THE TEAM

Pictured: Gary & Geri Dunfee, Brandon & Danelle Chase, Isaac Williams, Ralph Williams, Jeff, Tina, Kate, & Kellie Peters, 

Todd & Shari Davis, Melanie Kratzer, Ken Harvey, and Julie Christensen Not Pictured: Ashley Davis

We are counting down the days until our team heads out to Uganda. We have sixteen team members, twelve of whom are going to Africa for the first time. I say first, because I know they will want to return.  We have a full schedule which includes a tour of ARM headquarters, four days in Kachungwa meeting church leaders, participating in worship, a seminar on parenting, home visitation, outreach at the high school, leadership seminar with pastors, VBS with primary students, and meeting sponsored children.  We get to cruise the Nile River and visit a wildlife reserve for a day and then head back to Kampala to deliver food and medical supplies with the Mercy Network  in the slums outside the city.  We get to serve with Alex's church in Luzira with a VBS and public outreach for three days to finish off the trip. We desire your prayers that we will be bold in our faith and sensitive to the needs of the people we encounter. 

KEN HARVEY
This will be my third journey to Uganda. God  called me to Uganda in response to my prayer fifteen years ago when I told him I would go if he called me to Africa. Not only has he made it possible each time, but he has given me new friends and a network of amazing people to minister with. Each trip is an adventure with new experiences and new people to meet. 

I look forward to seeing our sponsored children,  Naboth and 

Faith, and seeing how they've grown. 

RALPH WILLIAMS

While I was in Uganda my first trip in February of 2012, I knew that God was calling me to return for the next trip.  Time has flown by and the next trip is upon us.  Again, I know God has called me to be a part of this team and serve again in Uganda.  I am excited to see what God has planned and how He wants to use me and the rest of the team this year.  Since in Uganda, we have sponsored another child (Margaret), she lives in Kampala (Lazira) where Alex pastors and where Ashley Davis is serving this summer.  I look forward to meeting her while there, and to spending time with her and (Evas) out other child in Kachungwa.

I look forward to serving with the new team, building lifelong relationships, and hope to continue where we left off the last trip.  I would like to thank (You) my church family for your support in this important mission.  (Jja Ja Semakula) - Ralph Williams

JULIE CHRISTENSEN

Part of what makes us who we are is the times we live in the culture we're part of.  I have always wanted to travel the world to experience different people groups, see life from their eyes, understand what makes them tick and how they view the world, what values they hold dearest.  There is so much we can learn from each other, whether it be our friend, neighbor, or someone around the world.  What better place to start my experience than with our sister community in Uganda, to see how they think, live and relate.  I look forward to building that relationship with them and meeting my sponsor children Vicent and Maria.  Plus Africa has always been a particular interest to me, so that's a double bonus.  How on earth could I say no to that?!

Going to Uganda will be such a blessing as I know God has some pretty great things planned for everyone involved, not just for those on the trip but those back at home who have made it possible through prayer and financial support.  Thank you to all of you.  I hope and pray this blog will touch your heart and inspire you, ignite a passion for reaching out to those around you.  

ASHLEY DAVIS

After graduating from high school this June I left for Uganda.  For two months I have the chance to hold babies and love people around me.  I will be meeting up with the team, working and loving alongside them and will stay for a few weeks after the team goes home.  

MELANIE KRATZER

I am elated about the opportunity and experiences that lie ahead.  I know God has called me to use the gifts He has given me to be a part of something bigger than myself.  From an early age my heart's desires have tugged and pulled me towards missions in Africa.

Over the years, I have experienced multiple scenarios where God confirmed my desires as a part of my purpose, but with every opportunity came closed doors.  It wasn't until I completely surrendered my desires to the Lord and stopped pushing for my own timing, that He began to open the doors for me in His PERFECT timing.  

I look forward to the day we leave, it can't come soon enough.  I can't wait to build amazing relationships with the people in the village of Kachungwa.   I look forward to our future, seeing them become more empowered and create a great change in their community that lasts...and how my life will be a part of that.  The question is how.  This is an idea that has been near and dear to me heart for years.  How can what I do in life be greater than myself, to help others.  Not just a temporary or immediate fix that may or may not last or truly help.  All I know at this point is God is calling me to start building these relationships and I can't wait to see where He takes me, what He does in and through my life as well as through the lives of so many Ugandans.   This is a journey that God has called me to, one that is just beginning.

BRANDON CHASE

Hello, my name is Brandon Chase.  I am currently serving on the Elder's Board as well as being the head of the missions committee for the church.

Because I was starting a new job in 2010, I was unable to be a part of either of the CCC teams that have already made the trip to Uganda.  After reading the stories on the blog, and hearing the testimonies of the members of 2012 team, I knew that I had to be a part of the next team.  It was also very important to me that my wife, Danelle, be on the trip with me.  I didn't want to experience something life changing and have to try to explain it to her, I wanted her to experience it with me.  After much prayer we were blessed with the funds to be able to go on the trip, and the courage to take a full 2 weeks off from work (I have never done that before). 

DANELLE CHASE

Why I’m going to Africa….

I was one of those people in my younger years who said to myself, “I don’t feel called to be a missionary.” Boy, was that a cop-out! Oh, I wanted to travel; Europe and North America have always been goals for that. And I have done some. I never had any desire to ever go to Africa, though. I never studied the continent in school, never really thought about the countries or the people, unless some major upheaval was going on. I was oblivious and easily distracted by my own life.

Since being married to Brandon and going to Mexico on missions trips, seeing the harvest to some extent, shows me how really selfish my thoughts can be sometimes. God doesn't want me to travel. He wants me to be His hands and feet, maybe his tongue sometimes, since I don’t speak well under my own power. What He most desires from me is obedience. If I love Him, I will obey His commands. I know He has commanded me to go and tell people about Him. As soon as this trip was announced He told me to go. So here I am. I don’t know how He will use me, but that’s really all I want. I don’t want to be selfish. I want to learn how to truly love people and be used by God.