Well, summer is upon us. Yes, it is winter in the U.S., but it is certainly not here. This is the hottest driest month of the year in Uganda. We usually return home after a day of ministry caked in dust looking for some bottled water to drink. I'm pretty sure I don't like temperatures in the high 80's and 90's in January. But, I guess it is better than freezing.
Our time here has been good so far. Ministry has consisted of a variety of things so far. We have gone door to door to talk with people about Jesus and to invite them to church. I had a great conversation with two Muslim guys who were using a machete and pick-axe to dig post holes. I thought it was no fun in SD. They had a ton of great questions about Jesus, the Bible, and what Jesus's death really meant. It was fun to engage in a conversation with two guys who were so genuinely seeking to find truth, wherever it might be. They promised to come to church during the upcoming month and to continue to pray for God to reveal truth to them.
We also have done a number of odd jobs. We washed the 300 + plastic chairs at the church and cleaned the church. It was fun to have a water fight in the church as we washed the chairs inside and then used the cleaning water to wash the floors. We just had to squeegy it out the door. It isn't quite like scrubbing the floors in America.
We attempted hospital visits, but needed and official letter to allow us in the door. Instead, on our taxi ride away from the hospital this whole group of women turned to us and asked us to pray for them. We hadn't identified ourselves as Christians or missionaries. It was an odd experience, but cool to see God orchestrate a circumstance to put us exactly where we needed to be.
Other than that, we have been at church each evening for a 3+ hour church service. It is a month of prayer and fasting for the church so they have service each night. I am amazed by the dedication and commitment of the church to be committed to coming each night. It wears me out and I haven't been here the whole month.
God is definitely stretching me in ways I did not anticipate.
This week school begins again so we will begin going to schools to do different programs. We are all curious to see what that will look like and how God will use us. It should be an adventure.
On a random note of humor, my name seems to be quite difficult for people to say in Africa. Erin has turned into Herrin or Helen, or Ellen. My team has embraced this and has taken to calling me Helen for fun. Who knew my parents gave me such a complicated name to understand?
