Day 1 in Uganda

I'm writing this between 7:00PM and 8:00PM January 1, 2009.

After a wonderful night's sleep for most of us, we had breakfast here at the Ridar followed by Jim challenging us with our morning devotion. Our driver, Moses, picked us up in the Humble Place bus to transport us to a New Year's Day Worship service at Brother John's (not official name) United Methodist Church. It wasn't far from here, which was nice, but seeing everything in the daylight for the first time was quite an experience! Worship only lasted a little over 3 hours...yes, that's in real time...but it seemed like only a few minutes. Two visitng choirs, one from a local UM church started for, and by,Congoneese refugees and the other a local established UM congregation. We were then blessed by the Hope for Africa Children's Choir - second year recruits. Elna gave her personal testimony which was passionately translated by John and then Bishop Wambadula spoke to us. One of his most memorable remarks was "Humble Place School would not still be open if not for the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church." After the Bishop's brief message, Jimmy delivered a slam-dunk sermon, also brief, but powerful! John closed the service with an altar call...the response was precious...Jimmy, John, and some of our college students praying together over those who responded, while the Congoneese Church Choir sang and praised in the background. I really cannot adequately describe the level of worship we expereicned so I won't even try.

Because it is a holiday we stayed "close to home". We've watched the festivities throughout the afternoon here at the Ridar - as I write I look out at a traditional African dance band performing for the scores of people who have gathered to celebrate New Year's Day. I DO wish you could all hear those drums! Some of us have napped, read, enjoyed the cool breezes, and other's have solved the problems of the world while getting to know each other better. Steve has maxed out his camera memory card...on Day 1... and after some very frustrating attempts to communicate with local children, Kyle got an extensive lesson in speaking Lugandan from Richard of our hotel staff. We've had such fun watching the children discover their reflections in our sunglasses - something they are not accustomed to seeing. It been a restful and wonderful day. We'll have supper soon and then our team time together. Tomorrow morning we will meet with Bishop Wambadula and then travel to Humble Place School.

Parents of Amanda and Gina, and Randy...you know this already...you have so much of which to be proud!

We love seeing who has looked at the blog and your comments are definitely appreciated. We'll continue to attempt to keep a message posted each day...am not sure where our luck will end.

This evening as I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen, and reflected on this morning's worship experience, I was reminded of just exactly how big our God is. Good night.