Welcome to our blogsite -hope you will enjoy our daily comments – once we get over the flight. Pete reminded me it was 44hrs from door to door last time…
That is the scary bit!!!!!!!!!!!!
have a safe trip and a fabulous time lots of love
Hi Guys
All the best for a fantastic life-changing trip – for you and for the children you are serving! I will be thinking of you & praying for you all
Lots of Love
Pauline
Well just farewelled the team on the bus with tears in my eyes because i know what an awesome experience they are going to have and i of course will miss my boys!!!
Well done team, alot of work has been done to get you all this far and you deserve this experience
Enjoy and farewell.
Love Robyn
From Mandy on our email today for the crew:
Hi Team,
well no more sleeps, you are on your way. Hopefully you are all asleep as I write this, if you are not then you must be in last minute panic mode.
Have a GREAT trip, I know you will, in soooo many ways. Step out and grasp every opportunity. Love, thoughts and prayers are with you all, 24hrs of every single day, someone every moment of every day will be awake and you will be in their hearts/prayers.
Be prepared to be touched in a way you never thought possible, a good way though. Happy and safe travels.
God be with you
Mandy
Hi guys
Have just farewelled you all with love, prayers and tears!!! Have an awesome trip knowing you are all safe in the arms of our Lord, as we who remain at home are too!!!
Safe travel, look forward to the comments from you all on your experiences
Loads of love
Liz
Have a great trip guys – you are all in my thoughts and prayers for a safe, exciting life-changing experience.
Jacquie
Thanks for all your thoughts
Had Karen from the last trip at the airport to see us off and wishing she was going as well
At the airport waiting for the first of the flights
Heard from the crew they are in Sydney about to board plane to Thailand.
Thanks Robyn for keeping us informed!! Awesome
Just heard from Pete they in Bangkok boarding to Dubai. I think another 8 hour flight, then 3 hrs in Dubai and another 6 hour flight to Entebbe. Then a bus trip to their accommadation.
The flights over are the toughest as i remember well!
Pete said they all feeling pretty stuffed and Braydon not feeling too good. So please start praying for revised enegry, strength and sleep for this next flight and for Braydon to start feeling better.
Will keep you informed when they arrive in Dubai.
Robyn
44hours is a very long time in the air guys!!!!
take lots of pictures Kate
love, Anne
Thinking of you all – you are in my prayers always.
why didn’t you take this rain with you? I am sure they would appreciate more over there (lol).
May God bless you and keep you.
Marie
Yay Jem and Amanda, Burger King in Dubai, as good a NZ BK, I wonder!!! Pleased you slept on the flight to Dubai, hope everyone else did also.
Love and prayers
Mum
As Liz said they have made it to Dubai and feeling much better by all accounts. Thanks for your prayers.
Eating BK and enjoying it.
Robyn
They have arrived in Uganda at 1am our time monday. Yay. On the bus on the way to accommodation with cameras at the ready.
I’m so excitied for them and know what a great time they will have and thats why i’m on here at 2am in the morning . Lucky i don’t have work tommorrow.
Pete said it really hot and high humidity.
Pleased you have arrived safely. Now the fun begins. Thinking of you all lots of love Sue
Glad to hear you’ve all arrived safe and sound, ready for work and new experiences. Thinking of you.
Jacquie
Hope you are all sleeping peacefully after such a huge trip. I pray you all wake refreshed and ready to start this amazing and rewarding experience!!!! Prayers and love to you all
Liz
Pete txt me very late last night and it was great to hear all had arrived safely with all their luggage. They will be sleeping now and hope they will be fully rested to take on the next part of their jounery. They are staying just down from where we were in 2007. They are going to Bullrushes later today(our night time) and then will have oritation at 2pm Ugandan time. They have no internet access at the accommodation, so will most likely get on later today when they are at the mall changing money etc.
Pete said Braydon ate seconds of tea last night so that was really good.
Well if i hear from him again i will keep you all posted
Bye Robyn
From Stewart on Pete’s emails
Hi All,
You will all have an amazing start to the new decade! Have a great time as you all share together and bless the many you will meet , especially in Uganda.
