Arrived Safely

After 28 hours of travel we arrived safely in Uganda!!! After going through customs at Entebbe International airport, we were greeted by 20+ people, including Pastors Jonah, Daniel, and Richard. They brought with them members of their congregations to welcome us to Uganda. Immediately, young men stepped forward and carried our luggage to an awaiting bus. Many of these people traveled over 2 hours to come and bless us. They would not let us carry anything to the bus. Once on the bus we made the 1 hour journey along very crowded narrow streets, from Entebbe to Kampala, where we will be staying the next five days. Our driver did an amazing job of navigating through the traffic. It's kind of like a game of 'Chicken;' you buzz down these narrow streets with cars and motorbikes headed right at you until the very last minute, and you wonder, “How did we not hit each other?”

We spent the last two days ministering to the people of Ganda village. Friday we were greeted by the children from Jonah Say Yes International School. When we arrived they were all lined up ready to welcome us with songs: “We have waited for you to come, We welcome you, We are so very glad you've come.” We spent most of the day with them playing with the children and seeing what the Lord has been doing at this school. We were sooo blessed! We played some soccer and other games. You become so attached to them in such a short time. Your heart breaks as you see the conditions in which they live, yet they have such BIG smiles!! Friday night there was an evening service in which people came forward for prayer and healing. Prayers of faith were prayed and people were healed. It was a memorable night!

Today we went back to Ganda Village and visited Hope Children's Home which is run by Show Mercy International (Albany, OR). What a wonderful work the Lord is doing in the lives of these 100+ orphaned children. Next we went back to Jonah Say Yes School for a graduation ceremony. The school started a Sewing School to equip women in the village with a trade. Through Say Yes International someone generously purchased a number of sewing machines, and the women were trained in this skill. Today we celebrated their graduation. It was a beautiful testimony of God's grace to the several hundred people who attended. The school staff cooked a meal and served all the people. The hard part came later when we had to say goodbye to the children. I'll never forget little Ivan looking into the bus with tears flowing down his cheeks. The Lord knitted our hearts in the short time we had together. This picture of Ivan saying goodbye expresses both of our hearts.