Uganda Recap: Day Four

On our way out to the village this morning, we got a sweet surprise before we left the guesthouse. As our team was preparing to board the bus, a taxi pulled in with all of the girls from the orphanage, including our sponsor orphan, Hilda. They were going to the fair today. And they were at the guest house. They all piled out of the van and onto the sidewalk. I was thankful for our seats on the right side of the bus that morning. From our window, we could see Hilda. The girls stopped and waved to us and my heart melted. I was able to catch Hilda's eye, and when I did, wave at her. She returned the wave and I longed more than anything else to get off that bus and embrace her. So close, yet so far away. Only a few more days until we'd be able to meet this sweet girl.

Upon arrival at Buyinda

When we arrived at the village of Buyinda, I joined the team that would go to the schools today. Matt stayed behind in the village. (Sidenote: One of the ladies who Matt had the privilege of leading to the Lord the day before showed up at the village church to learn more!) There was a group of five of us who went to the schools, along with a couple of our ever faithful pastors to translate for us. The first school we went to was a primary school. The ages ranged from 4-16 and this particular school happened to be a Christian school. Upon our arrival, there were shouts of joy and screeches of delight. As we walked through their school grounds, all the children fell in behind us and it felt like we were in some sort of parade. To say they were excited would be an understatement! We met with the headmaster in his hut before we began the program with the children. We all signed in to the vistor's log. We learned that this school allows orphans to attend for free so that they too can receive an education. The average cost for private school for a period of three months is about 15,000 shillings. (1 U.S. dollar = approx. 2500 shillings) A drop in the bucket for us but a huge sacrifice for the parents of these children considering the average daily wage is 1000 shillings. Yes, daily wage. School children start early and end late. It's more like holding down an 8-5 job in our world with a break for lunch. Many children walk a long way to get to school and often alone. Kidnapping is rampant in Uganda because so many children walk alone.

In front of the school children, all 450 of them, we told the story of Jesus. We each had a part and my part was to tell the story of the Last Supper. I told them about how Jesus had a group of good friends and that He told them He would have to leave soon, but that He promised to return. So, in His absence, He asked his good friends to eat a meal in remembrance of Him until He returned. I told them how Jesus wants to be a good friend to each of them too. After the story, Kate gave her testimony and Sayre presented the Gospel. We sang songs with the kids and then it was our turn for a treat. Apparently, each school has a special emphasis, kind of like our magnet schools here. Some schools in Uganda might be known for their sports or ministry, but this school's emphasis was on music. There was a group of older children who was preparing for a competition that was going to be held on Friday. So, before we left, they gave us a taste of their talent. It was unbelievable! Check out the pictures and the short video clip below to see what we were blessed with.

School house

After entering school grounds,
this was the view when I looked behind me!

Kate giving her testimony to the students

Dancing and Singing

As we headed out, we handed the headmaster some school supplies and said our good-byes, and again, we paraded out of the school grounds, with all children following us. Talk about feeling like a superstar!

After lunch, we headed to a secondary school, ages 16-25. Pulling up to the gate, we all felt a bit intimidated by the older kids. Instead of screeches of joys and shrieks of excitement, we were met with blank stares from clumps of kids here and there. Just like in the morning, we met with the headmaster before meeting with the students. These students were in the middle of exams so we had a constant in-and-out flow of traffic the whole time we were there. Walking up to the classroom where we would teach, what was once our game plan had to be shifted around again. This was also a Christian school and we felt a little silly telling the story of the Last Supper and presenting the Gospel in the same way we did for the younger kids. Think presenting college students with kindergarten material and you might be able to relate to what was going through our minds. After shifting things around, we had a plan. Kate shared a strong message. The students had great participation and the Holy Spirit was definitely moving in that place. What seemed like a disaster when we arrived, turned out to be an afternoon filled with the hand of God. He truly worked through the girls who spoke in that place.

Secondary School classroom

This boy could answer every question that we asked.
We were able to give him his own Bible before we left.

These students soaked up every word said and diligently took notes.

We finished up around 4 o'clock, about the same time as the school lets out for the day. Our bus hadn't arrived to pick us back up yet as they had taken another team to a nearby prison. So, our group began to walk back towards the village. Pastor Stephen and I were able to talk more on this walk and it was here where he told me that he thought of Matt and me as his family friends. "I feel it in my spirit," he told me. I'll never forget that moment.

Our bus arrived just as we almost reached the village and we piled on. Back at the village, I met an older boy whose first question to me was, "Who is your god?" I replied, "Jesus Christ is my God. Who is yours?" He said that he was a believer and then kept repeating "with God all things are possible." He told me that he wants to be a doctor and that he loves to study. I pray that his parents would be able to provide for him so that his dreams might be realized.

The boy who asked "Who is your god?"

To finish the day up, we headed out to the main road for another Crusade.

Tom gave his testimony and Paul preached the Gospel.

Heather having a little fun with the locals!

On our way back to the guesthouse, someone took out their portable speakers and we plugged up an iPod with praise and worship music. In no time at all, the entire bus was singing along to the songs, just as if we were back home in a Journey worship service. It certainly lifted any heavy spirits or those who were homesick and made the ride home much quicker. What an awesome experience to be on a bus with 23 other friends from Journey, singing songs to our God, in the middle of Africa.

Exhausted as usual, we pulled into the guesthouse ready for dinner and our nightly meeting. It was a good day today. A very good day, indeed.