Uganda Team Post #6

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Think about the most unique gift you’ve ever been given. Can it compare to a live chicken with its feet bound, a bag of ground nuts, and a rare fruit that the Nationals couldn’t name easily. During our visitation today these are the gifts we received. We couldn’t believe the generosity of the Ugandans once again, giving their best for their honored guests, which we felt so unworthy to receive. A total of 20 home visits were made today. We heard some amazing testimonies about how the mothers came to know Jesus. These people are so content with so little compared with Americans who always want more and more and more.

The men completed work on the fence with the delivered posts. 71 were done yesterday with 40 more done today, for a total of 111. In the next few weeks the fence will be completed for a total of 140 fence posts. Ken and Ron have worked alongside the Nationals, learning their stories, encouraging them, and being blessed by their hard work.

While the team has been split working on the fence and on visitation, the people’s lives we came in contact with were intertwined. David, the hardest worker on the construction team is also struggling with some mental and spiritual issues. Ron and Ken have made a strong connection with him during their work this week, showing him the true compassion and love of Christ. Today, one of the houses visited was the mother of David. She admitted that she has struggled with having faith since David’s difficulties have occurred. We were able to pray with her and encourage her with scripture pointing her to the forgiveness of Jesus in all situations that life throws at us. The team requests special prayers for David and his mother, for peace and salvation for both of them.

186 children and 56 adults were touched by team members today. Please pray for these people to all realize the good news of Jesus Christ. As we wrap up the week, it is hard to believe our time here in Kamonkoli is almost done. Tomorrow we are going on an outing to Sipi Falls and to the baboons, so please pray for safety, continued good health, and for opportunities to show the love of Christ with those that will be with us on the trip. God bless.

Uganda Team Post #5

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Visitation – 153 children, 24 adults

Fence – 26 workers, 15 children observing

At least 218 people we touched today

The impact on the team members – PRICELESS!

From the morning devotion Amber read the scriptures about the harvest being plentiful but the workers being few in Matthew and how we aren’t to grow weary in doing good. Immediately upon reviewing the scripture the Holy Spirit prompted her to look out the window where a man was “mowing” the grass with a machete. This was very revealing to all of the team members present because we are so blessed with all of the amenities back home. We complain about having to mow the lawn with our gas powered mowers and weed eaters, but this man has steadily worked on the yard for hours and he won’t stop until the task is complete.

The home visits were especially powerful today because we had more time at each residence to sit and visit and pray with each family. One mother, Irene, in particular was so excited to see us that she welcomed us with an “olation” a chant of thanksgiving which is a high pitched shrill noise made by vibrating your tongue very quickly and screaming loudly. As supplies were brought out of the van she took us unashamedly into her home to lock the precious food away. Rag dolls were passed out to all of the children at her house as well as “sweeties,” bracelets, and baby clothes. Sitting and listening to the stories of their crops, sickness, and struggles, it was a special time of encouragement and fellowship. Irene even put on her best dress for some special pictures to be taken. As we were driving away in the van Irene was crossing her arms telling us how she loves us.

Various team members took turns delegating tasks at the homes. At one, the team member leading the visit, she made such a connection with the mother Jane that Jane gave us a large bag of ground nuts, despite the fact her family has so little food. It was humbling. Another home which touched our hearts was the home of James and Faith who were married in 1950. They couldn’t remember their ages, just that they were married when still in their youth. James shared his testimony about being in the darkness, but then a missionary came and he came to know Christ. He also talked about the healing in his leg after the prayer of another missionary. It was touching to hear his story.

The men were exhausted after putting in a full day’s work pouring concrete (2 wheelbarrows per hole), into the holes. They completed a total of 71 between yesterday and today. Working alongside the Nationals gave the men time for meaningful fellowship.

Dinner at Katherine’s was the icing on the cake of the day as we had a devotion led by one of her girls as well as beautiful worship. Please remember our team in your prayers, for continued strength, health, and endurance as we wind down the week.

Uganda Team Post #3

Monday, 8/8/2011

Holes…what does that conjure in your mind? For the team here the word will never again be the same. Starting our work project on the fence this morning at 8:30 am we set off from Katherine’s with a machete, grub hoes, shovels, and post hole diggers in hand. Little did we know that this would be the most backbreaking work any of us had ever done. The line was pulled, stakes were placed to indicate where to dig, and the work began. The ladies on the team worked together doing 1 hole to the Ugandans 3-4 in the same time frame. According to the Nationals they were “well done.” The fields where holes were being dug were surrounded by cassava, ground nuts, banana trees, and corn. As we worked children and teenagers showed up to watch. Due to the schedule being held up, the ladies returned to the compound to organize leftover clothes for distribution in the village tomorrow, while the men stayed to work until lunch. There were 38 volunteers working on the fence both men and women. After lunch the men returned to work digging holes, while the women had some much needed rest as well as preparing for the women’s Bible study.

We got the opportunity to do a home visit with a woman who lives on the compound, and she welcomed us into her home providing drinks and Ugandan hospitality. She shared pictures of her family as well as some of her personal story. It was a blessing to see her humble surroundings, while she displayed a graciousness rarely seen in the US. This woman like many works so hard for so little, but still she is very proud of what she has. We also got to visit with some other women who were open to share what their lives are like here in Kamonkoli, and once again we were all reminded how blessed we are where we live.

What continues to amaze us is that despite the poverty, these people are happy and kind and open to our presence and help. Even in the midst of adversity, which Todd experienced in the hospital today with the loss of 2 babies, one of the father’s was proclaiming, “God is good!” Even through our exhaustion and pain and compassion overload, God is good, ALL THE TIME! Thank you for your continued prayers.

