We are packed full in a small bus driving home after a day
in Tororo. Normal to
life and roads here, our two hour trip took four and our 8am
departure was more like 8:30, so in a way we were early leaving and late arriving
and well...that is Uganda.
Gorillas gave us a welcomed interruption and no one minded
sacrificing a peanut butter sandwich to draw them close for pictures.
Pastor Roman, Chayah's pastor had planned the day for us,
which included stopping and praying at a pond hungry for catfish. The feeding routine was demonstrated and we
were pretty surprised when a ringing bell brought them to the corner and the
surface of the water. I suppose that
answers the question, "do fish have ears?" We were shown a business plan and the details
about how to begin this kind of thing.
It takes 8 months for a catfish to reach maturity and barring
difficulties, yields about a 50% profit margin.
We pulled into Tororo about 11:30am and the
church was only about 1/3
full. We split up
into groups and headed out to visit and share the gospel with people.
I was treated to a classroom of primary
students who sat dutifully and listened to who Jesus is and his gift of
salvation.
The darling group wanted to gift
me with a dance in return. I loved
it. Their serious faces made sense when
my interpreter explained it was the
traditional dance of suffering.
I just hate
that. It doesn't seem right that there
is enough suffering in their lives to warrant a dance.
Each group met back at the church with reports of what they
had seen, who they had talked to and how God had weaved his way in the pairings
and placement of each group.
We sang and danced, word got out as the rain came pouring
down...and then they came.
We ate lunch
then Evan opened our afternoon by teaching on Philemon and the abundant grace
and compassion of Christ.
We split into
four groups, Men, Women, Youth and kids.
Each of us took a turn teaching and answering questions as
best we could. We closed the day with
more introductions of our team, more singing and some dancing. We were
given gifts of corn and peanuts and we were so
grateful.
Uganda is challenging everywhere. Everywhere you look, struggle and suffering
screams "UNFAIR" to us.
Compassion doesn't feel like enough, planning to pray for a
community we met and
leave behind seems inadequate because we have seen faces,
individuals. But He
is trustworthy and faithful.
An hour into our drive home, everyone started singing. Truthfully Branden got the kids to tap out a
beat with empty water bottles. Chris
joined in with a rap and now for an hour straight we have listened to a van
full of beautiful voices singing praise music with such exuberance. Different ones taking turns as the
soloist. I admit that when I am listening to Chayah's kids, sound travels through my heart before it reaches my ears, so harmonies sound angelic.
Pastor Roman, Pastor Brian will not be left out and everything from
behind my front seat position is music that can carry a spirit heavenward.
Wish you were here to hear it...but then again this two hour
bus ride back will be anything but two.
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