Alright alright…it’s time for your favorite gameshow, “What’s It Like In Kampala, Uganda!?” I’ll let you choose a word you think might describe life in the outskirts of Uganda’s capital city, and if you’re right you’ll win a totally amazing prize.*
Did you say “hot”? Yup! Way to go. Stay tuned for that totally amazing prize.
“Congested?” Totally. Traffic here is nuts. Walking in and through the traffic and on the side of the steeet is even more nuts.
What’s that, “poor”? Yup, very.
Alright players…it’s the final round. You have one word left to describe this place. What’s it going to be?
“Dirty?” Ding! Ding! Ding! You’re exactly right!
Basically, we’re surrounded by poverty daily in a way I haven’t experienced before on the race. It’s intense…and had me overwhelmed for the first few days. People get their water from “wells”, which are more like sewer lines (they boil it at least). Cars and trucks spew out fumes and smog as they share the road with tons of motorcycles, even more pedestrians, bikes and cows. Many roads become undriveable (and somewhat unwalkable) after it rains because they’re simply too muddy. Kids play in and with trash that is everywhere. There’s always dust and dirt in the air. It’s…well…it’s not like Florida.
But don’t lose hope…because some of the people we’ve met here are incredibly fantastic and full of life and love and joy! Our contact, Pastor Joseph, has TONS of joy and hope and an incredibly strong faith in His good God. His wife and children are also wonderful to be around. Some of the church members we spend time with are also incredible…like Sara and Grace and Ronnie and the other Ronnie and Tendo and Fred. They are full of life and love and have already become our friends.
Pastor Joseph…full of joy amidst some major trials and tribulations happening in his life…
Spending time with Pastor Joseph's kids and their neighbors…
The members of The Ambassadors of Life Church are absolutely incredible. They don’t complain about only having half a church building to worship in. The ones who don’t have homes don’t complain about having to sleep “in” the church (which consists of a single wall, and half a tin roof) every night. They treat us like royalty. They smile big and proud. They love and trust God for EVERYTHING. They are passionate about preaching the good news of Christ. They are thankful for the little they have, and are always willing to share it with others. It’s amazing really. It breaks my heart, but also encourages me to let go of this world more and more and embrace my faith in Christ alone.
Anyway…so there’s your super quick description of this place and the people. Now, an even super quicker recap on what we’ve been doing. We’re all taking turns preaching at one of the nightly church services and prayer meetings. We’ve preached on street corners. We’ve walked through neighborhoods, meeting people and telling them about Jesus. We’ve led a children’s worship service. We’ve done a lot of praying.
Haile and Angie preaching Good News out in the street!
Leading worship for the children…
Paul preaching at church…
And the church itself. Half of it was destroyed last year, and they have no money to fix it. So, it's now one wall, and half of a roof.
I’m glad God brought us here. I’m glad he’s showing me what He’s showing me. I’m glad to be living right in the middle of one of the hardest places I’ve ever experienced. I’m glad I’m not alone. I am thankful for this opportunity to experience Jesus among the very poor and among some of the “least of these” in the whole world. I feel like in some way, The World Race is just now starting to really open my eyes to the world, to God’s people in it, to their needs, to the power and reality of the strength of His love. Month 9…we’re nearing the end…and in a way, it’s really just beginning.
*Oh yeah…um, about that totally amazing prize. Yeah, that was a complete fabrication as a way to possibly grab your attention. Sorry about that. But hey, hopefully you’ve gained a little something from reading this…so let’s just go ahead and consider that your prize. Sound good?
