Uganda Mission Journey Team Member Notebook

Sweet Sleep * Post Office Box 40486 * Nashville, TN 37204615.730.7671 (phone) * 615.750.2789 (fax) * info@sweetsleep.org (e-mail)

Updated 04/16/2012

Table of Contents

Welcome from President and Founder...................................................................................................3The Journey Begins.................................................................................................................................4What is Sweet Sleep?..............................................................................................................................5Sweet Sleep in Uganda...........................................................................................................................6Uganda 101.............................................................................................................................................9

HIV/AIDS.........................................................................................................................................11Preparing for Your Trip to Uganda.......................................................................................................12

Immunizations & Medications......................................................................................................12Malaria..........................................................................................................................................13Applying for a Passport................................................................................................................15Obtaining Visas.............................................................................................................................15Health and Wellness Overseas......................................................................................................16Emergency Contact Information...................................................................................................17Registering Your Trip with the US Embassy...............................................................................17

Raising Support for Your Mission Journey..........................................................................................22Packing Guidelines...............................................................................................................................25

General Packing Helpful Tips.......................................................................................................25Carry-on Bag.................................................................................................................................25What NOT to Bring......................................................................................................................26Medications...................................................................................................................................26Clothing, Cosmetics and Jewelry..................................................................................................27Translator Gifts.............................................................................................................................28

Packing List..........................................................................................................................................29Traveling...............................................................................................................................................32Taking Care of YOU on a Mission Journey.........................................................................................34

While You Are There....................................................................................................................34In Country.............................................................................................................................................36Leaving and Returning Home...............................................................................................................42

Clearing U.S. Customs..................................................................................................................42Re-entry Stress..............................................................................................................................42Tips for Managing Re-entry Stress...............................................................................................43

Appendix A - Sample Mission Journey Support Letter........................................................................46Appendix B - What is a Testimony?.....................................................................................................47Appendix C - Prayer Partners...............................................................................................................48Appendix D - Mission Journey Team Blog Instructions......................................................................49Appendix E - International Mission Journey Team Member Physical Requirements..........................51Appendix F - Mission Journey Preparation Calendar...........................................................................53Appendix G - Mission Journey Tentative Schedule.............................................................................54Appendix H - Tentative Daily Schedule……………………………………………………………...62Appendix I - Malaria Education Skit……………….……………………………………………….63Appendix J - Kampala FAQs…………………………………………………………………………64Appendix K - Gulu FAQs…………………………………………………………………………….65

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Welcome from President and Founder

Welcome! We’re so excited you have decided to step out on faith and to join a Sweet Sleep mission journey. You are now part of a ministry whose sole desire is to share the hope and love of Christ with children desperate to know of a true Provider, a true Father. Beds are the vehicle in which we share this hope. God has continued to impress upon me the importance of what Sweet Sleep does for an orphaned or abandoned child.

Since 2003 Sweet Sleep has been working to provide for orphaned and abandoned children in third world countries. When I first met these children I was overwhelmed by their needs. For me, my first trip to Moldova was a time when God took me by the hand and led me to exactly where He wanted me - onto very old broken metal beds with thin and filthy cotton mattresses.

According to recent estimates, there are more than 210 million orphans worldwide. Every day, 5,760 more children become orphans. Orphaned and abandoned children in third world countries suffer from lack of sufficient or healthy places to sleep. From children in war-torn Uganda sleeping on scraps of clothes or foam and even the floor to the orphans of Eastern Europe sleeping on dilapidated 50-year-old metal cots with broken springs sagging to the floor, millions of forgotten children around the world have no place to dream tonight.

Over our years of ministry Sweet Sleep has become involved in providing for the children’s needs in countless ways. However, God has reminded Sweet Sleep that we mustn’t worry about every possible need - that is His job, and His alone. We trust that He who cares for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air will surely care for those He created in His image (Mt 6:28-30, Lk 12:22-24). Indeed, God does provide for these children in many amazing ways and your obedience to His calling on your life to go to Uganda is one of the many miraculous ways we see this in action.

Each summer our Sweet Sleep teams change hundreds of lives. We do this by working with local Christian organizations in towns and villages where orphanages are located in order to better meet basic needs of the children living in church run orphanages that they would otherwise be unable to provide.

You’ve likely never thought of your own bed as anything more than a place to sleep. However, the children Sweet Sleep has ministered to by providing these new beds tell us differently:

My name is Mariana and I want to tell you that this bed means a lot for me. It means love because I feel your love when I sleep in it. It means comfort, because it is soft and it is sweet to sleep on it. It means care because through this you stressed how much you care for me. It means support. It is like you holding me in your hands. It means a whole world because it is my only personal place in all this world where I can dream, where I can cry, where I can write you letters. May God do the same to you what you have done for us.

I am grateful for your desire to serve alongside us and I look forward to seeing how God further weaves you in to our ministry.

Sweetly,

Jen GashPresident and Founder

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The Journey Begins

The mission journey you are considering may not equate to “the first day of the rest of your life,” but then again, it very well might.

Many who have been on a mission trip before never imagined how much they would be changed by the experience, much less find themselves wanting to return again and again. Every trip has a specific service mission at its core, but will also allow for sightseeing and cultural opportunities in the area you are serving.

This handbook is designed to give you the information and tools so you can feel as safe, secure and comfortable with the journey as possible. It is important that you read through it carefully and keep it available as a reference. Hopefully, it will answer most of your questions and inform you of things you might not have anticipated. Every journey is unique and flexibility is the key to a successful mission experience.

Your particular trip will have deadlines, details and dates that are described in this manual. Your team leader will inform you of those in a separate communication well in advance of your departure.

One thing that can never be planned for is the blessing and presence of God’s Spirit. We hope you will begin praying – praying for your preparation spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally for what you will experience, for your fellow team members, for the work God has prepared in advance for you to do and for a servant’s heart – placing others’ needs before your own.

Thank you again for joining Sweet Sleep on this mission journey. If you have questions along the way or just want someone to pray with you through this process, please call us at 615.730.7671.

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What is Sweet Sleep?

Sweet Sleep exists to share God's love by providing beds for the world's orphaned and abandoned children.

In July 2003, Jen Gash was a part of a team from Nashville working with Eastern European orphans in the third world country of Chisinau, Moldova. Her first image of the orphanage came in seeing a pile of mattresses stacked in one of the bedrooms. The mattresses were about one inch thin but the smell coming from the room was overwhelming. She later learned the mattresses were between 17-47 years old and 700 children growing up in the country’s largest orphanage shared only 430 beds and mattresses.

Jen's heart grew heavier as she sat with the children on their filthy beds each day that week. Their small, exhausted metal beds were the size of a cot. The tired, metal springs were sprung and almost every bed sagged in the middle, making it much like a metal hammock, which was shared by two children. Many of the children did not even have mattresses and used old wool blankets as a barrier from the harsh metal springs.

One evening during team prayer time a member of the group prayed for the children to have "sweet sleep" and Jen began to cry as she sensed God placing a calling on her life. She knew her life could never be the same because of what she had seen and experienced. In her own prayer time that evening, God brought those words back to her as He continued to affirm His intentions for His children to sleep sweetly on mattresses and beds which would no longer harm them.

On the long plane ride home, Jen was restless. She decided to study her Bible, and it fell open to Proverbs 3:24, "When you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet." God was confirming her call.

Jen returned home and began sharing her vision of “a bed for every head” with her colleagues in the mayor’s office and soon received the first donation to help in her efforts.

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Sweet Sleep in Uganda

When you think of Africa certain images immediately come to mind: Starvation. AIDS. Child soldiers. Genocide. Orphans. Uganda is no exception to this picture. The heart of the mission of Sweet Sleep is the hearts and lives of the orphaned and abandoned children around the world. According to a 2003 UNICEF report, there are 2 million orphans currently residing in Uganda. 2 million orphans in a country the size of Michigan, with the total expected to rise to 3.5 million by 2010. Of the known orphans in Uganda, an estimated 48% were orphaned due to AIDS.

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimates 64% of the population lives below the poverty line, earning less than 1 US dollar per day. This rate has been reported as high as 91% in rural areas, and 30% of these are considered the “absolute poor” meaning that they earn 0 US dollars per day. Uganda has the world’s youngest population, 56% under 18 years which means that there are literally thousands of children without parents to care for them. This is called a “dependant” population, meaning that there are more children than there are adults to support those children financially. This forces children to then find ways to support themselves, which increases child labor and contributes to a lower level of education. The government does not have the money to sustain the needs of these children.

When Sweet Sleep visited orphanages in Uganda, they found such primitive conditions and a lack of beds so great that pictures better suffice to illustrate.

Here, in the room above, there are no beds and the children simply spread out the dirty foam mattresses you see pictured. Children sleep on this foam on the floor because they have no other place to sleep. They are in dire need of beds. Since children rarely bathe, orphanages commonly experience large breakouts of lice, scabies and other diseases.

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Filling these sleeping areas with long-lasting beds and clean linens is essential to the health and well-being of these children. In Kampala, the new Sweet Sleep beds consist of metal frames, new foam mattresses, new sheets, new blanket and a mosquito net. In Gulu, the beds consist of mats, foam mattresses, a blanket and a mosquito net.

Malaria kills over 3,000 children every day in Africa, or one child every 30 seconds. Unlike many serious diseases, malaria is both preventable and treatable, making all deaths from malaria entirely unnecessary. A child living in sub-Saharan Africa could be bitten between 10 and 400 times a year. Oftentimes, kids are treated for malaria, released from the hospital and go back home get re-infected within days. Malaria is one of the worst diseases in the world and it doesn’t have to be, thanks to the use of treated bed netting that covers a child’s entire bed while they sleep repelling and killing mosquitoes with natural insecticides. Every bed Sweet Sleep builds on this trip will include a durable, mosquito repelling bed net.

What Does a Sweet Sleep Mission Journey Look Like?

For these orphans, a bed represents much more than just a place to sleep.  It is the only private place they have, the only place they can call their own, the only place they can keep what few meager possessions they have.  However, their existing mattresses are heavily soiled from years of use, and the frames are falling apart.  Our calling to provide “a bed for every head” obviously leads us to bed building nearly every trip.

Team Members will work side-by-side with orphans living at the orphanage on assembling and installing new beds at the orphanage.  In addition, team members will be participating in devotional times with these children. We will also provide times of worship, Bible Study, and other activities as we get to the heart of what Sweet Sleep is all about – sharing God’s love with the world’s orphaned and abandoned children.

What Sweet Sleep Provides

Sweet Sleep is organized to provide you with logistical help along the journey. We book your flight, secure ground transportation and accommodations, provide you with translators, provide emergency evacuation insurance, acquire health and property insurance for travelers upon request, and provide each group both orientation and post-trip debriefing. We try to take care of everything we can think of so you can focus on your team’s mission.

