Here we are in Gulu.

The bus ride wasn't as bad as last year. The weather is cooler as we are at the end of the rainy season. The miles and miles of speed bumps (torture last year) were reduced to about a mile. That was a blessing. Last year we had to endure miles of speed bumps every few feet. But they removed a lot so this year was not as bad. I must say we were blessed. I was dreading it but we made good time and all went smooth.

We stopped at looked at the rapids at Aramu (sp?) Falls. Spectacular. It is beautiful in its power. Also at this point there were wild baboons on the side of the road. One came right up by the bus. Very cool.

We have met with our hosts and gotten the program. We will be doing some teaching with 25 area pastors. Talk about out of my comfort zone. I am speaking tomorrow on the Priesthood of the believers. Wow. Needing some help. We will also hold a children’s rally in Koch Chrom which is a displacement camp. Then we get to visit Jonah's sponsored child, William Okello, with World Vision on Wednesday morning. That will be so cool for him as they have been writing letters to each other the last 3 years. Also on the agenda is to visit some of the area churches and people and offer prayer. Our hosts are incredible people. Rev. David is the District Superintendent of the East Africa Methodist Conference for the area. Pastor Solomon is the pastor of the church in Layibi. Dr. Moses has been with us every year we have come and will be helping Susan and Genessa in their training women on hygiene and first aid. Paul Corti with the Bishops office is with us too; he has been with us every year as well. They are all great men of faith and wonderful to be around.

This area in Gulu is much different than Jinja. Same issues, such as education, poverty, healthcare, lack of food, sickness, orphans, etc. But this area has seen war for 20 plus years. They are desperate and without hope. We learned tonight that the real challenges are happening now. Some may know... The LRA are currently hiding out in Sudan, Central Africa Republic, and Congo. They have not been in Northern Uganda for a while. The pastors said the government is now closing the camps and wanting people to go home. The situation looks safe and peaceful from the war and people are not coming as much to Gulu. NGO's are pulling out. The reason we had to take the bus is because there are no more commercial flights into Gulu. With all of this happening help is needed now more than ever. People are returning home to land that may have been taken over by others, there are no jobs, no skills, nothing to start over with. The world food program is no longer distributing, as well. This is the time when help is needed to begin to restore some normalcy in a generation who has never known normalcy. The Methodist Church is young and growing, but with limited resources. They need leadership training, clean water, job skill training, education... Sound familiar??

So we are here to encourage and help our brothers and sisters. They are already doing great work and we have come to fellowship, work with, worship with, learn from, and encourage our brothers and sisters. It is not going to be easy because it is so emotional. But we will simply be available to be a blessing to our hosts.

I am off to bed. Thank you for your prayers. All has gone well today.

Talk to you all tomorrow.

God bless you

CRT