Yesterday was a beautiful breezy day in Goshenland, Uganda. Team Furious love walked down the hill from our house to the church, our arms filled with balloons, a computer, a bible, and crafts.
Although we were technically 15 minutes late to our own event, there were only a few girls waiting for us. Welcome to Africa time! The balloons were tossed on the floor and the girls went nuts. Slowly, more girls began to arrive and a fun game of red rover was arranged outside to move out things out of the stuffy church. This was the girls' first game of red rover ever, but they caught on quickly. By the end, strategy had been incorporated into the game
More girls joined and it decided that this might be a good time to start the craft. I thought to myself, "We probably won't have too many more girls arrive." African time definitely had me fooled, though.
Nineteen girls walked into the church and listened to a brief talk about the day's theme, "Daughters of the King" and what it meant to be a daughter of God. While speaking, about four women and five more young girls walked in. I, being more of a worrier than I care to admit, began to fret that we did not have enough crafts, but my teammate told me that it would all work out. And it did. For the girls and women who didn't have crowns, purple ribbons were tied on their wrist, a reminder that they were royalty.
As the church once again became stuffy, the chairs were carried outside and the party followed. A computer was set up for the little girls to watch "Tangled", nails were being painted, and more purple ribbons were tied. Although things hadn't gone as we originally planned, it was shaping up to be a really great evening. Portraits were taken of the ladies, with the promise that they could receive paper copies at church on Sunday. At dusk, the women and girls gathered together for a worship song and a message.
"Do you know that you are a princess? God, the King of kings, adopted you through the death of His son, and you are now a daughter of the King!"
The women and girls heard how much God cares for them, and how as women of God, they need to walk confidently in who He has created each of them to be. And that, as "princesses", they each have responsibilities in the kingdom, including serving each other with their gifts and sharing the good news of Christ. Deirdre then shared her testimony with the ladies.
Before goodbyes were said, everyone gathered together in prayer and thanks. It was a wonderful day- We played games, went crazy with balloons, painted nails, took portraits, worshipped, prayed, and most importantly, brought glory to God.
I am so thankful for this incredible opportunity to pour into the women and girls of our community and I am excited for more opportunities to show God's love to Goshenland.
