Mariners Uganda Team

Thank you “Fearless Influencers” support team! Thank you for your partnership on this radical mission! You have helped 2096 people in Africa! Over and over again we heard, “thank you for not forgetting about us in Africa!” So know that there are people here praying for YOU. Thank you to those of you that support us faithfully and if this is the first time you have joined our support team, we hope that you are hooked and will be back again for our next mission. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus along side of us!

I am a fearless influencer

My past is forgiven, my future is secure

My present is not for me

But for the one who sets me free

The die has been cast

I have stepped over the line

No more prayer-less living

Cheap giving and selfish dreaming

I am part of the change

I will not hesitate to serve

I will gladly pay the cost

Contagiously spreading His love

Playing my role on the Dream Team

Until all Africa is changed

Every sector of society

I align myself to God’s purpose

I will be who He calls me to be

I agree to be shaped and molded

Through His word and through His family

Until my will and His will fully agree

And I become fully the Influencer

That I was created to be

I am a Fearless Influencer

Mavuno Church Creed

Nairobi, Kenya

Africa 2010

Hey Everyone,

We have completed another clinic today but this day was sadder than the others. We were in a local slum in Kampala. Part of our clinic is blood testing. We were working at a school and tested children 7 … alot of 3 year olds. Sadly and shockingly.. 80% of them tested positive. We couldn’t believe it… But because of the testing, they now know. Their families weren’t told of the results yet. Next week they will be told and counseled on how to take care of these babies and children.

Hi Everyone

Let me tell you about our last clinic! Our last clinic was in a prison for reformed individuals. These are people that have served long sentences and are in thier last few months. They are being integrated back into society, being prepared for release and some even leave the prison daily to work in the city, returning back again at night. Our dentists said that their teeth were the toughest of all clinics as it was obvious that the foods they were fed along with not having any care for years, really made the extractions most difficult. Some patients were on the table for over 40 mins.

On the spiritual side, it was obvious that these men haven’t been told that someone cares about them in a long time. At one point I was walking to the tables to take my turn assisting when I found one of our nurses, Teresa, whispering to an inmate as he laid there with gauze in his mouth. With her hand over his heart, I could hear her say, “ God loves you soooooooooo much that he sent us all the way over here from the other side of the world, just to take care of you! Do you know him? Would you like to know him?”

And as she led him into prayer … his tears just rolled down his face.

With Love

Ro

Medical Team- Uganda/Kenya

Finally after about 8 hours on a long dusty road, we made it back to Ggaba. In Soroti, we treated 400 patients the 1st day, 600 the 2nd, and over 800 yesterday! When we pulled up in front of the school yesterday morning, we were a little overwhelmed with the mass of people! Victor Chu and I are holding down the fort in dental, and were absolutely delerious from exhaustion. We each had an interpreter and mine liked to snooze on the job, but I was so busy I could only laugh. Patients were fighting to get in the door, because we have local anesthetic, and word has spread that we don’t hurt them! 2 of our team members, Sheryl (my roommate) and Kathyrn are very ill, so please keep them in your prayers. Tomorrow we will have another long day of clinic in one of the slums here in Kampala, then we are off to Kenya on Saturday. Our Ugandan hosts are treating us very well, and we are safe. Please keep our entire team in your prayers.

The team is finally settling in following a crazy and successful first day of medical clinics!  Today’s clinic was held at Soroti Community Church, one of Mariner’s East African partner churches, and we treated over 400 patients.  400 patients!  Our team worked tirelessly, but we could not have done it without the local Ugandan team- physicians, nurses, nursing students and translator volunteers.  The beauty of the day was not only in helping the patients, but in coming together as one team- for one common mission- with our African friends.  Patients walked for miles and were waiting in the morning sun long before we even arrived.  I have always heard that Ugandans were warm and polite, and today truly proved it!  They waited patiently for hours, many pregnant, nursing, elderly or severely wounded.  They flowed through the clinic expressing deep appreciation.  The clinic offered everything in stations from spiritual care to lab to dental to medical to pharmacy.  As overwhelming as this all seemed, I discovered that the purpose is in the one-one-one connections that happen all over the clinic- a smile and a caring hand helping them up to registration, a focused prayer partner in spiritual care, an engaged clinician listening to their ailments, and a comforting arm over the shoulder as lab results were revealed.