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In preparation for your trip, stateside staff will assist you with a timeline that will detail when payments and travel forms are required. We also help you in identifying the essential components of your trip and the formulation of a daily itinerary. When goods need to be purchased and stored prior to your arrival in Uganda, we can determine availability or lack of resources and make available purchases as needed.

Sweet Sleep can also arrange for your team to visit some tourist destinations while in Uganda. Keep in mind that these additions are not included in the generally quoted mission journey price estimate and are subject to change with each trip.

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Uganda 101

Official Name: Republic of Uganda

Area: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya 91,136 sq mi (slightly smaller than Michigan)

Population: 32,369,558 (2009 estimate)

Capital City: Kampala (largest city – approx. 1.5 million people)

People: Up to eleven major tribal/ethnic groups. Uganda has a very young population, with a median age of 15 years.

Language: English, Swahili, Luganda

Religion: Catholic Church (41.9%) Anglican Church of Uganda (35.9%). Islam 12% (2002 census)

Government: Democratic Republic

President: Yoweri Museveni (since 1986)

Prime Minister: Amama Mbabazi

GDP: $42.194 billion (2010 estimate)

GDP per head: $1,226 (2010 estimate)

Major Industries: Uganda has substantial natural resources including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. The country has largely untapped reserves of both crude oil and natural gas. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force, with coffee accounting for the bulk of export revenues.

Driving: On the Left

Climate: Tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August)

Terrain: Mostly plateau with rim of mountains

Time: 8 hours ahead of Washington, DC Standard Time

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz

Weights/Measures: Metric

Money: Ugandan shillings (UGX)

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History

About 500 B.C. Bantu-speaking peoples migrated to the area now called Uganda. By the 14th century, three kingdoms dominated, Buganda (meaning "state of the Gandas"), Bunyoro, and Ankole. Uganda was first explored by Europeans as well as Arab traders in 1844. An Anglo-German agreement of 1890 declared it to be in the British sphere of influence in Africa, and the Imperial British East Africa Company was chartered to develop the area. The company did not prosper financially, and in 1894 a British protectorate was proclaimed. Few Europeans permanently settled in Uganda, but it attracted many Indians, who became important players in Ugandan commerce.

Uganda became independent on Oct. 9, 1962. Sir Edward Mutesa, the king of Buganda (Mutesa II), was elected the first president, and Milton Obote the first prime minister, of the newly independent country. With the help of a young army officer, Col. Idi Amin, Prime Minister Obote seized control of the government from President Mutesa four years later.

Idi Amin seized power in 1971, ruling the country with his military for the next decade. Idi Amin's rule cost an estimated 300,000 Ugandans' lives. His reign was ended after the Uganda-Tanzania War in 1979 in which Tanzanian forces aided by Ugandan exiles invaded Uganda. This led to the return of Obote, who was deposed after the so called "bush war" by the National Resistance Army (NRM) operating under the leadership of the current president, Yoweri Museveni.

Museveni has been in power since 1986. In the mid to late 1990s, he was lauded by the West as part of a new generation of African leaders. The rule of Yoweri Museveni since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda, transforming the ruins of Idi Amin and Milton Obote's Uganda into a stable democracy that endorses self-sufficiency and anti-corruption.

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Geography

Uganda is home to the highest mountain range in Africa, the Mountains of the Moon in the Rwenzori National Park. It is the source of the mighty Nile, and around Jinja offers some of the best white-water rafting in the world. It has the highest concentration of primates on earth, including the majestic mountain gorilla, one of the rarest animals on the planet. The country is located on the East African plateau, averaging about 3,250 ft above sea level, and this slopes very steadily downwards to the Sudanese Plain to the North. Uganda lies almost completely within the Nile basin. Located on the shores of Lake Victoria about 40km south of the capital, Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is the international gateway to Kampala and Uganda. Generally Uganda has “equator” like climate meaning that the temperatures are usually similar year round and the weather is fairly moderate. Although landlocked, Uganda contains many large lakes, besides Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga, there is Lake Albert, Lake Edward and the smaller Lake George.

HIV/AIDS

Uganda has seen one of the most effective national responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the African continent. Following the end to the civil war in 1986, the new government created and implemented comprehensive policies that dramatically slowed the rate of new infections. It has been estimated that the HIV prevalence stood at 18.5% in the early 1990s while it declined to 4.1% in 2003.

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Preparing for Your Trip to Uganda

Immunizations & Medications

The only vaccination that is absolutely mandatory is Yellow Fever. You cannot travel to and from Uganda without proof of vaccination.

Before visiting Uganda, you may need to get several vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for while in country. Your doctor or healthcare provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.To have the most benefit, see a healthcare provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it.

Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a healthcare provider for needed vaccines and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.

The CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine.  If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with any doctors you are currently seeing for other medical reasons.

If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your healthcare provider know so that you can receive the appropriate vaccinations and information for all of your destinations. Long-term travelers, such as those who plan to work or study abroad, may also need additional vaccinations as required by their employer or school.

Vaccinations or boosters may be needed for the following:

Routine vaccinations must be current (influenza, chickenpox, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc.) Check what’s required here: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm

Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Typhoid Polio Yellow fever Meningococcal (meningitis)  Rabies Measles

Malaria

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This is a serious disease and may lead to a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your healthcare provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites (see below). You will need to take one of the following anti-malarial drugs: Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) or doxycycline.

You should purchase your anti-malarial drugs before travel. Malaria medication should be taken at the same time everyday. Don’t forget to factor in the

different time zones. Malaria medication should be taken starting one day prior to your arrival in Haiti and for one

full week after you return. Be sure you let your doctor know exactly how many days of medication you will need.

Malaria symptoms may include: fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue.

Malaria symptoms will occur at least 7 to 9 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Fever in the first week of travel in a malaria-risk area is unlikely to be malaria; however, you should see a doctor right away if you develop a fever during your trip.

Despite using the protective measures outlined above, travelers may still develop malaria up to a year after returning from a malaria prone area. You should see a doctor immediately if you develop a fever anytime during the year following your return and tell the physician of your travel.

To prevent insect/mosquito bites:

Wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a hat whenever possible. Use insect repellent (bug spray) with 30%-50% DEET. Remain indoors in a screened or air-conditioned area during the peak biting period for malaria

(dusk and dawn). Sleep in beds covered by nets treated with permethrin, if not sleeping in an air-conditioned or

well-screened room.

For complete and updated information, please visit the CDC website at: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/uganda.htm

Global Outreach Clinic

We recommend that you get your vaccinations from the Global Outreach Clinic. Check with your personal physician and insurance first to see if they offer and cover these vaccines. If they do not, these are some of the least expensive ways we have found that offer these vaccines. Global Outreach Clinic is a group of area medical professionals who volunteer their time once a month to vaccinate those serving God through missions. They provide the clinic once a month at Brentwood Baptist Church. If you are interested in receiving your vaccinations through Global Outreach, please contact

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Lanette Strimaitis at lstrimaitis@comcast.net with the patient’s name, age and EXACTLY which vaccines you want. Prices: (subject to change)Hepatitis A - $79 x 2 (a 2 shot series to be administered within 1 year) Hepatitis B - $55 x 3 (a 3 shot series - you may have received this as a child)Typhoid – oral - $48, injectable - $66Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis - $55 (booster dose every 10 years) MMR - $65Meningococcal - $118Polio - $39Yellow Fever – not offered

Minute ClinicLocated in many CVS/pharmacy locations. These clinics require no appointment and they do accept many insurance plans. www.minuteclinic.com Prices: (subject to change)Hepatitis A x 2 - $87 adult/$56 child (2 shot series)Hepatitis B x 3 - $67 adult/$52 child (3 shot series)TwinRx – not offeredTyphoid – not offeredTetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis - $62MMR – $67Meningococcal - $112Polio - $82Yellow Fever – not offered

Shots Etc.7648 Hwy 70 South at I-40 (exit196), Suite 15 615-469-7413 www.shotsetc.comPrices: (subject to change)Hepatitis A x 2 - $75 adult (2 shot series)Hepatitis B x 3 - $70 adult (3 shot series)TwinRx – $125Typhoid – $85 oral, $80 injectableTetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis - $65MMR – $70Meningococcal - $125Polio - $50Yellow Fever – $110

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Applying for a Passport

Individuals must apply for their own passports. This can be a lengthy process! Allow a minimum of six weeks for processing your

application. Applications for passports should be available through a post office near you or online:

http://travel.state.gov. If you already possess a passport, please take care to check the expiration date. The

expiration date on your passport should be at least six months after the return date of your trip. If your passport will expire prior to this date, please apply for a passport renewal. This process can take as long as six weeks so please begin this process as soon as possible.

In a pinch, it is possible to contact Passport Express at 1-800-362-8196 or access them through your internet browser. Passport Express works with the U.S. Passport Agency and can process a passport within 24 hours (for a fee, of course). It is safer to check with a regional Passport Center and fly there on dates they accept walk-ins.

Obtaining Visas

You must have a visa to travel with Sweet Sleep to Uganda. Sweet Sleep will attempt to obtain visas for the group, prior to our departure. Occasionally,

circumstances arise which require individual team members to obtain these at the airport on the day of our arrival. Your team leader will direct you to do this if necessary.

Please get your passport to your team leader as soon as possible, in order to make obtaining visas an easier process.

The cost of your visa is factored into your total trip cost.

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Health and Wellness Overseas

Few things can be more miserable than being sick thousands of miles from home. In order to ensure that you have the best experience possible, please read over the following information and consult your physician at least four to six weeks prior to your departure.

Physical Fitness and Pre-existing Medical Conditions

It is inadvisable to attempt a trip to a third world country if you are in poor health. Our travel agendas always require a considerable amount of walking, and as this is a bed building mission journey it will involve extensive physical exertion. In addition, our schedule calls for long days with little rest. If you have a pre-existing physical condition that requires special monitoring, specific diet or refrigeration needs, or a predisposing fragility to your condition which could potentially deteriorate quickly, please consult your physician before committing to travel. Taking chances with your health may not only impair your opportunity to enjoy your time away, but might also affect the ability of your entire team to accomplish its objectives. Please be aware of the risks and sign the consent form in this notebook.

Avoid things that might make you ill Avoid all direct contact with birds, including domestic poultry (such as chickens and ducks)

and wild birds and avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live birds are raised or kept. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound well with soap and water and go to a doctor right away. 

If you become ill after your trip, even as long as a year after you return, tell your doctor where you have traveled.

Prevent fungal and parasitic infections by keeping feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.

Follow food safety rules mentioned in the “Food” section that follows. Don’t drink the water. We will supply you with bottled water during your stay. Some use

bottled water to wet their toothbrushes as well. Avoid ice in your drinks. If you have a water filter you’d like to use, be sure that it is a 1 micron filter. You may also want to order a Sweet Sleep Nalgene bottle to take with you! Contact Sweet Sleep staff for details.

