1. We got to watch Ghana defeat the US in a World Cup game. We Americans were in the minority and when Ghana scored, the room erupted into cheers and jumping! When we scored, we made an attempt to match it...but to no avail...we got a few laughs and some "sorry for your loss" responses. It was a great time and the orange FANTA was cold! AHHHH!
2. Church in Jinja Town was incredible. Beautiful expressions of worship in song and dance. Lots of clapping and encouragement for the leaders. We sang Amazing Grace and it was so moving. The songs with Lugandan words were strong and loud. Preaching and teaching were passionate and the team was welcomed so warmly. You have to move to worship, here.
3. After church we had an opportunity to share in an open house for Paul and Pam Hunter's (our hosts) daughters. They are visiting from the states and they will be returning home this week, so they invited all their friends to visit. We entertained the children with balloons and suckers. We met Bruce and Nakato and three of their children. Nakato has been in the hospital with a serious infection due to a miscarriage and the Lord has allowed us to be involved with helping her with vitamins, iron, and some possible blood tests.
4. We were treated to a dinner out at "Two Friends" and we had tilapia, spare ribs, steak, chicken, potatoes, salad....and more FANTA! It was absolutely incredible!!! Good people, good food, good fun. We also started meeting with the Bukeeka team to get ready for the tournament at Fountain of Hope and began the daunting task of unpacking outreach suitcases. Thank you, Marilyn of Spokane for your amazing packing! We love you! Thank you, Tynishia and Kyle for your great organizational skills and for all your efforts at prepping for the health kits.
In Luke 10:41-42, it reads, "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Mary had been sitting at the feet of Jesus rather than being consumed by the details of the day. This team has been sitting at others' feet looking for and listening to what Jesus has to teach them. They, of course, have had many details to consider as they prepare to host 1,200 children, but God has brought powerful people with powerful stories to tell into their midst and they have responded with grace and attention and patience. They have shown love when people anticipated a response of fear and they have experienced laughter and joy in the middle of poverty and sickness. God is so good. This is not just a statement. It is an embodiment...a way of existing in this crazy, mixed up, unfair world.
5. Monday brought some "out of the box" experiences. Vicki stepped out in faith and rode a boda boda (motorcycle with a driver) to meet Cera from the boy's home and took her to get chest x-rays and a diagnosis, as she has been coughing sometimes with blood for some time now. She has double pneumonia and will require medication, which will be purchased by the team tomorrow. Cera is a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda and we heard her awe inspiring story today. Todd, Becca and Beth took on downtown Jinja to purchase medical/health kit supplies, mattresses, soap, rice, beans, sugar, sheets, towels, and medicines. I've never seen so much Amoxicillin! Sarah Sityo and Paul Hunter were so gracious to help with the shopping so that we got good prices. Sarah's husband, Robert is the executive director of Fountain of Hope School. Kyle, Tynishia, and Monita worked hard to create health kits, teachers bags, and organize t-shirts and soccer equipment for the tournament. In the afternoon we visited Abdu's farm and chicken business and we saw the cows that were purchased by the team that came last year. They are so healthy and thriving and ready to have calves!!!! Yeah...the beginnings of the Fountain of Hope Dairy Farm. Can you believe it, Traci Blank? It is happening! We visited the Widow's Bakery and saw their production of banana bread and pumpkin bread, donuts and cake. They are also beginning a wedding dress business. We gifted them with peelers, measuring cups and spoons and many other things. Abdu has purchased 7 extra acres through the GGI micro-loan program and he has planted some alfalfa. Thank you, St. John's, Benton City! We had chapati tacos tonight with fresh Guacamole! And of course, Fresh Pumpkin and Banana Bread. Weebale Jesu! (Thank you, Jesus) P.S. Becca just killed a cockroach in the bathroom...it was cream-filled...she is recovering in bed, satisfied that she has fulfilled her purpose. BLEECH!
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