Sorry for not posting earlier.  I'm sure there are a lot of concerned people.  We have had two good days of clinic and are meshing well.  We are all safe and having good clinics.  Hopefully we will get reliable internet access tomorrow  and I will be able to post pictures and add to the blog.  I will post more tomorrow. 

Here and set up.

Finally arrived last night (actually Saturday) after a long day.  We traveled to Amsterdam without a hitch.  However, we were supposed to leave Amsterdam at 10:05 but had plane issues.  Finally at 1:25 we left for Kigale, Rwanda where we were supposed to have a 1 hour layover.  More plane troubles.  We finally made it to Entebbe at 1:40 and our final destination of Mildmay at 2:30.  Getting to bed at 4AM we were up at 9 to set up clinic.  We are ready to go for Monday.  Tomorrow is a day of "rest" with a large part of our group going horseback riding by the Nile.  I will post more on Monday after clinic.

Made it safely to Amsterdam. One more 8 hour flight.  Everyone doing okay.  More when we get to Uganda.

We leave today for Uganda.  It will be a long 8 hours to Amsterdam, 8 more to Kigali, Rwanda where we will have a 1.5 hour layover and then another hour to Entebbe Airport.  We leave at 3:10PM Minneapolis time today and arrive at 1:00PM Minneapolis time tomorrow.  I never look forward to the flights (in fact it takes me about a year to forget them), but I always look forward to the people of Uganda and the kids we treat.  Pray for another successful trip.

Mildmay Uganda

During our upcoming stay in Uganda (and for all of our missions in Uganda), Mildmay Centre has been our gracious hosts.  They have a site on Facebook - Mildmay Centre Uganda.  Visit them to find out what is happening there and to find out all the great work they do.

Final list, final preparations

We have our final team assembled and we are making final preparations for our trip (we leave next Thursday).  Our final team is :

Dr. Paul Musherure (dentist and leader)
Dr. Kristin Bothun (dentist)
Dr. Nick Rogers (dentist)
Dr. Rose Kibalizi  (Ugandan dentist)
Andrew Bruening (dental student)
Rachel Maerz (dental student)

Lisa McCloud (dental assistant)
Debra Lathers (dental assistant)
Julie Barbier (dental assistant)
Jodi Kyrk (dental assistant)
Nicholas (Ugandan dental nurse)

Randy McCloud (tech / rover)
Rick Maus (Tech)
Kris Maus (Registration /children's program)
ChiChi Ogbonnaya (Registration / children's program)
Ade Olayinka (children's program)
Wilma McMenimen (Registration / children's program)
Larry McMenimen (tech)
Jim McMenimen (tech)
Bob Witt (tech)
Janelle Johnson (post op)
Charlotte Smith (registration)
Beth Nickman (Registration / children's program)
Iryne Kabenge (post op)
Gladys Kobusingye (Interpreter / registration)

We are planning on seeing 50 patients per day with a total of 400 patients.  With luck and prayers, we   should reach our goal.  This year will mark our 10 year as a mission and Mildmay will have a presentation in our honor on our first Friday of work.   We look forward to a successful trip.

Yesterday our group from Minnesota got together at Dr. Paul's house to pack our supplies to air ship ahead of our trip.  Throughout the year, we acquire dental supplies, toys, and clothes.  Through generous donations we were able to acquire 10 large boxes (2' x 3' x 4.5' tall) of supplies.  In the next week, Paul will arrange the shipping of the boxes which should arrive by late December or early January.  This year, Paul will be able to check on their arrival because he will be in Uganda for Christmas to be with his family.  We all pray they make it there safe.

We have also finalized our team for this year.  With exactly half of our group returning Vets and half first-timers, we should have a good mix. This will be our Mission's 10th year and we are all looking forward to a successful mission.