Thinking of you all.
Stew
Stewart Nimmo
They are on their way to Bulrushes Baby home. I have asked Pete to check how Iscca and Dr George are at the babies home.
So pleased to hear you have arrived safely! Looking forward to seeing some photos. Lloyd – J&J settled in CHCH, all good. Have a great day.
Love
Sonya
SUNDAY 3 JAN 2010
First Impressions
Returners
Pete White It is good to be back.
Pete Hines Africa it gets in your blood. Back to see the smiling faces and happy disposition means the pain of getting here recedes!!!
Kathy Hines I never thought I would have a chance to come back to Africa , but to be back in Uganda again- with my family – is beyond belief. Once the ankle swelling goes down after the horrendous plane trip – I ‘ll be really happy!
Newbies
Kate Hines After a very long flight we finally arrived in Uganda. It is so hot yet the locals were all in long pants and long sleeves! The smell also hit me, very different from NZ. When on the bus driving along the streets there was so much to look at like the new culture, clothing and cute little shops. The place we are staying at is flash and has great views of the city.
Lloyd Finally here!!!!- what a relief!!! Fascinating drive in from the airport at Entebbe to Kampala. The country side reminded me of the drive from Nadi to Ba in Fiji
Tracey What an amazing place. Where else can you drive down the road while looking for your new couch or bed!!! They were being sold on the side of the road. When your clothes line is full just use a fence tree or lawn. I am sure that there will be plenty of more surprises install for me. I can already tell that the time here will not be long enough.
Amanda Wow what an experience so far.. Being here has made up for the long trip. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I think what has blown me away the most is the red roads and pavements and parking area. No black asphalt like NZ. And yet it is still so green.
Braydon Finally here after being cooped up in a plane for a long time. It is interesting that even with all the poverty Coke and beers and cell phones are widely advertised.
Marge Never been to Africa before and so some first impressions: Greener than I had expected; earth red like parts of Hawaii; Lake Victoria is massive; crazy drivers; lovely hosts. The drive from Entebbe to Kampala was like being in a documentary and seeing for oneself the juxtaposition of poverty and wealth.
Jeremy Also the first time here. The heat and humidity hit me first. The bus ride to the Guest house was a bit patchy as kept falling asleep. I still remember the different smells and sights and people wandering across the road all the time with crazy traffic. Just slowly taking it all in but need some more sleep.
Jack It was an interesting flight with all the movies and games. The first thing I noticed was the heat & all the different colours of skin. The bus ride along the country side was a lot different than Mum & Dad described it to be. So many different things and stuff to see, like a house with Coca Cola vending machine outside it. There were so many furniture shops.
Great to hear all your first impressions. Thanks to you all for taking the time to write the blog. Looking foward to hearing more. Take care . Luv sue
So glad you all made the trip safely. Trust now that those not feeling too well are doing OK. Thanks to every one of you for your messages. It is encouraging for us so far away from you to be able to see understand your feelings at departure time and to have your messages upon arrival. So looking forward to the next batch of information about the interactions with the local folks, children, each other, and the building progress … and of course, the “stuff” behind the work … when and if, any of you have any “extra” time. May God continue His blessings on all of you and keep you all safe during all of your times. Love, B&B
So good to read your comments today, could have done with some of your heat last night, was quite cool here in Greymouth!!!
Praying for your first building day, that you feel encouraged at the end of it!!! and that you will all feel confident enough to continue with this building experience.
Have that ukelele tuned Jem!!!!!
Love and blessings
Liz
Hi team
wonderful that you are over there once again. you are in my thoughts and Prayers. hope the kids all have a wonderful time, and take in everything. all the very best. what a great start to 2010 eh.
pleased u are all ok, and let the physical work begin!!!!
will check up on soxs and make sure he is sharing the couch!
take care
Annex
Hi All,
Just heard from Pete they are on there way for their first day of building. He said that it is hot and they have a 40 min drive to Suubi village where they are building. The other New Zealand team is over there at the moment and they are building in Suubi as well so they should be able to catch up with them. They also meet Andrew who was our host for 2007 which was great.