Wash hands often with soap and water.

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Emergency Contact Information

An Emergency Contact Form will be provided to you. This can be shared with friends and family so they will know the best way to get in touch with the team in case of dire family emergencies.

CommunicationDon’t forget to set an out of office reply on your e-mail account if this feature is available to you. This lets others know how to follow your journey! Here is an example:  

Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office and will return on [date]. I’m volunteering with an organization called Sweet Sleep and am working in [country] this week to provide beds to [number] orphans. If you’d like to keep up with our work, please find a link to our daily blog at www.sweetsleep.org.

Registering Your Trip with the US Embassy

Sweet Sleep now has the ability to register all members of the team as a group and will most likely do so. However, should the need arise for individual team members to register their trip, here is the link: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ You will need to create an account and add your trip information.

Your team leader will notify you should it become necessary for team members to register their trips individually.

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Leading Children to Christ on the Mission Field

Leading children into a relationship with Jesus Christ is obviously an important part of what we do on Sweet Sleep mission journeys. This guide will help you become more comfortable with how to share your faith and lead children to Christ in culturally relevant and appropriate ways.

It is important to recognize that in some countries we serve, like Moldova, there are laws against forcible proselytizing. Basically, you’re not allowed to force your beliefs on anyone or by force convince someone to change their religion. With everyone being considered Russian Orthodox in Moldova at birth, a change to Christianity is a big step for anyone – especially a child. It just takes one person being accused of forcing a child to change their beliefs to affect the ability for Sweet Sleep to impact the lives of thousands of children for years to come.

Appendix B contains information about how to share your testimony. Please review that information and be prepared to share your testimony with children when the time comes. Communicating your testimony in a non-churchy way is crucial to leading others to Christ. People you encounter may not believe everything in the Bible, but you can share from your heart what you have seen and experienced and it’s hard to dispute.

If you have questions about sharing your testimony, or would like to talk to someone about accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior, talk to your team leader, your Pastor or contact Jon Merryman, Sweet Sleep’s Director of Church Partnerships.

The ABC’s of Salvation

Typically, teams will share about Jesus and salvation in Bible Study, in worship and during the birthday party. Also, team members may have a chance to share with children one-on-one.

First, let’s review the ABC’s of Salvation.

Admit – Admit to God that you are a sinner. Repent, turning away from your sin.Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:9

Believe – Believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and accept God’s gift of salvation and forgiveness from sin.

John 3:16, John 14:6, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:11-13

Confess – Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.Romans 10:9-10, 13

Remember, when sharing the ABC’s, that the words for these things may not be in ABC order in the alphabet where you are sharing – so don’t stress the ABC’s – share about how to become a Christian – there are 3 steps.

Sharing Christ with Children

Below is an example of how to lead a child to Christ one-on-one.

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First, it is important to know that you are not the one prompting a child to accept Christ. Even if you’re testimony was moving or Bible study was awesome, the Holy Spirit prompts a child to know when they are ready to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Once a child has indicated they feel they are ready to accept Christ, you need to talk with them about their decision and make sure they are at a place where they are ready to receive Him. Here’s how:

Say: “I’m so excited you’ve come to me and that you want to talk more about becoming a Christian! Tell me what God is doing in your life and why you’ve come to talk with me.”

You’re listening for honesty… not – I saw my friend come talk to you or another American, etc.

Next, say: “Tell me, what do you think it takes to become a Christian?”

You’re looking to NOT hear – works, doing good, etc. You want to hear things like giving my life to Jesus, doing what He wants me to do, asking Him to forgive me, things like that.

If you feel they have a good grasp on what it takes to become a Christian, say: “Let’s just talk through the 3 steps to becoming a Christian.

1. Admit.2. Believe. 3. Confess

What kind of things do we need to admit to God?”

Look for them to say sins or things we do God doesn’t like, etc.

Say: “We need to admit to God that we’ve sinned. A sin is just something that God doesn’t like. What are some sins kids your age deal with?”

This is the most important part of the process. If kids are ready to receive Christ, they must be able to list some things here – like lying, stealing, cheating, etc.

Then, ask: “Have you sinned? Have you done things God doesn’t like?”

And if they can’t say they have – if they say things like – “No way! But my sister has!” – they’re not ready. Allow them to think about this for a few minutes – and if they can’t say that they have sinned – its time to wrap up the conversation.

Say: “I’m so excited that God is working in your life and that you came to me. I can tell God has more to show you about following Him. I’d love to pray with you – and if you have more questions about becoming a Christian, feel free to ask me, or _________.”

Pray for the child, hug them, and tell them when they’re ready to become a Christian, they’ll know it, etc.

If they can verbalize that they have sinner, say: “The Bible says we’ve all sinned – we’ve all done stuff God doesn’t like.” Encourage them if you need to by saying – kids that are not ready to give their lives to Christ say – ‘I’ve never sinned but my sister sure has!’ Knowing that you have sinned

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and that you want God to forgive you of those sins – and that you want to turn away from those sins and not do them anymore – that shows that you are mature and ready to give your life to Jesus!”

Then, say: “The next thing we have to be able to do is Believe. What kinds of things do you believe about Jesus?”

You’re listening for – that He is God’s Son – that he died and raised from the dead, etc.

Say: “Great! It’s important to know that Jesus is God’s son and that he died and raised from the dead. He died to pay the punishment for the sins we’ve committed. What does the Bible say we deserve because of our sin?” (Death.) “Jesus heard that you, and I, had sinned and knew we deserved death – and to be separated from God forever – and he said – I’ll take the punishment so ________ (insert child’s name) can go to Heaven! Isn’t that awesome?!”

Ask: “What does it mean for Jesus to be our “Lord?” (Allow for responses.) Say: “Jesus wants to be your Lord – your boss. Who are some bosses in your life?” (Parents if any, family members, teachers, principals, etc.) “When we become a Christian, we have to give up doing what we want to do and do what He wants us to do. Sometimes those are the same thing – and the closer we get to Him the more those things will be the same.”

Ask: “Do you think you’re ready to ask Jesus into your life – to be your Lord and Savior?”

If they say yes. Awesome! If they say no – time to pray for them and again reassure them that God is working in their lives and if they have questions before you head back to the states they can ask you or they can always ask ___________.”

Next say: “The last step to becoming a Christian is confessing to others that you believe in Jesus! You should be so excited you want to tell the world. Who are some people you’d like to tell about your decision?”

Then say: “I’m so excited about your decision. I’d like to pray for you. But first, can you pray in your own words to become a Christian? Just pray and say something like this… “God, I know I’ve done things that you don’t like and I want to ask you to forgive me of those things – I don’t want to do them anymore. I want you to come into my life and be my Lord, my boss… Help me live every minute of my life for You. Amen.” Just pray something like that in your own words… You pray first, then I’ll pray.”

Afterwards, say: “That’s awesome! You’re a Christian now! Now do you think that you’ll be perfect from now on?” (No.) “Right, you’ll still mess up – we all do! But when you do mess up, you can pray and ask forgiveness right then. God has given you the Holy Spirit to help you make the right decisions and live for Him!”

Say: “What are some ways you can grow in your relationship with Jesus now that you’re a believer?” (Read my Bible, pray, etc.)

Say: “Exactly. You’ll also want to be baptized. Have you heard of baptism?” (Allow for responses.) “We get baptized because Jesus was baptized. When you go under the water it is a picture to the world that the old you has gone away and the new you is here! The water doesn’t save you or do anything special to you – you became a Christian when you prayed to ask Jesus into your life. Baptism is just a way to show everyone the change that already happened in your life.”

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Depending on what country you are in, baptism is a sensitive issue. Please discuss what baptism looks like with your team leader. For example, in Moldova kids need to be plugged into a Baptist/Christian church and they need to do the baptizing. Even then, they may be questioned, the church may be questioned, etc.

If you have any questions about sharing Christ with kids, be sure to ask your team leader.

Note: When sharing Christ in a large group, you’ll want to go through the same things, but allowing them to think through things to themselves and telling them – you can pray and become a Christian now, you can pray tonight alone in your room…

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Raising Support for Your Mission Journey

Many team members raise support for their mission journey by sending letters to friends, family members, those they attend church with and coworkers. You may be thinking, “I think I can cover it myself.” Don’t let that stop you from involving friends and family members in the mission to which God has called you. Some are called to go on mission journeys while others are called to support our efforts through prayer, giving money to support team members, or donating supplies. Consider sending letters to anyone you think might be interested in partnering with you to make a difference in our world – don’t limit yourself to just friends and family.

Support letters work best when they are specific to you and where you are in life. The people who receive your letters more than likely already know you, so personalize the letter as best you can. You may what to share what God has been teaching you through this process of committing to go on this trip or other important factors impacting your decision to serve orphaned and abandoned children.

Items you’ll want to include in your letter: Dates of your trip Amount you are needing to raise Deadline for mailing support checks Self-addressed stamped envelope (optional) Instructions for checks - All checks should be made payable to Sweet Sleep. To ensure

donations are applied toward your trip, the following information must be in the memo line of the check before they are turned into your team leader:

Preferenced to: [trip code] – [your name]

Reference Appendix A for a sample support letter. If you have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to contact your team leader.

Please note: All funds for individual or team support must be received before team members can receive

any reimbursement for individual expenses.

Funds received by Sweet Sleep from your fundraising efforts are considered gifts to Sweet Sleep and tax-deductible receipts are sent to those who donate on your behalf. Any excess funds raised for your account will be used by Sweet Sleep to help with other team needs and expenses.

If balance is not paid in full before departure please contact Sweet Sleep to make payment arrangements.

If going on frequent trips and any previous trip is not paid in full, contact Sweet Sleep prior to considering the next trip.

Arrangements can be made for monthly payments to be automatically drafted.

Sweet Sleep Fundraising For Mission JourneysAs a member of a Sweet Sleep mission journey, Sweet Sleep asks that you raise funds to cover the trip costs (travel, food, lodging), but we also ask that you help off-set the cost of

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building beds for your journey by raising an additional $1,000 for beds that YOU will be building.

An important reminder as you raise money for your trip is to be transparent with those in which you are soliciting donations. If you are raising money for your trip costs, please

make sure the donors know this information beforehand.

Fund Raising Tips

Follow-Up is Key!- After you send out your initial fund raising letter, send out a reminder email or letter a few weeks before the trip and let your friends and family know that the trip is just around the corner. Many people read your letter with intentions of making a gift, but life happens and the letter gets lost with the bills, junk mail, etc. SEND OUT A REMINDER WITH THE DATE AND EXPRESS THE URGENCY! Make it easy for them to give and email with a direct link to the Sweet Sleep donation page www.sweetsleep.org/donate. Make sure they designate in the comment box that their gift is for your trip.

