Sarah, Abdu and Betty’s 8 year old daughter, wants to say HI to everyone! Moses, who is 2 years old, is busy playing and entertaining everyone.
Sunday morning after breakfast we had a group discussion and devotions and were left with the thought that even before I know what I will face today, I will say Yes to You. Also, based on Proverbs 14:4, if your goal is to keep a clean stable, don’t get involved with people and relationships.
We left for church together as a group at 10:00. Some rode in a car, most walked, and Leon rode the Boda. We walked up to an open-air building and were welcomed by many people. Early church had dismissed and we arrived during prayer time. People arrived and left throughout the Service. It was full with at least 500 people in attendance. The Praise Team had three different Worship Leaders that took turns. As one wore out, another took their place. There was a lot of fast paced praise songs and then some slower worship songs. There was a welcome and greeting by one of the Pastors, a special musical number, more announcements, and then they formally welcomed us. Paul spoke on our behalf and presented one of the NIV Study Bibles to Pastor Tom that was preaching today. Pastor Jimmie, the Senior Pastor that many of you met when he visited Fairview, teased Paul about giving him a Bible and Paul assured the church that Jimmie would be getting one since he is a part of Next Generation Ministries. When it was time for tithes and offerings, large baskets were positioned at the front and people poured out into the aisles to go to the front to put their offerings in. There was no hesitation. An interesting part of the prayer was where the Pastor thanked God that they had food to eat and something to drink this past week. The Pastor’s sermon was about how all things are possible through God. With the exception of the singing, everything in the service was presented in English and a translator was used to speak Lugandan.
Church dismissed a little after 1:00 and many of the people greeted us. We walked back home in the heat and relaxed while we waited for Abdu and Betty to return. Abdu is in charge of the finances and needed to count the offerings and had a meeting.
About 4:00 we headed to a restaurant for Dinner. Our cook was given Sunday off. We rode in Abdu’s car in three shifts. The restaurant is called Two Friends and is owned by Swedish people. It was like walking into a tropical paradise. The setting was gorgeous and the weather was beautiful. In typical Ugandan style, it was very laid back and relaxed…and slow. We placed our orders in two separate groups so that we could be sure some got back to the Compound in time to log into Skype to be a part of the service at the Fairview First Baptist Church. The rest of us waited to eat and then got back just in time to log in to the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church. Randy set us up with a webcam and audio so that we could interact with the churches.
When we got back to the Compound, several people were here singing and having a Fellowship Time. After our interaction with the churches in the States, some of us listened to the church service live from the MB Church and others joined the group outside singing. Preparations begin for the next day. Don is grinding coffee and Byron is planning the breakfast. Tomorrow begins another day of building desks and the ladies plan to go to Bukeeka to the school to do an assessment of their facilities, procedures, size of classes, educational needs and quality.
An interesting observation was made today. Ugandans are very soft spoken in everyday life and Americans are very loud. But when we go to church Ugandans get very loud and Americans get very quiet!
Sunday morning after breakfast we had a group discussion and devotions and were left with the thought that even before I know what I will face today, I will say Yes to You. Also, based on Proverbs 14:4, if your goal is to keep a clean stable, don’t get involved with people and relationships.
We left for church together as a group at 10:00. Some rode in a car, most walked, and Leon rode the Boda. We walked up to an open-air building and were welcomed by many people. Early church had dismissed and we arrived during prayer time. People arrived and left throughout the Service. It was full with at least 500 people in attendance. The Praise Team had three different Worship Leaders that took turns. As one wore out, another took their place. There was a lot of fast paced praise songs and then some slower worship songs. There was a welcome and greeting by one of the Pastors, a special musical number, more announcements, and then they formally welcomed us. Paul spoke on our behalf and presented one of the NIV Study Bibles to Pastor Tom that was preaching today. Pastor Jimmie, the Senior Pastor that many of you met when he visited Fairview, teased Paul about giving him a Bible and Paul assured the church that Jimmie would be getting one since he is a part of Next Generation Ministries. When it was time for tithes and offerings, large baskets were positioned at the front and people poured out into the aisles to go to the front to put their offerings in. There was no hesitation. An interesting part of the prayer was where the Pastor thanked God that they had food to eat and something to drink this past week. The Pastor’s sermon was about how all things are possible through God. With the exception of the singing, everything in the service was presented in English and a translator was used to speak Lugandan.
Church dismissed a little after 1:00 and many of the people greeted us. We walked back home in the heat and relaxed while we waited for Abdu and Betty to return. Abdu is in charge of the finances and needed to count the offerings and had a meeting.
About 4:00 we headed to a restaurant for Dinner. Our cook was given Sunday off. We rode in Abdu’s car in three shifts. The restaurant is called Two Friends and is owned by Swedish people. It was like walking into a tropical paradise. The setting was gorgeous and the weather was beautiful. In typical Ugandan style, it was very laid back and relaxed…and slow. We placed our orders in two separate groups so that we could be sure some got back to the Compound in time to log into Skype to be a part of the service at the Fairview First Baptist Church. The rest of us waited to eat and then got back just in time to log in to the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church. Randy set us up with a webcam and audio so that we could interact with the churches.
When we got back to the Compound, several people were here singing and having a Fellowship Time. After our interaction with the churches in the States, some of us listened to the church service live from the MB Church and others joined the group outside singing. Preparations begin for the next day. Don is grinding coffee and Byron is planning the breakfast. Tomorrow begins another day of building desks and the ladies plan to go to Bukeeka to the school to do an assessment of their facilities, procedures, size of classes, educational needs and quality.
An interesting observation was made today. Ugandans are very soft spoken in everyday life and Americans are very loud. But when we go to church Ugandans get very loud and Americans get very quiet!
It was great to be able to see you all at church today. Emma was so excited to see her "Grammy & Papa J" & hear their voices. She just pointed at the screen & you could see her telling Austin who it was & smiling ear to ear. We look forward to your everyday adventure unfolding. It has been cold here but at least not windy, as you enjoy the heat there Ha! I would be careful about the breakfast Byron prepares for you...at the hospital he is well known for his "roadkill" concoctions! We will be especially careful now when he returns as he may have even BETTER ideas Ha! Have a great week everyone as you hustle about to get the projects done. You continue in our thots & prayers.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Lisa, Jodi, Justin
ReplyDeleteIt did me a world of good to see & talk to you yesterday. It is so awsome to read what you are seeing and doing daily. We have been diligent about praying. Some of it is hard to read. It makes me emotional. I know GOD is using you all.
Love you!