Well today has been a great day! I will try and discuss the medical clinic and time at the special needs orphanage as best as I can. All reports from the team at each location indicated today was a great day.
Tim, Jonathan, and I spent the day working on a house with Mondi and Joseph to build for Patrick and his family. Both of these brothers (Mondi and Joseph) have worked with us since the first trip in 2007; they are great men of faith and friends. Patrick and his wife have a small farm and they are sustainable, but they desire to be the hands and feet of Christ to orphans. They have begun to take in orphaned children in their surrounding village. They have a family already, but felt called to provide for others as well. They currently have 12 kids in their family. I am not sure how many are biological and adopted, but they were all so happy to see us and thanked us all day for helping on their new home. The funds for this home were provided by the church and supporters. We got to work along side them and spend time with them. The provided us some fresh roasted peanuts and African tea for a break (I love African tea!) and I shared my trail mix with them. They loved the M & M's! Our day started with Tim mixing cement and Jonathan and I walked a half a mile to he stream to fill up Jerry cans with water and then carried two cans each back! The two cans weighed 40 pounds each. Needless to say we took a few more walk breaks than the normal Ugandan! We all mixed more cement and spent the day filling up the cement buckets of the masons, as well as, tossing up bricks. I am worn out! And we all got filthy, but the look on the faces Patrick and his wife was worth it all. Patrick asked God to bless us and in turn we told him that God sent us to bless him! Such a wonderful time.
Mondi took us to his house when we finished and introduced us to his wife and 4 children. He was very proud if his house, which he built himself, and his chicken coop he is currently building. We all took a picture of his family and with us in front of the chicken coop. It was their family portrait and we are sending pics to him for their modest little one bedroom home. Mondi is a mechanic and a home builder. He is so quiet but such a great man. He was a Muslim before he became a disciple of Christ.
Next Tim, Jonathan, and I went to the Eiksa Orphanage to pick up Dottie and Randi and hang with the kids fir awhile. I only got a taste of the kind of day the ladies had. It seemed awesome. These children are all developmentally disabled and in the culture they are shunned. A lot of families do not know how to care for, nor want to care for, these children. When we arrived the children that could walk came up to us and screamed with delight and wanted to be picked up. It was overwhelming, but incredible. We got to sit and hear stories and hold hands with the kids. I saw Jonathan pick up and hold two particular boys. It was a great sight. The smile on Jonathan's face was amazing. He is simply a great young man. I love getting to know him more. I hear there a pics of Randi leading the children with some killer cheerleader moves as well as forming 3 person pyramids with me. From what I hear every child laughed and loved it! These ladies had a great day and loved these kids. They made sure these kids knew they mattered. Great job ladies.
The clinic went well today. They got started a little late, but still managed to see around 336 people. I have not heard a lot yet, but from what can tell at dinner it was hard, but a great day.
Tomorrow will see some changes in the team. Randy and I will join the clinic and Richard is joining Tim and Jonathan at the house build. Emily and Erica will go to the orphanage with Dottie.
Our first full day of ministry was hard. Our first full day of ministry was long and hot and stressful at times; but our first day saw people starting their faith journey. Today saw people receiving medicine regardless of their beliefs. Today saw special needs kids being loved. Today saw a family receive a new home with more room to care for the orphans they feel called to take in to their family. Today saw Jesus proclaimed and the church being His hands and feet. Today was a good day.
We have all eaten and most everyone is in their rooms. We are tired and ready for bed. Good night everyone. Tomorrow is a new day and tomorrow will be another hard, long and great day. There does not appear to be anymore illness on the team. Everyone is doing well and working well together. I have met some great people. New friends. The openness of Emily, Erica, Allison, Diane, Sue, Cheryl, Traci, Les, Mike, Connie,Richard,Dottie,Tony,Tim,Jonathan,Randi, Susan to do whatever they can to be a blessing to another team member or a Ugandan they come into contact with is the way the church should work. It has been a great day!
Please keep us in your prayers. We feel and need them.
Good night. I am off to bed.
CRT
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