Well after traveling all day, again, to get to Jinja we took some down time at the hotel before heading to see a widows group made up of women and children affected by HIV and AIDS.... Some were infected and some were affected by the loss of family. This is the group we bought the beaded necklaces from to sell in the US; they receive 100% of the money. In fact, God opened up a door and I was able to sell the last 100 necklaces the weekend before we left Northwest Arkansas. We brought the $500 to them! Love that!! These ladies and children have limited sources of income to buy medicine or pay school fees for the children. We may have found a home for our next chicken house. Edward is going to look into it for us.

So.... here is how it went.... one word.... AMAZING! As we pulled up in the bus they were singing and clapping and welcoming us with such hospitality. I felt honored to be there. As we came into the community center they entertained us with songs of welcome and songs that told a story of their plight. The assistant director welcomed us and thanked us for buying the beads and how much the funds help them. I am bringing more back so be ready to buy gifts for people and make an impact for some awesome ladies and children. Edward also spoke and introduced the team. We heard more songs and dancing. Jody shared a message of encouragement with them. He is such a great teacher. Then it happened... Jody said he wanted the ladies and children to teach us all how to dance and shake our hips like them. They laughed and loved that. And then.... proceeded to do just that. All of us were brought out and had a sash tied around our waist and proceeded to dance and rejoiced along side them. Elizabeth had a young man grab her hands and dance with her. Mike was shaking it with everyone he could. Jody was a wild man out there. Susan was doing her thing and I think Genessa had practiced before because she was generating all kinds of yells. Curiously Tim got lots of pics and some video but missed out on as much dancing as they rest of us, but I did see him shake those hips!! Jonah was right in the middle of it even though he told me he was not looking forward to it. But after he got in the middle of it and a young boy and his friend grabbed Jonah and I and danced with us, he was laughing and having a great time. Yes we all danced. And yes we were proud. Were we good? Not really, but that is not the point. The point was to be there with them again (we visited last year) and dance and pray and share and laugh and let them know by being there that they matter. They are not broken or dirty people. They are created in God's image and He loves them and so do we!!! It was simply and amazing evening. I am humbled each time I come to serve. I learn so much more that I share. I learn more or what the church really is and how to really love people. Wow!

The team is getting along great. We are enjoying each others company and learning more about each other and developing great relationships.

Tomorrow we head to Mayuge and begin working on the classrooms and playing with children. We will give out over 800 beanie babies while we are there and use 100 bubble wands as well. Our scripture we shared tonight for tomorrow is Joshua 3:5 “consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you”. That is our prayer. To be used by God and love people tomorrow.

Thank you for your prayers. We feel them. And we all hope to bring dancing to the US church. It is about time we liven it up a bit!!

God bless and good night. Dinner is over and we are all going to sleep. Long and busy and hard and incredible day tomorrow!!

CRT