2nd Post from Uganda team

Sunday 8/7/11 in Kamonkoli

Nothing in the US can compare to worship in Uganda. The spirit of worship present from the oldest to the youngest was contagious. When is the last time you gave your best in the offering plate at church? As the offering basket was passed this morning coins, eggs, and corn were given as their best to God. Would you ever expect to see your 80 year old grandmother dancing in the front row of church? “Mongeri” did just that as the oldest woman in the congregation. Children were ushered to the front stage to make room for overflow that continued all throughout the service. There were 300 adults and 400 children present for worship with many listening from outside the building and in the small balcony. “BC Homes” a favorite returning guest made an appearance with Julie in Sunday School sharing with the children the story of Elisha and Elijah. The children were leaning forward in anticipation watching “BC” perform.

VBS today almost 440 children were present. Our schedule did not quite go as anticipated, but as all who have been on mission trips before, flexibility is the key, and God’s plan was executed. In crafts making salvation beaded bracelets with over 100 children at the same time, seemed to be a daunting task. However, the Holy Spirit intervened and calmed the children and the “it can’t be done craft” turned into “We did it!”

After completing VBS the children were lined up, in 4 lines of 100 children each, to distribute clothes which were donated by many team members at home. We started out with 15 beautifully handmade pillowcase dresses in varying sizes. We had no difficulty in locating girls to replace their raggedy, tattered dresses, many not even fitting or zipped up. The smiles from a simple dress, that we know will be recycled for many years to come, were indescribable. For the remaining children some chaos ensued with the excitement of the new clothes. We had them separated into boys and girls and specific sizes, but matching the clothes with the child was no easy task. Towards the end we were frazzled. No longer were we working with complete outfits, but we were lucky to provide just one short or pair of bottoms. It was at this point our team was faced with the reality that we can’t fix it all. The needs are too great. The number of children represented at church today is only a fraction of the children in need here in Kamonkoli. We need more resources, more hands and feet, and continued prayers. Tomorrow the women will begin home visits in the bush and the men will start construction on the new chain link fence.

Since being here several of our team members have received news of family emergencies back home, so please pray for them here and the family members left at home to deal with these situations without them.

1st Post from Uganda Team

Uganda Mission Team 2011: Ron Gunter, Christ Church, Miami; Julie Boyd, First Baptist at the Mall, Lakeland; Shannon Lyles, Bonnie Weekes, Pat McGinnis, Ken DeMoliner First Baptist Ocala; Amber Dufrene, Westgate Church with special Guest Todd Griffin, Christ United Methodist, Fairview Heights Illinois. Took off from Orlando & St Louis to Atlanta to Amsterdam to Kijali Rwanda to final destination Entebbe Uganda. After over 24 hours of travel we arrived safely and drove to Kampala to spend the night in a hotel. Then, a morning at the market to buy supplies and we headed off on a 5 hour drive to Kamonkoli.

The sites passed were amazing. People everywhere going about their daily lives in the various villages. The traffic in the worst city of the USA cannot compare…buses honking, 3 people on bicycles, motorcycles with 2 people, pedestrians, people “hawking” their goods, trucks with dead chickens on the roof…you name it, we saw it! All of this even before we arrived at our destination. After resting and having a special night of dinner worship ( lead by Peace), and playing with the children at Katherine’s home we had to sort through the donations and VBS supplies. As we sorted through the suitcases we were in awe of the generosity of all of the team members who did not physically come on the trip but have made our efforts a success already, and we thank you all.

Day 2 Kamonkoli: “Vacation Bible School”, three words that conjure fear in the hearts of even the most committed Christian’s. However, try doing it in a foreign country like Uganda, Africa. You know it’s going to be rough when you have over 100 show up in your first craft session, over 100 show up in your first Bible Story Lesson and almost 160 for recreation . No amount of pre-planning could have prepared us for this adventure. In our minds we had the Bible Stories planned, the crafts were set aside with great detail. Songs were practiced and all the Fun and Games were ready to be played by all. We had the hatch of an SUV full of beach balls, balloons, soccer balls, and loads of fun. How could it not be successful, right? Little did we know that in less than 2 hours almost 500 children would show up hungry for God’s word, attention, fun and Grace.

We take a lot for granted in the USA. We assume that all children know how to use scissors, glue sticks, and cotton balls. We assume they understand all basic Bible stories and know all games like Duck Duck Goose, however, that is not the case here. Crafts resulted in more than just the sheep being glittered. Once the kids discovered the glitter many were covered from head to toe. Recreation run by 2 people was overwhelming but rewarding nonetheless. Bible study sessions taught Isaiah 43:1 that “The Father called you by name and you are Mine” first, and then John 14:2 that “In my Father’s house there are many rooms” which focused on the promise of Heaven and the story of salvation was presented. Despite the torrential rainstorm that cancelled the second craft and recreation session God was present.

In music we intended to enlighten them when in actuality they taught us about their deep love of Jesus through their music, songs and dancing. It was a powerfully moving time listening and watching the simple praises of 500 children. With 3 groups we also had a praise and worship Conga line out of the church and back inside. After word spreads of candy, fun, glitter, games, worship, silly songs, and Bible study we anticipate even more children tomorrow after church. Please continue to pray for the team and the lives that will be impacted.

Jamaica Team Video

This video is a summary of photos from the recent trip to Jamaica. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D9NZI_B7vA

Uganda Mission Team

Please join us in praying for the Uganda Mission Team that left this morning for Kamonkoli, Uganda.

Our team of 4 is traveling with 4 others from the Florida Baptist Children’s Home and working with the Hines Ugandan Ministries to visit with the children the ministry takes care of and to help build a fence.

The team will hopefully have a chance to post regularly at the following blog:
http://fbchinternationalchildcare.blogspot.com/