Coming Soon to a Blog Near You...

I will be on vacation for the next week, so more posts will come when I return next week! Don't forget about the picture site.... http://www.dropshots.com/Uganda2009 I'll be continuing to update that when I post more stories.

What is an MA?

Global Expeditions uses a lot of abbreviations. So you all are probably wondering what all these letters are that I keep talking about. Like MA, TL, MAG, MIG, ect. An MA is a "Mission Advisor". GE leadership is kinda like a ladder. There are different levels of leadership. The highest level is the Project Director (PD). They over see the entire project and make sure everything is going well, and specifically they give the Team Leaders instruction on how to direct their teams. The next level down is the Team Leaders (TL). Each team has two TLs. One male and one female. They look out and guide the entire team. There are usually a few teams on each project. Our project had 3 teams. Then the next level is the Mission Advisors (MA). That was me. I was under the leadership of my Team Leaders, but I was in charge of a small group of girls called my MAG, a small ministry group called my MIG, and a small travel group called my TAG.

As the leader of my MAG, I was in charge of everything that had to do with the girls in my group. I was to look out for their physical, spiritual and emotional well being. When they got sick, I got up with them. When they had a question, I helped them find the answer, when they needed to cry, I was the shoulder to cry on, when they needed a friend, I was the friend. It was a great role. The training I had the few days before everyone else arrived was amazing in helping me prepare for this. This was a huge responsibility I had, but it was awesome because I got to watch these girls grow throughout the trip. I believe that part of my ministry on this trip to Uganda was to these girls. It was not only to the Ugandans, but it was to the members of my MAG. There were 4 girls in my MAG. Lexi from Washington, Anna from Wyoming, Claudia from Panama, and Amie from Florida. (Picture on Left, from LtoR Me, Amie, Claudia, Lexi and Anna).

Another part of my role as an MA was to lead a MIG. All the roles were exciting to me, but this one was especially exciting to me. I got to lead the direction that our group went when we were on a ministry site. If we were in a class doing the whole purity program by ourselves, I had to get that started. That was exciting, but also a little scary. There were some points when I had no clue what to do, but God totally took over. And that was so exciting to see happen. It was awesome to see God work through me when I had no idea what to say. My MIG had 4 other members. We all clicked very well and it was so awesome to get to watch the people in my MIG minister. When we'd be in a class sharing the True Love Waits program each person had such a unique role in it that it was awesome to see it unfold each day. Each ministry site went different. No two sites were alike. And it was great to see my MIG work together and share the Lord with people and watch people come to know the Lord because of the people in my group. As the leader of that group it was awesome to be able to see the progression of my group and how we all grew over the month we were in Uganda. The picture on the right is of my MIG. (LtoR) Lexi, Me, Mary, Anna and Tyler is sitting down.

The final role I had as an MA was to serve as a TAG leader. I lead a group of 4 other people when we traveled. I was in charge of not losing anyone in my group in the airport, during long lay overs, making sure no one lost their passports, helping everyone check their bags and get through security. I didn't spend too much time with my TAG, because we were only with them when we traveled internationally, but it was a great way to get to know people from the other teams. I had people in my group from both other teams. One of them had even been the same trip last year as someone else I knew. It's a small world. I didn't even lose anyone and no one lost their passports! The picture on the left is of my TAG in Dubai airport. (LtoR) Jennifer, Grace, David, Lexi and Me.

Being an MA was a great opportunity for me. And I was so happy I was able to do that.

I know so many people were praying for me and I know that it was only God that equipped me for this role. God used me to minister in my various roles and it was such a blessing to be able to watch the people in my groups grow closer to God.

