This was the mission brief sent out before we went. To see how we got on, check out the photo diary!

"From July 21st 2002 to August 5th, St George's is taking a group of 13 people to Uganda

We will be based at Kisiizi Hospital in South West Uganda, hosted by our MAM Link Missionaries, Peter and Rebecca Winfrey.

Where are we going?

Uganda, in mid-Africa. We fly into - and out of - Entebbe, the international airport near the capital Kampala. From there we travel to Kisiizi Hospital where we will be based in South West Uganda, hosted by our MAM Link Missionaries, Peter and Rebecca Winfrey. We are planning excursions too, such as to Bushara Island on Lake Bunyoni.

Why Uganda

In 1964, Andrew Bowman (commemorated by a tree outside St George's) went with his wife Susan to Uganda to teach theology. He was there for most of 20 years before having to return home because of ill health. There has been strong support in Stamford for the Mid-Africa Ministry for many years, and it is counted as St George's strongest missions link. In 2001, St George's Mission Task Force voted to try to extend the congregation's investment in Ugandan mission. The visits to Stamford by Medad Birungi and other Ugandans have helped this and there are plans to give further to projects in Uganda.

Why are we going?

St George's is a church where:
· Jesus is at the centre: We go in obedience to his command to go into all the world.
· The Bible is our guide: We go to share the good news of God's word through outreach and Bible teaching.
· People matter: We go to build meaningful relationships with people from another culture for the sake of God's kingdom.

For Kisiizi and Uganda
We are primarily a work party. We are offering our talents and services to Kisiizi hospital and our mission partners there. For example, we may be involved in building and maintenance or teaching computer skills. We share from our riches including education, skills and discipleship. We are also missionaries, in the sense that we will be undertaking some overt gospel work. This includes conducting a children's mission at the hospital.

For St George's and ourselves
We will experience something of life in Uganda in general and Kisiizi in particular. This may help us to be more mission-focused Christians, and to become advocates for our partners. The visit can give a world vision to our evangelistic effort. It will also increase mission awareness in St George's. We will definitely be blessed by our Ugandan Christian brethren. They can give from their spiritual riches and teach us about faith, lifestyle and supporting one another. Past visitors have reported feeling overwhelmed by the depth of love and hospitality shown by their impoverished brothers and sisters.

Activities:

Sharing in worship and fellowship with local Christians

Involvement in a Children's Mission

Building and maintenance work

Painting artistic murals in the new Children's Ward

Sharing our Computer/Medical/Educational/Mechanical skills

Drama, video - making teaching aids

School assemblies

African Experience -
trips to Lake Bunyonyi"