We also had the privilege of distributing a Free Wheel Chair Ministry wheel chair to a precious little boy, Charles.  He is 6 years old and perfectly mannered, arriving today in his mother’s arms.  He sat silently with thin legs and hands crossed in the chair next to me as his mother was triaged.  I wanted to hold this angel all day!  Inside the clinic, mother let her physician know that Charles had never been able to walk and that she or his young sister carried him everywhere.  Charles received his very first, very own wheel chair today!

Today was even more special for many on our team in that our sponsor children came to see us, many meeting face to face for the first time.  After a year of writing back and forth with my precious Esther, I was blessed to meet her in person today!  It was absolutely magical and one of the best moments of my life.  This is the child that I love from so far away as my own family, write with monthly and pray for daily.  Her mother made the trek to meet me, dressed in a beautiful dress and hat and so proud to offer me a gift as well.  She cried and hugged me over and over.  Esther is 13 and very serious about her studies.  When I told her today that I am committed to sponsoring her university education- and most honored to do so- she beamed ear to ear, and mom started crying all over again.  It was a moment I will remember forever and perhaps only attending her graduation one day may top it!  Esther’s baby brother greeted me today as well.  My next mission?  To find him a sponsor of his very own. 

Kelli
Medical Team- Uganda/Kenya

Good Morning all! Here’s what today looked like.

Sunday morning, 7:00 AM early start & we are all looking refreshed from a good night’s rest after our long journey to Uganda. We’re excited to worship with the congregation of Ggabba Community Church, which is within the boundaries of Kampala.

It is by God’s grace that we had the privilege of worshiping together with the people in song, study of scriptures and prayer. It was wonderful! The beautiful children from Sunday school blessed us with their smiles and hugs. And Dina got to actually see and give gifts to her sponsored child, Martin and his mother Rosemary! SEE! Sponsored children really do exist! Check out his Mariners shirt!!

Thereafter, we boarded our bus for a 7 hour bus ride through the countryside and across the Nile River to Soroti where we will do 4 days of medical clinics in rural villages. We were joined by Dr. Martin and his local staff. It was amazing to chat with them, hear their stories, and see how much they love the Lord and the people of Uganda.

We debriefed and planned for tomorrow, our first day of clinic.  I’ll be working wound care. More to tell tomorrow and we will surely have pictures for you.

Thank you Lord for an Amazing Day!!

.

Hi everyone! We’re here!! After finding some energy from our long  trip and the excitement of having PRINCE EDWARD on our  flight!!!… That’s right! PRINCE EDWARD! .. we headed to Wentz  clinic to give them our donated supplies. While there we met  Emanuel, a 16 year old boy with a brain tumor. He is waiting for his  family to save up the money for his surgery and has already been t  there for 9 months. It definitely crushed my heart to see almost  hopelessness in his eyes. Theresa graciously asked if we could all  pray together for him and in his small room we all huddled in and  did just that, which was very moving and emotional for me. It was  hard to say goodbye.

After Wentz we got to spend a brief but great time at the Loving Hearts Babies Homes where we met 26 beautiful abandoned babies that are there not permanently but just until they’re adopted into loving homes. Ro got to give her donations she received for the home and all the women there taking care of those babies were just so appreciative and thankful for that. They were even thankful for the short time we were there to love on these babies.

In our first few hours in this beautiful country, we have seen so much, especially the needs of the people here. We feel welcomed and appreciated by these amazing Ugandans and I can’t wait for tomorrow!

With love
Sara
Medical Team- Uganda/Kenya

Hey Supporters! ☺

Welcome to our team and thank you so much for partnering with us!!! We just want to let you know that we have made it half way to Africa. Here is a picture and first look at your official medical team. We are in London living it up in this luxury terminal, browsing stores like Burberry and drinking Starbucks coffee… as soon this will be no more. We have a 6-hour layover and then we’re off on another 10 hour flight to Nairobi (Kenya) and then on to Entebbe (Uganda).

We truly love you guys and will update you soon again!

Love Ro

Medical Team- Uganda/Kenya

Our team of 14 people is flying out of LAX tonight and landing in Uganda tomorrow morning. Please pray for safety and health as we travel. Stories of our adventures coming soon…