"Initial Thoughts or Premature Feelings" - by Rusty

We are all wrestling through a crazy combination of thoughts and feelings as we try to process the last 2 weeks of our lives. Here's some initial thoughts from team member Rusty...

I am not one who blogs, but I felt as though it might help me process what is going on in my head and heart. So, let me first start off by apologizing for the verbal vomit that is about to occur.

I signed up for this trip for a couple of reasons. The first and foremost was wanting to go on an adventure with my wife as we celebrated our two years on the trip. I wanted to be there to support her as she stepped into this trip with some fears and doubts. I wanted to be her cheerleader and encourager. The second was that I was eager to get back to Uganda. I had been there before for about two months and learned a lot while living there. Finally, I wanted to travel again. I love to travel and see new places, meet new people, and see what the Lord is doing in others lives.

Having traveled quite a bit, I didn't expect the Lord to shake me up much through this trip. I kind of went in with the attitude of "been there, done that," or as our team coined the term "been there, pee'd that." But, I felt like I know what it was like to see poverty, I know what it feels like to be uncomfortable, I know what it is like to learn how to reconcile with people that you are traveling with 24/7! So why is my heart hurting so bad right now. I am not sure that I saw something that really stuck out that moved me. I am not sure if I am just romanticizing the re-entry process. I do know that I have come back with a ton of questions. What were you trying to show me? Did I miss something? Have I listened to you to get me to where I am today in my profession or have I tried to control it? What do I do now? Why am I always thinking that you have something bigger for me?

I talked with a guy who said to me "Welcome home and welcome back to reality." "Reality?" I couldn't even tell if I was offended or not. Does that insinuate that I was living in a make up world for the last two weeks? I could understand living at an "all inclusive " resort for two weeks and then coming back to "reality," but what about living in community with fellow believers, praying, singing, serving together is not "Reality." So I guess that brings up another question. Why isn't that reality? Am I ok with that? I began to read a book by NT Wright on my way home called, After You Believe, which raised the question of, now that I am a believer, what next? Do I just wait to die and go to heaven? I feel like I can identify with this thought. Now that I am home and have seen these things, do I just go back to "reality" and send money when I can?

Maybe that is drastic, but it is what came across my mind.

There is no obvious conclusion just yet, so till then.....

We've been home less than 48 hours and are already missing each other so much. First reunion = Bobby's Dairy Dip after church Sunday night.

a few photos.

we're currently compiling all of our pics together, but here a few photos to give you a glimpse into our last 2 weeks!

hanging at one of the schools

the guys doing what they do best - play soccer!

some of the girls w/ our new friend Esther

our favorite find in Gulu - Cafe Larem!

the guys at the top of Murchison Falls

on our (rainy) safari - with the hippos behind us!

home sweet home.

After about 48 hours of traveling, we all made it back to Nashville - and with all of our luggage, too!! It was hilarious as we entered the DC airport this morning and all started darting to Starbucks and Chipotle and Subway and Five Guys - craving some old favorites after too much Ethiopian Airline food (two words: fish beef. - yuck.)

We will spend the next few days processing our trip both individually and collectively, as well as uploading pictures, and will update you on some more specific stories soon.

Thank you again for following us on this journey - for praying for us and loving us from afar. Our whole team is in agreement that this is just the beginning, and we hope you will continue to join us as we await what unfolds for Midtown in Gulu, Uganda.

But first...let us recover from jet-lag. :)

lions, hippos, & RANDY....oh my!

Well, today has been long with a little unexpected turn of events, but thankfully we're all doing ok.

Let me back up...
So we spent our last full day in Gulu on Monday and loved every minute, including spending the morning visiting some homes (picture a bunch of white "munos" crammed into huts!) and a banquet-style final dinner with all of our Acholi friends. Then, after some tearful goodbyes, Tuesday morning we hit the (bumpy) road for Murchison Falls. Upon arrival, we immediately jumped on a boat safari down the Nile towards the waterfall. We were greeted with an abundance of hippos, crocodiles, and some monkeys. Once at the falls, we got out of the boat and hiked up to the top of the falls - it was an amazing, breathtaking view and we were all so excited to be getting some exercise! Then, we made our way to Sambiya River Lodge where we would be staying the night. Our little verandas looked like traditional huts from the outside, thatch roof and all, and our keys all had flashlights attached to them. And we all enjoyed a wonderful meal and long hot showers :)

Then today (Weds) we had our 5am wake-up call so we could head back into the park for our gamedrive (the animals are out mostly in the early morning). Each van had a park ranger jump in with us (AK-47 and all - just in case...) and we entered into the open grasslands. We encountered giraffes, antelope, elephants, buffalo, and, after some patience...LIONS! We watched a lioness protect her cubs from our van by growling at Regan.

