Sunscreen, Deet, and Stinky Feet

Blog post 6/6/15

Achwang

This morning Gulu was a beautiful, partly cloudy morning. A slight breeze kept things cool. The evening had passed and the sun was rising. A restful night of sleep was a welcome friend. Ok. Scratch that. For the Three Ugandan Amigos (Matt, Greg, and myself) a quiet evening of rest was not in the picture. It seems our room is located next to an apartment that is used by the military. Since they have the weekends off starting Friday night and continuing tonight (Saturday), they enjoy life and relax. And they enjoy life loudly. We had the loudest bad karaoke of metal and soft rock songs I have ever heard. The singers were so off key!! And they went late into the night. The last I checked they were still at it at 3:30am! Although rest was lacking, it was an interesting night for sure! I do love this country so much. It surprises me with something new every year.

The evening entertainment did not keep us from an amazing day.

Dancing in the Rain

We started out with a fellowship time at Ariaga, UMC. Pastor Douglas is a wonderful man. So kind and soft spoken with a warm and generous spirit and huge smile. We got to sing and worship of course. Then he gave us a report of their micro finance project. I was blown away by the results. Our church provided some seed money to start of 2,400,000 shillings ($800). The church has members submit business plans and repayment plans to apply for a loan. They started out with 10 members and have grown to the 19 current. The church has received all the principal it has loaned out back, plus the interest of 1,558,000 shillings. What an incredible return. The church tithed from the profit received to the district office, as well as, bought 60 new plastic chairs for the church.

We heard from two members of how the micro finance project has helped them and their families. One was a lady who makes and sells charcoal and the other was a man who owns a small grocery stand. The grocery stand was able to take the loan and expand the number of products he sells. This helped him generate a greater profit. Both have taken the profits of their business to send their children to school. What a truly an amazing thing to hear about! They both were so excited to share how this program had impacted them and their families. Seems like such a little thing to fund $800 in capital to a program that is now generating capital for businesses to grow, which increases profits and in turn pays back their loan with interest. The church generates money.  Also, the business owner tithes to the church allowing more in the community to benefit not only from the loans but also the works of the church. Incredible. Almost like the story of the loaves and fishes.

Next the group split up for the remainder of the day. Matt and Katherine went back to Koch Chorom with Kara. Kara is an American from Kentucky who is working with the Methodist church for a year establishing a sponsorship program and children's ministries. She will be turning the programs over to a Ugandan when her time is up in August. Matt and Katherine got to see the program, help teach, dance and sing with the children. It sounded like they had a fantastic day.

The rest of the team went to Pastor Douglas's house for lunch and to pray for his home. A few months ago his house caught fire (from a neighbor burning) and some members of our church raised funds to help them build a new home. It was a special time to be in the presence and share a meal with this great man. We were able to share cultural differences and learn a little more about war and its effect on Gulu. Douglas was abducted as a child and spent three months in the LRA till he was able to escape. Talk about humbling. Pastor Edward prayed for and blessed his home. I love seeing Ugandans from the North and South engage and support one another. The meal that Patricia, Douglas's wife, prepared for us was one of the best meals I have had in Uganda. Rice, beef, and potatoes. Not sure how she prepared the potatoes and beef but the flavor. Wow! (Most Ugandan food is bland, so flavor is and unexpected treat!)

Next we headed to Achwang UMC. This was quite the experience. We turned off the main road heading to Opit. And kept driving through the bush. Finally, we arrived at a place where the bus could no longer go, so we walked through the bush to a little village in the middle of nowhere. A small wooden structure was set up as the other “church” which had been flooded a couple of weeks ago, as it is located next to a creek. A children's choir greeted as we walked up. And, of course, they were amazing! All choirs in Uganda seem to be real, heartfelt and incredible.

This church is led by Pastor Josephine. She has worked with us in the past for many years and is a great lady. This is another new church and she is helping it grow. To be able to come to a place like this to encourage, support and share is humbling. Greg and I spoke to 40-50 people made up of women, children, and a few men. They were engaging while they listened and, again, thanked us for coming. What a wonderful time. To be out in the middle of nowhere and be able to share God's word with encouragement is humbling, for sure. These are our brothers and sisters. Separated by 10,000 miles and we can still sing, dance and worship together. 

After walking back to the bus we headed on to Opit.  As usually happens- we added a few travelers. Seems when we drive through the country from one place to the next we give rides.  We gladly exceed the capacity of Rosa the bus. I had 8 people sitting on my row alone. But, hey, we are all family right?

We visited Opit on the very first trip in 2007. It is too far out for the children to walk to Gulu, like others did for safety during the war; this village was attacked quite often by the LRA. We had held medical clinics here in the past.  The plan today was for another open air crusade. When we arrived and began setting up the sound system we were greeted by another children's choir. I love this every time! Once the keyboard and speakers were ready they were cranked to 11 (yes, seriously. The Ugandans like their music at ear splitting levels) and began to sing and dance.

Pastor Peter played the keyboard and Kennedy led the song and dance. These two men are incredibly talented. I love watching them worship! We had a delay so the team jumped in to learn to dance. That's right the white folks went all in and danced. Then the rain hit and moved most everyone inside but the choir kept singing and dancing outside. When the rain got to be too heavy everyone moved inside and the crusade took place. It was cramped and crowded, but it was church. Katie shared her testimony. She was wonderful. I love seeing Katie serving in Uganda. She’s always around children, always engaging everyone, and always smiling. She is a fabulous young lady! Pastor Edward shared the message and two people came to faith. My brother knows how to preach the word! It was funny in a great way to see all of us crowded in this little mud and thatch structure in worship. As it was getting dark and a small light was turned on; it gave me the sense of the early church- meeting in a home, simply singing and sharing the scripture together. We had a truly a wonderful time. As we wrapped up, we made a mad dash to the bus along with our guest riders to head back to town.

The team has been incredible. Their intentionality and engagement shines. Melissa is always praying and loving on the mamas and grandmothers. Sarah, Katie, Katherine and Matt are always with the kids. Greg is soaking all of it up asking questions and learning about the culture and the people. He plays with kids and I lose count of the times a day I hear him say "I am in Africa! This is a choir, a church, a (fill in the blank) in Africa". So in wonder and amazement. Be proud of your teammate. They are all in while here. Truly being a blessing.

You may have noticed the title to this blog post, Sunscreen, Deet, and Stinky Feet. That pretty much sums up the team's essence shall we say. When the sun comes out it is blistering, then the rains come with “Hello, Mosquitos” and the spray of both on our Chaco'ed feet mixed with red dust and mud has left us with some funkiness. But it's out team motto at this point and the laughter heard from the team just makes me smile. Lots of scrubbing when we all get home!

I do not have time here, but be sure to ask Greg about Buttercup in Opit. Yes, it's a good story... and worth it.

Today I was reminded, once again, that our time here listening, fellowshipping and worshipping is so worth it. We received some feedback from local's and other missionaries that the people, are truly honored and thankful we came to visit them. I guess, if I desire to be more like Jesus then it makes sense there are times to just be with people. Loving, laughing and praying with them. Letting them know they matter and have value. I need to reminder this when I get home, as well.

Good night, everyone. Thank you again for your prayers. We miss you, but we cannot wait for tomorrow!

God bless
Chris