Hi all –

I am back in the states having done the “tag team” with my husband, John – he is now in Uganda ready to meet the team there tomorrow morning.  Just thought I’d update all of you family and friends on how the team is doing.

They have very limited internet access – I have just tonight posted all blogs from July 5 onward.  While in larger cities, of course, they have a better shot – but in the villages it is impossible. I imagine this will be the case in Uganda as well. 

They are all doing a fabulous job of encountering the culture, embracing the difference and learning from it.  They will try new things readily – foods, activities, languages – and do it with a smile on their faces!  As a team – they are supporting each other and laughing a lot.  They have passed around a wicked cold – they’ve all had it except for Nina I believe.  Thank heaven for Sudafed and Advil – that has been their saving grace! The cold plus a few queasy stomachs here and there have been the only physical issues (except for a group case of food poisoning as they left Romania  🙁   not fun! ) They have done well at accepting when they need to rest a little more in order to get through illness and be able to manage the long haul of this trip.

They are – as is neceesary for this experience – struggling with what they are seeing and experiencing.  As you are reading the blogs- you are getting glimpses of this.  Encountering so much in such a condensed time period can be overwhelming.  Pray for them as they wrestle with how to process all of this.  God is stretching them – which can be painful. 

I am amazed at their commitment to this project – and at the spirit with which they are approaching it.  They are so open to what God is showing them.   I am confident that God led each of these students to this experience for a specific reason.   Seeds are being planted – I can’t wait to see what they yield…

Thank you to all of you for your support and love – and for allowing these young adults to do this with your blessing.  Keep praying!  For the Spirit to give them what they need to process their experiences, for grace with themselves as they do that, for health, strength, and continued safety,  for wisdom and vision as they move to a new location and encouter another new culture, and for continued good team relations (that has been a huge blessing so far!)

I will join them again in NYC.  If you want to send a card or letter for me to hand deliver to them there – let me know at aderrick@thefellowship.info.  I will send you my mailing address.  I will need to receive it by July 21. 

Thanks again to all of you.

Pressing on-

Amy Derrick