Crossroads Alongside Uganda "Crews"

LATEST UPDATE

We give thanks once again to a wonderful group of people from across Canada who gave of their time and talents to help continue the great work begun in the village of Barlonyo.

From January 12th - 26th, 2012 a group of volunteers traveled to Lira district in northern Uganda to help continue with the construction of the school. Begin construstion on a new medical building and hold daily clinics providing basic medical care to more than a 1000 people.

We are once again looking for new recruits to particpate in the next trip planned for May 17th - 31st, 2012.

Please contact us if you are interested.

David Miclash - Team Leader - info@alongsideinternational.ca

Kelly Nuttall - knuttall@crossroads.ca

1 Corinthians 12:13 - for by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body... (14) for the body is not one member, but many. (18) But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. (26) And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.

June Team Report

"Spending two weeks in Uganda was not only a blessing in my eyes but a privilege. God could have chosen any 12 people to go on this trip, yet he chose us. I often wonder why it is God allows me to see what He sees every day. Not only was this trip an amazing experience, it was also the answer to prayers." (June team member)

Once again David and Linda Miclash led a team of 10 people to the village of Barlonyo to minister and show God's love. Construction and painting on the school continued along with the medical ministry held each day.

More than 1,600 patients were seen during the two week period. Men, women and children were treated for Malaria, skin infections, worms/parasites etc.

A pharmacy was set up and prescriptions were administered to help alleviate some of their symptoms. People would sleep on the cement floor to wait for their turn the next day.

The team also participated in a ground breaking ceremony for a new medical clinic that following teams will help construct and be a part of brining continued hope to the Barlonyo people.

"It wasn't always easy work, and I won't lie, not all of the jobs were fun, but knowing God has called you to do His work there, made every effort you put in completely worth it."

Report from January Team

I am firmly convinced God knows exactly who he wants to be on our teams. The individuals on this team could only be specially picked by Him. Their skill, dedication and hard work were truly amazingly matched to the specific needs of this outreach.

We medically examined and treated over 1300 sick people with some days more than 300 people waiting in line all day in the hot sun.

Sadly we had to turn away more than 100 people per day. Many slept overnight in the grass outside our tent so that they could be sure to be treated the next day.

Thank God for the wonderful partnership with Uganda health professionals who worked with our team. Their knowledge of the culture and language made our work much easier and more effective.

Our team discovered many of the illnesses we treated were caused by the locals drinking contaminated water. Our investigation revealed their main source of water was a nearby stagnant pool. On further examination we found a borhole well in the area that was not working. Thankfully we were able to engage a local group to work with us to restore the well and once again provide clean drinking water. Praise God for this opportunity that will hopefully reduce the number of water related illnesses in that area.

The 4 classroom school was brought from knee high walls height to the top lintel. The group was able to install the first roof truss before we left the country. The local workers will complete the roof within a week or two after we leave. Once again we are grateful to work alongside the gifted Uganda nationals to accomplish so much in such a short time. Their partnership, friendship and companionship were keys to making this job successful.

We were told many times that the love of Christ was truly evident in our hands-on care for them and their families. We are looking for a new team so that by God's grace we may return very soon in order to continue treating sick people, providing more clean water and finish constructing the school.

David Miclash,
Crossroads Alongside Team Leader