Ross

Jim has asked us to share pre-trip feelings.

I can say that I immensely excited to be going with 9 others whom have yet to have any experience of Uganda. But there is a part of me that is anxious of what lies ahead.

Having been there in 2008, I know that the experience was so intense and emotionally draining, yet positively life changing. On thinking about how lucky I am to be returning to Uganda and to meet up with friends and other peoples there, I am reminded of the lack of opportunities that people my age living in Uganda are denied. It reminds me of the gross inequalities that exists between peoples from different parts of the world and any feeling of anxiety immediately vanishes because I get the priviledge to meet so many friendly and generous people and see so many wonderful things. When I write a passage on my return, I can assure you that my experiences will shine through in my writings.

Ross

12 days until I leave for Uganda...Am I nervous? You bet I am!!!
I've never been on holiday with out my parents so I have to be responsible for MY OWN Passport and ticket! Putting that aside I'm really excited but still nervous about going at the same time. I can't wait to see the children and meet everyone over there as it will be a new experience and I think change my perspective on things.

I absolutely HATE flying but if I have to fly, I have to fly, I'll probably sleep as I will not be sleeping before I leave Aberdeen so I make sure I am at the airport at 4 am.

February seemed ages away, I thought I had loads of time all I need to do is buy some clothes and start packing and collecting small things for as Jim says the "wi bairns".

I'm looking forward to going with everyone because it will be good to see my primary school teachers again and meet new people. If someone told me last year I'd be going to Uganda with my Primary School head teacher and teacher I had for Primary 1,2 and 3 I'd think they were having a laugh but its good because I know them I just need to remember and not call them Miss Grant or Mrs. Clark ha ha.

I've been told some of the things we are going to do but I still can't really imagine what it will be like.

12 days to go...counting down the days...I can't wait, plus 2 weeks off work and college. Robyn

Two weeks tomorrow and we are off again.
Lots of us are beginning to get the proverbial butterflies in the tummy.
Me: I don't like flying. Cramped up in seat for hours on end is not my thing.
For Richard this is his first time flying. He sure chose a biggie for a first timer. It's not so much the flying part I don't like it's the going up, you know the feeling when you are up there and your stomach is still down on the ground then there is that bit at the other end. You know you are coming down and then there is that thump as the aircraft lands.
I don't mind too much when I am up there other than the space. Who knows perhaps one day one of my Members may win the lottery and buy me a fist class ticket to Entebbe.
Dream on my son::::::::::
This trip has been a long time in the planning and in a two weeks time it will be happening.
I must hold my hand up to a feeling of real mixed emotions about it.
There is the excitement of taking a group to visit and see what life is really like in Uganda for the poorest of the society.
I recall the first time we were visiting. My son said to me "You know dad this will be a real life changing experience for you". LORD: It's me and be honest--------- "I'm too old for a life changing experience" but it really was and I must say not just for me. I see the work that trip has engendered and encouraged in Ross and I must be honest, I am really proud to see the effect it has had on him.
I hope the same thing can happen for Robyn and Richard, and also for all the rest of the folks who are accompanying us.
As I said to one of our Head Teachers the other day, "When you return from this trip and watch those programmes on TV about Poverty in Africa, as others sit and shake their head, You will be able to say------ "I know!"-------- "I have been there and I have seen it!"
IT DOES AFFECT YOU AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

I think one of the exciting things about this visit is that we will be accompanied by people who have powerful contacts and will return home and do a lot of good.
Speaking of powerful people I see we are being mentioned again in dispatches at the Scottish Parliament. Nigel Don MSP has laid down a motion commending Saint george's Church and the Good Folks of Tillydrone for their efforts in raising money for a Tractor at Bezallel School, Kamuli, Uganda.
This is the second time we have been commended by the Scottish Parliament and it is really good for Tillydrone to be acknowledged for the support that we as a Community are extending to peoples in Africa. They really have done well and I am so proud of them all.

EXCITED? :::::::: YOU BET I AM!
It's one of those things that begin by being a really good idea at the time but as it gets' closer to the date for travelling to Uganda, it really is mixed emotions.

I am getting too old for all of this. I like to go home at night to Mary and Morag and my own comfortable surroundings, to go to sleep in my own bed. It's time for the old ones like me to step aside and let some of the younger ones do a bit more.
I am excited for the good that can be achieved by what we are doing in Uganda.
I am excited that the folks will come back and share their experience with others and hopefully encourage them to volunteer and travel out for a week or two.
I have already say to Two of them "They will go back again!" and I have no doubt they shall.
It was a good idea at the time and it's still a good idea.
If I keep telling myself that:::::::::: it just may get through to me and I will start to believe it.

Pop in past next week to read some of Richard and Robyns' thoughts as they make their final preps for an adventure of a lifetime.

I can hardly believe how fast things are beginning to move now.
Last week despite all the snow we had our final meet before we start out for Kamuli in Uganda. The next tome we all meet up together will be around 4am on Sunday 7th Feb. at Aberdeen airport to catch our flight to Schiphol, Amsterdam and then our on-ward connection through to Entebbe.
We will be spending the night in Entebbe staying at the Highway Motel. You can find it here http://highwaymotelentebbe.com/. It's basioc and it suits our price range. Watch out for reports from Highway on this Blog.
We had a bit of a fright last week when one of our Group (Ross) was admitted to Hospital with suspected Viral Meningitis. Thank God, he has received the all clear and is fine to travel but was a real scare for us. We would have been real disappointed had Ross been unable to travel as he was one of the Trinity who made the first trip to Kamuli and then up to Kampala.
Another member from that original visit (Kenny) has been dispatched to London to visit the Ugandan High Commission and collect the Entry Visa's.
It saves the hassle of queing when we arrive at Entebbe Airport as it is real slow. Folks in Uganda move and work to African Time. Life goes on just the same and they get there, so why rush around. I often wonder who is right and who is wrong.

All three of us made many friends in Uganda and we are so much looking forward to meeting up with them again.

Sadly for some of the folks we met last time, it will be too late.
We visited with Pastor Fred Naika and his Churches at Kaliro. He ministers to two very special congregations in very special churches. Every Member is HIV.
You would imagine it would be a sad place but nothing could be further from the truth. The greeting we recieved and the love shown to us by everyone in these churches really was immense.
In Uganda you do not go to the Doctor if you suspect you may be HIV.
To be diagnosed means that you are labeled and become gradually ostracised from normal life.
The Church Communities in Kaliro allowed people to find unity and strength in numbers.
As one Young Woman told us "I have this illness but I am still me".
The Church gives her the strength to live as normal a life as is possible. I pray she is there when we return in a few weeks time.
We have a real mixture in the Group. Young and not so young, Staff from Grampian Fire and Rescue, A Head Teacher and a Deputy Head Teacher from our local school and Church Members.
It should be an interesting experience for all of us.
Keep popping in to follow and share with the group as they set out for Uganda and the Trip of a Lifetime.