Sunday June 14th - Tuesday June 16th : Training

On Sunday the rest of the project arrived in Texas. All the missionaries were finally there and it was great to have the whole project together. We were assigned to teams. I was on team Caritas. Led by Adrian and Kat. There were 23 of us missionaries and then the two leaders, making a grand total of 25. The team was mostly made up of girls. There were only 16 guys on the entire project, and only 6 on my team. We played some games to get to know each other and learn each others names. There were a lot of names to remember.
I was chosen to be an MA! I was so excited. Out of the 30 MA candidates, I was one of the 15 chosen to have a leadership role on this trip. The job came with a lot of responsibility, but it was awesome. I'll explain more about what it means to be an MA later.
Each day we had a few sessions of training with some practice / breakout time and some great speakers and great worship. It was a great time to really draw near to the Lord before we were sent out to Uganda.
A lot of our time in Texas was spent learning the abstinence program that we did in Uganda. It was called the "True Love Waits" program and I think I could probably do the entire program in my sleep now. We practiced it time after time after time. We were broken into smaller groups called MIGs... which stands for Ministry Group. I was the leader of the group because I was an MA. There were 4 other people in my group. 3 girls, and 1 guy. We got section 3 of the program to learn very well. We would be doing section 3 when we presented the whole program in Uganda, so our goal was to learn it very well. We went over the program so many times I can't even count.
Tuesday night, the final session was what GE (global expeditions) calls "Commissioning Night". And that is just such an awesome night. The final session has a lot of worship, an encouraging speaker (who was Ron Luce, the founder of Teen Mania) and then prayer as a project. They line all the flags up of countries that people were going to and then we followed the flags outside. We did a lot of praying for Uganda. It was the final step before we headed to Uganda.

Friday July 12th - Saturday July 13th : MA Camp

Once I finally arrived at the Dallas Airport, I met up with the Global Expeditions staff and some other Missionary Advisor candidates. We hung out in the airport for a little while waiting for some other people to arrive. Then we drove 2 hours to Garden Valley, which is where the Teen Mania headquarters is. On the bus I met some people that were going to New York, Zambia, Jordan and UGANDA!! It was exciting to meet people that were on the same project as me. Once in Garden Valley we met the Project Directors, Candace and Adam and the 6 Team Leaders. We did some crazy fun games and got to know people a little bit. Finally we got to go to bed with strict instructions not to set any alarms or get up before 6am the next morning.
At 5:50am the next morning we were all awoken by a loud horn. We were all so confused because it was too early to be getting up. The night before they had explained what to do in the event of a tornado. So I thought maybe it was a tornado siren, but when I looked out the window it was clear skies. Finally someone burst through the door to the "hut" we were staying in and said it was a tornado drill and that we all had to go to the wash house. We spent the next 20min learning tornado protocol. And then our day began. I went through a lot of sessions filled with great information about being a leader. We learned about what our roles as MAs would look like and how to be the best MA possible. We also got to do a low ropes course with our Team Leaders. It was a lot of fun and a great time to get to know people on my project and our leaders a bit better.
MA camp was packed full of activities and sessions, and Texas was extremely hot, but the information and training was extremely necessary.

Friday July 12, 2009 : The Mission Trip Begins at the Airport Check-In Counter

I arrived at the airport with a decent amount of time to check in...there was a bit of a line at the check in counter and I requested they put my skymiles number on my ticket, but the lady told me to just do it at the gate. So I said ok and decided to just do it at the gate instead of insist she put it on then. I said my goodbyes and headed to the gate. When I went up to the counter to get my skymiles number put on there was a lady in front of me with an injured knee. When she walked away from the counter she did not look like she was pleased with the service that she received (or didn't receive). I went up to the counter and handed my number and ticket to the man and he said "You have an aisle seat!" and I said "Yes?". And then he asked if I wanted a window seat. Of course I said yes. But I was slightly confused as to why he was offering this to me. I thought perhaps they noticed that I was a frequent flier and were offering me an "upgrade" to the window seat. But that was not the case. Apparently the lady in front of me had a window seat but was in need of an aisle seat to be able to stretch her leg out. So I happily was able to switch with her and she was so grateful! She thanked me numerous times. Even as we were dealing with problematic plane doors and switching planes. I didn't even have to leave the county before my "mission trip" started. People everywhere need to be shown the love of Christ!

Pictures!!!

