Time
for an update, huh? As I sit here are reflect on the past two weeks in Uganda,
I can barely believe our time in Africa is almost over. Sometimes it feels like
we’ve stepped back in time and been here an eternity, other days our time seems
to have flown by… Especially realizing we only have about 3 months left on the
race!
for an update, huh? As I sit here are reflect on the past two weeks in Uganda,
I can barely believe our time in Africa is almost over. Sometimes it feels like
we’ve stepped back in time and been here an eternity, other days our time seems
to have flown by… Especially realizing we only have about 3 months left on the
race!
Some of my team with our squad leaders, riding in the back of the truck…
Our
1st week here in Uganda was spent in a Northern village working a
crusade that was organized by our partner church. From Hoima, we packed about
25 people in a 15-passenger bus and headed 3 hours down a dirt road. None of us
knew what to expect, but the week was filled with many activities, early
mornings, and late nights! All day and night was filled with music, dancing,
preaching, and teaching. Our team spent a lot of time doing programs at schools
and door-to-door ministry. Throughout the week over 1,000 people came to know
Christ. It seems to me that the “darker” places we go, we tend to see the Holy
Spirit manifest in more powerful ways. The town we were in has a lot of witchcraft
and cults. There is a man there that claims to be God. Many people follow him,
which consists of bringing him money, food, water, in return for “protection.”
…pretty nice set up for him. Many demon-possessed people were delivered at the
crusade. This might sound like crazy talk to some of you, but it’s not a joke.
If I was not a believer and saw some of the things we witnessed, it would scare the
hell out of me…pun intended. It
was exciting to see people get delivered from the bondage that was holding them
captive for so long.
1st week here in Uganda was spent in a Northern village working a
crusade that was organized by our partner church. From Hoima, we packed about
25 people in a 15-passenger bus and headed 3 hours down a dirt road. None of us
knew what to expect, but the week was filled with many activities, early
mornings, and late nights! All day and night was filled with music, dancing,
preaching, and teaching. Our team spent a lot of time doing programs at schools
and door-to-door ministry. Throughout the week over 1,000 people came to know
Christ. It seems to me that the “darker” places we go, we tend to see the Holy
Spirit manifest in more powerful ways. The town we were in has a lot of witchcraft
and cults. There is a man there that claims to be God. Many people follow him,
which consists of bringing him money, food, water, in return for “protection.”
…pretty nice set up for him. Many demon-possessed people were delivered at the
crusade. This might sound like crazy talk to some of you, but it’s not a joke.
If I was not a believer and saw some of the things we witnessed, it would scare the
hell out of me…pun intended. It
was exciting to see people get delivered from the bondage that was holding them
captive for so long.
Some of the school kids with their new bibles!
While
there, I got sick for a few days. We thought it might be malaria, but after
being tested, it showed to be typhoid. After visiting with the doctor, he
diagnosed it as appendicitis. I came to the conclusion that I had NONE of these
things! Within 2 days I was as healthy as ever! God is good!
The
past week and a half we have been back in Hoima working with the church. Last
week we walked around doing door-to-door ministry. This week we are holding a
youth conference at the church.
On
Saturday, we were invited to a huge wedding for the bishop’s son. The wedding
was incredible. Nothing I expected to see here in Hoima! When people get
married here, the whole town pitches in! It’s not just the father of the bride’s
responsibility…lucky for him! Lauren and I decided to have a gomase made, a
traditional African dress. We met “mama” in a garment shop and picked out our
fabric. They were made within hours! I felt in my element being surrounded by
fabrics! I can’t even explain what a hit they were at the wedding. When we
walked through the town, it erupted! There was not an eye that wasn’t on us!
Everyone was saying, “You look very smart.” Which basically means you look
nice. I can’t even count how many times we heard that. Still, when we walk
through town people come up and mention it! It was a lot of fun, but not the
breeziest outfit for a 6-hour wedding!
Saturday, we were invited to a huge wedding for the bishop’s son. The wedding
was incredible. Nothing I expected to see here in Hoima! When people get
married here, the whole town pitches in! It’s not just the father of the bride’s
responsibility…lucky for him! Lauren and I decided to have a gomase made, a
traditional African dress. We met “mama” in a garment shop and picked out our
fabric. They were made within hours! I felt in my element being surrounded by
fabrics! I can’t even explain what a hit they were at the wedding. When we
walked through the town, it erupted! There was not an eye that wasn’t on us!
Everyone was saying, “You look very smart.” Which basically means you look
nice. I can’t even count how many times we heard that. Still, when we walk
through town people come up and mention it! It was a lot of fun, but not the
breeziest outfit for a 6-hour wedding!
Lauren and I in “mama’s” shop wearing our new gomases!
On
Sunday we once again experienced true African church. It starts at 7am and ends
around 2:30ish! I’ll never complain about church running to long again! haha…
It’s such a sight! The Africans really know how to worship! They don’t know a
single slow song or one that doesn’t include some rhythmic dancing and
drumming! We usually do some music and the preaching. During the offering time,
many people don’t have money so they bring chickens, bananas, peanuts,
sugarcane, etc. At the end of the service they have a big auction! It’s
actually really fun and entertaining! This past Sunday they gave us 3 flats of
eggs in appreciation…
Sunday we once again experienced true African church. It starts at 7am and ends
around 2:30ish! I’ll never complain about church running to long again! haha…
It’s such a sight! The Africans really know how to worship! They don’t know a
single slow song or one that doesn’t include some rhythmic dancing and
drumming! We usually do some music and the preaching. During the offering time,
many people don’t have money so they bring chickens, bananas, peanuts,
sugarcane, etc. At the end of the service they have a big auction! It’s
actually really fun and entertaining! This past Sunday they gave us 3 flats of
eggs in appreciation…
PRICELESS!
