TRIP FROM UGANDA

We were at our guest house only to receive news that, well Uganda was closing it's boarders and our flight was actually after the Airport was allowing travelers to travel, so no flight for us.  We thought, well it will not help us to stay at the guest house we might as well go to the airport and see if we could work out some kind of flights.  We went to the different airport flight offices, and all were overrun with people trying to get last flights.  That was not working too well.  So then I reached out to our travel agent, who worked hard on our behalf, while we are standing outside the airport with only 4 hours to go.  They got us a flight, so the email said, so I said "lets book it", with Ethiopia Air.  Waiting for the ticket to come to the email box and then a note from the travel agent 'payment denied', I had been purchasing so many flights that my credit card denied payment and so had to phone the bank in Canada.  Put on HOLD.  After another 3 minutes, resolved that issue, back to the travel agent, try the payment again and then waiting once again for tickets on line.  Now we only have 20 minutes and the gate to even get into the airport closes.  And then God does it, and we get the tickets - so we rush to get through security, get our bags on the conveier belt and go through security - a miracle in an over crowed airport, with no social distancing at all.

Flight was full! 
It’s a miracle! Ended up being a full flight, no social distancing! 
Had to go through Ireland which was a stop over there, and then to Ethiopia with an overnight in the airport.

I have to say that the airport around midnight was very empty and very quiet, almost errey.  But that was not then end of the journey - next stop Washington DC - and we make it - but not without insodent.  We finally get to our gate to fly with Air Canada - as we look through the window and watch our plane back away for take off.  We missed this flight from Washington with not really knowing what to do next.  We start to wonder the airport and well PRAY.  We get to one of the desks for United - and ask if they can help us.  They say, unlikely!  But look to the computer - and the very friendly gentlemen behind the dest says; "wait I think I can get into air Canada's terminal - hay I can actually rebook your flight with United later today - WOW, I can't believe it, and we are having a difficult time believing as well - or not.

So I posted on facebook "By gods grace we are able to get a flight out of Washington, United States of America to Toronto this evening our time and will arrive in Canada at 6:47 PM, PTL"

We made it to Toronto after 5 cancelled flights, and 5 flights to get to Canada and an overnight in the airport - and God protected of from the  COVID - 19 VIRUS.  PTL.

Sharon is preparing a session on "Trauma" for the church planting training module in Nov. in Uganda. 

Please pray for the Nov. training and our leaders there.

Please pray for our preparations for a 3 month trip to serve South Sudanese Refugees in January

UNHCR UPDATE

Praise & Prayer

Praise  -  Regarding the people of South Sudan & each one of us, Psalm 147:3,  “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  God is our hope and our healer!
Praise - The new Welcome Home refugee housing is gearing up to receive newly arrived refugees to the Kitchener/Waterloo area early Sept!  Sharon has been spending some time painting in preparation.
Praise – We have the opportunity to go camping with all of our children in a beautiful park in northern Ontario the end of August!
Pray – The South Sudanese need a miracle of God to intervene in both the political and tribal issues of their country.  Pray for that miracle!  Pray for peace.
Pray – Some of the ministry in South Sudan has been disrupted because of the tensions and unrest.  Pray for the Sudanese people.  Pray for St Bartholomew’s Orphanage.  Pray for God’s provision, protection,  and His “nearness” to be felt.
Pray – We are currently working on 2 fundraisers for the Serving South Sudan program ... a golf tournament and a bike-a-thon/walk-a-thon called the Ride for Refuge.  If you are interested in participating give us a shout!

If God is calling you to help us with our next trip click on the link: PARTNER WITH US, and designate your gift to 'Serving South Sudan'.  

South Sudan Still Recovering from Civil unrest!

From our last trip we had a number of praise iteams:

Our May trip to South Sudan was bathed in prayer and we are incredibly grateful!

You prayed for health – in spite of many malaria carrying mosquitos & the usual need to guard against ingesting destructive bacteria – God granted us health!

You prayed for safety – through many flights – God granted us safety!

You prayed for peace – and the towns we stayed in were peaceful!

You prayed regarding the teaching – and God gave joy in that opportunity!

But there are things to pray for:

Please continue to pray for Omari, his family, and funding for his ministry.

Pray that God will continue to help us serve this new country and the church within!

Pray that God would raise up the people and resources to accomplish this task.

As well the area of Kajo Keji was under attack just after we left - so there are many new displaced people.

Thank you for praying!