Maximize Your Resources- Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. all exist for one thing, to share information. Telling your story on-line and allow people to respond. If you aren’t comfortable with direct asks, this allows you to still let people know what you are doing and respond accordingly. The best part is you can link videos, pictures, and other items to help tell your story. Be creative!

Host a party- Invite your friends over a party and share stories about your trip, past trips, pictures, information. Sharing your story face to face can be more powerful than through letters or email. Sweet Sleep can help provide any promotional material you need for an event like this. Make sure you take time during the meeting to share your story about why their partnering with your trip is vital!

Sell Jewelry from Uganda – Sweet Sleep is blessed to be able to sell jewelry made by widows at an orphanage in which we partner and have built beds on past trips. You can check out the beads from our store and host a jewelry party in which people can buy authentic Ugandan beads. We cannot apply the funds to your trip cost, but we can apply the funds to your $1,000 bed balance. People can delight in knowing that the necklace around their neck went directly to providing a bed for an orphan in Uganda.

Home Sales Parties- If you have friends who sell Mary Kay, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, etc., ask if they would consider donating a portion of their proceeds at their next event to your trip. People love buying things if they know a portion of their payment is going back to a great cause. Throw parties with a purpose!

Sweet Sleep Restaurant Nights – Many local and chain restaurants will designate nights in which they donate a portion of their proceeds to a particular charity. Approach local restaurants that you frequent and are near your friends and family and tell them that you will

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bring them customers if they give back to Sweet Sleep.

Yard or Garage Sales- If you were looking for ways to de-clutter before your trip, hosting a garage or yard sale is an easy way to raise money for your trip and let others know about your trip. You may reach a whole new audience by publicizing the reason for hosting the sale. You can even partner with other team members in your area and host joint sales.

These are just a few examples of ways people have raised money on previous trips. Remember, fundraising for your journey never really stops. Continue to advocate for your trip until you leave. Any money you raise above and beyond your trip cost and the donation for beds will still be directly used for beds on your trip. The more you raise, the more orphans that will be sleeping sweetly!The key is remembering to ASK, ASK, ASK. Don’t let someone miss out on being part of what God is doing around the world because you were afraid to ask them. People don’t know about the need unless you ask them first. Be BOLD!

And finally, don’t be afraid to ask Sweet Sleep for help. If you need us to provide anything that will help you in raising money, we are happy to do so!

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Packing Guidelines

Packing for an international trip is an art form. Here are some tips that will make the trip there and back less complicated and more manageable.

General Packing Helpful Tips

Limit your personal bags to one carry-on, one backpack and one suitcase of personal belongings. Try to only use one hard shell or non-collapsible suitcase (preferably with rollers).

Everyone must plan on one extra suitcase as a supply bag. We will pack this before we leave. If your extra bags are nylon or of a collapsible material, you can pack them in your hard shell

on the return home. We take clothes and supplies to leave with the children and items that are used as part of our activities, so there might be less to bring home than when you came, unless you buy lots of souvenirs.

Remember: Less bags, less hassle! Pack two days worth of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on so that if a bag is lost, you still

have things to wear while you wait for its arrival. If you can’t live without it, put it in your carry-on. When packing your carry-on, please be aware of the new packing restrictions. These may vary depending on current security warning levels so please check with the airline website prior to packing.

If you are traveling to Gulu, Uganda and your bag is delayed, you will very likely not see that bag until the end of your trip. Gulu is a long drive away from the Entebbe airport and there will be no way to get your luggage to you. So if you need something in Gulu, pack it in your carryon.

Pack in such a way that you can manage all of your luggage without the assistance of another. Everyone appreciates a self-sufficient traveling companion.

Tag your luggage with the luggage tags provided by Sweet Sleep and fill in your contact information with Sharpie prior to arriving at the airport.

You will want to be sure to bring a backpack to carry to our ministry site each day with your Bible, water, toilet paper, hand sanitizer/wipes, personal snacks, snacks for kids, camera, paper/pens, and whatever supplies we will use for activities.

Carry-on BagYou should pack all of your personal items in your carry-on.

Passport Bible Snacks Re-useable water bottles Spending Money (You may want to bring $100 for spending money) Medicines (see list below) Clothes (for men): long pants or shorts and short-sleeved shirts, PJ’s (Comfortable T-shirt and

shorts) Clothes (for women): short-sleeved shirts and pants/long skirts. Shoes: shower shoes, dress shoes, tennis shoes. (The terrain can be rough so you will want

sturdy walking shoes.)25

Toiletries: bring your own towel, soap, shampoo & conditioner, toothbrush & toothpaste Camera and film/memory cards, batteries, and charger Glasses/contacts (even if usually only wear contacts, bring prescription glasses) Jacket: lightweight jacket and rain coat or poncho Flashlight Sunglasses / Hat / Sunscreen Bug Repellant (one with DEET is preferred) Hand sanitizer

Please remember if you are carrying any gels, liquids, etc., they must be 3 oz or less and put into a quart size zip lock bag. When you get to the airport at the security check-in, they will ask that you take out liquids for inspection.

Two Checked Bags: Each person is allowed to check-in two 50-pound bags in addition to the carry-on. These bags will need to be packed with items for the children. Sweet Sleep will provide you with more updates on this as information comes in.

What NOT to BringAnything that is not replaceable or that has significant value (laptop, PDA, jewelry other than a wedding band)

Medications

Prescription drugs Consult your doctor to determine need; transport in original container Anti-diarrheal medications (e.g., Lomotil or Imodium) Antibiotics enough for 14 days (e.g., Bactrim, or Septra for children, and Cipro, or Levoquin

for adults) Nausea medications (e.g., Phenergan or Compazine) Motion sickness medication (e.g., Antivert or Transderm-Scop) Sleeping pills (for jet lag) (Resporil, Ambien or Sonata)

Non-prescription drugs Routine medications should be transported in original containers with 7-14 days worth of

extra doses beyond the anticipated length of your trip Aspirin or acetaminophen (in its original container) Antihistamine/decongestant (cold remedy) Pepto-Bismol Glucose-electrolyte powdered mix for dehydration (e.g., Gatorade mix/World Health

Organization rehydration solution) Eye drops (lubricating drops) Antacids (Tums, Rolaids)

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Topical preparations Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic) Insect repellant with 50% DEET Calamine lotion Sunscreen (SPF 35 or greater) 0.5% cortisone cream (for insect bites or allergic dermatitis) Wound disinfectant

Clothing, Cosmetics and Jewelry Take comfortable and modest clothing that can be easily laundered. Comfortable walking

shoes are an absolute necessity. Women should wear a skirt to church, at least knee-length. Cosmetics should be used sparingly as this is still the prevailing custom among Christians

there. Jewelry, other than a watch and your wedding band, should be on the smaller, less ostentatious side.

Men should bring one pair of nice slacks and a nice shirt to wear in church.

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Translator Gifts

You will want to bring a few gifts along for teachers, translators, and other individuals you may connect with. Examples of such gifts include but are not limited to:

Christian CDs LotionsYour picture in a frame Bibles or books in EnglishUno, Phase 10, Monopoly JournalsBath / body items Scarves

It is Sweet Sleep policy that cash gifts are not given. Also gifts should be relatively modest and proportionately uniform across recipients. Giving cash gifts or disproportionately large gifts complicates relationships with the people Sweet Sleep hires during the trip and sets expectations that cannot be satisfied.

You may also be tempted to take clothes, shoes, toys, and other supplies to our contacts in country. This should be avoided as it puts our contacts in difficult positions. It sets expectations that Sweet Sleep cannot satisfy, it sets expectations on our contacts by their neighbors who are often the recipients of our contacts’ gifts, and it has the potential to make our contacts feel uncomfortable by the donations of goods. It also creates a logistical problem for our contacts to store and utilize these goods.

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Packing ListInternational Travel DocumentsPassport (given at airport unless not local) Copy of passport in each bag /copy to leader Plane tickets (given at airport unless not local) Driver’s License Proof of vaccinations Itinerary copies Important numbers (copy for self/copy to leader) Health Insurance card with claim form Copy of insurance card Travel visa __________________________________

Health and Beauty Toilet paper, facial tissues Toiletries, cosmetics Deodorant/perfume Hand sanitizer (wipes or gel) Chap Stick Shampoo/conditioner Flip flops for shower Wash cloths, towel Soap Sunscreen Bug spray with DEET __________________________________ __________________________________

Self Crisp American money Debit card/credit card Camera, film / memory cards Bible/journal/extra pens Batteries, chargers Electrical converter Money belt Alarm clock Sports watch Small pillow Books/magazines/deck of cards iPod, CD Player, etc. (if you want music) Cards/stationery for notes to children/translators Snacks (granola, trail mix, peanut butter crackers, etc.) Electrolytes Flashlight w/working batteries Contacts / Glasses Sunglasses Backpack __________________________________ __________________________________

Additional Items for My team/group Gifts __________________________________ __________________________________

Clothing Needs Jacket / Poncho, umbrella Dress shoes, tennis shoes (comfortable) Shirts & pants/shorts/skirts (see guidelines) Socks/underwear House shoes (optional) Sleep wear Church outfit (see guidelines) Hat __________________________________ __________________________________

Medications (see guidelines) Prescription drugs (original containers) Antibiotics Anti-diarrheal Nausea, motion sickness Sleep aid Malaria Antacids, Pepto-Bismol Aspirin, acetaminophen Antihistamine / decongestant Eye drops Ointments (antibiotic ointment, cortisone, calamine) Band-Aids _________________________________ _________________________________

Miscellaneous Neat sheet or blanket Water bottle Dirty clothes bag Febreeze Sweet Sleep Nalgene Bottle Luggage tags _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

Additional Items for Construction Team members Closed toe shoes Work gloves __________________________________ __________________________________

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Additional Helpful Items

Miscellaneous Helpful Items Carabineer clips Alcohol swabs (to clean your Nalgene mouthpiece) Nalgene lid splash guard insert if using a wide mouthed bottle Small mirror Battery operated fan Electrical plug adaptors and converter Fingernail brush Eye mask Antibacterial wipes Face wipes 2 gallon Ziploc bag of plastic grocery bag to bring dirty shoes home in Sweat rag / bandana Plastic knives for PB&J sandwiches Sandwich sized Ziploc bags for sandwiches __________________________________

Sack Lunch and Snack Ideas Peanut Butter (Checked bag as it is sometimes considered a liquid) Jelly (Checked) Round flatbread for sandwiches Granola bars Protein bars Dried fruits Gummy fruit snacks Rice Krispy Treats Bagels Electrolyte tablets Water additives (Crystal Light, Gatorade) Canned / bagged tuna fish or chicken __________________________________ __________________________________

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Electrical Outlets and Plugs

Electricity in Uganda is 240 Volts. If your electronic is labeled “100 – 240V” then it will only need a plug adaptor (to make the plug fit into the outlet). If you appliance is only labeled “100V”, you will need an electric converter and a plug adaptor.

