25 days

25 days until we board the plane to head to Africa. Ahhh! I can't believe it. It is here. reality. really happening. Not just like a thought, an idea, nope.. real life.

Pinch me please. And.. again. As much as it's sunk in, it hasn't. Catch my drift?

OK to so date...

we've gotten our shots ( you heard my weirdo story there)

we've started packing things we think would be useful for the trip
      - quick dry underwear (for me) and socks (for him)
      - mosquito repellent. We had JustNeem repellent (the best stuff), which is for our skin, and Sawyer Permethrin spray for our clothes. Mosquito love Mike. He can't walk out to check the weather without getting bit. It's bad so we're going a little overboard to try and protect him from being miserable and itchy.
      - head lamps (the power goes off after a certain time or isn't too reliable at times)... kudos for registering for these guys when we got married!
     - quick dry towel
     - travel size toiletries
     - sunscreen.. Badger all the way
     - journal and Bible
     - meds... We have Malaria pills, stomach issue meds, aspririn... do we need Dramamine?

we're trying to figure out what we need to buy or other things that would be useful:
     - quick, packaged snacks (mostly for Mike since he'll be doing a lot of hard labor and dinner won't happen until late... like 8 or 9)
     - long skirts/dresses... why do I only own ONE!? I can't find one for the life of me now.
     - shoes .... thoughts? Anyone know what would be best to take. I heard flipflops were considered house shoes

I'm lost when it comes to what we need. Any of you that have been to Africa, what type of clothing/shoes did you find most useful/comfortable?  For travelers, what are your go-to, cant-travel-without items?  


we still have a little bit of support left to raise and thank  you notes to write (or in this case... put addresses on and SEND!)  When we started this journey, in my mind I thought we'd be paying for most of it. Oh, me of little faith. The whole money part of it almost destroyed the trip. I was so overwhelmed by the cost, where the funds would come from, etc. I took God out of the picture and basically decided He couldn't provide for this. Oh boy, was I wrong. God provided quicker and more than I ever thought. He brought forward support from all over the place. It was incredible. I still can't even think about it without tearing up. It's been extremely amazing to see how God works and that I can't even TRY to take control or credit for it. This has totally been a God thing. I can't even begin to thank those that have supported us, whether financially, emotionally or in prayer. It has seriously been extremely humbling and I am in awe of all our supporters, their hearts and how amazing our God is. We feel extremely loved and blessed! We love and thank yall!!


and a little packing inspiration...

Africa Trip by celeste-hurtig-arrigo featuring lining shoes

all about watoto

What is Watoto?

Rescue. Raise. Rebuild. Rescue orphans. Raise them up to be Godly leaders. Rebuild Uganda THROUGH them. This is a God-sized mission. A mission that can't be done without God stepping in and showing His glory.  It requires living by faith. And to hear their stories, to see the hope they have, is enough to rattle you and remind you, there is more to life than just 'me.'

Watoto is an orphanage but unlike any that I know of. Watoto is home. The children aren't adopted.  They live in a home with a mum (mom) and other orphans. They become a family. They learn what love is, what it means to be cared for. They go to school. They have responsibilities. They attend church. They are poured into, encouraged, prepared. This is the Watoto model.

The Watoto Choir just came to our church and it was so amazing to see how God has used this orphanage to turn their lives around. To hear of such broken pasts and see how God has restored them, all in their youth, humbles you (and ruins any makeup you may have been wearing that day). They are on fire for the Lord and know that it is only through Jesus. They know the power of grace.

Where is Watoto?

Watoto villages are located in Kampala and Gulu, Uganda. Uganda is located in East Africa, landlocked by Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.



Random factoid: Uganda was named one of National Geographics Best Trips for 2013

What will we be doing?

The women (that's me) are going to be visiting all three Watoto villages. We will spend two days in each village and serve the mums of the village. These women come from painful backgrounds and have overcome the darkness with the light, Jesus Christ. They've lost husbands, children, parents, siblings. They were left with nothing and were given a chance, a purpose. At Watoto they are there to build up this next generation of leaders. WOW! I freak out with the responsibility I feel over the group of girls I lead each week. And these women are leading a household of children to Christ and teaching them God's word. How amazing to see God use something so broken to make something so beautiful. We get the honor of showing them Christ's love, their worth, their beauty. We'll be there to encourage them, pamper them and make them feel like the beautiful brides of Christ that they are!

As far as the husbands, they will be in Gulu building housing the whole time. I have to admit, this is the biggest fear I have. It makes me so nervous to be apart while we are over there. Totally freaks me out. I worry about his safety above all else. I guess I think if I can see him, I can keep him safe? But not only that,  Mike makes me feel safe, secure, confident. If I'm with a bunch of strangers, in a new place, doing something new, having Mike around makes it so much easier. I feel at peace. He's definitely like my security blanket.  It will be a huge me trusting God thing - being confident, secure and safe in Him... not something I am good at. I can already tell this trip is going to stretch me and teach me far beyond what I can imagine.

What to pray for this week?

a peaceful heart
no anxiety
not to worry
safety while we are there
the leadership putting the final details together
for me to feel secure in Christ alone


... if you can't tell, anxiety and worry are my biggest enemies currently

What's next?

Our next meeting is Jan 30. After that, we only have two more meetings before our trip. As we get more details, I'll be sure to share them with you guys. As we get closer to the date, I'll post the day-by-day itinerary so that you guys can be praying for us each day.

In the next two weeks we have to get all our shots. Any recommendations on whether or not to go to our regular doctors or just the basic health clinic? If there is a cheaper route, I prefer that one! I don't even know where to find my shot records.... I've never had to get shots to go out of country so any tips you have would be dandy!

We also have to finish raising support. Our total cost (for both of us) is $4,400. We hope to have all of this raised by 2/15. We've currently raised $400 and know that God will provide the rest. Anything that we raise over will still go the trip and help cover any other costs or allow us to do even more for them while we are over there! If you feel God leading you to support us financially for this trip, you can contribute here. Just make sure to check the "In memory/honor of" checkbox and in the First Name field, enter the traveler's FULL name (Celeste or Mike Arrigo). In the Last Name field, enter trip location and travel month (exe: Uganda, April 2013). You can also send checks to us if you have our address (just put in the memo that its for the trip so that we don't think you love us so much that you sent money for a shopping spree ;)... totally jk!)

We are so excited to have you guys be a part of our trip! As we prepare and get ready for the trip, it helps to know that we have a team behind us praying for us and supporting us. We can't wait to see what God has in store! Join us on our wild African journey! Oo.. I need some corny picture of us Photoshopped safari style (mom... this one's for you!)

Kwaheri (let's hope that appropriate)

My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)