Hey Uganda Team!

It’s finally time to give you a few more details about your trip! This Spring semester is going to be an incredible one where you’re going to see God do great things in you, and in the people of Uganda. It will be hard at times, but know that it’s all worth it. Get excited!

Your team will be in Lira; which is about 5 hours north of Uganda’s capital, Kampala. You will be working with Pastor Johnson and Victory Outreach Ministries. Victory Outreach Ministries is a missions-minded church with many diverse ministries.

Ministry outreaches that the church does that you may be involved in include:

• They have 7 Primary schools and 1 High school (with about 1,000 students total.)
• Child Development centers.
• Ministry farm.
• Monthly HIV-AIDS program to give check-up for locals (about 1,000 people served).
• Church Ministries (Daily lunch hour prayers, daily radio program, preaching at branch churches, praise and worship, discipleship class, youth ministries.)
• Evangelism (door-to-door, crusades.)
• Prison ministry.
• Hospital ministry.
• Water hygiene and sanitation.
• Office work.
• Computer training.
• Small group meetings.
• Community visitation - loving them.
• Sport ministry (netball, soccer, etc.)
• Media (Photography and documentaries.)
• Services in their Health units.
• Tractor and motor vehicle repairs.   

A few ministry sensitivities you need to be aware of are: No earrings or piercings for men at all as this sends a very wrong message to the locals (for example, that such a person is gay, which is culturally resisted). Men should dress moderately casual at all times (t-shirts, long pants, shirts – polo or collared). Ladies should always be modest and your dresses or skirts must pass your knee. There is not a problem with ladies with earrings, piercings or tattoos. Men may want to cover tattoos especially on their arms during ministry time.

A cultural rule is that you should always extend your hand to greet people you meet.

Languages spoken in this area are English and Lango.

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There is a general packing list that can be found in your Profile by going to Mobilization Info tab and then to the preparation section. In addition to those items, you should also bring:

• Health Information, including proof of Yellow Fever inoculation.
• Copies of ID and passport packed in various places.

These are already listed on the general packing list but I want to emphasize them:

• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Headlamp (flashlights are fine too…but headlamps are AWESOME because you get to have both hands free. Hands-free is optimum for going to the bathroom outside at night, reading while your teammates are sleeping, and even for dance parties!)
• Water bottle (Nalgene brand is really great.)
• Outlet Adaptor (You need an adaptor, not a converter. You probably only need a converter if you're bringing something high powered like a blow dryer. You can get an international adaptor at Wal-mart or Target.)

Check out some stories from Fall participants that are currently on the field by visiting their blog here! They are also currently working in Lira.

Of course, if you have any questions about anything listed here, please let me know!

Stacy Povian

Email: thepassport@adventures.org

Phone:  770-983-1060 x 321