THE WORK BEGINS... 07/05/2010
It’s bordering on mind blowing to think that we travel from Kitchener and have the opportunity to come across people we know or have been told to look out for in this village called Wakisi along the banks of the Nile. Today, Robert Sityo jumped from his bus when he noticed a group of “muzungas” standing by the side of the road (“they must be my friends from Grandview”); Sue Sommer bumped unexpectedly into Geoffrey (a good friend of the Puersten family and others from the January 2009 trip). Others on the team experienced other wonderful encounters here. They speak to the value of the relationships formed and the trust nurtured that we are so readily welcomed and embraced – not because we come bearing gifts, but more because of the commitment made and the care and concern shown. Today, we invested the day in purchasing supplies for the 50 family kits and the teacher sessions that will commence Wednesday. Distribution of the kits began in earnest this afternoon. My group ventured a couple kilometers off the main highway to a tiny church where about 50 – 60 worshippers gather each week. During our day in this part of Wakisi sub-county, we met families in torturous circumstances: a husband and wife with six very young children and no means of supporting them; the family kit we left behind was tremendous encouragement to them, as it was the young mother who is suffering from AIDS. Entering their small huts, stale with smoky, stifling hot air, we saw a world so opposite from our own – hardly habitable for any form of life let alone our brothers and sisters here. And yet, this is how 90 percent of people in Uganda and much of the world live their lives. Back at Mto Myoni, the heat has zapped team members of any remaining energy. The showers that are so shockingly cold each morning are looked forward to revitalize and take away the grime and sweat that has become the team’s common outward signature. The sun has begun melting away over the Nile, the mightiness of one of the world’s great rivers constantly rumbling and our first full day working in the village has come to an end. For some, there may have been some impatience as to when we would really begin to get into gear; this evening, those gears are grinding a little slowly, the impatience replaced with the stark images of the many people we’ve met and their seemingly hopeless situations. We pray for them that the our shared faith and hope in Christ would sustain them. We’re humbled making the request. John D. CommentsAndrea Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:18:28 I pray that God's Spirit gives you fresh energy for the tasks ahead. May each and every one of you be an instrument of His Love as you work with the people there. (1 Cor. 13 and Gal. 5:22-24) Serious Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:46:52 Thanks for connecting us once again with the happenings in Wakisi. Hearing the stories brings out the goose bumps. Hoping that everyone is slowly beginning to settle in, especially as it sounds like the hard work has already begun. Marion E. Gardiner Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:54:46 We are praying for each of you [as well as those you are serving] every day that God will show you what it is He wants to make real to you and that the images you witness there will be seared into your hearts and minds. CAROLANN DELAPLANTE Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:35:08 Hi everyone, Leave a Reply |
