more support
Things have been moving fast fast fast since Christmas. I worked hard with Tom Ocamringa and MTN to put on a successful 3-on-3 Tournament at UCU January 29th. My classes weren't being offered this semester so I didn't have any pressing responsibilities and once the tournament was over it made sense to come home. My original plan was to stay in Uganda through the semester and come home in June. But that plan was made when I didn't realize how important it is, to many people, that I'm coaching basketball at UCU.
I registered the UCU team in the semi-pro MTN League which begins April 2nd and runs through the end of November. It was immediately clear that, if I had no classes to teach, I should take advantage of the time to come home now and try to raise support to get back in time for the first game and then stay through the season. Otherwise I'd have to try to explain things over email or leave the team for two months in the middle of the season.
So I've been in the U.S. for a month now traveling around thanking old supporters and talking to new ones. My immediate goal is to return to Uganda at the end of the month and stay through the end of the MTN League season and then through the Uganda University Games in December. Then I'll return home and try to establish a broader base of support that will send me back for a few more years--to teach and coach basketball, but primarily to establish an athletic program offering at least a few scholarships for each of the ten athletic teams we have on campus. The vision is to attract the best athletes in East Africa to Uganda Christian University. When they come, they will help the University by helping us establish a reputation of being committed to the development of individual leaders through disciplined and excellent sports teams. And, the athletes themselves will receive a top-notch education that is founded on and promotes the Gospel as essential to life.
Anyone who wants to be a big or small part of all this can contact me at mehljason@yahoo.com.
financial support can be mailed to:
Global Teams
P.O. Box 490
Forest City, NC 28043