Uganda Plug Adapters and Outlet Shapes

Outlets in Uganda generally accept 1 type of plug:

Two parallel flat pins with ground pin

If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.

Following are several variations of Ugandan plug adaptors.

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Traveling

Preparing for Your Journey

Make three (3) copies of your passport. Place one in each checked bag and give one to your team leader. It is also a good idea to leave a copy with someone here at home just in case you need to replace it.

Make itinerary copies…one for your family and/or office and one to replace the original you are bound to misplace.

En Route

Flights to Uganda are generally routed through different destinations including Newark, Amsterdam, or London. In general, we look for the most inexpensive way there (preferably it will be the most direct as well). Layovers of 4 hours or more are inevitable at your international hub, so take a good book with you!

Remember the key to a successful mission journey: Flexibility! When you read through the lives of Jesus and Paul, you will notice how often they changed course to offer help in a different direction. Plan on receiving changes and interruptions as a part of God’s will.

Plan to arrive no later than two hours prior to departure for an international flight. Never leave a bag unattended, even for a few minutes. Never accept anything from someone you have just met, even if it’s a helpless mother with

toddlers or an elderly gentleman with a walker. Do not touch an unattended bag. Never talk about contraband, guns, bombs, or other weapons jokingly or otherwise. These

subjects are taken very seriously by airport security in all countries. In most cases your bags will be checked all the way through to Uganda in Nashville (or other

departure location) but always check with your carrier at the ticket booth to understand the expectations

You’ll want to remember to check the time in the city you are connecting with. For instance, Amsterdam is four ahead of Nashville, Amsterdam is two hours behind Entebe. Don’t miss your flight!

Some suggest that you set your watch to Ugandan time as soon as you begin your long leg of the flight. This is supposed to acclimate your body to the time there as you force yourself to stay awake or to sleep.

Movies on the plane may not be good. Bring a book, magazine, cards or anything to keep yourself amused.

Take off your shoes. Most people find that their feet tend to swell during flights due to the lack of exercise and low atmospheric pressure in the plane.

Don’t eat too much or drink too much caffeine. You use almost no energy during flight, so you don’t need to eat much. Caffeinated drinks contribute to dehydration. Drink lots of water.

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Stretch your legs. Stand on your tiptoes as often as possible when you are in a queue or standing still in the aisle of the plane.

Tylenol PM and other forms of sleeping aids may be useful for you to pack if you have trouble sleeping on planes.

Avoid ticket counter and customs checkpoint delays by having your tickets, passport, visa, a pen and your cash securely on your person and readily accessible.

Once overseas, it is probably easiest to use your credit card in airport snack bars. This will save you from having to exchange money. Sometimes there are minimums for credit cards, but use your buddy and maybe they can buy on the way home.

You’ll want to pack some snacks for the plane.

Clearing Customs in Uganda

We will hopefully have our visas prior to arrival, but if not we will get these upon arrival.

Everyone will need to pick up a yellow “Customs” form for bringing luggage into Uganda. Take this form with you to passport control. If you are brining things into Uganda such as power tools or guitars that you would like to take home with you, pick up a customs form at the airport. This will ensure you will be able to leave the country with these large items.

Everyone will need to proceed through passport control, where you just need to have you passport out and ready for inspection. Then it’s onto baggage claim. Check to see that no one takes your bag by accident. Once you have your bags, you may or may not have to go through customs. Stay with the group and look to your team leader for directions.

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Taking Care of YOU on a Mission Journey

A mission trip can be a wonderful and life changing experience. The sense of focused mission, the camaraderie and fellowship with the team, the intensity of prayer and feeling of spiritual connectedness, the experience of being a part of God’s work in others’ lives, all combine to make this a memorable time in your life. These same factors can also trigger expectations and feelings that may be surprising and difficult to manage, both during the trip and as you come home and re-enter your life and routine. Being aware of possible reactions and how to manage them can help you get the most out of this experience.

While You Are There

Some feelings and reactions on a trip like this may surprise you. You understand that you will be working with orphans, children who have led difficult lives. You have read about cultural and other factors, and have been praying about this for a long time. Nevertheless, seeing the poverty and intense need in person, experiencing the children face to face and touch to touch, smelling the smells and hearing the plaintive voices, can trigger painful emotions in the strongest of us. In particular, if you had a difficult childhood, or have experienced tragedy or loss related to your children, feelings can surface and catch you off guard, even though you thought you had adequately dealt with them before. Even when your feelings are well managed, you may wonder how best to respond to children who express intense feelings. It is important to be aware of potential feelings, and be prepared for how you will manage. Some tips include:

Some of the children (and some of us) attach and bond very easily. This can make for a real depth of experience while you are together, but can also make detaching difficult when it is time to leave.

o Remember to put the needs of the child first, and be realistic; avoid making promises you may not be able to keep. If children want to know if you will come back next year, it is best to say something like “I hope I can, but I’m not sure. In the mean time, let’s enjoy the time we have together now.”

o Avoid abstract statements they probably will not understand and may take literally (e.g., “I’ll always be here for you.”) Help them connect with a caring adult who lives there and is available to them.

o A few days before leaving, begin making transitional statements, which can help both the child and you realize that an end is coming

“In 3 days I have to leave, and between now and then let’s ______.” “When I leave in a few days, what I’ll miss most is _____.” “I’ve really enjoyed being here, and when I’m home next week I’ll remember

_____, or laugh when I think of _____.”o If a child is tearful, validate their feeling and offer support. It can help to let them

know you feel sad too, and tell some things you do that help you feel better when you’re sad (draw, write, talk to someone, play, remember something positive or funny).

o Give them a small memento to remember you by: a written scripture, a note, a craft you made together, a picture of you and them.

o View this as an opportunity to model for them how to have a healthy friendship, say a healthy goodbye and manage the related feelings.

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o Help them see the positives in your short time together; that saying goodbye is sad, but also is an opportunity to grow, learn, and strengthen their resiliency (see James 1). Remind them of God’s presence as a friend who is always with them.

o If this may be an area of difficulty for you, be prepared and thinking about it ahead of time (see below for additional suggestions for managing your own feelings and reactions).

Remember Jesus’ teaching in the beatitudes: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” One interpretation of this statement is that God gave us a full range of emotions and it is important to go ahead and experience them. It is when one mourns that one can fully experience the comfort God can offer.

While it is important to experience your feelings honestly, dramatic displays of emotion are often looked down upon in many cultures. Additionally, children can become confused and feel guilty when adults display emotion too intensely in front of them. Be ready to step away to a private place and take a break if needed.

Set aside some time daily on your trip to reflect on and process feelings and reactions, either by yourself or with a willing partner from the team. Some people like to write in a journal, and others like to think or talk to someone.

Be aware of your limits and boundaries and be willing to work within these. For example, the plight of the children might be so disturbing to some that they would be more comfortable ministering to and working with the teachers and other adult caretakers. This would not be a sign of weakness but rather an equally valid and needed ministry.

Avoid making life changing decisions based on impulse and emotional leading (e.g., adoption, family or job changes). Give yourself time to think and pray, and remember you are away from your normal context and support system. Keeping in touch with a child can be a wonderful long term ministry and it will be good to discuss with your family and involve them.

Don’t feel like you have to have all the answers or be the hero; you’re here for a short time and can do only so much. If you feel like you’re getting in over your head with the depth of a child’s problems or your own feelings, seek help from your team leader.

Take comfort in knowing that your mere presence, even for a short time, sends a message of love, hope, and joy to the children (remember Prov. 25:25 - “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.” )

Look for and focus on the joy the children show in play, in time spent with you, etc.

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In Country

Money Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar – aprox. 1900 (subject to change) Credit cards are not widely used in Uganda. You will see advertisements for credit, but most

stores do not take cards. If they do, they only take Visa or MasterCard, never American Express or Discover.

American bills you take to Uganda must be crisp. Banks will not accept bills that look worn or that have been written on. Bills older than 2003 or smaller than $50 will receive a lower exchange rate or may not be exchanged at all.

In the outdoor souvenir market you can usually barter with your translator to get the price down. This is a custom so don’t worry about hurting their feelings. Translators should be good at helping you with this. Just find out how much an item is and determine what you would like to pay for it.

You should always remain conscious of who may be watching you or matching your pace as you walk along. An “inside your clothes” money belt is the best way to keep your cash safe.

Also, be very careful about leaving your purses, cameras or backpacks exposed in the city or at an orphanage.

Working with Translators Although English is an official language of Uganda, not everyone speaks the same dialect of

English as we do, and you may have difficulty understanding the people we encounter. For this reason we will be working with translators.

It will probably take you a day to get a good pattern of speaking figured out with your translator. Try to get to know them on van rides and at meals to help this along.

When using a translator, do not turn toward the translator and then speak to the child. This sends a message that you are ignoring the child/children. Talk to the children as you would here at home and let the translator speak as they will. The translators hope that they are “invisible” and that the children will look at you.

When using a translator for conversations try not to say things like, “Tell them I said…” just speak as you would in any conversation. Your translator will take care of the rest. When waiting for your words to be translated to your party you can just watch the face of the one you are speaking with as you wait.

Your translator has been asked to translate everything you say and to not influence their translating with any of their beliefs that differ. Not that we expect a problem, but if you sense a problem please let your team leader know. If reading from a particular translation, ask your translator to translate “exactly what you say” not how their version of the Bible might say something.

You can never have enough translators when you are outnumbered by children who speak a different language. Do not panic or get upset if you cannot find your translator. You can use any translator you see to help you. If none are available, try to convey your words through motions or sounds. If this fails…smile and put your arm around them until you can find a translator. Be patient – or learn this from the kids. They’re generally more patient than we are.

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Working with Children

Children in the orphanages of Uganda are beautiful and charming. You will find yourself drawn to them as they are to you. Although shy at first, they warm up to the slightest interest given to them.

Things to Remember In pioneer areas, (places Sweet Sleep has not yet worked) you should expect some suspicion

and lack of cooperation from teachers. Our desire to love and provide for the children is often perceived as spoiling the children.

Teachers may initially resent our presence and passively resist our programming. Others may be jealous of the attention and “things” the children receive. We will help teachers and administrators understand these things.

Your attitude toward the orphanage staff will determine how supportive they are of your work. If you include them and invite them to participate they will warm up to you and be supportive of your efforts.

Planning activities specifically for teachers and sharing why you’ve come, what your plans are, and that you have paid your own way to come and help will make a favorable impression. Do not share how much you paid to come or your salary in America.