We took turns riding on the top of the van, for a better view, and had a great time. But, despite his awesome balancing skills, Randy hit a bump really hard and took a fall from the top. (I mean... he actually got in a battle with a lion - that will make a better story, right?)
Thankfully, we have 2 nurses on our trip, and after their quick examination, we thought it best to be safe and take him to the hospital in Kampala. So one van of Randy, Maggie, the nurses (Katie & Sarah), Rusty, and Lou Alice went ahead towards Kampala, and the rest of us headed back to the lodge to pack up all of our stuff and then follow after them a couple hours later.

Long story short - an xray confirmed that Randy broke his collar bone. He's got his right arm in a sling, and our nurses are monitoring his pain meds :) He actually has a Midtowner doctor friend here that was a huge help... and who knew that xrays are so cheap in Uganda? Only $33!! Randy is keeping his spirits high, and is already trying to see how he can work this story into a sermon. Do pray for our next 2 days of travel, though, and the pain he'll be in on the already uncomfortable long flights!

Sometimes we just can't predict things like this, but this team has rallied together like no other. We're grateful it was on our last day, and that it's something that can be easily healed.

So we're staying in a cute guest house in Kampala tonight (run by the same company we rent our vans from), and will head to Entebbe to the airport tomorrow.
Next up: 2 days of traveling. We arrive back in Nashville Friday evening...

See you all soon!!!
midtown gulu team

A little taste of home...

Here's the team eating at our new favorite place in Gulu for dinner last night - Cafe Larem... aka - AMERICAN FOOD!! After many meals of rice, beans, and unidentified meat, we were more than excited to stuff our faces with pizza, guacamole, and ice cream... it was awesome. We will definitely be grabbing one more meal there before we leave!

In other news -- we split up into 4 different teams this morning and went to different churches... and we were in charge of most of the worship time (sermons, songs, stories). We also spent our afternoon loving on (and being loved on) with the kids from Home of Love orphanage. Sarah, Katie W, and Laura D also got to go visit the local hospital and scope out the medical scene.

We can't believe it's only one more full day here... we'll be soakin it up!!
LOVE FROM GULU :)

(pictures compliments of marisa's iphone..sorry they're blurry!!)

marisa, eric, laura v, katie g, sarah

randy & regan

emily, molly, katie w, lou alice, laura d

rebekah, warren, allison, maggie, rusty

Amari, Uganda!

Friday was a great day for all of us. After a relaxing morning playing with kids, the women spent some good time with our Ugandan friend Sarah - she took us through the market and then we ate lunch in her home. We then had to say goodbye to her, as she had to travel back to where she works & goes to university. The guys spent some good time together too, including planning for our Saturday conference with the church leaders and exploring some of the town. In the afternoon, we went and taught at a primary school run by Action International ministries, who African Leadership has worked with before. Our teachers (Molly, Lou Alice, Eric, & Katie G) led our groups through lessons, and then we all joined together in the school yard for a soccer game of the "munos" (white people) versus the students. Then the evening was some good quality time spent in the homes of our new friends from this week. We were served extravegant homecooked meals (including pizza they made us -so exciting!) and just enjoyed sharing life - laughing with (and at!) one another, learning about their culture and history, and listening to stories.
We also prepared some more for our conference today...

Today (Saturday) we helped lead a 3-part conference with church leaders from all of the communities we have been spending time with. After a delayed start ("Africa Time"!!) Randy taught on Grace, Repentence, and living with Mission. We split into small groups for discussion and also shared our worship with each other. We are becoming so attached to these dear friends...it will be hard to leave. We all continue to be amazed at the picture of unity and One Church we share with our Acholi friends here, and how we all fight to learn and live by the same truths, and share the same hopes and dreams.

Tonight should be interesting, as we have learned that "Africa's Top Diva" is taking place at a pavillion next to our hotel. Your guess at what that will look like is as good as ours :)
We're hoping the city noise ordinance goes into effect and we're not kept up all night by the "talent" we will hear! Though we are all taking bets as to what time it will end...

Thank you for all of your comments - we are passing along the messages. We have 2 more full days here in Gulu, then head to Murchison Falls Tuesday morning. So we will try to update once more!

I continue to rejoice in how our team is conquering fears and growing so much together. God is truly at work in this place, and in each one of our hearts.
As Regan would shout... AMARI UGANDA!! ("i love you, uganda")...
marisa & the team :)

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Greetings! Another day in the books, and only a few remain. It's hard to believe that our time in Gulu is coming to a close. We've already had so many blessings and look forward to what the Lord has in store in our last days.

Thursday (yesterday) consisted of a mini-tourist trip to Baker's Fort. Though the van ride there and back was a bit much (a very bumpy, slow 25 km each way), it was a time where we could soak in the surroundings, enjoy the beauty, and learn more about the history of this culture. One of the only remaining markings on the rocks other than the ones made by axes (where slaves had their heads cut off because they were regarded worthless) was a cross deeply embedded and highly visible right near the place where the slaves were killed. It was a great time to be out in nature but also a saddening realization of the depravity of man.

