Cancer Update on for Pastor Robert Having just returned from Uganda, I wanted to update everyone on Robert's cancer and potential treatment. While we were in Uganda, the Lord gave Robert a bit of grace and relief that allowed him to work with our team and join us in many of our outings and work. Some days were better than others but Robert is not one to show pain or complain. He walks with a slight hitch as he doesn't want to put pressure on the sole of his foot and thus rolls it on the side a bit. His cancer is a positive Christian witness to everyone as he lives out his life giving thanksgiving in all things and showing others how to live a positive life even when things aren't going your way. While a miraculous recovery would be nice, it seems the Lord is asking us to treat the cancer with the resources available. That being said, we learned while in Uganda that the US Embassy has unofficially denied Robert a visa to come to the US for treatment. Unofficially because they will approve the visa only if Robert can obtain health insurance to cover his treatment. Trying to find health insurance for a Uganda citizen with cancer is basically impossible so for now the visa option is closed. As frustrating as that is I think there is another plan that God has in store. Realizing that treatment in Uganda may be our best option we have been fortunate to be introduced to representatives of the company Jannsen who distribute the cancer drug Doxil and work throughout the world including Africa. They are trying to secure a "compassionate" status for Robert meaning they will provide the drug free of charge. This is exciting because the doctor in Kampala is unable to obtain the drug. We haven't received any official word but the doors are at least beginning to open to the option of getting Robert the treatment he needs in Uganda where he will be with family and friends and in his environment. If we succeed, the treatment will be every other week for up to eight months. There are many hurdles to still jump over but we're at least in the race now. One additional hurdle we're facing is that Doxil is in a worldwide shortage! Please pray for Robert's ability to handle the pain and emotional struggles he faces today and that he'll be able to start treatment soon.

Uganda Mission Trip Update If you have a chance, please check out our website blog and read through the blogs the Uganda Mission Team posted on their recent trip. The team's presence in Uganda makes a significant difference to the outreach and ministry of Pastor Robert and Sarah and opens doors and hearts for them to minister to long after the team leaves. Here's a quick list of some of the things the team accomplished this year: - Spent countless hours purchasing and delivering gifts to sponsored children, families, widows, and those in need (I've never given away so many mattresses!) - Were the hands and feet of Christ as they lived out their Christian faith in deeds. With the book of James as our bible study book it was appropriate that we lived out what we believed and showed our faith through actions not just words. - Worked at the Fountain of Hope Sports Festival with 175 student athletes and hundreds more spectators and parents - Visited and worshiped with three churches and provided VBS classes to the children - Learned about the culture and spiritual / demon beliefs - Had a one-on-one experience with a demon attack with a 3rd grade girl and taught her how to invoke the name of Jesus to ward off the demons (it's working for her!) - Baptized 162 people in the Nile River - wow! - Provided gifts to over 700 students and 20 teachers at Fountain of Hope - Purchased the needed supplies to construct two 500 gallon water catchment tanks on the new boarding house to collect rain water for washing - Purchased a bicyle and cell phone for one of the Pastors (his wife loved the cell phone :) ) - Purchased bibles for the new bush churches - Finished the painting and officially opening of the school's new kitchen - thanks Lutheran Women's Mission League! - Brought over 7 laptops as gifts - Two team members spent the night in the bush with local families - Purchased school books for the school - Gifted a young Christian man from the village enough money to pay for his first semester of college (he was Pastor Robert's first convert in Bukeeka and a son of a witch doctor) - Preached, prayed, loved, and laughed with countless Ugandans whom we consider our brothers and sisters There's countless other things the team did individually or as a group and probably many ways they've made an impact that we don't even know about. I hope you'll read through some of the blogs and perhaps consider joining us next year in June/July. Enjoy the photos below from the trip. There's more on the blog as well. Blessings,John