They had a great morning at Bulrushes yesterday. Bulrushes now only care for under 18 month olds so the two babies we wanted to reconnect with are now in a village setting, so hopefully they can find them.
Keep them in your prayers as they build tonight.
Robyn
Hi All,
Just keeping you all posted regard the action so far.
They have finished their first day building in thunder stroms and fork lighting. Everything went well and they got alot done between rain breaks. The young ones worked really hard and Pete was really impressed with them.
He tried to post on here today but for some reason didn’t work so will try again.
Everyone is really enjoying themselves and having fun.
Thats all folks
Robyn
Hi Guys,
So good to read your comments. Brought back good memories.
Looking forwards to some photographs of your progress.
All the best
Bob.S
Thank you very much for supplying the up-dates. Although Amanda has been texting us each morning it is great to hear what is happening from a different perspective. We would love to be a “fly on the wall” – it will be a great experience for both Amanda and Jeremy, no doubt they will be out of their comfort zones at times. We do look forward to seeing their photos (yes ALL several thousand knowing Amanda!!!).
Kind regards to all
Brian and Glenda Sargeant
HI ALL,
They have finished day 2 of building and everything is going well. They have met the other NZ team a few times Pete said.
They visited the production unit which was great, as when we were there in 2007 we brought the production unit a mig welder. So it would of been great for them to see what a difference this welder has made for the production of school chairs etc that they make.
Pete said that everyone is enjoying the experiences they are having.
Keeping praying for them all as they sleep now.
Robyn
Thanks Robyn you updates are always great. Jem said in his text this morning, “Praise God the weather is much cooler” That will make it more manageable for outside work!!!
Will be praying for peaceful sleep for them all.
Liz
What a neat way to keep us updated!! looking forward to reading about your experiences. Best wishes for a wonderful trip… Sam :o)
Hi Team,
well hope I have some luck getting this blog to you. Just realised that the one I did yesterday will not have gone as I did not type in the anti-spam word – Da!
You are constantly in my heart and prayers and thanks to God I know you are all holding up. Not to say there won’t be those challenging moments, but nothing that you can’t bear.
Oh for some heat here. You are wishing for cooler temps, how about a swap then, as I type this the wind is swirling strongly and the rain is pouring on us, horizontally mind as the wind blows it.
Good to hear that the younger ones have healthy appetites. I hope the food continues to be nourishing and tasty for you all.
Olivia I hope that you have some good snacks while you are on the building site, I struggled a bit with the sandwiches everyday for lunch, as I am not a big bread eater. So I pray that there is a good variety of nibbles to eat.
May you all stay well, strong and hungry, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Blessings
Mandy
Thanks to all of those on site that are sending msgs. We appreciate the insight of little things that are going on.
As to temperatures here in the US: COLD from north to south and Rockies east. At our location specifically near southern boarder: Tomorrow (our Jan 7) the temps in the morning is to be about 30F with 30-40 mph (kph?) winds which will bring the chill factor into the teens F. Glad to share some of that with you all on site in Kampala. Our Florida citrous crops are in danger.
Keep up the good work there in Kampala and thank all of you in NZ that continue to put your information on the comment site.
Any of the team that might see this, please, tell Marge hi from mum and dad
Sounds as though things are going so well. Have a great time
Love Marion
Great to read all the messages from everyone – so glad things are going O>K> for you all – trust Braydon is well and getting enough sleep. How is he coping with the food. Trust everyone is well – was great to see how many folk are praying for you all.
I have been enjoying the tennis on TV – not much gets done after 10a.m. John has had a busy day sorting and tideing cupboards in the kitchen and washouse – lots more space now –
David and Selina have just called in to collect the caravan to take to the party Saturday afternoon and evening at Saxton Field in Nelson. They seem to be revived after their busy New Year and seem to be happy with the New Year Party.
Every one here is well – Phillipa was back at work today, Dad tidied the shed and we seem to have so much more room now – looks good.
Trust everything will go smoothly along – will be praying for you all – if there is any urgent prayer needed send us an E.Mail.
