Uganda: One Week Later

Well, we're here at our accomodations at Lweza Conference Center. Incredibly, we have electricity and running hot water. Unfortunately, internet is very spotty. Also unfortunately, the food is rather mundane- mostly a mush called "matoke" which the natives rave about, but is more like flavorless mashed bananas. Also prolific are mosquitos which seem intent on buzzing in our ears all night long. Our walls are spattered with blood stains and the bottoms of our sandals are covered in mosquito limbs.

We've been here a week today. On our plane there was a Ugandan Manchester United Soccer player who got a rousing welcome, with a caravan of fans waving signs and cheering. We were greeted by local pastors and their children. Karman and I wish the internet was fast enough to post pictures, because the children's beaming smiles are full of joy. Teaching and playing with the kids is truly rewarding. On the first day, the 34 orphans came to visit us. We spent the afternoon playing soccer with the kids and doing crafts with them.

This week, all the bishops of the Church of Uganda (an Anglican institution) were having a retreat here at the conference center. It's been eye-opening to interact with them and learn about Uganda from its own leaders. The difference between the perspectives of the uneducated pastors we are working with and these learned bishops is astonishing. While the bishops look to their country's future and understand the problems that afflict Uganda, others seem more satisfied in their situation. Education is really the solution to the problems here.

In one of the most impactful projects so far, we installed a computer lab at Sure Prospects Institute, a school for the disabled. Even though these kids are blind and deaf and don't have arms, they express so much joy. Yet, at the same time, the sores of poverty are still felt: just today, a boy died at one of the orphanages because of an untreated dog bite.

The situation is still not fixed and the task at hand is overwhelming. However a well was opened today, and the people are praising God. It's not much, but their hearts are on fire for God, and that it is a blessing to see.

Many of the orphans and local kids have never interacted with "mzungus" (white people). Everyone assumes we are both white- no one even considers that Brandon and I came from other parts of the world.

All in all, the trip has been fruitful. It's been neat to interact with the rest of the team, many of whom come from very different (Pentecostal) backgrounds. We are excited for Dr. Teng (Brandon's dad) to arrive on Monday and to start the health clinics with him. Pray for health for the team, and continued strength from the Lord in all our activities.

A pastor on the team gave us an important reminder: we are to love everyone in the name of Jesus Christ; if we do everything in our own power, but do not bring glory to the Name of Christ, then we have failed.

T minus 4 hours

So it seems like everything is packed, from the computers to the 4 rolls of costco toilet paper we burrowed out of the Teng's basement this morning. We were told that they use sandpaper, and Kirkland signature seemed like a comfortable alternative. While sitting here in Brandon's room, it's crazy to think we will be in Uganda in just over a day. Trips to Africa are always a little spotty: we really have no idea how things are going to be or how our plans will come out. Hopefully the school in Wamala was able to obtain tables for us to set up a comptuer lab on. Here we were worried about connecting the labs to the internet and Voltage convereters and regulators, and meanwhile they are trying to find tables. Tables were the last thing in our thoughts when considering the computer labs.
Prayer for smooth checking in process would be awesome. We have so many boxes which are barely under the limit at 70lbs... hopefully the scale wasn't reading low. Also pray for team unity in the first days of the trip, today will be the first time I meet the 8 people travelling with us. Pray that as the trip begins, every team member has unity in spirit and goes with the purpose of bringing glory to the Lord.

...and the packing goes on...

Less than 48 hours until departure, the computer lab is still not where we want it to be. Using machines that are much older than anything we have worked with since Jr high, these computers have been a test of patience. However with software to read the Bible and Word with printing capabilities, these labs will be a significant upgrade to those schools. Our 6 boxes we will check equals 420 pounds; that is the extent of what will go over.

Once everything is packed and ready to go, final touches will be made to the presentation materials. Pray that we will be effective in ministering and educating.

Keep us in your prayers, we are working diligently to be ready. Pray for smooth transitions through customs and airport security.

Our plane leaves at 640 pm on thursday, June 14th.

blessings

getting ready to leave...

As our thursday launch date approaches, Karman and I are working incredibly hard to get everything ready. We are currently preparing two computer labs that will be installed in a school for orphans and a school for the disabled. If you could. please pray that we will finish all we need to do before we leave thursday. Internet will be spotty while we are down there, but please check back here for updates.

Prayer for travel safety is always appreciated.

until next time-

God be with you.