I have started putting pictures up on a Dropshots site I created for my trip! They are organized by day and have captions. It's a pretty easy site to work. So far I've added pictures from training in Texas and traveling to Uganda via Dubai. And I'll be adding stories on the blog about training and traveling. Enjoy!
Click here for the pictures! (or type this into the address line http://www.dropshots.com/uganda2009 )

Favorite Part of the Trip?

I think one of the hardest questions I get asked is "what was your favorite part of the trip?". There is no easy answer to that question...because there are so many answers. Every part of the trip was unique and amazing (well, being sick was more of a unique experience than amazing), but every part was definitely memorable. Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing via this blog some of those moments. I think that one of the most exciting things about coming home from a trip like this is being able to share those stories with people. It's so exciting! As to not completely overwhelm you all with pictures and stories all at one time, I'll be uploading them in little pieces. A few days of my trip at a time.

On another hand, something that was definitely evident on this trip was how each of you was very much a part of each moment of my trip. Whether it was your financial support that actually made it possible for me to go to Uganda, or your prayers that carried me throughout my time there, each and every one of you had a very important role. As you will see through the stories I will share, your prayers were so important. I would encourage you to keep praying, (even though I'm home), for the team that is still in Uganda for the next month, and for the people of Uganda that we ministered to.

Hello from Mary Kate!!

Hey Blog Readers!!

It's been a few days since the last post... but I just wanted to let you all know that I'm working on getting my pictures and stories organized and then I'll start adding them to the blog for you all to read and enjoy.

Thanks again to all of you for all of your support and prayers. This trip would not have been possible if it wasn't for each of you. And I am so thankful for all of you.

Love,

Mary Kate

After many hours of traveling

After many hours of traveling and many long flights...I have arrived back in New Jersey! :)

Hello from Texas! I am here debriefing for the next few hours and then i'll be on a plane home. Uganda was amazing. I have so many stories to share. When i get back i'll start putting them up on the blog. Until then... Ministry was amazing. We did lots of work in schools and did some stuff in refugee camps. The stories some people shared with me in uganda amazed me. There is such a need for hope and Christ there. This morning i was excited to get a shower that included hot water! It was great. Well... Some of you i'll see soon! And more stories to come soon! :)

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Hello everyone! I have arrived

Hello everyone! I have arrived back in the states after a super long flight and an awesome time in UGANDA. I have so many stories!

She's BAAACCCKKK!! (in Texas, not NJ, yet)

Just heard from Mary Kate, and she and her team have arrived in Houston. We didn't talk long because they were pulling into the gate. But, she seemed well, but very tired. Since there was a lay-over in Dubai, she slept in the airport a bit and then couldn't sleep on the plane. Now comes collecting their luggage, getting through customs and the 4 hour bus ride to Garden Valley. She said she'll never eat peanut butter and jelly AGAIN!

6685 Miles Down, 1479 to Go!!

Mary Kate is currently winging her way from Dubai to Houston. I have three "flight trackers" open to see where she is, and she's just come into the U.S.A from the north. It's about a 16 hour flight, so I'm sure she's seen all the "in-flight" entertainment 10 times over by now. I'm sure she will post a blog herself from her cell phone when she touches down. As you can imagine, we can't wait to hear from her and see her on Friday, when she flies home, arriving late afternoon. Please keep praying for the other two teams that are taking up where the "A Team" left off. As you have read, there is a lot of work to do for the Lord in Uganda. Thank you so much for your prayers on her behalf.