Much love to you and Braydon – God bless – Gran and Grandpa – Mum and Dad.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooo
Welcome to our blogsite -hope you will enjoy our daily comments – once we get over the flight. Pete reminded me it was 44hrs from door to door last time…
That is the scary bit!!!!!!!!!!!!
have a safe trip and a fabulous time lots of love
Hi Guys
All the best for a fantastic life-changing trip – for you and for the children you are serving! I will be thinking of you & praying for you all
Lots of Love
Pauline
Well just farewelled the team on the bus with tears in my eyes because i know what an awesome experience they are going to have and i of course will miss my boys!!!
Well done team, alot of work has been done to get you all this far and you deserve this experience
Enjoy and farewell.
Love Robyn
From Mandy on our email today for the crew:
Hi Team,
well no more sleeps, you are on your way. Hopefully you are all asleep as I write this, if you are not then you must be in last minute panic mode.
Have a GREAT trip, I know you will, in soooo many ways. Step out and grasp every opportunity. Love, thoughts and prayers are with you all, 24hrs of every single day, someone every moment of every day will be awake and you will be in their hearts/prayers.
Be prepared to be touched in a way you never thought possible, a good way though. Happy and safe travels.
God be with you
Mandy
Hi guys
Have just farewelled you all with love, prayers and tears!!! Have an awesome trip knowing you are all safe in the arms of our Lord, as we who remain at home are too!!!
Safe travel, look forward to the comments from you all on your experiences
Loads of love
Liz
Have a great trip guys – you are all in my thoughts and prayers for a safe, exciting life-changing experience.
Jacquie
Thanks for all your thoughts
Had Karen from the last trip at the airport to see us off and wishing she was going as well
At the airport waiting for the first of the flights
Heard from the crew they are in Sydney about to board plane to Thailand.
Thanks Robyn for keeping us informed!! Awesome
Just heard from Pete they in Bangkok boarding to Dubai. I think another 8 hour flight, then 3 hrs in Dubai and another 6 hour flight to Entebbe. Then a bus trip to their accommadation.
The flights over are the toughest as i remember well!
Pete said they all feeling pretty stuffed and Braydon not feeling too good. So please start praying for revised enegry, strength and sleep for this next flight and for Braydon to start feeling better.
Will keep you informed when they arrive in Dubai.
Robyn
44hours is a very long time in the air guys!!!!
take lots of pictures Kate
love, Anne
Thinking of you all – you are in my prayers always.
why didn’t you take this rain with you? I am sure they would appreciate more over there (lol).
May God bless you and keep you.
Marie
Yay Jem and Amanda, Burger King in Dubai, as good a NZ BK, I wonder!!! Pleased you slept on the flight to Dubai, hope everyone else did also.
Love and prayers
Mum
As Liz said they have made it to Dubai and feeling much better by all accounts. Thanks for your prayers.
Eating BK and enjoying it.
Robyn
They have arrived in Uganda at 1am our time monday. Yay. On the bus on the way to accommodation with cameras at the ready.
I’m so excitied for them and know what a great time they will have and thats why i’m on here at 2am in the morning . Lucky i don’t have work tommorrow.
Pete said it really hot and high humidity.
Pleased you have arrived safely. Now the fun begins. Thinking of you all lots of love Sue
Glad to hear you’ve all arrived safe and sound, ready for work and new experiences. Thinking of you.
Jacquie
Hope you are all sleeping peacefully after such a huge trip. I pray you all wake refreshed and ready to start this amazing and rewarding experience!!!! Prayers and love to you all
Liz
Pete txt me very late last night and it was great to hear all had arrived safely with all their luggage. They will be sleeping now and hope they will be fully rested to take on the next part of their jounery. They are staying just down from where we were in 2007. They are going to Bullrushes later today(our night time) and then will have oritation at 2pm Ugandan time. They have no internet access at the accommodation, so will most likely get on later today when they are at the mall changing money etc.
Pete said Braydon ate seconds of tea last night so that was really good.
Well if i hear from him again i will keep you all posted
Bye Robyn
From Stewart on Pete’s emails
Hi All,
You will all have an amazing start to the new decade! Have a great time as you all share together and bless the many you will meet , especially in Uganda.
