Week to 2 in the Pearl of Africa

It is almost the end of week two in Uganda and the Lord has been teaching us so much.

We have been surprised to find that Uganda already has a strong praying church (we love their fervency in prayer), but the Lord is using this fact strategically in raising up a day and night house of prayer in this place. Additionally, Uganda’s geographical position next to several needy nations (most of them Muslim) makes missions potential enormous. Partnering with Jesse and Rachelle’s vision has been awesome!

The team has been fully embracing the adventure of Ugandan life: the girls wearing long skirts every day, using the squatty potty instead of a toilet, eating rice and beans, the power going off almost every evening …. the Lord has been teaching us to live simply as well as having a thankful heart at all times and valuing relationship more than time.

The joy we see in the Ugandans has especially gripped our hearts. There is almost no worship song where the Ugandans do not sing loudly and passionately, clapping their hands and dancing. It is very contagious!

First Outreach to Bukedia

For our first weekend in Uganda, the team split in two. Some of us went to Bukedia for outreach and others stayed at the house of prayer doing hours of prayer and worship as well as visiting an orphanage.

Carly, Casey, Linda, Kate, Nichole and I (Belen) went to Bukedia. We were engaged in preaching at local churches and the prison, hut to hut evangelism and sharing the gospel with Muslims at a crusade. By the end of the weekend, we had visited 7 local churches, 1 prison and 40 huts. 65 people were saved and connected to local churches for follow up. Praise God!

Some highlights we will not forget:

-       The joy and loud cheers of the local people and especially the children, every time they received us.

-       The respect given to elders in this culture is evident. Women and children kneel to say hello as a show of respect.

-       Showering while standing on a rock surrounded by grass walls and sticks, open to the African sky.

-          Sleeping in mud huts on thin mattresses.

-          Receiving gifts from our hosts: g-nuts and a chicken.

-          Men holding hands as a demonstration of love and friendship.

Interesting facts:

-          Carly preached the gospel to three Muslims and then baptized them in water during hut to hut evangelism.

-          A lizard crawled on Kate, Linda and Belen’s arms and legs, waking them up in the middle of the night.

-          John Thurlow is already famous in Africa as we sang “Strong Love” during the crusade (they loved it).

-          We all preached a sermon and/or shared our testimony at the local churches or the crusade.