Free Tour of the INSIDE of a Medical Clinic (well, actually, I'm not sure if it's free or not)

While we were out enjoying fireworks, Tyler received a phone call from Mary Kate (Bill & I had "missed calls" so she phoned her brother), saying she and 4 other girls had been to the clinic in Gulu because they had gotten something they thought was food poisoning. The usual stuff that accompanies a tummy bug...(vomiting, diarrhea and such) hit them all pretty quickly. So, rather than take ANY chances, they were wisked off to the medical clinic there and given hydration and an antibiotic. Mary Kate was phoning after all that happened, and the girls were back to where they were staying (only to a different room...where ever that may be). She said she was feeling much, much better as soon as they got liquids in her and she got the meds. Mary Kate commented that "at least SHE didn't have to have an IV." What a way to make a Mom feel better!! Phones, being what they are these days, have their good points and bad points. Good points are that at least we got to talk to her, bad points...well, we got cut off AGAIN! Just as I was about to speak with the Project Director, Candace, it went dead. Thankfully she started OUT saying she was ok and feeling better, but I did want a few more details than that! So, after the fireworks at West Point, we got home to our trusty phone numbers (the Global Exp. Parent hotline available 24/7 while your child is out of the country) and phoned Texas. Within about 1/2 hour, Uganda phoned us back and I did speak to Mary Kate AND Candace and, heard that everything was good. All the girls were feeling well, and they had all eaten and were going to be on their way shortly, enjoying a safari before flying back on Tue. Between the time Mary Kate had first called us at West Point, and the time we spoke again, they had their night's sleep. Great for them, but late at night for us. We are very thankful for all your prayers for Mary Kate and for her team. Join us in praising a LIVING GOD, Who hears our prayers and has worked in Uganda many times over!! Please keep praying as they come back to the States...processing all that has taken place over the past month, and looking forward to where the Lord will use these kids in the future. I know Mary Kate will be in touch via this blog and with many of you personally, sharing the stories of her trip. God bless.

Some Uganda Pictures

A Great July 4th in Uganda

Today, Mary Kate's team had their last day of ministry in Gulu. The Project Leader, Candace, wrote an update, saying the team in Gulu was presented with the opportunity to love and work hard, and they did both. Candace wrote that they seemed unstoppable when it came to their passion for ministry and impacting as many lives as they could for the Lord. She thanked everyone their prayers that were definitely needed and felt. Their strength, of course, came from the Lord!!

Another update was written about one of the team's ride back from Gulu on the bus. It will touch your hearts as it did ours. " Jul 04 2009 07:06AM: When we came to Uganda we knew we were in for a reality check and that we would see how blessed we really were but it wasn't until we were driving home from Gulu that it really hit us. The week had already been extremely emotionally and spiritually draining as we spent our time serving in displacement camps, orphanages and the hospital. We witnessed poverty first hand but nothing could have prepared us for what would happen on the ride back to Kampala. We had stopped to buy some fruit from roadside vendors and the bus was quickly surrounded by people that were selling other goods. We were sitting in the back of the bus when a man approached our window but it didn't look like he had anything to sell. He motioned to a little boy standing next to him and tried to tell us something but we couldn't understand him. Another man came over and placed his hands on the boys shoulders. He said, "This is my son, please take him with you where you are going." We were confused, we were on our way to Kampala-why would this man want us to take his son there? He asked us if we were from the UK but we told him we were actually from America. He started pleading with us again, "Please, please take him there with you, I give you him." Our hearts were broken, we didn't know what to say. We couldn't imagine what these people had been through that would make this man want to give up his son so that he could have a better life. This man was demonstrating the ultimate, selfless sacrifice. Of course we couldn't take the boy with us but the image of that father's love will be engraved in our hearts forever. As the bus started to drive away the man asked for a Bible, that was something we were able to give him. We're SOOOO blessed in America and it's almost embarrassing that it took a man offering his own son in order for us to realize that." People need the Lord and there is SO much work to be done! Thank you for YOUR part in Mary Kate's trip...your prayers, encouragement and financial support!

It is late afternoon there (4:30 p.m.) as I write this post (9:30 here) and they will be all together again to share stories of what the Lord has done this past week. Tomorrow they will embark on a safari for their "free day" and some much needed emotional, spiritual and physical rest. They will stay overnight and travel back Monday, to Kampala, then depart for Dubai on Tuesday. With the time change, it's hard to figure out the schedule, but I believe they will land back in Houston on Wednesday to debrief....back to HOT, HOT, Texas. Mary Kate will fly home on Friday. :)