Thinking of you all.
Stew
Stewart Nimmo
They are on their way to Bulrushes Baby home. I have asked Pete to check how Iscca and Dr George are at the babies home.
So pleased to hear you have arrived safely! Looking forward to seeing some photos. Lloyd – J&J settled in CHCH, all good. Have a great day.
Love
Sonya
SUNDAY 3 JAN 2010
First Impressions
Returners
Pete White It is good to be back.
Pete Hines Africa it gets in your blood. Back to see the smiling faces and happy disposition means the pain of getting here recedes!!!
Kathy Hines I never thought I would have a chance to come back to Africa , but to be back in Uganda again- with my family – is beyond belief. Once the ankle swelling goes down after the horrendous plane trip – I ‘ll be really happy!
Newbies
Kate Hines After a very long flight we finally arrived in Uganda. It is so hot yet the locals were all in long pants and long sleeves! The smell also hit me, very different from NZ. When on the bus driving along the streets there was so much to look at like the new culture, clothing and cute little shops. The place we are staying at is flash and has great views of the city.
Lloyd Finally here!!!!- what a relief!!! Fascinating drive in from the airport at Entebbe to Kampala. The country side reminded me of the drive from Nadi to Ba in Fiji
Tracey What an amazing place. Where else can you drive down the road while looking for your new couch or bed!!! They were being sold on the side of the road. When your clothes line is full just use a fence tree or lawn. I am sure that there will be plenty of more surprises install for me. I can already tell that the time here will not be long enough.
Amanda Wow what an experience so far.. Being here has made up for the long trip. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I think what has blown me away the most is the red roads and pavements and parking area. No black asphalt like NZ. And yet it is still so green.
Braydon Finally here after being cooped up in a plane for a long time. It is interesting that even with all the poverty Coke and beers and cell phones are widely advertised.
Marge Never been to Africa before and so some first impressions: Greener than I had expected; earth red like parts of Hawaii; Lake Victoria is massive; crazy drivers; lovely hosts. The drive from Entebbe to Kampala was like being in a documentary and seeing for oneself the juxtaposition of poverty and wealth.
Jeremy Also the first time here. The heat and humidity hit me first. The bus ride to the Guest house was a bit patchy as kept falling asleep. I still remember the different smells and sights and people wandering across the road all the time with crazy traffic. Just slowly taking it all in but need some more sleep.
Jack It was an interesting flight with all the movies and games. The first thing I noticed was the heat & all the different colours of skin. The bus ride along the country side was a lot different than Mum & Dad described it to be. So many different things and stuff to see, like a house with Coca Cola vending machine outside it. There were so many furniture shops.
Great to hear all your first impressions. Thanks to you all for taking the time to write the blog. Looking foward to hearing more. Take care . Luv sue
So glad you all made the trip safely. Trust now that those not feeling too well are doing OK. Thanks to every one of you for your messages. It is encouraging for us so far away from you to be able to see understand your feelings at departure time and to have your messages upon arrival. So looking forward to the next batch of information about the interactions with the local folks, children, each other, and the building progress … and of course, the “stuff” behind the work … when and if, any of you have any “extra” time. May God continue His blessings on all of you and keep you all safe during all of your times. Love, B&B
So good to read your comments today, could have done with some of your heat last night, was quite cool here in Greymouth!!!
Praying for your first building day, that you feel encouraged at the end of it!!! and that you will all feel confident enough to continue with this building experience.
Have that ukelele tuned Jem!!!!!
Love and blessings
Liz
Hi team
wonderful that you are over there once again. you are in my thoughts and Prayers. hope the kids all have a wonderful time, and take in everything. all the very best. what a great start to 2010 eh.
pleased u are all ok, and let the physical work begin!!!!
will check up on soxs and make sure he is sharing the couch!
take care
Annex
Hi All,
Just heard from Pete they are on there way for their first day of building. He said that it is hot and they have a 40 min drive to Suubi village where they are building. The other New Zealand team is over there at the moment and they are building in Suubi as well so they should be able to catch up with them. They also meet Andrew who was our host for 2007 which was great.