After Baker's Fort and a few Power Bars for lunch, we split into 2 groups at a local jail: one with only men and the other with juvenilles. Both times were very meaningful for different reasons. In the session with the adult male prisoners (about 75 men), our team member Allison overcame a fear that had been expressed earlier in the morning during devotion by speaking her testimony to the inmates. This just gives you a taste of what God is doing in and through our team here in Gulu. Regan was able to pray with three men who accepted Christ for the first time. Meanwhile, in the juvenille prison, the group was much smaller (9 boys, ranging from ages 12 - 17). After a brief time of sharing testimony and a story from the Bible, we were challenged to a game of futbol by the boys. Though we were defeated 4-2, we sensed the time was very meaningful in a couple of ways. First, the young boys didn't have much there... only a bed. No school materials, no chairs, etc. Just by being a physical presence and enjoying life with them, their faces lit up and maybe just for a moment their lives seemed better than their surroundings. Secondly, our team continued to grow in light of our team consisting of 7 ladies and 2 men, none of which would claim to be soccer players. There were a few Sports Center worthy highlights, including some incredible saves by Katie G, an assist by Emily to Eric who headed in a goal, and lots of shrieking as the ball came near to us. In other news, Rusty avoided disentary by putting our new found O.R.S. (a homemade fluid replinisher) knowledge into practice. He's back to normal today.

We ended our day fittingly in worship with Gabrielle's church. We danced (literally) before the Lord, surrounded by children doing the same. The sounds of worship could be heard althroughout the village and the time flew by. If you can imagine the craziest wedding reception you've ever been apart of, this exceeded it. Randy brought a great message and we shared some of our songs with them, since they'd been sharing their songs with us. Can't wait to share the pictures!

We'd continue to cherish your prayers for us as we battle fatigue and prepare for our conference tomorrow (Saturday) with the local church leaders.

Blessings,
Regan, Eric, & the midtown gulu team

kopango?

kopango = "how are you?" (you would say "kope" - "i'm fine!")

We are all well and loving life here in Gulu. We have had 2 very full days and no time to get to the internet (which honestly is kinda nice) but didn't want to keep you all waiting any longer :)

After 3 very long days of traveling (including a quick site of Ethiopia - more to come on that on a blog from Lou Alice!) -- we finally arrived into Gulu Monday night around 10:30 -- thanks to our 2 drivers, Jackson & Sylvester, who will be with us all week. Pastor Geoffrey and his fellow leaders and pastors were patiently waiting for our arrival to have us over for dinner. We ate a wonderful (quick) home-cooked meal by Geoffrey's wife, Jennifer, and then proceeded to our hotel - the Pearl Afrique. I was surprised how nice it is! We have had (mostly) hot running water, power, and delicious meals. (though the power did go out in town today - the internet cafe is running on a generator!)

Yesterday (Tuesday) we spent with the community of Layibi - led by Pastor Gabriel. We helped teach the nursery kids, saw their bakery business they are training the women in (and ate a ton of wonderful baked goods!!) and spent time with their fellowship groups. It was amazing to just do life with them for a whole day. We also went to Gulu Central Prison and joined the prison ministry. We were all blown away with how powerful that time was and the FREEDOM these prisoners had in the Lord. It was very moving for our whole team.
Last night was our first night of sharing our highs and lows, and we are really starting to come together as a team. It's so fun to see the different skills and strengths we all bring. Please keep praying for our unity and that we would all be confident in the gifts God has given us.

Today (Wednesday) was spent with Pastor Jefferson in the village of Laliya. We learned of their Village Heath Team (VHC) which was wonderful for our nurses (Katie W & Sarah) and Laura D (who is going to Physicians Asst school) and we also attended an adult literacy program. It's amazing how simple things like learning to read & write can change the course of their lives. We were served a traditional lunch of rice, beans, casava, vegetables, & beef -- all eaten with our hands!! I think it was the first no-utensil-meal for most of our team :) Our afternoon also included the guys playing "football" (soccer) with the village boys (and the new balls we donated) and the girls teaching the little girls songs (and them teaching us!). Another wonderful day spent with a life-giving community.

We are all talking about how incredible it is to worship and fellowship with Believers on the other side of the world who love the same God we do and rejoice and hope for the same things we do. It is such a beautiful picture of community and family, and how we really need each other to show us different parts of God. Everyone on the team has done a fabulous job of getting up and sharing testimonies and stories with our new friends.

We will have a more relaxed night tonight, and eat dinner with our Ugandan friends Sara and Peter who a few of us met here in 2008! (they say hello to the 08 team!!)

So far, besides a few rumbly tummies from grease & too many baked goods yesterday, we are all healthy - pray for our bodies to rest well and be strengthened to be fully present.

More to come soon... THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS - WE FEEL THEM!!

Love to you all...
marisa & the team :)

They have arrived! Text from Marisa with the great news that the team is alive and well in Gulu. They hope to get to the internet soon, so please stay tuned . . .