Last post I talked about mostly what happened during the training camp. Before I move on to the subject of the rest of the month (8 days in Northern Uganda), I feel like I should give a little more details about things/people/events that took place in the RTC (Reform Theological College) during training camp. Here it is.
RTC is…Well, a college. It was founded by the South Korean missionaries. There are few Korean who are in charge of the place but the staffs and students are Ugandans. Also there’s a church inside and they do outreach activity such as fellowship. Let me begin to say: The Ugandans are SUPER friendly. Everywhere you go, people greet you passionately (not just because we are foreigners). When I walked by the people who might seem unfriendly, but they would give you the biggest smile and talk to you as soon as you wave at them. If you ask “How are you?”, expect people to start telling you about their whole day (or life). Quality conversation is more important than whatever task you have to finish. It is normal for them to invite you to their home as you invest time to get to know them.
That should be what life looks like. Get to know people. Invest time to get to know them.
I mean that’s what Jesus does, right?
Meet Gloria
One day 10 of us from the squad partnered with some of the church staffs (Pastor Patrick and all the young girls from the choir team) and walked 35 minutes to a neighborhood where we had fellowship. Again, it is crazy how welcoming the people are. We worshipped our hearts out even we don’t understand the language. No air-conditioning, no nice church, no bibles, no fancy snack. The condition of the place is quite the opposite back in state. But when you opened up and praise the amazing God, nothing else matters. On the way there and back, every squad mates was having a great time talking with the young girl. It makes sense since I was the only man in the group. Then I saw Gloria, she is a church staff who handles some logistic work at church (and translate). Gloria looks unapproachable and not easy to talk to, but I just felt like I should go talk with her.
I told her one of my aunts’ name is also Gloria. We talked about family, food, both of our stories, childhood……and she began to tell me about her husband passed away last year due to an accident. Things got real from there. She said she felt lonely at times when she is at home, that’s why she tried to task more during the day to not think negatively. I joked, I joked a lot to make her laugh. As we were going on our separate ways at the end, I told her “God is your joy.” I think I said it many times. I know she agrees too as we were tried to hold the tears. It was at that moment I know what the World Race is about: Do small acts with great love.
Meet Patrick
Patrick is a 24 years old church pastor at RTC. He is an amazing human being. He is probably the gentlest man I have ever met. He always talked gently but his words were powerful because it came from the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t act like a pastor but a friend. He walked by one day and saw I was playing guitar. We immediately connected through music. He embraced every chance to preach, teach, share gospel and pray no matter it is 50 people or one person. His passion of sharing the gospel is obvious and strong! He is a Jesus’ disciple. Honestly, there wasn’t any significant event we shared. We mostly just sat down and spend an afternoon to play guitar and talked about bible. What stood out the most was that He came from South Sudan. He talked about how the civil war is impacting thousands of lives. It was hard to listen and understand what he and the people there are going through. My heart wants to go there and see. I want to go so badly that I wish I could spend the rest of the month there instead of Uganda.
Then few more days after training camp. As we were about to start praying and see where God lead us for the rest of the month, we were told that we have this opportunity to serve at refugee camp (people from South Sudan) in Northern Uganda. And the guy who led us there (he works for AIM), his name is Patrick.
God has a plan. He has it way before I even begin to think about.
Food
Just want to touch on this topic for fun. I was told we will eat beans and rice almost every day before the race. Well, it is true. Honestly, we were fed really well consider we have 3 full meals a day and fruit for lunch and dinner. One cool street food we had is called Rolex. Basically it is combination of an omelet and vegetable (onions, tomato, and green pepper) wrapped within a chapatti. I almost ate it every day since then because it was the easiest food to order (also the only food I know to order).
Sabbath Rest
On the last few days of the training camp we went to a resort next to Nile River in Jinja. We are encouraged to take Sabbath rest every week to refresh and spend time with God. During those days I went to white water rafting for the first time at Nile River (one more thing checked from my bucket list). It was just an unbelievable experience (minus the sunburn)!
(We woke up 7am in most mornings and do excrise at this soccer field)
(That’s the canteen we dined 3 times a day and sometimes we sat under the tree and eat)
(Our rooms)
(During class and training)
(The food is actually really good. I always take way too much veggies)
(Squad mates were how taught how to handwash clothes by one of the local)
(Another training session at church)
