Today was our final day in Gulu district. We spent the day with the church at Koch Goma whose pastor is Peter. It was a similar day to yesterday at Koch Chorom.
First we visited the Prime Time Primary school which is run, personally, by Pastor Soloman from Layibi. The different classes shared various songs and poems with us. Many of the mothers of the children were there as well. It was such a blessing to see a mother smile and clap excitedly when her child got a solo speaking or singing part. Pride in our children. Not any different than in America. It was a short visit but so much fun to spend time with these little children. They were not quite sure what to think of us, but they shook hands and took pictures with us. Today in Uganda is a national holiday, Heroes Day. Today honors those who fought in battle for the country. Jody led a prayer over the teachers where he called them heroes; He had the parents come up and surround the teachers in prayer for them. Incredible! Even more so is we did not know what holiday it was till after the prayer!
We arrived in Koch Goma and were welcomed by the choir with singing and dancing as we entered the modest church building. Out front a group of us jumped right in line with the choir and danced unto the Lord! What a joy (well it brings much laughter from our Ugandan brothers and sisters) when we join in. They may laugh but they dance right along with us and help us with the moves.
As we entered the church, the team spread out among the people. Every time we have come to Uganda and met they have seats at the front for us as special guests. This always makes me uncomfortable. I don't want to be seen as anything other than a brother in Christ from another country. The great thing was the team spread out and I saw people sitting on mats next to adults and holding children. I saw members sitting on benches around the walls talking to adults. It was fellow spiritual family members coming together to worship! Beautiful sight!
We got to worship with another song from the choir, as well as a couple from the youth choir. Lots of music, singing, clapping and dancing!
Pastor Peter then shared about the various projects the church has started to bless the community. They have a brick making venture that the youth run. They train the youth to make and lay bricks. The youth have committed to making all the bricks for the permanent church building when it is time for construction. They have already made 10,000 of the 25,000 they will need. We also got to see the new banana farm the church planted. They plan to grow and sell fruit at the market. Church members will be able to earn an income from working the farm, as well as the church when the product is sold. And finally they have a micro finance project. Once again, this project is growing and helping by supporting each other. The fund has more than doubled from loans and payback with interest many times over. Community members are able to get some capital and start a business, expand or help their household and they pay it back which benefits the church and others. The great thing is the micro finance project is open to all community members. No requirement to be a church member, but the church does give God the glory and it is a way to share their faith.
I am so blown away by the vision and creativity of the Gulu district churches. They are growing their churches by preaching the gospel first and foremost, but they are also reaching out to the community with tangible solutions for needs. This makes me so happy! To see it working on the level it is working is incredible. Each church had members who stood up and told us how the various income projects had changed their family’s lives. They gave God the all the credit and praise! Outstanding!
We all took a stroll down to see the banana farm and brick kiln. It was quite a sight to see about 50-60 people walking down a road and through the bush made up of a few muzungus (white people) and Ugandans. What a picture! We walked about a kilometer there and back; it was great to see each team member talking, fellowshipping and sharing while walking the red dirt roads of Uganda through beautiful country.
When we returned we had lunch. Always an adventure for some in the villages. We had posho, goat, chicken, cassava, sweet potatoes, avocados, bananas, and rice. Today was a treat as we had plastic forks. I forgot to report that yesterday in Koch Chorom we went full on traditional and ate with our hands!
After lunch we basically spent the next few hours playing with kids. The team put on a puppet show again. That brought out the adults and teenagers. This was a hit! Great job to our team of Ashley, Chris H, Beth, Olivia, Kariel, Benson, Katie, and Leigh for putting on a fantastic show!
We then played the "I have a Game" game. That is a blast. Of course, the people like to pick us so we have to get in the circle and make the crazy movements. Kariel, Leigh, Jennifer and Cheryl were fabulous!
Shout out to Katherine for sharing her testimony with the kids. The teenage girls were at full attention when she was speaking. Great job to this young lady for making an impact of other young ladies.
Today we face painted the children. Every child and some adults got a cross on their check or arm. It was another huge hit. As were bubbles. Bubbles are big time in Uganda!
The pastors began to set up for the crusade, so we moved the children to a spot next door. The team just kept playing, running, laughing and loving the children. Soccer. A jumping game that Kariel got pulled into. A slide. Bubbles. And then a huge game of Duck Duck Goose broke out. It was great hearing the laughter from the children and adults. Everyone had a blast. Ashley was picked numerous times! Everyone was yelling as the two players raced around the circle. What a joy. I was even picked and could not catch the young man, but I picked Dennis (one of our helpers. He is a wonderful young man I love to visit with) and I was about to pull in safely when my Chacos slipped and I lost balance and went to bear crawling before finally diving head first on the ground. Flat on my face. Let's just say the roar of the crowd was in awe of my gracefulness. I bring the joy of the Lord to Uganda!
The crusade started. Chris H. And Allison shared their testimony. Our team does a great job of being real and honest about themselves. It really resonates with the people. The locals believe that in America all is awesome and there are no problems. When we share trials and struggles or simply how we lean on God for everyday life the people see that we are all the same. Just from different places and look different. Both ladies were fantastic.
The team jumped in and joined the dancing and singing with our brothers and sisters and it was great! We shared in prayer with those who had struggles. We joined with other believers. We were the church. Together.
I titled this post "When you catch a glimpse of heaven..." and I believe we did over these last three days. All colors, nationalities and languages will stand before the throne and praise the Lord. This happened. We were not different. We were family. Praising one God. It was a glimpse of heaven. And it was beautiful.
Tomorrow we leave Gulu for Jinja. Another 8 hour bus ride. It will be sad to leave our friends. The team has fallen in love with the pastors, their churches and family just as I have. It is sad to go. But our time together was a blessing to both of us. It is time we will all remember and cherish. The farewell at each church was not good bye... It was 'till we meet again'
Peace my brothers and sisters. May God bless you all.
Chris
The Leaders of Gulu district...
These are the pastors we worked with this year. Incredible men. Faithful men. Leaders in their community. I am honored to call them friend,
Pastor Soloman - Layibi UMC
Pastor Douglas - Ariega UMC
Pastor Titus - Opit UMC
Pastor Peter - Koch Goma
Pastor Alphonse - Koch Chorom
These men are gentle and humble yet powerful and strong in their faith and as leaders. Each of them come from the communities they serve. They each came up with the ideas for the different income projects in their churches. Incredible men who serve an incredible God.
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