One Step at a Time: So Blessed to go to Uganda!

What a wonderful trip we had to Uganda! The purpose of our trip was to help Pastor Mathias conduct a seminar for children's church teachers. We took a curriculum and some teaching "hints" and off we went! It was WONDERFUL to be there! Uganda is absolutely beautiful! Everything was green, and lush. Even though Dubai is pretty in its own way, Uganda is absolutely gorgeous! Pastor Mathias and Frances were THE BEST, sharing their home with us!

We spent Friday and Saturday doing the seminar. We began each day around 11:00, stopped for lunch around 1:30, and finished around 4:00. It was such a blessing to work with the teachers and hear how committed to the children they were. Some of them had teachers helping them that THEY had taught previously! That's what it's all about! They were excited about the material we brought, and were planning to use it in some churches the very next day!
On Sunday, we went to church at Pastor Mathias's church. I always tell them it is my favorite place to worship! Then, to hear the teachers use the training to teach was such a blessing! After church, we went to one of the hospitals. There are no words adequate to describe it. Mathias kept trying to explain it to us, and I think decided that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Beds were crowded into rooms. It was not clean, with very few nurses and doctors. Families must stay at the hospital with their loved ones to provide food, wash their bedding and clothes, and make sure they have everything they need. Family members sleep on the floor by the bed or outside. Even though I am trying to describe the conditions in the hospital, it is beyond words. It is impossible to describe the awfulness there.
We went out to Wakisi where they were having children's church. What a blessing to see Lea teaching the children about God! We then went to Mashah Village, which is the orphanage associated with Eleváre. The children were absolutely precious, and it was so good to see them again. There are twenty-one children there now.
On Monday, Mathias took us back through Kampala to Entebbe to catch our flight home. We stopped in Kampala to buy beads!!! What fun! The area where we went was in Kampala, and houses were crowded close together. Mathias knew just where to go! When he told them we needed beads, women came from all directions with beads! Mathias is quite the "deal maker!"
This trip was such a confirmation for us! God is so good! When Mathias asked us to come, I found myself saying "yes" and could literally visualize stepping off the "edge." God helped me find resources to adapt for their curriculum; He gave me friends to help me prepare my presentation and pray, and He stood right beside us the whole trip...One Step at a Time!