Hello lovely supporters.  Excitement is increasing as we now only have one week to go before a team of eleven people, seven from TBC and four linked to TWBC, depart for Uganda.  There are four teenagers joining the Tonbridge contingent, one of whom has never been in an aeroplane before, let alone flown to Africa, so please pray for them as the excitement is possibly tinged with some anxiety about what they will see and do.  We are visiting the poorest of the poor in a mountainous, rural area of SW Uganda where most people are subsistence farmers and very much at the mercy of the climate and the economy. But the people of Rwentobo are a joyful and welcoming community and I know that our teens will learn a lot from their dependence on God and their generosity, despite challenging circumstances.

The teenagers have been trying very hard to raise the funds needed to cover their flights and other expenses in Uganda.  Josie Haselden completed the Tonbridge walking marathon, completing a stiff 26 mile hike with her Mum, Brionnie. Many thanks to those of you who made donations to support her.

This Saturday, there will be a “Clothes Swap” event at Tonbridge Baptist Church, from 7pm to 9.30. Please do come and have a look at a variety of good quality adult and children’s clothes and accessories that we have received. Or, just come along to enjoy the live musical entertainment from Noah and Tom Swann and delicious cakes and refreshments.  Your support will be very much appreciated by the team.  Any remaining clothes will be donated to TBC’s “Clothes to Go” or taken as aid to Uganda.

Some of the staff at Hope Community Clinic have recently taken part in a national campaign to vaccinate those children who are “difficult to reach” against measles and rubella.  You can see from these photos how remote some of these basic  mountain top schools are.  When the track ran out, the team had to walk the rest of the way and use improvised foot bridges to reach the children.  The classroom where Damary is seen recording the vaccinations is typical of many of the rural primary schools.

Planned activities during our Mission Trip

When planning anything in Uganda, we always need to remember TIA - This Is Africa, where things rarely happen on schedule and we also need to allow for weather conditions and possible last minute changes. But, God willing, these are some of the things that the team will be taking part in:

• Joining Pastor Simpson and his family at Kabale Baptist church.  Nigel Daly, From T Wells Baptist church, will work with Pastor Simpson for one week, training rural pastors.  the rest of us will return to Rwentobo.
• The teens will be involved in school visits, helping with classes and singing and playing with the children.
• Some of the adults will shadow clinic staff, where appropriate, so we can witness their skilled care for children and adults who attend for urgent care as well as maternity care and immunisations etc.
• A high school visit where our teens will be involved in teaching the girls to make their own reusable sanitary pads and taking part in health education talks.
• Community visits to people’s homes and farms to understand the challenges that they face.
• A celebration party for Mums and babies who have been delivered at the clinic
• Food, fellowship and praise parties with our clinic team and attempting the traditional bakija dance.
• A visit to Kisiizi Hospital where we will explore the tourist area and support the bag and craft makers.
• A basket making workshop using traditional materials and techniques
• The last 3 days will be spent in leisure activities, including a short safari and a visit to Lake Bunyonyi.

We will try to send updates of our activities while we are in Uganda via Mail Chimp and Mission Rwentobo Instagram. so please encourage anyone interested to sign up for details.

Aid items.  We now have quite a lot of aid items to take over, including medical equipment and some IT support items, but if anyone has any of the following items, I would be happy to receive them and try to squeeze them in. Please contact me by replying to this email if you intend to drop anything off or bring to the Clothes Swap.

• Baseball caps and sun hats for children and adults
• Children’s flip flops or crocs
• Ladies light weight scarves and men’s ties
• Baby clothes including babygros up to age 2 years
• Children’s light weight clothes, sweat shirts and cardigans
• Second hand smart phones - much needed as the main form of communication in the villages

Prayer needs for the trip

• We give thanks for God’s guidance so far but please pray that we remember to “Seek His Face”.
• For safe travels, particularly on the roads in Uganda.  (We do have good drivers and seat belts)!
• For good health and protection against accidents and upset tummies
• For good relationships, showing respect, humility and compassion to all.
• For opportunities to demonstrate God’s love in action and being open to His prompts

Prayer needs for the clinic

• We thank God for the support of Kisiizi Hospital to date and ask for guidance as we seek to enable a new management structure to develop with new supervision..
• For more financial support for Mission Rwentobo in order to meet the challenges of setting up a private not for profit NGO to support the ongoing work and for longer term financial stability as funds are low. Please use the link below if you want to make a donation and share with others who may be interested.
• For our wonderful clinic team - that they will be encouraged by our visit and equipped for the future.

With love and thanks for your financial and prayer support,

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Debbie Burke
On behalf of the Mission Rwentobo Trustees

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