Leaving on a Jet Plane

All this "stuff" was all ready to be packed on Friday. Just so you know - this does NOT include our clothes. Is it possible to get it into a reasonable amount of luggage and still meet the weight requirements???? Can you believe we are taking Kraft Mac N Cheese, refried beans, snickers bars, gatorade mix, and other assorted goodies? Did I mention the Christmas presents and stocking stuffers??? Don't worry, we're not taking the treadmill or exercise ball. Can we do it?

No prob, Bob! We're packed and ready to go! We're leaving on a jet plane and we'll be back again Feb. 9! Uganda, here we come!

The Visiting Team

Darren is a full-time Music and Missions Pastor. He has been on missions trips to Mexico, Mississippi, and Romania but this is his first time in Africa. He and Jennifer have been married for 10 years and they have two lovely children who will also be making their first trip to Africa.

Jennifer is our daughter and is employed as a full-time Mom to Jason and Cameron. She has been to Mexico but never overseas. She is looking forward to seeing her brother and spending 20+ hours on a plane with a 1 year old!

Jason is 4 years old and already a world traveler. He has flown to Hawaii, Oregon, and most recently Minnesota. He has a "Cars" backpack and is ready to go. He is most anxious to see his cousin Noah and play with him. He can find Africa on the map and can't wait to fly over the ocean.

Cameron is a very happy 1 year old who loves to play and eat. She has no idea that she is going to Africa, doesn't know where Africa is, or what Africa is. She is very content to be with her family wherever they are. We will see how content she will be on the airplane for 20+ hours! I'm sure that will be the subject of a future blog!

John has been on several missions trips. He has been to Kentucky, Romania, Hungary, Macedonia, Czech Republic, and Serbia. This will be his first visit to Africa. John retired last year and is "semi-employed" at 2 different jobs. His most important job now is being Grandpa (Da) to 4 wonderful grandchildren.

Sallie is the last member of the visiting team. She has been in the mission field to Kentucky and Serbia. Africa is one of the last places she ever thought she would go but she is ready for anything! She is most looking forward to seeing those boys, Noah and Kadin, whom she hasn't seen in a year. Oh yea, and Jeff and Christine!!! Don't worry - there will be plenty of happy tears when we arrive at the airport. Bring kleenex!

Here we are! We've had all our immunizations, have our passports, and we are all ready to travel. Jeff and Christine don't forget to pick us up at the airport. Don't worry, we'll have our "pick-up fee" with us!!!

The Journey Begins

Our journey to Uganda is beginning! Almost a year ago (January 16, 2006) our son, Jeff, our favorite daughter-in-law, Christine, and our grandsons, Noah and Kadin, left on their journey to Uganda. Saying good-bye has never been easy for me but this was the most difficult by far! Now it is time for us to begin our travel to Uganda. We leave on January 13, 2007 and by the time we land in Uganda, it will be one year and one day since we have seen our kids. The tears (of joy, of course) are already forming!

Our team consists of me, Sallie, my husband John, our daughter Jennifer, our favorite son-in-law Darren, our grandson Jason and our grandaughter Cameron. Watch future blogs for pictures of our team!

Any successful journey must begin with prayer and that is what I am asking from you, our blog-readers! Please pray for this journey and all it entails with the planning, immunizations (yuk!), travel, and health concerns. We are all very excited to be going and especially to be going together. Please also pray for our family time together as this will be the first time we have been together since Christmas 2005. Praise God for the internet and all the technology to keep us in touch with each other while we are apart.