They had a great morning at Bulrushes yesterday. Bulrushes now only care for under 18 month olds so the two babies we wanted to reconnect with are now in a village setting, so hopefully they can find them.
Keep them in your prayers as they build tonight.
Robyn
Hi All,
Just keeping you all posted regard the action so far.
They have finished their first day building in thunder stroms and fork lighting. Everything went well and they got alot done between rain breaks. The young ones worked really hard and Pete was really impressed with them.
He tried to post on here today but for some reason didn’t work so will try again.
Everyone is really enjoying themselves and having fun.
Thats all folks
Robyn
Hi Guys,
So good to read your comments. Brought back good memories.
Looking forwards to some photographs of your progress.
All the best
Bob.S
Thank you very much for supplying the up-dates. Although Amanda has been texting us each morning it is great to hear what is happening from a different perspective. We would love to be a “fly on the wall” – it will be a great experience for both Amanda and Jeremy, no doubt they will be out of their comfort zones at times. We do look forward to seeing their photos (yes ALL several thousand knowing Amanda!!!).
Kind regards to all
Brian and Glenda Sargeant
HI ALL,
They have finished day 2 of building and everything is going well. They have met the other NZ team a few times Pete said.
They visited the production unit which was great, as when we were there in 2007 we brought the production unit a mig welder. So it would of been great for them to see what a difference this welder has made for the production of school chairs etc that they make.
Pete said that everyone is enjoying the experiences they are having.
Keeping praying for them all as they sleep now.
Robyn
Thanks Robyn you updates are always great. Jem said in his text this morning, “Praise God the weather is much cooler” That will make it more manageable for outside work!!!
Will be praying for peaceful sleep for them all.
Liz
What a neat way to keep us updated!! looking forward to reading about your experiences. Best wishes for a wonderful trip… Sam :o)
Hi Team,
well hope I have some luck getting this blog to you. Just realised that the one I did yesterday will not have gone as I did not type in the anti-spam word – Da!
You are constantly in my heart and prayers and thanks to God I know you are all holding up. Not to say there won’t be those challenging moments, but nothing that you can’t bear.
Oh for some heat here. You are wishing for cooler temps, how about a swap then, as I type this the wind is swirling strongly and the rain is pouring on us, horizontally mind as the wind blows it.
Good to hear that the younger ones have healthy appetites. I hope the food continues to be nourishing and tasty for you all.
Olivia I hope that you have some good snacks while you are on the building site, I struggled a bit with the sandwiches everyday for lunch, as I am not a big bread eater. So I pray that there is a good variety of nibbles to eat.
May you all stay well, strong and hungry, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Blessings
Mandy
Thanks to all of those on site that are sending msgs. We appreciate the insight of little things that are going on.
As to temperatures here in the US: COLD from north to south and Rockies east. At our location specifically near southern boarder: Tomorrow (our Jan 7) the temps in the morning is to be about 30F with 30-40 mph (kph?) winds which will bring the chill factor into the teens F. Glad to share some of that with you all on site in Kampala. Our Florida citrous crops are in danger.
Keep up the good work there in Kampala and thank all of you in NZ that continue to put your information on the comment site.
Any of the team that might see this, please, tell Marge hi from mum and dad
Sounds as though things are going so well. Have a great time
Love Marion
Great to read all the messages from everyone – so glad things are going O>K> for you all – trust Braydon is well and getting enough sleep. How is he coping with the food. Trust everyone is well – was great to see how many folk are praying for you all.
I have been enjoying the tennis on TV – not much gets done after 10a.m. John has had a busy day sorting and tideing cupboards in the kitchen and washouse – lots more space now –
David and Selina have just called in to collect the caravan to take to the party Saturday afternoon and evening at Saxton Field in Nelson. They seem to be revived after their busy New Year and seem to be happy with the New Year Party.
Every one here is well – Phillipa was back at work today, Dad tidied the shed and we seem to have so much more room now – looks good.
Trust everything will go smoothly along – will be praying for you all – if there is any urgent prayer needed send us an E.Mail.
Much love to you and Braydon – God bless – Gran and Grandpa – Mum and Dad.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooo