Uganda Update: Return Uganda

In case you missed it, our trip dates have changed and we are now going to Uganda March 11th-23rd.

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We received a new itinerary for our Uganda trip and OH MY WORD. I can't believe how many different, amazing ministries we get to serve with while we are there.

I am really excited to share with you everything that we'll be doing, but I thought that instead of just listing our itinerary, I would give you a little peak inside each ministry that we'll be working with. Starting with:

Days 1-4: 
Ministry Spotlight: Return Uganda

After two and a half days of travel, we'll arrive in Entebbe, Uganda on Sunday, March 13th and take the day to settle in. We'll have some relaxing moments to exchange money, use the internet and get to know the rest of our team better before we start serving together.

On Monday, we'll spend the day with the children of Return Uganda Ministries (a part of Return Ministries International). This ministry was founded by Pastor Samuel Bubonero and his wife Sarah. To the best of my limited knowledge, I've gathered that they provide assistance for the orphan crisis by opening homes for a number of the orphans in the area along with providing education, food and Christian discipleship (which I believe they extend to some 300 orphans around the area too). They have sponsorship opportunities available as well. 

"We exist to raise the next generation of Ugandan leaders as we bring the fatherhood of God to the Fatherless, by pursuing excellence in academic and practical skills, integrity in conduct and moral values, so each child becomes a responsible Christian and a productive citizen of Uganda through fostering alliances and partnerships between Christian leaders in Africa and the rest of the world."  
- from the Return Uganda website

Another way Return Uganda helps these children is by teaching them trade skills. Apparently some of these kiddos are quite accomplished artisans and we'll have a chance to shop at their "boutique" for souvenirs. Return Uganda is also raising money to buy land and livestock for the childrens' homes in order to teach the children agricultural skills while providing a sustainable food source for the homes. They are also hoping to purchase motorcycles to bring in money through taxi services. The organization's goal is to eventually be a self-sustaining ministry. (To learn more about Return Uganda click here.)

Later that day, we'll drive to Canaan Children’s Home in Jinja, Uganda - our home for the rest of the week. While there, we will work with some incredible leadership that I will tell you more about in my next Uganda post. Until then - Siiba bulungi! ("Have a nice day" in Luganda)