Prepare yourself for the lack of hygiene. Children are often only able to shower and change clothes once or twice a week. Even if some children groom themselves and bath more regularly, they may not smell very good. You may not even notice if you are in “mission mode.”

Plan to communicate visually. If you use acronyms or acrostics with English letters it won’t compute.

Plan activities that have as few steps and directions as possible. Like all children, there will be a few kids who are reluctant or refuse to participate.

Sometimes older boys and girls feel like participating in our activities is for the little kids. Don’t take their reluctance as an insult. Consider sending someone who works well with older boys or girls to hang out on their turf. Punting your plans and having genuine conversation with these older kids will work wonders and be more effective than forcing them to make a craft.

The children may ask you lots of questions. Be patient and don’t be offended. They are not being nosey, but just expressing their fascination with meeting and talking to an American.

The children may ask you for your watch, your nametag – anything you own! Please talk to your team leader before giving one of your possessions to a child that has asked for something.

The children might be very interested in our pop culture. Should you encounter this, try to impress upon them that most Americans do not look Brittany Spears or Eminem. Share with them about YOUR life, your family, your friends, your church, etc.

Sometimes the children will as for support other than the beds Sweet Sleep provides. It is important to remember that Sweet Sleep provides beds, bibles, and mosquito nets. Please do not provide or promise to provide any other goods or services. It complicates the mission and sets expectation from our partners that Sweet Sleep will not be able to satisfy.

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Traditions/Cultural Sensitivities

You may be surprised to learn this, but Americans are very loud people! When we are in the city for meals and when we arrive at the airport you will want to refrain from loud talking and laughing.

Please dress with modesty in mind for the entirety of the trip. Try not to wear anything without sleeves or low cut. No tank tops with spaghetti straps should be worn. Shorts are generally considered childish in Uganda and not worn by adults. Jewelry is not commonly worn except for wedding rings. Keep it simple. While most Ugandan woman traditionally wear long skirts, it is acceptable for the woman with our team to wear pants due to the nature of the work we will be doing.

Wearing camouflage should be avoided. Especially in areas in Uganda, camouflage is associated with the rebel forces and do not translate into fashion.

Do not throw objects at the children (unless in sports where this is appropriate). To throw, or even toss, an object is considered to be insulting and is a sign of abuse toward them.

Don’t get hung up on theological differences. You will discover a few differences between “their” theology and “ours” that may distress you. Please refrain from making judgments about the rightness or wrongness of the way others believe. Ultimately, the kids who are listening to you and watching you will make their own decisions, probably not by what you say but whether or not they see the love of God in your actions. We are only with the children for a week. If it is not essential to salvation, it is probably not worth worrying about and definitely not worth arguing about with a Ugandan national.

It is impolite and inappropriate for any team member to be critical of, or belittle any of the people or things we will encounter. The old saying, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” is a great way to live while in Uganda. In all we do, we want to be gracious. We also want to represent our church, our God, Sweet Sleep and the US in a way that is honoring and pleasing to Him.

All body tattoos must be covered.

Food

The food that we will eat in Ugandan restaurants will be more like a “home cooked” meal rather than mass produced restaurant food. There are no chain restaurants in Uganda. Ideally we will be eating breakfast and dinner in our lodging location, with one meal eaten out during the day, or we will take along a “sack lunch” if no suitable restaurant is available for a team of our size.

Ugandans do know about Western style food and you can expect to find versions of our food at every meal such as chicken, french fries and pasta.

Drinks will be bottled, carbonated, and room temp. Coke, Diet Coke, & Fanta soda are readily available in Uganda. These taste a little different from home, but you might like African soda better!

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Avoid ice in any drinks. Avoid lettuce with your sandwich or any meal. Avoid any fruit that you do not personally take out of a thick peel (banana or orange).

Gum chewing is not bad however, you may want to avoid putting a new piece of gum in your mouth when in front of the children, unless you are going to bring enough for a mob or have learned to say, “no more.” Once you start passing out gum you’ll be pegged for life. Due to a lack of dental care, we encourage you to bring sugar-free gum.

If you do not like the taste or looks of your meal do not make loud statements or noises about this. It will be greatly offensive to the preparer of our meals and embarrassing to the team as a whole.

It is great idea to carry with you snacks that can get you through the day---either if you can’t make it to our generally late lunch time, or if lunch doesn’t appeal to you one day.

If we are able to visit people in homes or villages, they will offer us food and drink. Ugandans do not have much money, so the snacks will be modest and you may not like the looks of them. In this case, try not to be as concerned with what you eat as much as in how you react to their offer. If refusing, do so in a very polite way with a smile to convey your appreciation.

Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized. The food that will be available to you in the city restaurants we select for you is considerably

better than that which you can expect at a camp or mission site. If you are staying at a team house, most of your meals will be eaten there.

Eating out in Uganda is considered an “event” that may last for a few hours at minimum. Service is often slow….painfully so in some cases. We mostly know of these nuances and can advise you on what to expect. We can also order things ahead of time if the group is not picky, and thereby save some of your valuable time.

At no time during the trip, including in any airport, or on any flight, should you engage in the consumption of alcohol.

Safety Keep in mind that you are in a land you are unfamiliar with. Even if we were in Mexico or

Manhattan you would have to keep some travel smarts about you. If you are a runner or walker you should not leave the team’s lodging to do this on your own.

Always take someone with you. Always make sure your team leader knows where you are going and when you expect to be back. Stay on populated streets and do not make unplanned stops.

When in the city, you will want to be sure to have a “buddy” so the two of you can keep an eye on each other and on your belongings.

You will likely encounter beggars on the streets of Kampala. Many of them are elderly or small children. Some of them can become fairly aggressive in asking you for money. Different people feel differently about dealing with beggars. If you feel compelled to give to them you might consider buying the street children something to eat rather than giving them money, which may be used for less desirable purposes.

The police in foreign countries are not always there “to protect and to serve!” There is a high degree of corruption throughout all layers of government and it filters down to the police. If a

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police officer asks you a question, it is best to find one of our staff or a local to help. If they ask to see your passport, especially keep this in mind. Do not hand over your passport. Tell them you don’t understand and go get a Sweet Sleep staff member.

While in country, always carry identification. Guard your passport and have it in your possession every time you leave your room. In the event that your passport is lost or stolen, it will be helpful if you are able to have someone in the US working to replace it while we work on it in Uganda.

Communication

Communicating home can be expensive and, in some situations, virtually impossible. Sweet Sleep will try to have a computer available at many destinations for blogging and some e-mail access. Be sure to let family and friends know that you will not be readily accessible. You should view this time as an electronic/technology “vacation”!

Reguests from Children, Orphanages, Partners, or Others

Often times the recipients of Sweet Sleep beds will ask for more support. They may ask that you come back to provide others with beds but they may also ask that you provide them with other needs: food, shelter, education sponsorship, etc. It is important to remember that Sweet Sleep does one thing and does it very well. Sweet Sleep provides beds. Providing other goods or services that are inconsistent with the mission of Sweet Sleep sends conflicting messages and sets expectations that cannot be satisfied. Keep in mind, the partners Sweet Sleep works with have been thoroughly researched and most often, they provide a vital service or resource to the children who are receiving beds.

You can listen compassionately to their requests and tell them how happy you are that they have a safe, clean, comfortable place to sleep. Tell them that you and your team will be taking their stories home to America to share with your friends.

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Leaving and Returning Home

Be sure to pack some notes or cards to write messages to your translators and children (or to other team members, for that matter!). You can anticipate wanting to leave some scripture behind in these cards.

There is no simple way to leave the children. However, do not make any promises to the children. Instead, reassure them with things we will have taught them during the week. Tell them you will be thinking of them often. Tell them you will be praying for them. Tell them although you have to leave, not to forget God will always be with them.

Nobody likes a tearful goodbye…especially one that lasts for 30 minutes as an entire team and a sea of children say goodbye to each other…one by one. Take time to say your goodbyes to the children you have bonded with and as soon as the team begins to load in the vans, please get on the vans. It will be better for the children and for you, even though it won’t seem like it at the time.

Clearing U.S. Customs

Clearing U.S. Customs on return – You will be given a Customs Declaration form to fill out on your return flight. If you have spent more than $400, you must itemize your purchases and possess receipts to prove your declared value. Avoid customs penalties by declaring all articles acquired and in your possession at the time of your re-entry into the United States. This includes articles you purchased in regular and duty free stores, gifts presented to you and any articles you intend to sell or use in your business. If in doubt whether an article should be declared, always declare it first and then direct your questions to the Customs Officer. Normally, customs agents will ask for verbal declaration of articles, check passports of non-US citizens traveling with our group, and allow us to pass. As always, be courteous and cooperative.

Regardless of what you are told in the airport, all liquids greater than 3oz. must be placed on your checked luggage. If you buy wine as a gift it will be seized in the European country we travel through. When in doubt, don’t make large purchases in the airport after your luggage has been checked.

Re-entry Stress

You may experience re-entry stress as you make the transition back to your home and daily life. It happens because you have been in a different culture, had a life-changing experience and are now returning to people and an environment that have not changed in the same ways. Add to this that you are physically tired from the long trip and time changes, which can add to your emotional stress.

You may experience stress related to any or all of the following: Many things you see or hear will remind you of something from your trip. You may feel the

need to talk a lot about your experiences but worry that others will tire of your stories. Frustration at trying to adequately put your experiences into words and others’ seeming

inability to understand your experiences and their impact upon you.41

The contrast between peoples’ openness toward you and your Christian message on the trip, versus the fact that at home no one seems to have time to sit and talk, nor has the same deep interest in spiritual learning.

Feelings of guilt or selfishness about returning to work or school, doing things for self and material gain and wishing you could be back at work with the mission.

Worrying that you will forget the depth of feelings, lessons and resolutions from the trip as you re-enter routine life.

The impulse to make drastic changes in job or finances. The desire to see God doing wonderful things at home as on the trip. You prayed continuously

on the trip and relied heavily on God’s presence, but may not be used to doing so in the everyday routine life. You may feel guilty about this or even struggle in your relationship with God.

A changing view of self, meaning and purpose in life. Disillusionment with America and American Christianity (e.g., attitudes toward wealth,

consumption, and stewardship). Did I really just spend $3.00 on a cup of coffee? Does our church really need sterling silver communion service?

A wider view of the impact our individual choices and policies of government have throughout the world.

Differences in how Christianity is practiced in other countries. Unmet expectations – on the trip, as well as that family and friends would be as excited as you

about the trip and your experiences. Sense of loss and loneliness – disconnection from new friends, team members and those you

ministered to, which can confuse your sense of purpose. It is important to realize the mission trip was short term and it would be hard to carry that focused intensity into your daily routine of life.

