionary, Scott Brinkerhoff, and has about ten students. The first day we were there, it was all boys, but Brooke and I bribed a few girls with the promise of candy. Brooke and I have found that giving stuff away is a great icebreaker as well as a good way to start a mob ;) We will be spending the next week at Bethel Covenant and Bethel Junior doing counseling with various students and taking part in a three day Bible Conference that is being led by another American missions team.
We are all in good health, no malaria, worms, or other jungle diseases to report. However, Momma Payne did have a run in with some Ugandan wildlife. We were taking a shortcut from Bethel High school that took us by a small herd of cows. One cow had planted herslef in the middle of the path, so I went around her first. Brooke followed me, and actually patted the cow on the head. Well, Mamma Payne must have been the last straw for this poor cow, because she turned, butted mom in the hip, and threw her to the ground. Momma Payne is fine with only a bruised ego to report. That is all there is time for, but we thank you all again for your prayers and look forward to at least one more update before we leave Uganda. Sola Bulungi!

Uganda 2007

This lazy blogger is re-entering the blogging world, which I'm sure didn't miss me, to update friends and family on my family's 2007 trip to Uganda. This year, myself, my parents, and our friend, Brooke Vincent will be returning to Bethel Covenant College in Entebbe, Uganda. My Dad has the exciting oppurtunity to expand and upgrade the computer lab he installed last year. We are also taking over eleven laptops to add to the fifteen we brought on our previous trip. In addition, we are taking over some new Bible software that will give the students access to some wonderful Bible study resources. Although the computers are an important part of our trip, they are not the primary reason we are going over. The computers are just one of several resources we use to create oppurtutnities to interact with both teachers and students. While we are excited about giving the students access to educational resources they would not have otherwise, our main hope is that the Bible software would feed the thirsty souls and minds of the staff and students.
While we are there with the students, we hope to do what Bible software can't do, and that is to simply love on the students by just spending time listening, praying, counseling, and just having fun living life with them. I (Carly) am also hoping that they will teach me a couple dance moves that will make me the envy of all my friends, and wow the crowds back home ;) As anyone close to me can tell you, ever since I came back from my first trip in 2004, I have been working on my African "shake, rattle, and roll" ;).
Dancing aside, we want to thank everyone who has been supporting and encouraging our team. So many people have slipped money into our hands, written us encouraging letters, donated supplies, prayed for us, patiently endured looking at our 5 million pictures from our last trip.... We couldn't do any of this without all of you, and you all have truly been Christ to us. Please continue praying for us as we are over there from July 11-July 29. I will try to update this blog as often as possible with prayer requests, highlights, embarrasing team moments etc.