Man what a start to the day. Jonah and I went with one of our hosts, Paul Lakuma, to the World Vision office to meet Jonah's sponsored child, William Okello. We drove with the staff about 30 min outside of Gulu to the sub county of Koro to the village of Onang.

We were greeted by William with a huge smile on his face. We were asked to enter his family's hut where the WV hosts made introductions and Jonah and I introduced our selves.

I have to say I am deeply touched and honored by the family. William's father, Geoffery, and mother, Agnes, were overwhelmed to host us in their house. We also met his grandmother and several ladies from the village. There are about 220 sponsored kids in this village and we met some mothers of other sponsored kids and they wanted to thank us for being sponsors. The thankfulness the family expressed to us was humbling. I see the sponsorship as a small thing we can do monthly to help. I don't think about it realistically, but while small it is a huge blessing to William and his family. I cannot really describe it adequately.

William was all smiles. He and Jonah hit it off. Not much conversation. While William knows English the translation for many Ugandans can be difficult. But he loved his gifts. We gave him an official 2010 FIFA world cup soccer ball and an air pump, a comic book bible, a regular Bible, and an Arkansas Razorback baseball t shirt just like Jonah's. The WV hosts told us how touched the family was to have a Bible. We were told that a gift of a Bible is huge. Again, something I take for granted sometimes and for William and his family and others in the village it is considered a huge blessing.

They family wanted to cook a meal for us which is a big deal. It is a huge honor and to refuse is not an option. Our WV hosts said we could not have the meal due to the time of day we arrived, so we had a snack of sodas and English tea biscuits in the shade of a tree. And since we could not eat a meal the family offered us a gift of a live chicken. Now at first I was not sure what to do, but as was explained to us this gift of a chicken is one of high honor in their culture. Not everyone has a chicken and to part with one is a huge honor. We accepted it and donated it to world Vision. This family parted with food to show us how thankful they are. They sacrificed a meal for us. Wow. I cannot explain my thoughts on this without tearing up.

I have to say this experience was overwhelming for me. This family was so thankful for the help for William. They accepted us as a part of their family and to see how honored they were to receive us in their home. I was honored to meet them and they showed us such hospitality. It moved me to see them and visit. I was truly humbled.

Jonah and William took the soccer ball outside and had a blast. Other kids came out and Jonah and William just looked like 2 buddies playing futbol. It was great and made me smile.

We met back up with the team and headed to Koch Chorom to see their church. The other team had a great visit to Not For Sale and the WV Children of War rehab center. There were actually 14 children at the center and Jody and Pastor Titus got to share with the kids. What a wonderful time!! It seems that the center has been receiving child soldiers from the Congo and CAR. It is wonderful that the center is there to begin the healing process for these child soldiers.

At Koch Chorom we sang and danced for a while; Elizabeth and Genessa were getting down!! The people loved seeing the MuNu's (Northern Uganda’s term for white person) dancing!!

Genessa and I shared about our faith journey. Genessa really connects with the ladies when she speaks. It was another great talk!!

Jody shared a sermon and many people came to faith. Another humbling experience was when went to see the Methodist church. They have no building and meet under a fig tree for service. There are 20 adults and 30 children.

Once again Elizabeth and Jonah just were a favorite with the kids. We brought out the soccer ball again and Jonah sat down and played catch with some kids with a ball he made out of grass. Let me tell you his braces bring on lots of looks and questions!

It was a great day. A lot of emotion and joy shared with our brothers and sisters.

We are tired and heading to the hotel after dinner. It is 10pm here.

Tomorrow we go back to Layibi and finish teaching in the workshop.

Our time in Uganda has been full and incredible. It is also coming to an end.

We cannot wait to see our families!!

Talk to you tomorrow!!

Thank you for your prayers!!
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