Tips for Managing Re-entry Stress

You probably will not experience all of the above, but it is common to experience at least some of these. Be prepared for and aware of your feelings and thoughts. You may even go through a grief process – experience feelings of loss, depression, loneliness, guilt, and fatigue. If you experience any of these for more than a couple of weeks, or at a level of intensity that interferes with your daily functioning, consult with a professional.

Get balanced rest, meals, and exercise; be aware of the role that fatigue plays in your thoughts and feelings.

Read the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. After a major spiritual high, literally a mountain top victory, he experienced a severe letdown, and God ministered to his physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in specific ways (food, rest, reminder of His presence and power, care and encouragement in a still small voice, link with others and a new task to accomplish); seek the same from God for yourself.

Be aware of your own expectations and those of your family and close friends; try to keep realistic expectations.

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Realize that people bond easily during intense experiences; we tend to idealize relationships we form during these experiences. While it can be important to keep in touch with team members, it is even more important to ensure that you reconnect well with your own loved ones.

Pray – reflect and rejoice on what you’ve seen God do; ask Him to show you what to learn from these experiences.

Talk to team members about your feelings and thoughts – it can help to know others are having similar experiences.

Talk to family and close friends – let them in, include them in your processing and try to help them understand your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Be aware that people may have difficulty understanding, or they may simply be unable to; be willing to adjust how much detail you give to match their level of interest and ability to relate.

Allow time; be patient with yourself and others; guard yourself against becoming resentful and/or impatient.

Be aware that your family will want to talk about events in their lives while you were gone; realize these are important to them and give them time just as you want them to give you time.

Focus on how God used you; the good that was done; the joy of being part of His plan; ask God to show you how these can be integrated with your everyday life.

Look for positive ways to direct your newfound insights and energy, at home and church, as well as in your job and other “routine” parts of life. Recommit to spending time with family and friends, find new avenues for spiritual growth, find a new area of service that can incorporate aspects similar to your trip, find ways to stay connected with this mission (such as sponsoring a child, writing letters, include spouse and children in any ongoing ministry). Focus on things you can value in your job or areas of life you consider mundane. Plan and look forward to your next ministry opportunity.

Some “debriefing” with yourself (via a journal), an understanding family member, a team member, or other close friend, can help you integrate your experiences. Some prompts to facilitate this include: What was the best part of the trip? The worst part? The hardest part? The funniest part? What surprised you the most? What did you think and feel when that happened? What was the most touching? What things had the biggest impact on you? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God? What will others notice about you now? What changes need to be brought into your life back home? Where do we go from here?

Show this information to the important people in your life and use it as a springboard for talking to them about your trip and experiences.

Phil 1:6 - “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This guide was written by Dr. Richard Brake

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Appendix A - Sample Mission Journey Support Letter[date]

Dear _________,

You are receiving this letter because you are special to me and I thank God for placing you in my life. I would also like to share some exciting news with you!

On [date], I will be going on a mission trip to Uganda through Sweet Sleep, a faith-based non-profit organization that shares God’s love by providing beds for the world’s orphaned and abandoned children. I believe God has called me to join in this work.

Our mission in Uganda will be to provide beds and minister to approximately [number] children living in an orphanage [location of orphanage]. Most of the children in this orphanage sleep on old, dirty foam mats laid on the floor. We will be providing them with new bed frames, foam mattresses, sheets, blankets, and mosquito nets. We will also be providing activities, praying, and sharing scripture with the children, while we show God’s love by wrapping our arms around these sweet children.

This trip would not be possible without the Lord. Please join me in praying that God would guide our team as we prepare to minister to these precious children. Please pray specifically that [list specific requests].

The cost for each team member to participate in this mission journey is [amount], but in addition to that cost, our team is committed to raising some of the funds necessary to provide the beds for these children. I have set a personal goal of raising [$] to support this mission. Please do not feel pressured to give financially, but if you can help please send your donation, made payable to Sweet Sleep, to me at [home address]. A return envelope is enclosed for your convenience. Please do not send checks directly to Sweet Sleep. This will help me keep track of my goal. Gifts are due by [date] but if you plan to give, I would appreciate receiving your gift as soon as possible as there are partial payment deadlines to meet before that date.

If you do choose to make a gift, please write the following on the memo line of your check:

Preferenced to [trip code] – [your name]

If for any reason I am unable to participate in the trip, your gifts will be used to support Sweet Sleep and their mission to provide beds for orphaned and abandoned children.

If you would like to partner with me in prayer as we prepare to travel and share God’s love with these children, please e-mail me at [e-mail address] and I will send you prayer updates and the address for our team blog so you can follow us as we prepare for our journey and as we serve the Lord in Uganda.

Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with me and with Sweet Sleep in this mission. I hope to hear from you soon. For more information about our trip, feel free to contact me. For more information about Sweet Sleep, visit their website at www.sweetsleep.org.

Sincerely,

[your name]

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Sweet Sleep is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit and any gifts to Sweet Sleep with an expression of a preference for my trip expenses are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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Appendix B - What is a Testimony?

In simplest terms, your testimony is a declaration of your experience with God. Just as a witness in a trial gives testimony regarding things he or she is familiar with, your testimony should give its audience insight into your experiences with God. In giving your testimony, you should explain the role of your faith and God’s faithfulness in your life.

What should I say when giving my testimony?There is no specific format for giving your testimony. While there are common elements found in most testimonies, your testimony will be unique to you (just as your relationship with God is different from everyone else’s). That being said, here are a few things that you may wish to think about when deciding what to say in your testimony: struggles you had before your salvation how you learned about God your salvation experience how God’s grace has changed your life how you currently see God working in your life

Different people will spend different amounts of time on different aspects of their testimony. If you were saved as a young child, you may have more experience with what God is currently doing in your life than with struggles before your salvation. What’s important is that you focus on bringing glory to God through your testimony, not that you have a story that would serve as a movie of the week.

How long should my testimony be?The length of your testimony will depend on the situation. Sometimes the situation will dictate a short testimonial of 3-5 minutes. Other times, you may face situations that call for a longer, more detailed testimonial. Rather than focusing on developing set length testimonies, you should think about the general ideas you want to cover. That way, you can expand or contract points as necessary (it is often good to have a short version more planned out as you never know when God will give you an opportunity to share with someone. Keep in mind that giving your testimony is often a one-on-one (and often interactive) experience.

Things to keep in mind The primary point of giving your testimony is to glorify God. Make sure that the things you

say stay centered on God and what He has done in your life. While you may have many examples you’d like to share from your life, make sure that you keep them focused on God.

Don’t ever feel like your testimony isn’t as “good” or “exciting” or “powerful” as someone else’s. God has a purpose for your life and a reason for giving you an opportunity to share. Be bold in the knowledge that He will do the speaking if you let Him.

In giving your testimony, it is often a good idea (especially when speaking with nonbelievers) to include how someone can be saved.

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Finally (and this should be your first step), pray about how you can best express to others your experiences with God. He will provide you with guidance better than any “clever” or “exciting” format that you could come up with.

Appendix C - Prayer Partners

Team Member:

E-mail Address:

The following people have committed to be in prayer for me as I embark on this mission journey: (please print clearly and neatly)

Name: Phone:

E-mail:

Name: Phone:

E-mail:

Name: Phone:

E-mail:

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Appendix D - Mission Journey Team Blog Instructions

1. You will receive an e-mail from Sweet Sleep inviting you to join the Sweet Sleep Journeys blog. Click on the link in the e-mail and sign in with your Google account. If you do not have one, you will have to create one.

2. Once you sign in, you will be taken to the “Dashboard” page. From there, you can post to the Sweet Sleep blog.

3. To sign in at a later date, go to www.sweetsleep.blogspot.com and click on the orange button

in the top left corner. .

4. This will take you to a sign in page. Click on “New Blogger” in the top right corner. Sign in at the top right with your e-mail and password.

5. You will then be on the “Dashboard” page. You should see the Sweet Sleep Journeys blog listed.

6. To create a new post click on the green plus sign next to Sweet Sleep Journeys.

7. You will be taken to the posting page where you will type your blog post and give it a title. Once you have finished entering the text of your blog, enter the word verification and click on the button titled “Publish”. This will publish your entry to the blog site.

8. Once your post has published, log out by clicking on the “log out” button and you are done.

9. Congratulations…you are a blogger!

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Blogging Tips and TricksIt is great to have each day unfold and then, during team time, listen to what experiences and testimonials are shared and then get the bloggers from that. The idea is that 2 new people blog each day, but if there are some repeats it’s okay. The team leader or international staff should be listening to the powerful stories that the team shares and help to direct the blog posts. People don’t generally volunteer to blog because they are nervous to write, but when you ask, they are happy to. For this reason, we discourage the advanced sign up to blog.

Following are things that are ideal to share:

Personal stories of impact Encounters with individuals that are remarkable Moments that God clearly worked through the trip Milestones, goals, ministry opportunity scale Examples of seeing scripture lived out

Following are things that may not grab readers as well and should be avoided:

General information about the ins and outs of the day (what you ate, what the weather is like, how bumpy the roads are) should not be the focus of the blog.  We would like to keep the information focused on the ministry and the mission, not the mundane details of the day.

Disparaging comments on poor living conditions, unpalatable food, unusual cultural practices, etc should not be made. Cultural sensitivity must be held in the highest regard even in our writing.  It shows respect for our host country.

Inappropriate comments about teachers, caretakers, orphans, etc must never be made in the blog or on social media outlets, even under your own account, when you are representing Sweet Sleep and your team.

Following are blog attributes that grab the reader:

Keep it succinct. Overly long blogs may lose the interest of the reader. Add photos!

o This is sometimes a cumbersome task. To streamline it Sweet Sleep staff can format and post your blogs for you:

Have the person write the blog and click SAVE; do not publish the blog.

Have the blogger also post pictures to THEIR facebook wall. Sweet Sleep will capture those shots and embed them into their blog body. Be sure you are “friends” with the Sweet Sleep staff who will be running social media during your trip.

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Sweet Sleep will check for blog entries three times a day and will format them, add the pictures, and publish them to the blog.

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This will correctly link the blog, with the pictures, to facebook.

Appendix E - International Mission Journey Team Member Physical Requirements

The following is a brief summary of what travelers should expect during travel as well as while they are working in country. Please understand that every reasonable attempt will be made to accommodate those with special needs. However, please also take into consideration your own needs and restrictions and take time to consider the specific challenges which this journey might require of you and how your abilities and needs might affect the team you would minister with or the people/children you would minister to.

The following information is provided to simply inform the first time traveler who has legitimate concerns for their health based upon their medical conditions. This information is in no way an exhaustive list of what a traveler would experience in preparation for or during their journey.

Sweet Sleep, Inc. requires that each team member with special medical considerations share the following information with their doctor. Sweet Sleep, Inc. requires a signed medical release for team members with special medical considerations, as well as a medication schedule from your physician.

