Almost there!

Welcome to the next step on our continuing journey!   Now that we have entered a new year, our move to Uganda seems more real every day.  We have our replacements trained for our stateside jobs and we are completely focused on Africa. 

It has been quite a journey for us and, by extension, many of you.  We would not be here without you.  You make this happen.   Each time we go out, we take you: doctors, pastors, teachers, business men and women, other missionaries, family members, stay-at-home moms, and so many more of you who have joined this journey with us. 

children at one of our sponsored bush schools receiving a protein meal

In the last three and a half years you have ministered in the desperation of an American Indian Reservation.  You have spent time working in low income areas of Washington, DC. You have ministered to the homeless in Portland, OR and Las Vegas, NV. You have done medical work in earthquake ravaged Haiti.

In the last year, you have also done children’s ministry, trained pastors, worked in medical clinics, and shared the Gospel throughout East Africa.  On our most recent trip to Uganda in October, you were able to pass out shoes to the children at our bush schools and bring some much needed repairs to the school buildings.  You helped with outreach and children’s ministry at several bush churches and you got to do probably the most impactful thing you’ve been a part of to date: training and encouraging the 12 district leaders who are in charge of the 265 churches we are working with in Uganda, Kenya, Congo, Tanzania and, now, South Sudan!  Seeing those twelve pastors come together was amazing!

Mike with Pastor Patrick, one of our bush church pastors

We are continuing our preparations to go to Africa and our goal is to fly out February 1st.  You may remember that we were planning on leaving just after Christmas.  We were planning on leaving with a mission team, but they had to cancel.  This ended up being a huge blessing.  We have had so much to do in preparation for our move: physicals, dental exams, eye appointments, visiting churches and supporters, and seeing our families before we leave.  Once we fly out this time, we do not plan to return until the end of November.  From now on, we plan to spend each December and January in the US seeing family and speaking at churches before leaving again in mid-January or the first of February each year.

We are now in the last few weeks of preparation.  But, three big things need to happen before we can leave at the first of next month.

• Our car needs to sell for the right price (’07 Ford Escape for $9,000-$9,500).
• We need to purchase tickets and visas for Africa which will cost about $3,000-4,000 depending on ticket prices and the visa we get. 
• We need an additional $2,200 in monthly support commitments to enable us to cover ministry and living expenses well.  Yearly commitments and special donations help to offset this total as well.

Sarah with children in Congo

We know God is calling us and have seen His amazing provision over the last year.  We are so excited to see all that HE does in 2012 through you!  Thank you for your prayers and support over these many years.  We look forward to sharing all you are doing in Africa and we look forward to many more joining us in ministry there.

God’s blessings for your New Year!

~ Mike and Sarah McCord

Contact Us:

Email:  mike.mccord@helpinghandsmissions.org

             sarah.mccord@helpinghandsmissions.org

Skype:   mhmccord1 (Mike)   or   shmccord2 (Sarah)

Tax-deductible donations can be

made online at:  https://www.helpinghandsmissions.org/ways-to-help/donate-now/

or mailed to:  Helping Hands Foreign Missions

1715 Cleveland Highway

Gainesville, GA 30501

Please include a note designating for Mike and Sarah McCord