Morgan got home on Friday around two o'clock. We have enjoyed hearing about her many adventures in Africa. She talked non-stop about her trip for several hours. She slept until 12:30 today! She's still exhausted.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
TAUGHT HER WELL
I'm sure Morgan is calling ME to tell me they are in Houston. It was so great to hear her voice. Tara actually called first. I'm so glad they are back in the United States!!BACK IN AMERICA
The girls just called they just landed in Houston! Now they have to go through customs, pick up their luggage and take a 2-3 hour bus ride back to Garden Valley.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
IN DUBAI
The girls landed in Dubai. They will take off at 9:05 Dubai time tomorrow...our time 1:05 am Wednesday morning. They will get to Houston around 4:30 tomorrow afternoon...that's about 15 hours in the air. I know they will be exhausted!!! From Houston they will have a two hour bus ride back to Teen Mania in Garden Valley, Texas. Thursday will be a day of rest with a "debriefing" session and closing program Thursday night. Friday will include traveling home for Morgan and traveling to Canada for Tara.
AND THEY'RE OFF!!
As I write this, the girls are taxiing on the runway to take off for Dubai. I found a very "fuzzy" picture of Morgan in the airport. Tara is actually sitting on the floor behind her. They should be in the air until about 4:15 our time today.
Monday, July 6, 2009
BACK IN KAMPALA
The girls just got back to Kampala. They are extremely tired from the bus ride. It is just after midnight, their time. They will be flying out of Kampala tomorrow during the afternoon...our time 9:00 a.m. They have a lot of traveling ahead of them, so please remember them in your prayers.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
SAFARI TODAY
The girls have gone on a safari today at Murchison Falls, which is on the Nile River. The waterfalls come from Lake Victoria which empty, through the falls into the Nile. They should be able to see some great wildlife today, then get some much needed rest at the lodge.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
POWERFUL MESSAGE FROM THE TEEN MANIA WEBSITE
Although long, this is the best one yet!
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.
-Jennifer and Kailyn
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.
-Jennifer and Kailyn
MORE PICTURES FROM TEEN MANIA!!!
I'm glad to see that Tara and Morgan are happy and safe. Here they are sharing a little sisterly love.
I think this is the latest fashion in mosquito net wear. You won't see this on the billboards of New York!
This is what it's all about. Looks like Tara is a natural at sharing love. Friday, July 3, 2009
FROM THE TEEN MANIA WEBSITE
Here is an update written by a student on the same team as the girls.
Here in Uganda God has been moving in some amazing ways. We have been doing ministry in the schools in Kampala and have seen many young people give their lives to Christ and pledge to abstain from sex until marriage. I am constantly astounded by the beauty of the country and the hospitality of the people here. We have also visited refugee camps in Gulu where the LRA used to be. We have seen first hand the hurt caused by Joseph Kony and his army and been able to share the gospel of hope to these people who need it so desperately.
-Daniel
Here in Uganda God has been moving in some amazing ways. We have been doing ministry in the schools in Kampala and have seen many young people give their lives to Christ and pledge to abstain from sex until marriage. I am constantly astounded by the beauty of the country and the hospitality of the people here. We have also visited refugee camps in Gulu where the LRA used to be. We have seen first hand the hurt caused by Joseph Kony and his army and been able to share the gospel of hope to these people who need it so desperately.
-Daniel
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
TELEPHONE UPDATE
The girls called today while my mom and I were eating at Bojangles. Morgan started the conversation. They are both doing well, but have not been able to do a lot of work in their new location. Evidently the person they are working with is taking charge and in their words using "old -fashioned preaching." They just sit there and pass out stuff when she asks them to. Morgan enjoyed her free day shopping and she said she's getting pretty good at "bartering" for goods. Morgan also said that she really misses home. She actually admitted that she misses working out and playing sports!
Tara talked for about 30 seconds then the phone card ran out of time. She called back in about 5 minutes. She said many of the people on her team had shared some concerns about the teaching style of the person in charge at the school and hopefully the Teen Mania Leadership will be able to get the kids more involved. They are spending much of their time just sitting and listening while the leader "preaches." They want to get involved with the kids!
On a brighter note, Tara's Project Director asked her if she would consider being a team leader next summer. He spoke of how much he appreciated her leadership qualities. When she told him she wasn't old enough, he seemed shocked. He said they would waive the rule for her! She's a natural leader, of course I already knew that.
The girls have a few more days of ministry and then they will go on a two day safari. They will get to stay in a nice lodge during their trip. They are both looking forward to it. They are holding up well.
Tara talked for about 30 seconds then the phone card ran out of time. She called back in about 5 minutes. She said many of the people on her team had shared some concerns about the teaching style of the person in charge at the school and hopefully the Teen Mania Leadership will be able to get the kids more involved. They are spending much of their time just sitting and listening while the leader "preaches." They want to get involved with the kids!
On a brighter note, Tara's Project Director asked her if she would consider being a team leader next summer. He spoke of how much he appreciated her leadership qualities. When she told him she wasn't old enough, he seemed shocked. He said they would waive the rule for her! She's a natural leader, of course I already knew that.
The girls have a few more days of ministry and then they will go on a two day safari. They will get to stay in a nice lodge during their trip. They are both looking forward to it. They are holding up well.
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