A team led by Dr. Mike Hartsell, including Lynn and Sharon Fogleman arrived in Kampala on Sunday October 24, 2010 and were received at the offices by Bishop Daniel Wandabula, Resident Bishop, East Africa Area on Monday October 25, 2010.

Bishop Wandabula welcomed the team to East Africa and shared with them some background about the church in East Africa and Sudan in particular. He expressed appreciation to Holston Conference for the partnership that is promoting ministry in Southern Sudan.

The Foglemans are on a one week visit to Yei, Southern Sudan to explore the possibility of serving the community in the region. The medical couple is currently based in Kentucky, USA but has previously lived in Kenya where they served at a Hospital for 10 years until 1997 when they returned to the United States.

In his brief remarks Dr. Lynn expressed excitement at the possibility of returning to East Africa which he fondly referred to as ‘home’.

He disclosed that both he and Sharon had for sometime been considering returning to Africa to serve disadvantaged communities.  He had an opportunity of attending the Sudan Summit of 2010 where he listened to presentations and met many people including the Hankins, and got interested in answering the call to serve in Sudan where ‘he he is needed’.

While the couple is familiar with East Africa they have not been to Sudan; the trip is aimed at giving the couple a feel of what Southern Sudan is like before they decide on the next steps.

On her part, Sharon indicated that her interest in Sudan was a result of the UMW mission study which provided information regarding the needs of the people in Sudan. She looked forward to more conversation regarding serving the people of Sudan.

Dr. Mike Hartsell, who has been on 3 medical mission trips to Yei, expressed hope that the visit by the Foglemans will enable them reach a decision to serve the community. He was optimistic that the presence of longterm medical missionaries in Yei would promote the development of medical resources and provide continued professional development of health workers in Southern Sudan.

The team left Entebbe for Yei on Tuesday October 26, 2010.

Bob Kisubi is director of communications for the East Africa Conference.

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