Memories from Uganda 2006

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.  Isaiah 1:17

He Loves Us

Sitting here listening to David Crowder's "He Loves Us" as the rain pours outside. Soaking in (literally:) the moment.  It's been pouring for so many days that I've lost count.  Yet, as crazy and inconvenient as it is to deal with rain in this city, there's something so precious about it.  I've found myself picturing this city being washed clean.  Maybe that's more of a prayer in my heart.  Wash us clean and remind us just how much you love us.  May it hit deep in our soul!  As I'm worshipping in my bed tonight I'm reminded of a Tommy Walker worship concert outside in the fields of Zambia many years ago.  I think that may have been one of the most memorable nights of my life.  60,000+ Africans gathered to sing, to dance, to cry out for their Nation, and to worship the Lord.  People walked for miles, for hours to be there.  They came from huts, from villages, from cities.  I'm not sure who was more blessed that night....although I have a pretty good hunch that it was me:)  My favorite memory was dancing with the little kids.  Holding them in my arms, spinning around...their contagious laughter, sparkling eyes.  So full of life and gratitude.  Something I think people in this city chase after daily...the next high, the next feeling of accomplishment...we want to feel alive.  Yet are we turning to the giver of life?  Thank you, Lord, for this sweet reminder tonight.  Prepare our hearts for this upcoming trip and at the same time, keep breaking my heart for this city of angels.

Going Live

I'm not sure why it's taking so long for us to get this blog up & running!  Seems we've been talking about this trip for years...perhaps so long that it never felt like it would actually happen:)  But in a little over 9 weeks our family will be sitting on a plane, headed for Kampala, Uganda.  We're getting passports & tickets ready, and God is opening doors each day for opportunities while we're there.  Time to share this with our friends & family and for Brett to tell his boss that he needs two weeks off! :)
We love you all and thank you for sharing this journey with us.  We're live!

Ways to support the trip:

We covet your prayers as we prepare to leave and during our time there.  Pray that our amazing God blesses us with protection (health, travel, etc.), favor and unity among the team during this life-changing time.   We also ask for your prayers for provision as we must raise an additional $4000 by January 15^th to cover our remaining expenses for the trip.  If you’re interested in supporting us financially (tax-deductible), you can send a check to:

Mercy’s Village

PO Box 1347

El Segundo, CA 90245

(Please write Phillips Family on the memo)

Or online at www.mercysvillage.org/donate (If you donate online, please let us know so we can notify Mercy’s Village that it should be applied toward our trip)

Brett's Story

I’ll admit, I didn’t have a heart for Africa.  I remember seeing the wall of pictures and locations of missionaries that my church supported while growing up and hearing their stories on their annual returns to our church.  The stories that I held on to were the stories of giant snakes and disease-carrying mosquitoes.  To me, Africa was a place rich with history but I had no mental or emotional connection to the continent.  My idea of spending time out of the country was going to an exotic island and swimming with sea turtles.  It certainly was not going to a place where I had to sleep under a tent just to avoid mosquitoes. 

That was, of course, until I met my beautiful wife.  At that point, she had already been to Africa on a number of occasions starting as a child.  She talked about Uganda with such love and compassion that it was eventually infectious.  It was an ingenious plan to change my heart:  she started with amazing memories and videos of her previous trips and then invited the leader, Pastor Dongo, of the Buyamba orphanage to stay with us on one of his trips back to the US three years ago.  He is an amazing man whose life’s mission is God’s mission, to care for the orphans as James 1:27 so directly lays it out.  It fueled my desire to give back, to serve those less fortunate and pour love into the lives of these young children and women.  Needless to say, through Talitha’s stories and the stories of many who have gone on missions trips and come back to talk about how wonderful their experiences have been, my heart has softened toward the people of Africa and for the orphans and widows that we have been called to serve.  There is a consistent theme among the people that return from these mission trips: they’ve all gone to care for and serve the African people and God changed their lives forever along the way.  

I am happy to have a tour guide on this mission in Talitha and to have my daughter there as well. Though she may not remember much about the trip, we certainly pray that this will begin to build a servant heart in her… and her daddy. 

Talitha's Story

I have to admit, I've waited for this day for many years! Even before I was married, I dreamed of taking my future family (should I ever be blessed to have one) to the Country that stole my heart- Uganda. My first trip in 2004 changed my life. It wasn't my first trip to Africa but there was something incredibly special about Uganda. The people touched my life and the children captured my heart. They are absolutely precious! I knew instantly that this was a Country that I would return to...many times.

As we prepare for my 3rd trip this next year, I'm excited for so many different reasons. I will have the chance to once again work with & support the pregnancy centers, clinics, churches & schools in the Kampala area as well as an orphanage we've been supporting (www.buyambuganda.org) for a few years. I'm thrilled to return to Gulu in Northern Uganda to see how much it's changed now that the war has ended. Also, to partner with Mercy's Village (www.mercysvillage.org) as we help them prepare to open a new school!

On a much more personal note, I'm thrilled that Brett will see firsthand how amazing Africa is. Sure he'll wrestle with some of the same questions that I did at first (how can people live this way? why is there so much suffering? how do they find joy in the midst of pain?) but I believe he'll also come to a new understanding of God's grace and mercy and heart for humanity. Secretly, I'm also hoping he'll let me bring an African baby home:) Our little girl most likely won't remember much from the trip. But I believe seeds will be planted in her life. I can't wait to see her interact with the kids in Uganda. To see how they live, to learn from them, to love on them, and to be loved by them.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me/us.

Love, Talitha