Uganda is hot. Not all work/camp sites offer shade from the hot summer sun. Many activities are conducted outside.

People with compromised immune systems (those with transplants, undergoing chemotherapy, etc.) should consider the potential for contracting illnesses from long flights and from working in a third-world country.

Team members are advised that the distance to medical care facilities are sometimes great – possibly hours from the work site. Also, standards of care at medical facilities are substandard to the least equipped American facility.

People with medical conditions which could potentially require emergency medications to be administered (Epi-Pen, Nitrostat, insulin, etc.) by another team member requires disclosure to their team leader and possibly to other team members. Such people must be informed of where these medications are kept at all times and how much is required in an emergency. Those who have emergency medications must agree to place trust and confidence in those they ask to take this responsibility. Those team leaders or members who administer emergency medications cannot assume responsibility for outcomes of an emergency (see Responsibility Release form).

In many cases team members must endure traveling by car for an additional period of time once they arrive in Uganda. This ride can be as long as several hours.

In many cases team members must endure traveling by car for an additional period of time once they arrive in country. This ride can be as long as several hours.

Mornings typically begin around 6:30 AM as team members waken and prepare for the long day ahead.

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Some teams must travel to their work site - travel can be as much as one (1) hour, each way. Bathrooms in Uganda, when available, do not always have running water or a toilet.

“Outhouses” are common. Work days are long and often strenuous as team members either work to build beds. The camp or construction day usually ends around 7:00 PM and is followed by whatever van

ride was required to arrive at the camp/construction site. Dinner is usually at 8:00 PM or later and is generally followed by preparations for the

following day. It is not uncommon for team members to be up until 11:00 PM or 12:00 PM preparing for the following day.

Team members are advised not to consume water that is not bottled or fruits and vegetables which have not been washed.

Team members should consider mental or emotional strain that may exacerbate a physical condition (anxiety disorders, panic attacks, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, asthma, etc). 

I, ________________________________________________________(Physician’s name) have read the information provided in the International Mission Journey Team Member Physical Requirements document above and release ____________________________________________(Patient) to participate as a team member for Sweet Sleep, Inc.’s mission journey to Uganda. I further acknowledge this patient to be well educated about their condition and to be of sound mind in making decisions concerning the same.

Special instructions or limitations as follows:

Medication schedule attached _____________________ (Physician’s initials)

______________________Physicians Office: Please return these documents to Sweet Sleep, PO BOX 40486, Nashville, TN 37204-9998

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Appendix F - Mission Journey Preparation Calendar

Due Date TaskASAP Submit passport application, if neededASAP Validate passport expires at least 6 months after scheduled return

Meeting #1Read Mission Journey Team Member NotebookMail support lettersMeeting #2Submit Prayer Partner Form to Team LeaderMeeting #3Meeting #4Final trip payment duePacking PartyMission JourneyPost-mission journey debriefingSubmit mission journey evaluationWrite and mail thank you letters to prayer partners and financial supporters

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Appendix G - Mission Journey Tentative Schedule

Dates:

Day 1 Depart USA and arrive in-countryDay 2Day 3 TBDDay 4Day 5Day 6Day 7

* Schedule subject to change

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Appendix H - Tentative Daily Schedule*

7:30 Breakfast

8:00 Devotion

8:45 Depart for orphanage

9:00-6:00 pm Work at orphanage

6:30 Arrive at Team House

7:00 Dinner

8:00 Debriefing/Team Time

9:00 Hang out, blog, get ready for bed

* Schedule subject to change

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Appendix I – Malaria Education Skit

This skit demonstrates a net with holes causes a person to be more prone to getting sick from malaria versus a properly taken care of net with no holes.

Needed:Old mosquito net with holesNew mosquito netWings (may be handmade or princess fairy, your choice)Piece of paper, rolled up into a pointy tubeMatFour team members

One person (ideally the tallest) will stand and hold the bad net over the mat/mattress. A team member should lay under the bad net on the mat or the ground and curl up like they are sleeping. A female team member (since it is the female mosquitoes who carry malaria) should wear the wings and start “buzzing” in toward the sleeping person. The piece rolled up paper (like a pointy tube) will serve as the mosquito nose that “stings” and the person playing the mosquito should hold the tube to their nose the entire time of the skit.

The person playing the mosquito should try to “sting” the sleeping team member. Frist they should try to find a way to the person but have no success because of the parts of the net that do not have holes. They should finally find success as they put the pointer in through the net and “sting” the person sleeping.

After they are “stung” the net should go away as the team member “wakes up” and then begins to play. They should act as though they are beginning to feel ill with fever, headache and chills (symptoms of malaria). Just for 1-2 minutes.

Then, you should bring out the good net and the mat/mattress and a new team member who will lay down to go to sleep. The mosquito comes back out and then tries to fly around the net looking for holes to be able to get to the person and sting them. When no holes can be found, the mosquito can go off to the side and fall down dead (nothing to feed on!). The sleeping team member should wake up and stretch their arms and look happy because they feel healthy and then skip off to play.

The “mosquito” can come back on the scene and talk to the children about what they have just seen. The mosquito can ask questions like “What did you see happen to the first person who tried to sleep?” and then “Why was the mosquito able to sting them?” and “Why do you think that net had holes in it?” or “how do you think those holes were made on the mosquito net?”

Then you can ask questions about what happened with the second person sleeping so that they realize the benefits of sleeping under a net that has no holes.

The overall message you communicate should be that if they take care of their net, their net will take care of them. Encourage the children to use the net ONLY for sleeping; not for playing or for catching ants or anything else. Tell them to be careful to keep their net away from things that will tear it.

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Appendix J – Kampala FAQs

What kind of work does Sweet Sleep do in Kampala?Sweet Sleep works in orphanages in Kampala. A team typically visits one orphanage with 100 to several hundred children for the duration of the week they are there. While the team is there, they install bunk beds and mosquito nets into the orphanage, lead Bible studies and worship with the children each day, do arts and crafts, and plan recreational activities.

What kind of beds do the orphanages in Kampala get, and does the team build them?The orphanages get metal-framed bunk beds with a mosquito net. The bed frames are constructed before the team arrives at the orphanage but the team must match numbered bottom bunks with top bunks to fully assemble the bed. The team then puts the linens and nets on the beds.

What part of their Sweet Sleep gift is the children’s favorite?Their Bibles! Not only do the children receive a clean comfortable bed and a life saving mosquito net, but they also receive their very own BIBLE! When they first get their Bibles, they open the Books, smell the pages, and write their names and the names of their families in the front cover. They say they know how to be good people by what they read in the Bible and they know that God loves them and that there is more than life as an orphan.

How does a Kampala trip differ from a Gulu trip?Because the team spends every day with the same orphanage, relationships are formed between the team members and the children and caretakers. These relationships allow the team to minister to the children in a powerful way, and the relationships will last a lifetime; both for the child and the team member.

What are some of the effects of Sweet Sleep’s work in Kampala?As Sweet Sleep re-visits orphanages which have received beds, we have seen a dramatic drop in the incidence of malaria. One orphanage has been able to redirect the money they used for testing and treating malaria and now they have changed the children’s diet to provide them with meat and fruit each week.

What does it take to travel to Kampala?Teams fly out of the U.S. to Europe (usually London, Brussels, or Amsterdam) on an 8 to 10 hour flight. Then the team flies from Europe to Entebbe, Uganda. This flight takes about 8-10 hours. Kampala is then a 45 minute drive from the Entebbe airport.

Where does the team stay while in Uganda?The team stays in very comfortable team houses. The houses have electricity and plumbing. Each person has their own bed and may share a room with one to several team members. Every bed has a mosquito net. The house has living rooms and dining rooms, where the team can eat and fellowship. The team houses do not have air-conditioning.

Are there western toilets there?In the team houses there are flushing toilets. At the orphanages there are latrines.

What should I wear?You should wear light-weight pants and t-shirts. Women may wear skirts that are past their knees. Capris are ok on women as well. Generally 3 pairs of pants and a clean t-shirt for each day is sufficient. Also one outfit for church should be brought: pants and a collared short-sleeved shirt for men, a long skirt and top for women.

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Appendix K – Gulu FAQs

What is Gulu Uganda?Gulu is a region in northern Uganda that had been under rebel attack by the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) for more than two decades. In 2006, the LRA left Uganda and, now, peace has returned to the region. However, the war has left an entire generation of parentless children (approx 750,000) living in child-headed households.

What does the work Sweet Sleep does in northern Uganda look like?In each area of the world, Sweet Sleep works through carefully vetted on the ground ministry partners. In the past, Sweet Sleep has worked to resettle children living in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps back to their family land. Currently Sweet Sleep is partnering with an organization that provides anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV+ children. The provision of the bed, Bible, and mosquito net has given thousands of children the encouragement and motivation needed to come out of hiding and take these life-saving steps with our partners.

What kind of activities do you do at distribution sites?We first greet and love on the children and caregivers who have come to the distribution site. We then share about God’s love for them and what Sweet Sleep has come to provide. A short Bible message is shared by the team, and we do a malaria awareness skit and mosquito net education. After this program, we prepare the beds and mosquito nets by rolling and tying them for ease of their transport by the recipients. The beds are distributed in assembly line style after our partners call the names of the registered recipients. Often there is also time to do recreation with the children.

What have been some of the resulting benefits of Sweet Sleep’s involvement in northern Uganda?In 2010, Sweet Sleep had a tremendous impact in encouraging children to move out of the predatory, unhealthy IDP camps. In 2011 and 2012, Sweet Sleep provided beds to HIV+ children, protecting them from opportunistic diseases such as malaria and pneumonia. Additionally, over 1000 children to date have come out of living in hiding with HIV, to register with our partners, are now receiving ARV drugs, care and education and will receive their Sweet Sleep beds from our future teams!

What does it take to travel to Kampala?Teams fly out of the U.S. to Europe (usually London, Brussels, or Amsterdam) on an 8 to 10 hour flight. Then the team flies from Europe to Entebbe, Uganda. This flight takes about 8-10 hours. Kampala is then a 45 minute drive from the Entebbe airport. to spend the night there. The next day the team drives from Kampala to Gulu, which takes 5 to 6 hours.

Where does the team stay while in Uganda?The team stays in very comfortable team houses. The houses have electricity and plumbing. Each person has their own bed and may share a room with one to several team members. Every bed has a mosquito net. The house has living rooms and dining rooms, where the team can eat and fellowship. The team houses do not have air-conditioning.

Are there western toilets there?In the team houses there are flushing toilets. In the field there are latrines.

What should I wear?You should wear light-weight pants and t-shirts. Women may wear skirts that are past their knees. Capris are ok on women as well. Generally 3 pairs of pants and a clean t-shirt for each day is sufficient. Also one outfit for church should be brought: pants and a collared short-sleeved shirt for men, a long skirt and top for women.

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