Trip to Uganda
(Continued from PAGE 1)


The hardest part of the whole trip was not the conditions we lived in.  It was saying good-bye to all of the soft-spoken orphans our last night there. And the night before we left was so heartbreaking. The whole team had gathered to say good-byes, and two little orphan girls buried their heads in my arms and were crying so hard that they were shaking...so I couldn't help but just break down with them too.  It finally hit me that they had become so attached to me like a parent or brother.  It was tough to leave them, especially knowing that all they owned were one or two old outfits each, and four crayons that they shared between the two of them.

Pastor Crane had told us all that when we returned to America, we would get a sick feeling in our stomachs when we first went to the grocery store and stood and looked at the 50 kinds of toothpaste and the 100 brands of cereal.  That did happen, but it was before we even went to the grocery store.  My sister and I were overcome with the realization of how much we had when we finally walked into our house for the first time after getting back from Uganda (our 16 year-old, "well-used" house looked almost brand new after seeing Uganda).

I've been working on editing my footage from the trip, and it's so wonderful to re-live parts of the trip as I see it.  I think you will all love seeing our wonderful Ugandan friends on September 18 (I think that's the date). I thank you all so much for your incredible support -- both financially and spiritually. I especially thank all 17 team members.  It was so great to be with you all and get to know you guys.  I am grateful for having had this opportunity.

-Tim Leaton, August 2005