More pictures to come…
So we are here in Uganda.
Definitely the most “disconnected” I’ve been the entire trip. We have no
running water, intermittent electricity, and the internet is 30 minutes away. We
are in Budaka, Uganda working with Cornerstone Community Center.
(http://www.cornerstoneministriesuganda.org/budaka/budaka.html).
The organization centers around the
orphanage, which at this time, holds 24 children ages 2-12. Our main contacts
here are Pastor Laurie (a 53 year old American missionary that has been here
for 9 months) and Pastor Rodgers (a 37 year old native of Budaka) that are
absolutely amazing to work with. Pastor Rodgers experienced so much pain and
suffering in the city of Budaka that he ran away from the area at a young age.
Due to determination, intelligence, and God’s grace, Pastor Rodgers found
success in the classroom (as well as the funding) to send himself to University.
From University he worked himself up to becoming Principal of an elementary
school as well as a pastor. For years God had tugged him back to Budaka, the
city that had once brought him so much sorrow and agony.
The orphanage was started 9 months
ago and headed almost completely by the direction of Pastor Laurie and Pastor
Rodgers. It is easy to say that organizationally, relationally, emotionally,
spiritually, and punctuality was not on their side. Despite the initial
barriers, God has turned the orphanage into a huge success. To see the smiles
on the children’s face as well as the constant hugs is a testament to the work
they are doing in these kids’ lives. We saw in Kenya what underprivileged,
unloved, orphaned children looked like. To imagine that these kids were in this
exact situation less than a year ago is amazing.
We are working here to help out
wherever Laurie and Rodgers need us. We spend hours each day teaching , eating,
and playing with the children. Today we helped facilitate “Saturday school”,
this is a community time set aside for the children of the surrounding
villages. We sing songs, play games, and teach God’s word. Laurie and Rodgers
recently started this program and it has become a huge hit with the local
children. Almost 300 children came (some walking 5 miles there and back to
attend!) and enjoyed hours of time together with the “mzungu” (white people).
I am super excited about this
ministry and look forward to updating everyone more later.
(Note: Two teammates of mine need additional
funding to stay on the World Race trip!)
Please check out their blogs:
LiliMejia.theworldrace.org
