WHAT IF I GET EATEN BY A HIPPO?!?!

Okay, okay... so I've started freaking out a little bit about the trip. However, a hippo eating me could definitely happen when we're on safari. Just sayin. But Rebecca has agreed to let me use her as a human shield, so I'm thinking I will be alright. =)

But on a more serious note, nervousness and anticipation and flat out fear has really begun to stir within me. At times, I've broken down crying, being so terrified at the enormity of this adventure we're about to set out on. I've never been so far way before, and there are so many unknowns, so many risks... I mean, am I completely crazy for going on this trip?! What if the plane crashes? What if I forget to bring something super important? What if I'm weirded out by the people in Uganda? What if I freak out and shut down when I'm there? What if I'm apathetic? What if I don't do a good job of teaching the kids? What if I get sick... and die?

There are a million what if's constantly running through my head. But in response to every "what if" I think up, God stills me and reminds me that He's bigger than the what if's. Any crazy, horrific, embarrassing, or terrifying situation I could imagine... He is bigger.


Deep breaths, Jessie. Deep breaths.


I know incredible things will happen during this trip for Team Amina and for everyone else who will be in Uganda while we're there. I know it will require of me a deeper faith and trust than I've ever had before. I know I'm going to see, feel, and do things I've never seen, felt, or done before. I will be challenged and changed. And I will be stretched and strengthened.

One more week till we leave.

I'm scared out of my mind.

Extremely excited.

Mostly ready... ish. =)

And really just blown away by this amazing opportunity I've been given.


How this journey will affect all of our lives, I don't yet know. But I am confident we will come back having a new perspective on life, in some way or another. And that our hearts will be moved in ways that will stay with us forever.


- Jessie Stipech

A Whole New Experience

Uganda wow i cant believe its a reality now :) It was just over a year ago at the SRBC 2009 Christmas Pageant on the night of our performance that Rebecca Brown first mentioned this trip to me and i wanted to get more info not even sure if i could go. But as the months went by and we got closer and closer the the trip date and meeting after meeting it seemed like i was meant to go on this trip. And now i just cannot wait to leave and be in africa.
  My job in Uganda is to help in the teaching of making jewelery in the mornings and then in the afternoons i will be doing sports and physical education with the kids. Im so excited to be working with these kids all of whom have some sort of disability. Ive always enjoyed traveling and helping people and working with kids is my passion. Ive been to Venezuela and taught English and morals to the kids in the schools there. Now im being given the chance to go to Africa and really do what i wanna do :) Im so excited just to work with the kids and pour out love on them. Im so excited to go to Africa to go to a whole new place and experience everything is gonna be so amazing. God is great and he really works in mysterious ways by getting me to Africa.
 Im nervous for the plane flight cuz its like a very very long time but im excited because its a whole new experience. Im excited to try the food and meet the people and to experience a new country. Im just really looking forward to really finding whats important in my life and to be humbled and yet to have a great time and learn alot while working to help kids and people in Africa. Im so glad that ive been given this opportunity and im so ready to see what awaits me in Africa.

- Jeremy Byrnes

Hidden Divinity

In 2008, I led a team of 4 high school students and 3 adults to Uganda.  The experience completely changed my life.  In 2011, I am returning... this time with family and friends.  And... I am beyond excited.  After returning from Uganda in 2008, I joined staff with Fount of Mercy (www.fountofmercy.org) as their Director of Communications.  I am honored to work with such amazing people and get to correspond with them throughout their journey's.  However, I am most excited about this opportunity to go with these dear friends and family members, and yet again watch how God changes lives.  Please check on this blog through the time we are gone (January 8th-23rd) and on into our return to hear our thoughts,view photos, and overall capture the essence of the work we're a part of. 

Below is an except from my personal blog back in 2008 when I returned. =)

July 2008

"It's one thing to look at a picture, or hear a story. You're able to connect, at least on some level, with your senses. Whether it be your eyes seeing something beyond comprehension or your hand touching something unfamiliar, or uncomfortable ... you connect. However, the remarkable happens... no the Divine happens... when one is able to fully engage in something with all five of their senses. This was Africa to me. My senses were on overload, if you will. I saw things I never imagined, I felt the tiny hands of a baby orphan and had the tears of a widowed woman dying of AIDS fall down my neck... I tasted the culture and enjoyed the hospitality or a beautiful people, I smelled differences in appearance and in hygene and heard the laughter of contentment, the voices of children singing, "wel-o-come to our visitors..." and I was completely captivated.

To be perfectly honest... I do not easily adapt. Though raised in a family that traveled... I think that change is something I have grown to dislike. =) On each of my previous mission trips, I had a moment of intense culture shock in which I adamantly longed to find myself in the conforts of home. However, this was not the case in Uganda. I felt safe, comfortable, and content. I loved the dirt, the chaos, the bright colors, and curious glances. I loved the dancing, the hugging, the immense joy that exuded from even the loneliest soul. I treasured the prayers, and was amazed at the talent... and was so broken to leave. Though happy to be home... a piece of me truly was left in the little village of Iganga and with the people of Wiraika.

As I settle into reverse culture shock, I am amazed that it was all real. It already appears as a snapshot in my mind. I write this to say that this trip is not over. I cannot stay silent about the things I have seen, what I have heard, the strange things I smelled, the tastes of Africa still left in my mouth, and the touch of the widows and orphans.... and so I remind you... that religion that is pure... is to visit widows and orphans. This is the way to impact the Kingdom... to live the Gospel... to read the Bible and to actually do what it says. What hidden Divinity is found there.

You'll hear more. =) I cannot go back to who I was before this trip... as that perspective has been shattered. So gear up... I have something to say... and I won't stop sharing. =)

~Rebecca Brown