Team is heading home...

Written by Tammy S.
Internet connections have been very limited for the past several days. The team did quit a bit of debriefing on Friday, traveled Saturday, little debrief, then Sunday worship next to the Nile River, processed the entire week over several hours, talked about World Vision as a whole, the people we met, the ministry connections, and so much more. The team has learned a lot.  I would encourage those reading this to ask the team members how they saw God working in their lives (the team members life).  Let them share with you how God worked in their lives as they took notes, loved people and learned so much.   All team members were required to take many notes, ask them to share one of the "programs" and how they saw God working.
We go as encourages and come back as advocates. (coined by a past team member)
5 of the team members are on the tarmac in Amsterdam awaiting the next leg of their journey home, please pray for them to have great conversations with those around them on the plane and with each other. (Ask members about the side conversations that occurred during the flights and trip, I believe every member had more then 4 conversations with other people about why they were on this trip, ask them about those interactions and who they met).
The 6th team member (myself, Tammy) has arrived safely in Kenya. I will begin my journey within the hour of learning how World Vision Kenya works, see my sponsored child here, (21/22 of March) and then travel up to see Sara and Anthony Systma, who are missionaries from our church (Sara grew up at Midland Free), I will be with them until Saturday, heading back to Nairobi and then flights back to Midland.
We invite you to join the Midland Free Gulu Trip Team on May 7th for a luncheon with a report back from the learning that took place this past week. Just after second service, 12:15pm
An RSVP link will be attached to this blog at a later date.

Unlocking the Future through Savings Groups

 The sun shone bright today after God brought some much needed rain on Thursday.

Try to imagine every Tuesday afternoon a group of men and women sitting on a tarp surrounded by mud huts with straw roofs conducting a financial business meeting. We were able to witness to this remarkable event Thursday. It was the Women's Savings Group, which consists of 33 members, both men and women. This group holds mandatory meetings each week. The meetings are very structured with fines for late arrivals and missed meetings.

The Savings Group sets the interest rate that their savings will earn. This particular group had set a 10% interest rate. The interest is earned as various members take out loans from the total group savings. Everyone also contributes weekly to a Welfare Fund in the amount of $200 shillings ($.06). This can be borrowed and repaid without interest.

World Vision has provided the group with training, a lock box, savings books and ledger books. The lock box is a solid square metal box that has locks on 3 sides. Three different members hold the keys. This group was well trained and reaping the benefits of their newly developed knowledge and skills.

Loans could be given for up to 3 times the members savings and must be paid back in 3 months. Of course there was a penalty if a loan was not paid back and the members held one another accountable.
The members shared testimonies of how they have been helped  by the welfare fund to get needed medical care and how their lives have been impacted by starting businesses. Some were using the loans to plant larger gardens and selling the produce, or to begin or expand their efforts raising bees, chickens or goats. Many shared with pride that they were now able to send their children to school. 

World Vision shared that the Savings Group transforms the culture to a focus on planning for the future, using their own skills and resources. This savings group is changing the future for a whole community of children and we got to witness it first hand.

Submitted by Tami

Not Your Average Thankful Thursday

Written by Tina

Wow, what a day! We began our morning by saying good-bye to Mary, our World Vision (WV)  Donor Liaison and praying over her as she heads out for her wedding this weekend. It was Mary's first time hosting a team and she was amazing -we are so thankful for her commitment to serving children. Then we were off to the WV Gulu Cluster office for worship & praise with the team. To be honest, there is not a better way to start your day -- Thank You Jesus, for letting us participate in African praise to you! A huge answer to prayer is RAIN -- it is dry season here and one of the most vulnerable for our Ugandan friends -- Thank you for RAIN! Then it was off to see part of the WaSH (Water, Sanitation & Health) Initiative, where we took 2 water walks - one to a dirty water source, where women & children were gathering water for drinking, cooking & washing. The second water walk was to a clean drinking water bore hole, where the jerry cans were literally lined up ready to be filled by even more women & children.  Several team members carried the 50 lb jerry cans; some even carried them on their heads --- we are told that this is one of the qualifications here for being a "good wife". Thank you, Lord for the clean water that we take for granted daily.  Some of my favorite times this week include what I call "car conversations" - today I am thankful for laughter about facts learned about dowries and what it takes to be a good husband or wife in the village --- ask a team member about that? Our afternoon found us at a Women's Savings  & Loan Group that was trained by WV.  We participated in a weekly meeting of the group that offers individuals the opportunities to save, give and loan to other group members -- however, don't be late to a meeting or you will pay a fine!  I am so thankful to see such good stewards being raised up!  The grand finale of our not so average Thankful Thursday happened tonight as we said "until next time" to our WV Gulu partners -- they blessed us with an INCREDIBLE African Dance troupe that performed 3 dances -- the Royalty Dance and 2 dances about courtship -- the 3 dances took 1 hr and 10 minutes and the group is required to know 15 dances! Our sweet Gulu sister, Harriet danced in the finale -- there's nothing this woman can't do! So, tonight our team goes to bed THANKFUL and filled with joyful hearts; many, many stories to share; and incredible respect and love for our Ugandan brothers and sisters.  THANK YOU Lord for connecting and making "Joy Flow Both Ways" (see our team shirts).    

Sweet Potato Farm, Child Discipleship Group

Today we visited Peter Omondi, a farmer who started growing Orange Flesh Sweet Potatoes. Many individuals called him Mud because they wondered why he would farm them when many other varieties of sweet potatoes, believing there was no market for them. Peter sells the vines as well. The Sweet Potatoes are high in Vitamin A and are effective for seeing better at night and other medicinal purposes. Peter desired to buy additional land, this land is next to his current land that shares a river, if he purchases the land, all of the river area will be his. He also desires to add piping to assist in that better irrigation. Several years ago, Peter went to World Vision and got a loan to purchase more land and expand his operation. Peter was the first person in his area to purchase a motorbike to deliver product to individual customers and businesses. As Peter grew and produced each year along with paying back his loan, he also was the first to purchase a pickup truck. When cutting vines he employs 60 individuals. He is now looking to fence in his property so his crops will not be destroyed by animals. People don't call him Mud anymore, he is now very well known in the community as Mr. Big. Mr. Big'
s next dream is to buy a 10 wheeler so he will be able to meet the demand of his growing business.

After hearing Mr. Big's story and seeing his farm, we walked back up to the village. The women began preparing a meal for us to sample. It started with women grating sweet potatoes, then mixing them with water and flour to make dough. Most of the varieties were deep fried in oil, some were backed in the "oven" the kettle on the fire. The dough was prepared in the following ways: rolled out and cut into triangles, flat round chapaotey, skinny fries, muffins. It took about three or more hours for them to prepare everything. I don't like sweet potatoes and at home I refuse to eat them. I expressed that thought to the head woman in charge but then I told her if I could make them like she did, I would eat them every day. Everything was delicious.

Peter Omondi, recipient of a Vision Fund loan, pointing out his sweet potato fields.

Soaking the sweet potatoes.

Tami tries her hand at shredding the sweet potatoes.

Forming the mixture after mixing the sweet potatoes with flour.

Frying the sweet potato triangle cakes.

The variety of final products made from sweet potatoes.

Discussing the sweet potato operations with Gerald Oketa, a Vision Fund representative. 

We also visited a church school where the children greeted us with song as we arrived and led us into the church. The children performed two dramas for us, recited scripture, and told us stories of domestic violence in their homes, and sang more songs for us. They were well behaved and stood quietly for a long time as the dramas, stories, and scripture were told. The team took turns introducing ourselves, sharing about our families. We then went outside the church and engaged the children in games of jump rope, Chinese jump rope, limbo, and soccer. The children were full of energy and eagerly participated in the games. When it was time to leave the children prayed for us.

Report written by Bill.

The children at the Gospel Assembly of Gulu sang for us.

Pastor Samuel and his wife Florence.

The children really enjoyed the long jump ropes and Chinese jump ropes that we brought.

Tina demonstrates her skills with a soccer ball that we brought for the children.

Pictures from Economic Families and Sponsored children (yesterdays post)

Here are the pictures that JoDee referenced yesterday from the farmer groups and child sponsor visits.

It's been a long week today

It's been a long week today (past groups will get this)......we begin each day with sharing the top three things from the day before.  We have so many things to be thankful for.  I can't wait to share my top three things to the group tomorrow morning!  As we started out today, the first thing we noticed were the roads.  How we take for granted a road!  There were pot holes big enough to swallow a truck if you weren't careful.  As we kept going and going, at some point there weren't any roads, just brush.  We were blessed to visit two communities: Lacwec Aye Ngeyo (God Knows) and  Wakem Kweno (Where should we go)they were so welcoming and happy to have us visit.  They sang great praises to us for coming and then their second song was how they were the best at planting :)  They took the time to tell us where they began with World Vision and where they are today.  They are so grateful for the fact that World Vision has trained them and come along side of them to help teach them how to plant, save, re-invest and also how to integrate back into their communities.  Some of the people we met today had been abducted by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) during the war.  They returned years after they were taken and were shunned by their communities.  If a woman had been taken, it became a domestic violence issue when they returned as their husband would be told they could, and probably would, hurt them.  It was a long process and due to World Vision's help, they are now able to talk freely and communicate with anyone and now no one is scared of them or worried that they would hurt them.  Their have been some beautiful marriages and babies that have come out of their acceptance back into their community :)

We then took the long, bumpy ride back to the hotel where our sponsored children were waiting for us.  Tammy Stevens' child and parent spoke English.  The two BLAST Children spoke some English and the other children and parents spoke Acholi.  Each of us had a translator to help break the barrier.  Most of the kids were pretty shy at the beginning, during lunch.  After lunch, we headed outside and gave the kids their gifts.  To God Be the Glory as their faces lit up and we began to talk more and play ball.  To spend this time with them today is something that most of thought could never happen.  If God would have only told us six years ago that he had planned for us to meet our children!  The plans God has for us, sometimes we don't know and we surely don't know the affect they will have on us. World Vision gives us the opportunity to help the most vulnerable children and families in the Gulu District and today these children lifted each and every one of us up!  The joy of sponsoring these children, not just being able to see them in person, but sponsoring them and communicating with them is a joy that should be experienced by all.
Written by: JoDee
(Photos are taking several hours per photo to upload, will post if and when possible.)

World Vision and Transformation

World Vision Uganda National Director Gilbert Kamanga spoke about transformation at a chapel service the team attended Monday morning at the National Office in Kampala.

Using a photo showing the stages of a butterfly, he explained that World Vision sees transformation not as "a process," but an end in itself. Quoting Romans 12:1-2, he explained that we seek the end state which is a change from one form to another. Other charities like CARE or Oxfam also seek change, such as stopping water-born diseases. Yet World Vision seeks this transformation in managing things like diseases, plus a transformation of people from being estranged from God to friends of God.

He also explained that transformation is something that happens to you. It is passive. As the Romans passage says, "be transformed." You can't experience this full, true transformation without the knowledge of Christ. That's why so many people are still caterpillars. We want to do it ourselves. Yet we can't be transformed if we only have OUR thoughts. We must be transformed by the mind of Christ.

Thus World Vision is not primarily about change of men's thoughts about clean water, sanitation and so forth. It is a transformation of world view from the inside of a person to the outside. World Vision Uganda works with God to provide the opportunity for God to transform communities in this way.
Proof of the need for this deeper transformation is seen when incomes are increased through good efforts, yet children in households are still malnourished. Or an increase in income leads to a man taking another wife. So increasing income alone is not enough.

In addition, in this work, World Vision is not seeking to change "them," meaning the people they serve. Instead they are seeking transformation for both the server and the one served as they do their work through both words and deeds. Successful transformation impacts everyone, not just the recipient.

Transformation can't be achieved if we don't allow the influence of the Holy Spirt because transformation is God's business. We are all just instruments.

The chapel service was attended by about 60 visitors and staff. It included singing, prayer, reciting together the the world vision mission, and the message.

Worshiping Kampala

Welcome, this is how we are greeted here, every where we go, we truly feel 'welcome.'
Today, we headed to Watoto South Church to worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  The message was really good and challenging to all of our team. As God would have it, it built from lessons and devotions we did pre-trip. The team gathered for lunch and exploring the "craft market" in Kampala. Met up with Charlotte, (previous team members will remember her). Final destination for the day a different hotel for the night, relaxing and preparing for team dinner. Dinner and debrief a bit more quiet this evening, as some members have not slept well and we are getting acclimated to the sun and heat.  All members are in good health, grateful for so much. Today's sermon was the top of the talked about items today. You will have to ask the members about church, a few ques to use: Being an elephant, why is this something to strive for? Worship music, what was the worship service like? What was the sermon on and how did it impact you and your team?
Tomorrow, we head to National Office and then Gulu. Please pray for the team as we take on the 6 hour bumpy ride that all stay healthy, everyone keeps a great attitude and whatever else comes to mind :)
Pictures tomorrow night.
(We are now 7 hours ahead of you)

Amsterdam

Team has arrived safe and sound in Amsterdam, hanging out waiting for the next leg. Took a walk and enjoyed some of the airport "attractions" .

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The team plans to daily blog updates during the trip.

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Prayer Calendars for Gulu Team Available

Prayer calendars for the Gulu Team are currently available in the Connection Boards at the church. These calendars give suggested topics for prayer during each day of the team's trip.

The calendars will also be available at the Prayer Send Off event at 10 a.m., Friday, March 10 in the South Atrium at the church at 7221 North Jefferson Road in Midland.

Drop Off Child Letters and Packages for Gulu By Thursday

If you have a World Vision sponsored child in Gulu, you may drop off a letter or small package at the Church Offices yet this week. A collection box is available. In order for the team to finish packing, weighing and labeling their luggage, letters and packages need to be delivered to the office by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 9.

Items will be delivered directly to World Vision's National Office in Kampala when our team visits later in March, where they will be processed and translated as needed for later delivery.

Add your child's name and sponsorship number to the back when you address your 8x10, small manila package or envelope. Ideas and guidelines for letter writing are available by visiting World Vision's Sending a Letter web page.

Your sponsored child will be delighted to feel your love and support when they receive a letter or package directly from you. Children cherish every letter, photo, or item they receive, and feel so loved when they know you’re thinking about them and praying for them.

If you have questions, you may contact Tammy Stevens at (989) 430-4001.

Gulu 2017 Team Commissioned, Prayer Sendoff Announced

The 2017 Gulu Team was commissioned on Sunday with Mike Entner leading the prayer, as well as announcing the Prayer Sendoff event for the team. The sendoff will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 10 in the South Atrium of the church at 7221 N. Jefferson Road in Jefferson. All are welcome to attend.

Joy Flows Both Ways

Our 2017 Gulu Team shirts have the word JOY in big letters on the front and images showing our connection geographically from Midland, Michigan to Gulu, Uganda. 

The team verse is Philemon 1:7. We felt this verse truly highlights the heart of our World Vision partnership and the work in Uganda. 

It is with JOY that Midland Evangelical Free Church goes to share with World Vision and our Gulu families and delight in them. Our focus is to encourage, refresh, express our love and support of our World Vision partners, as they work to grow and strengthen the hearts and lives of Ugandan families, neighbors and country. 

Donate Online to Support Team Gulu

The Gulu team is concluding their fundraising efforts for their trip to Uganda later this month. Those interested in supporting the team can still do so through the church's Online Giving Page. The team is still a bit behind its fund raising goal.