October 13, 2007 - For one week in October, Bulanga was host to a fifteen-member mission team from the United States. Ten of the members were from Eastlake Community Church in Chula Vista (near San Diego, California). They were joined by other volunteers from the Denver, Colorado. Both groups melded well into one cohesive team as they worked on two building projects.

One project was to work alongside the Ugandan construction crew building a new church for the community. Eastlake Community Church
donated the funding for the materials that made this church become a reality for the village of Bulanga. The concrete had to be mixed
by hand, with water being toted in 5-gallon cans from the new well or the rainwater storage tanks nearby. It took two to three full time workers to bring the needed water. Some of the team scaled precarious scaffolding to "slap" the plaster that covered the inside walls of the church. Bulanga Community Church was filled to capacity when it's Pastor held the dedication service for the new building on October 7, 2007. Pastor Jon Llera of Eastlake Church delivered the dedication sermon.

The other project was to build desks and tables for the students of Bright Hope School. The children had been sitting four to a desk until the new desks were built. Now they sit three to a desk. Wood had to be planed by hand, sawed by hand, and nailed together. There was only one power tool for the team to use.

The team brought many toys for distribution to the children. An entire afternoon was dedicated to a celebration of playing soccer and blowing bubbles with the children.

Some of the other activities in which the team took part included an immunization clinic where all the children were immunized against measles. They also went on visits to the children's homes, learning what life is truly like for these children. The team helped interview children and their parents for possible sponsorship in 2008. Two of the team
members were able to teach a class to the children, one in geography and one in art. The team visited two local women's groups, where they were entertained with traditional dance, singing, and handcraft exhibits. At one of the groups, the team was even encouraged to join in the dancing.
The children and villagers were touched by the team's kindness and the team was changed by the love they felt in the village. Neither will forget this visit.

 

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Plastering the church wall

The new church takes shape

Planing wood

Teaching art

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2007 Mission Trip to Bulanga