breaking news: ctt team 7 leaders announced!!

I am thrilled to share this great news: Jeff Mildner and Jennifer Smith will be the leaders of Change the Truth's Team 7 trip to Uganda this December!

This will be the couple's third trip to St. Mary Kevin Orphanage. 

When they're not traveling to SMK and other exotic places, here's what they do:

Jeff works for a business solutions company in Lenexa, Kansas. He is a former social studies teacher, coach, and school district IT director. Jennifer is in her 18th year of teaching (and was recently named Blue Valley School District "Teacher of the Year"). She currently teaches 8th graders American history. Jenn and Jeff are avid sports fans cheering on the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jeff has completed several marathons (including a 100K - yes you read that right...100!) just yesterday. Jennifer enjoys reading and cooking. They will celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary in December.

Not only have these two humanitarians traveled to SMK twice already, they are actively involved in practically everything CTT does. They are the volunteers behind the successful silent auctions we've had at our past two annual fundraisers. They have spoken about CTT at their church, they have rounded up laptops galore for the SMK computer lab and they even sponsor one of our secondary school students. These two are committed to the children at the orphanage in very big ways. CTT is lucky to call Jenn and Jeff "friends."

I have no doubt they will make outstanding trip leaders. Between Jenn's expert organizational skills and Jeff's laid back demeanor, they will bring excitement, energy, fun, structure and compassion to the table and will share it with everyone on the team and everyone at St. Mary Kevin's.

So, if you've been thinking about joining Team 7, there are now two more excellent reasons to do so. Let me know if you'd like additional information. The team is now forming - you won't want to miss this incredible opportunity.

I asked Jenn and Jeff to write a quick introduction to share here. If you followed Team 4's journey, you already know a few things about these two wonderful people.

"We first learned about Change The Truth when Gloria visited our church in Olathe. Having traveled to South Africa and Lesotho, we were interested in an organization that was committed to building relationships and providing educational support for children.  As members of Team 4 in 2010, we led computer classes and education around HIV-AIDS, drugs and alcohol, and healthy relationships. More importantly, we began building relationships with the children. We returned to Saint Mary Kevin in July 2012 and participated in the school day observing classes, organizing the library, and even teaching a few lessons. We traveled to several secondary schools to see CTT sponsored students and tour their dormitories, classrooms and college campuses.

The children of Saint Mary Kevin have imprinted our hearts as the red soil of Uganda marks our shoes and clothes. We are honored to lead Team 7 and can’t wait to see our friends in Kajjansi again. Tubagala nyo! (We love you!)"