We are really excited to be investing in Uganda by raising money to launch a Coffee business linked to New Hope Orphanage.

We have been so  please with the enthusiasm and support so far. We are also encouraged by the progress that is being made.

Firstly they were looking for plastic bags for the coffee to be bagged upa nd sold in. After a troubled search, they still couldn’t get hold of any. That as until after an accidental meeting they got given some!!

And here is an update from today:

Today went into Kampala with one plan but I think God had other ideas as we met up with the manager/owner of one of the better coffee shops who we got into discussion with. We found out he can roast coffee for us and happy to do so and so this time we have used their beans (Good Africa Co) and though a little more the quality is excellent. Next time we will use our own beans when we have found exactly what we want. We found out this guy had spoken last year at the Willow Creek conference on what Africa needs is trade not aid! So coffee has been bought and also a heat sealer as well….so with the bags we already have, we are ready to roll and so will be bagging up some coffee this week. Sticky labels for the bags we are working on as well as a name…we are very excited and so happy we are doing it together…will try and get a sample to you….?? I have 30Kgs of freshly roasted Arabica Coffee beans sitting in my front room…and the smell is amazing!!”

Exciting times!

We’re really excited, because after much hassle on their part the Browns are finally in the country! For those who are unaware “The Browns” are the fantastic family that we visited when we went to Uganda last year. We are really looking forward to when they are going to come and visit! That’s right - they are comig to Northampton! We’ll let you know when they are around and you can come and meet them!

We got this card from the Browns in Uganda this morning, so I thought that I would put it up here! Is it clear enough to read?

You can keep up to date on their blog: Brown’s Latest Online Diary

There you will discover that Steve has just had Malaria, and that they are waiting for legal guardianship of Silas. They would appreciate your prayers!

Yes, we have a new blog!! we have decided to have a Uganda team blog. Cool! That basic idea is that we will blog up to our trip so we can talk about our preparations. Also we are talking about blogging during our trip to let everyone know what’s going on!! I think we will have a team member or two allocated to each day to write about what they have done, and how they are doing. Separating it like that will make it not so much of a burden.

So here’s the Blog:

It took us a while to come up with a name, so don’t mock it!

We had a great Quiz night last night. Helped of course by the fact that my team won. We were raising money for the Childrens Centre. In particular we were hoping to raise £550 in order to pay for some playground equipment for the Centre.

The boys school had rasied £330, and last night we raised £140 through the quiz and raffle. Then I was amazed to hear that some people had donated more which took us up to exactly what we needed!!!

Now that makes a great night!!

I had a good chat with Steve Brown from Uganda today. I can’t believe it is only 7 weeks until we go! Very exciting! They have just come back from a safari trip to Murchison Falls. They said it was fantastic, and saw lats of animals [lions, leopards, hippos and the like!!]. Mind you they did go for 3 nights. We are planning to do that trip, although anly for 1 or 2 nights.

Steve has posted one of the funniest things i have read on their website today. If you are going to Uganda, knnow some who is, or just have a sense of humour, you have to read it!

While I am here, Anna from KBC who si comig to Uganda as well will be there on Sunday! woohoo!