Countdown

31 Days, 3 Hours, and 30 Minutes

Wow! I cannot believe in a month I will be moving to Uganda. The reality of everything is beginning to register as I prepare, pack, and party!

I am very thankful that I get to spend this holiday season with my friends and families, not only for the awesome fellowship, but chances to connect with so many before I head out.

May your CHRISTmas season be filled with love and joy!

The Garage Sale was so great and exhausting

that I have no words left in my brain.

$ 850

Praise GOD!!!

This Weekend!

Saturday - GARAGE SALE!!!
(219 West Utica, HB)
Thank you to all that have donated items, our garage is stock full and ready to sell.
If you would like to help, I am still in need of some extra hands on Saturday.

Sunday - BAKE SALE
(Refuge CCHB)
Help support the Ferguson Four who are serving in Kenya.
Bake, eat, and be merry!


I cannot believe I head out next month!! AHHH!! It has all happened so fast, but I continue to trust in Him who has set it in place.

I am very excited for this opportunity to share

where the Lord has been guiding me.

All are welcome!!

Potluck, worship, and learning about Uganda ...

sounds like a perfect Friday night to me.

Hope to see you there!

Praise God!!!

So how does $1080 sound?

Awesome huh?

Praise God, that is what was raised today!

I would like to say "THANK YOU" to a wonderful group of people that made this weekend such a sucess. This simple expression of gratitude does not do justice to my appreciate for all of your help and support.

• Ross and Linda Anderson
• Les, Susan, and Kelly Robinson
• Bernie and Steve Rothert
• Katie Burke and Nikki Madigan
• Tara Maloney and Family
• Jessica Hinrich
• Sonia Lazo

AND - Each Person that Prayed

AND - Each Person that Bought a Taco Plate

**Check out my updated support status ------>

Mmm... Tacos

Taco Plates - this Sunday @ Refuge

Support Your Taste Buds

AND

Helen as she heads out to serve in Uganda

Prayer Cards

I was helping a friend finish moving yestarday and as I packed up some things I discovered two prayer cards. Each card had a student's name from New Hope's P7 class. Before I left in August I had offered the cards to friends so they could pray for the students as we worked and traveled with them. The interesting part of yestarday's discovery were the names on the cards. Their faces flashed to my mind as I held the cards and stared at my friend. She had been praying for these girls completely unaware of anything in their lives beyond their names. I could not help smiling at God's handiwork as I shared the connection between them.

Each girl is a beautiful child of God that has been hurt. Yet, they have responded to that pain in different ways. While one is shy and insecure of almost every aspect around her, the other is bold and misguided in her strive for love and attention. In a strikingly familiar scenario I witnessed her alienate and mock the shy one. I was struck by the hurt and pain unfolding before me, but also by the situation itself. It reminded me of my own childhood and that of the girls I have worked with in youth group over the years. Even on a different continent, in a different culture kids go through the same troubles.

I love that God put those two names together for Jen to pray for. I am glad I could share a bit of insight for direction for her to pray for them. I am grateful for the Lord's call as I head back to Uganda and see these girls again.

Join me in praying for:

The Winscotts who are heading to New Hope Uganda this week with the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa team.

This just in - Helen is going back to Uganda!

That's right I received notice this morning and am headed back to Uganda, East Africa THIS January. In 81 days I will be boarding a plane (again) for a LONG (38 hours) journey to New Hope (www.newhopeuganda.org). I will be at New Hope for five months serving and attending their Institute of Childcare and Family. The plan after that is still in the works, we shall see how the Lord guides.

The next two months are going to be a whirlwind of planning and preparing, your prayers would be GREATLY appreciated.

Upcoming Events:

• Refuge Missions Fellowship - Friday November 6th @ 6pm
• Garage Sale - Saturday November 14th
• Refuge Ladies Christmas Luncheon Craft Boutique - Saturday December 12th

Come Join Us!

Uganda Post-Trip Celebration

@ Calvary Chapel Downey - THIS SATURDAY

CC Downey "Mini Chapel"

12808 Woodruff Ave

Downey, CA 90242

THIS SATURDAY - Oct. 10th at 5pm

Hosted By: Calvary Chapel Downey '09 Uganda Missions Team

We are going to look back at what the Lord did in Uganda on our trip in August.

