We made it to Uganda!
After 33 hours of flight, 11 team members arrived here at the Stevensons' compound with 22 pieces of checked luggage and all our carry-on luggage. We made it! Looking back at that description doesn't really capture the trip because it's long, boring, and uncomfortable. But once we arrive, all that doesn't matter because it's good to be back.
After arriving at 1:30 in the morning (yes, there are two times of the day for a time called "1:30"), we greeted the Stevensons and those who work with them here, got settled in our rooms, and tried to get some sleep before breakfast. Solid sleep came with difficulty, especially with all the sounds of Uganda - birds, birds, birds! And, because we're right on the equator, the sun gets them all up at 6am sharp!
After breakfast, we all piled into three vehicles to go to Kasubi for church services. For the first time in my experience, we are overlapping with another church project team. The folks from Lima, Ohio, Crossroads Church have been here a few weeks and are wrapping up their visit. These are great folks who have that familiar glow of a successful trip and an eagerness to head back home to their families. Also, our own Grant Fisher is wrapping up his month-long journey mapping out all the churches we have invested in over the last 7 years. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the chronicles of his adventure.
As we arrived in Kasubi after 11am, the services were already in full swing. Singing and dancing greeted us as we found our places and joined in when we knew the songs and just clapped along with the rhythm otherwise. This is typical for the services here. They begin singing and dancing and celebrating Christ. Then, whenever most have arrived, the service begins...with more singing, dancing, and celebrating Christ. There were testimonies, a great sermon by the General Director Moses Abosoola on being thankful in ALL circumstances, offering (of course) where all went forward to worship through giving, and more singing and dancing. When all was done, the service was "complete" (I'm not sure the worship ever really ceases, does it?), and it was close to 3pm. That's right, well over 3 hours of worship!
This was a special service in that all the church of God churches in the Kampala area were invited to celebrate together AND to welcome the Stevensons back from their furlough in the US and Canada. These missionaries, here now over 28 years, are well loved and respected. It is so encouraging to see the church love, honor, and respect those who have served alongside them. For me, it's another affirmation that God has called the Stevensons to this opportunity to serve and that they are who God has enabled us to work with and through to accomplish what He has called us to do - serve globally and tell the world about Jesus.
After services, we ate a wonderfully prepared meal by the cooks of the church (Dear LORD, thank you for the cooks of the church!), and talked with our Ugandan friends and family. Then, afterwards, we sang other songs and listened to the group from Kasubi sing again. It was so great to be back!
Came back to the compound, tried to nap, and relax before yet another yummy meal. For the first time, our techies back at Central figured out a way for Pastor Bob and I to talk together with the church before each service began. This was a very nice way to connect and I admit I got a little choked up when I heard the voices of our family so far away.
After the meal, devotions, and a little discussion about the next day, we turned in for the night. This morning, again waking up to the more familiar sounds of Uganda, we are eating breakfast before going to Kasubi again. We are visiting TAPP clients (those affected by HIV) and having Jaja partiess (grandmothers raising grandchildren), teaching pastors and church leaders, and starting a construction project to put in stairs to an upper floor of the sanctuary.
Keep praying that our eyes, ears, and hearts are open to the wonderful opportunities He is giving us each day we are here to learn, love, and to serve in His Name.
After arriving at 1:30 in the morning (yes, there are two times of the day for a time called "1:30"), we greeted the Stevensons and those who work with them here, got settled in our rooms, and tried to get some sleep before breakfast. Solid sleep came with difficulty, especially with all the sounds of Uganda - birds, birds, birds! And, because we're right on the equator, the sun gets them all up at 6am sharp!
After breakfast, we all piled into three vehicles to go to Kasubi for church services. For the first time in my experience, we are overlapping with another church project team. The folks from Lima, Ohio, Crossroads Church have been here a few weeks and are wrapping up their visit. These are great folks who have that familiar glow of a successful trip and an eagerness to head back home to their families. Also, our own Grant Fisher is wrapping up his month-long journey mapping out all the churches we have invested in over the last 7 years. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the chronicles of his adventure.
As we arrived in Kasubi after 11am, the services were already in full swing. Singing and dancing greeted us as we found our places and joined in when we knew the songs and just clapped along with the rhythm otherwise. This is typical for the services here. They begin singing and dancing and celebrating Christ. Then, whenever most have arrived, the service begins...with more singing, dancing, and celebrating Christ. There were testimonies, a great sermon by the General Director Moses Abosoola on being thankful in ALL circumstances, offering (of course) where all went forward to worship through giving, and more singing and dancing. When all was done, the service was "complete" (I'm not sure the worship ever really ceases, does it?), and it was close to 3pm. That's right, well over 3 hours of worship!
This was a special service in that all the church of God churches in the Kampala area were invited to celebrate together AND to welcome the Stevensons back from their furlough in the US and Canada. These missionaries, here now over 28 years, are well loved and respected. It is so encouraging to see the church love, honor, and respect those who have served alongside them. For me, it's another affirmation that God has called the Stevensons to this opportunity to serve and that they are who God has enabled us to work with and through to accomplish what He has called us to do - serve globally and tell the world about Jesus.
After services, we ate a wonderfully prepared meal by the cooks of the church (Dear LORD, thank you for the cooks of the church!), and talked with our Ugandan friends and family. Then, afterwards, we sang other songs and listened to the group from Kasubi sing again. It was so great to be back!
Came back to the compound, tried to nap, and relax before yet another yummy meal. For the first time, our techies back at Central figured out a way for Pastor Bob and I to talk together with the church before each service began. This was a very nice way to connect and I admit I got a little choked up when I heard the voices of our family so far away.
After the meal, devotions, and a little discussion about the next day, we turned in for the night. This morning, again waking up to the more familiar sounds of Uganda, we are eating breakfast before going to Kasubi again. We are visiting TAPP clients (those affected by HIV) and having Jaja partiess (grandmothers raising grandchildren), teaching pastors and church leaders, and starting a construction project to put in stairs to an upper floor of the sanctuary.
Keep praying that our eyes, ears, and hearts are open to the wonderful opportunities He is giving us each day we are here to learn, love, and to serve in His Name.
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