Training Begins!!!

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

~Martin Luther King, Jr~

 
       And our 'staircase' has begun! After what seemed like the longest 3 days ever, packing our life in 5 checked bags and 6 carry-ons, we have arrived safely at our training in Comox, BC.  We have had the joy of meeting our team of other interns, volunteers and ACTS staff, and settling into this new reality with each other.  We are currently staying at a hostel, going to training during the day and then enjoying our free time in the evenings, getting to know each other. 

 
       Our team is awesome and comprised of another young married couple, a single girl and a single guy.  We will also be accompanied by the ACTS director and an engineer and his wife. The huge blessing here is that Theo has hit it off with quite a few of our team members already, playing silly games with them and showing off his dance moves. His most recent favourite song is Gangam Style, and if you sing "Hey sexy lady..." he will sing the next line while bopping his head.
 
       Tomorrow is another long day of training so I am off to bed, but we would like to give a big shout out and thank you to a couple families/individuals that without their help, we don't know what we would have done:

1. Shawna Edwards & Fam - for storing our stuff
2. Mark & Kristie Baggio - for storing our car and letting us borrow their truck
3. The Hogg Family - for being such great landlords and helping us out with so much!!!
4. My Mom - for taking car of Theo while we packed & now while we train
5. Jordan Collier - for helping us load up our moving truck
6. Tony Mann - for helping Andrew run last minute errands

Love you all and can't wait to talk again soon!!!

~M~

Preparations for Uganda

Look for the best,

Prepare for the worst,

and

Take what comes.

~Unknown~

 

       As we prepare to leave for training in less than two weeks, I am daily riddled with the question "Do we really need this?"  I feel silly packing 'extra' items for Theo for his comfort, when I know we are about to be faced with so many children that don't even have the basics.  I'm quite certain that my idea of neccessity will soon be shaken up and drastically turned upside down.  As our days in Canada draw to a close, I am amazed at how the preparations of my heart have slowly taken over my thoughts, rather than the endless 'To Do' lists waiting on the fridge.  Perhaps this is because we have conquered at least half the lists, including immunizations, medical insurance & basic travel plans, but the largest task of all (packing up our house) still lies ahead.

 

Rural Ugandan road (taken by previous intern)

Here is a quick look at our travel plans:

• Sep. 16: ACTS 40th Anniversary party
• Sep. 22: Mom comes to Vancouver to help
• Sep. 26: ACTS training in Comox, BC
• Oct. 01: Fly Vancouver to Heathrow (8.5 hrs)
• Oct. 02: Fly Heathrow to Entebbe (9.0 hrs)

       The support Andrew & I have recieved from our family, friends, church community and coworkers has been such an encouragement. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your honest opinions, financial support and constant prayer. Your generous donations have brought us close to our budget and truly affirmed our decision to pursue this grand adventure.

       As a side note, our little man is fighting a nasty virus that has him covered in sores and keeps him from sleeping well.  This is of course a concern, considering we want him to be strong and healthy when we arrive in Uganda to give his body the best chance to adjust and fight against any viruses sure to bombard him upon arrival.  Please pray for his speedy recovery and the strengthening of his immune system.

Webale! (Thank you in Runyankole)

Melissa