* We will be sharing yummy food, so come hungry!*

Please RSVP with either:

Becky Lopez (562) 803-5631 ext. 114

cdmission@calvarydowney.org

OR

Me! (helparks@yahoo.com )

Prayer Request

Hi Everyone,

I thank you all for your prayers and support as I am traveling the path the Lord is setting before me. Uganda was such a wonderful, amazing, eye opening, heart healing time.
Part of my trip was to explore and see if and how the Lord may be calling me to full time missions in Uganda and boy did I receive confirmation.

The next step for me is going back to Uganda, to New Hope's Institute of Childcare and Family. It is a five month program that trains and sends over 20 committed servants of the Lord each year into the “harvest field” to work with orphaned and destitute children across the world.

The Urgent Prayer Request is this: I have been offered a possible opening to come THIS January! Yes - all I can say is WOW. As I fervently pray for this can you help me too? There are a lot of factors to be considered but I trust in God's plan for me. I have to give an answer as soon as possible and will keep you guys posted as well.

If you would like to know more about the Institute, some of mine friends at New Hope have posted some information on their blog: http://calebalair.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-hope-institute-of-childcare-and.html

Thank you again!!

Love and Blessings
Helen

The Fergusons (Nairobi, Kenya)

Ferguson Four!
God has called our family to serve in Nairobi, Kenya alongside a church known as Living Water Christian Fellowship pastored by Robbie Gorden. Jonathan will be assisting at the church and teaching at the Bible College, also headed by Pastor Robbie Gorden. After a three year commitment to the church & Bible College we are praying about planting another church where God leads.

http://www.fergusonfour.blogspot.com/

Riots in Uganda

September 10-11

At least two people have been killed in Uganda's capital, Kampala, in clashes between police and rioting supporters of a traditional king.

Police fired tear gas at the protesters who hurled stones and burned tyres. One report said at least seven people died. The demonstrators protested against the government's attempts to stop the king of Buganda from visiting a region near Kampala where violence was feared.

The king has a big influence among the Baganda, Uganda's largest ethnic group.
At least two people were killed in Thursday's riots in central Kampala, police and witnesses said.
But a photographer working for the Associated Press news agency said he had counted seven bodies, adding that all the victims appeared to be civilians.

The protesters fought police from behind burning barricades
King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II - who is constitutionally barred from taking part in national politics - had wanted to visit a hostile part of his community to the north-east of Kampala.
The issue is so sensitive that ethnic Baganda members of parliament walked out of the legislature on Wednesday.

There has also been a long history of tension between the king and central government, particularly over land reform proposals that the Baganda say threaten their community, the BBC's Peter Greste reports.

Buganda is one of four ancient kingdoms in Uganda. It was abolished in 1966 but then restored in the 1990s.

This is a video I quickly put together for sharing at Refuge.

The song is performed and written by Joel Kisayke, a New Hope Student.

Here is what happened....

A little adventure as told by Joel Kisayke and translated to Luganda by Jeremiah Musisi

Hear about my time in Uganda

I will be sharing about my time in Uganda tomorrow (or tonight...depends on when you get this message) at Refuge Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach. Stop by or check out the live Live Stream at http://www.cchb.org/live/ .

Service is at 7 pm, hope to see you there!

I'm Back!

Greetings!

I am now back from Uganda.

I just wanted to say "Thank You" again for all of your prayers and support.

I had a wonderful time truly blessed by the Lord.

Prayer Requests

Things are going well here in Uganda, however there are a few things that could you help with by praying for.

I came to Kampala on Monday to stay with friends for a few days, however I devoloped a strange rash/bumps on Tuesday. Also, my friend Jill who I am staying with has been fighting stomach problems.

We are both working on getting better,

but your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Funny Moment

Yestarday I was able to visit with friends and had one of the funniest moments since being here. I ended up standing in the middle of a pig pen, in the mud, while it was raining, chasing after a sow and her piglets trying to clean her and give her medicine. Do not worry, they are many pictures that I will hopefully post soon!

I am on my way

I am on my way to Uganda, I cannot believe the time has finally come. I just wanted to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for everything over the past few months. Your prayers and support have meant so much. I am excited for all that I will be doing, seeing, and hearing from the Lord. I will try and keep in touch as much as possible, stay tuned for updates.