Reality

There are moments that will remain etched in my mind forever. Dramatic, I know, but true. Last night I shared my bedroom with four Ugandan girls who lost there mother less than a month ago. They were showered, lotioned, given new clean clothes, used a toilet for the first time, ate a huge meal, fell asleep in the team's arms and were placed in bed. As I listened to their breathing, I was reminded how much God loves. He clothes and feeds, cleanses and holds us, and is as close as our next breath. He hovers and protects, and at the times of our greatest sorrow, when fear can become our standard, he brings answers from unlikely places and faces, giving promise to a future that is threatened and redefining family in a way that defies the norms that our culture has put in place. Such love is not deserved, but lavished anyway. Weebale, Jesu.

Fountain of Hope has much to celebrate. 1,200 children, plus adults, showed up today! YEE-HAW! We took measurements for game qualification, and handed out lanyards and t-shirts and welcomed FIFA OFFICIALS! Can you believe it?! Yeah WORLD CUP! It was a high energy, activity filled, wonderful day! A little dose of reality came when a few teams danced with disqualification because of hiring and paying players from other schools to compete. Competition is high and integrity gets sacrificed for money and winning. We praise God that the Director of Fountain was able to discover and confront this corruption. Fountain of Hope is currently in the lead in both soccer and netball. It is wonderful for Fountain to share their ministry and their positive impact on the community of Bukeeka. Academically, they are the highest scoring school in the area. They kids of Fountain erupted with cheering and dancing and singing! Absolutely amazing!! Rice and beans were eaten by the athletes and guests and we spent a great deal of time pumping up soccer balls for game play and prizes after the championship games, which will be held Sunday afternoon. The five college kids on the team are working so hard...and so well...it is as if they've known each other all along. Vicki and Monita have provided so many things physically and emotionally. Wisdom goes a long way and so does Vicki's suitcase. Beth is the truest form of herself. There is a freedom here that is not found other places. Becca continues to believe that the world can be saved one sweet soul at a time and is led by the Holy Spirit to pursue that goal...indefinitely.

Here is a "SHOUT OUT" to Immanuel, Tonasket/Havillah! and Oliver, BC. Thank you for your support! The supplies and beautiful bags were warmly and excitedly received by the teachers and the students. Thank you for partnering with us! We are working on filling your sponsored children's lists of needs and taking pictures for you. They are so grateful! Also...Pilgrim, Spokane...we contacted Bill Groth and hope to meet up with him in the next couple of days. We may even get a tour of the Nile Dam. Traci Blank, you are a legend here. We have fielded so many comments about you. All have been wonderful, happy memories that you helped create. The people of Bukeeka are longing to reunite with their "mworgezee" (clever one) and have some "mint ministry." The HIV clinic is coming on Monday and Tuesday, so we anticipate quite a bit more medical intervention.

Now...for another dose of reality. The "Jesus" movie is being shown in the community hall of the village of Bukeeka. This involves a generator, a sheet, a speaker, some evangelism and a heap load a faith that everything will come together. Please pray that Jesus becomes the "Answer" for so many of the sports tournament participants. But, what is more intense than this single event is the fact that the community is reeling from the effects of witchcraft tonight. Last night, the local butcher/meat grocer was kidnapped, chopped into pieces and offered up as a human sacrifice to the devil. Due to lack of electricity and preservation he needed to be buried today causing many of the parents to be unable to attend the soccer/netball tournament today. The butcher's shop is approximately three doors down from the Fountain Boarding House where many of our sponsored children live. Witchcraft and human sacrifice are real here in Uganda. It is spiritual warfare, frontline battlefield. We pray, in Jesus' name, that evil will be expelled from this place and that Truth will reign. One Sacrifice for All. "ON CHRIST, THE SOLID ROCK I STAND...ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND." May God bless you, keep safe and aware of His matchless grace.