First Day in Uganda- A Great Day!

Today was a great first day in Uganda.  We originally were going to go to visit M1 with sixty feet but due to some government regulations all of their activities were on hold.  We ended up visiting with Ernest and Momma Catherine instead.  Anyone familiar with sixty feet will know them as a local couple that got involved with sixty feet early on.  They really are quiet rock stars of Uganda.

Our drive to their location ended up being twice as long as normal since we got a little lost. Apparently there is 2 sections of the same town with the same name...we went to one, and we should have gone to the other.  We finally meet them and drive down a long bumpy dirt road.  Between the initial drive and this drive we saw a lot of how the local people live.  There is some pretty extreme poverty here.  Similar to what I've seen in Mexico, but probably a little worse.  A lot of shack houses, tin roofs, and people everywhere.  Kids loved when you acknowledge them with a wave and they'd excitedly wave back.

When we get to Ernest and Momma Catherine's house, we meet the group.  We met some local pastors, Boaz and Fred, and some of the nurses for sixty feet.  it was great to see their enthusiasm.  They were so excited about the work the Lord is doing and excited to tell us about sixty feet and their day to day ministry. 

We also got to walk to a local school where one of the pastor's wife is a teacher.  The walk there led us through a small village.  If I were to make a movie and create an African village, this village would be just as I imagined for the set.  Kids playing, a small fire here and there, chickens, pigs and goats running loose, poorly constructed homes with half-dressed little kids running around.  Everyone was nice and they all waved.  Once we got to the school we had a tour.  It was similar to pictures of schools i had seen.  Small building made of 1x6 type material.  split bamboo or some other plant lined the floor.  No lights.  Small benches in rows and posters on the walls.  The things the kids learned there were very similar to what my kids learn.... parts of the body, letters and words, manners, counting money etc.  After the tour we were treated to a performance from the kids.  At such a young age, these kids can dance and sing, and play a mean drum.  We played a few games with them and they performed some skits.  it was a really neat experience.

We went back to the house and spoke some more with the local ministers.  They were excited to tell you some progress that had been made since the last PTCC conferencce.  After some long discussions, plans were made to look into hosting a conference there locally possibly in addition to the ones going on through Hessed in jinja.  That is a significant development and opens up huge possibilities to what the local church can do through its local ministers and through God. 

Some of the best moments (besides all the singing and dancing) was the stories that Ernest & Momma Catherine told.  They told how they got into ministering for children, the pains they have endured because of that , and their joys.  Boaz shared some of his past and told us of the losses his family had experience due to HIV.  We heard from Fred and got a glimpse of the pure excitement he has for the things he does.  I couldn't help but reflect on the amount of excitement I have for the things I am involved with-  i have a lot of soul searching to do and reflection coming in the future.

We spent hours talking, studying, worshipping.  I have not been a part of something like that before and it was nice to be in the presence of some great people doing a great work.  We also played with the kids outside.  I think they could perform all day long.  We had a lot of fun!

All in all, it was a great first day in Uganda.  i couldn't have asked for more.

Great weather, great fellowship, great food, great singing and dancing, and great view of a beautiful Lake Victoria.