First days in Uganda

My first few days in Uganda, as always, have been wonderful. It is great to reconnect with old friends and make new ones as soon as you meet them. And of course the best part is greeting all the children.

We went to Nakivale Camp the first thing Saturday. I thought it would be only to see where the water well had been drilled, but to my surprise I was greeted by all the children from the Emmaus

Global Outreach primary school. They had a greeting and welcoming time for me in the church. The pastors and elders from the church and village were also there. There were a number of people who had welcome speeches. Pastor Lewi (Lay-we) finished with addressing the students and asking them, “do you know him” (me)? Some of the students are new and some, like all children, were not paying attention, so were confused as to what he was asking. It is always interesting to watch Pastor Lewi interact with the students, he is very firm with them, but can be humorous at the same time. He does have a very loving heart for the children.

I was asked by Pastor to say some words. Public speaking is not my forte, but by Gods grace I was able to greet them all from all those in the USA who have given and prayed for them and the whole water well project. I told the children that it was not important that they know me. I am just like some dust. I here for a little while then I am gone. It is eternal important that you know Jesus. God made us all out of dust and we are only living for a short time. He told us in Genesis that from dust we came and dust we will return. And when God gave us the breath of life we got a soul that will live forever. God wants all his children to live forever with Him in heaven, but we have all sinned and God cannot allow sin in his heaven, so He sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for our sin nature. Now we all can become children of God by telling God we are sorry for our sin and ask Him to forgive us and by believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

I praise God and am very thankful to the Holy Spirit for giving me the words to say and the ability to say them. I get more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, when I am called upon to speak to a group.

We also told them about the Jesus Film that we would be showing to all the students as well as to the adults during the next couple weeks. I am not sure who is more excited for the film, the students or the adults.

Pastor Lewi at Dry hole

Next on the agenda was to walk the property to where the bore holes had been drilled. It ended up that two bore holes had been necessary as the first one, drilled to 70 meters, had not produced any water and they felt going any deeper at that site would be futile. The second hole is 90 meters deep and they feel has adequate water. The well has been cased and we are now waiting until the pumping and testing of the well is completed. This portion of the project will start on Monday December 4th.

The site chosen for the second drilling was based on some experts surveying the area and recommending their first choice. The site will add a few challenges as it is downhill from the school and about 274 meters away. The Lord has overcome a good many difficulties in getting this project to this point so we have

Praising God at water well

complete faith He will continue to guide us.

I was fading fast by noontime as I was operating on less than 4 hours sleep due to our late night traveling adventures. But a lunch was being prepared for the elders and myself to enjoy. The food is typical of a simple Rwandan/Ugandan meal; beans, rice, chips (French fries), meat sauce, lugali (posho) and local fruits (pineapple, sweet banana, avocado). It was all very good, but it does take a while to prepare and serve. There are no stoves to cook on, the food is cooked over a charcoal burner or a pit fire. The utensils, cooking pots and pans as well as serving dishes are minimal at best. In most cases eating utensils (knives and forks) are reserved for eating with musungu (white person) honored guests. 

I am always humbled and honored by their hospitality. They have very little by the worlds standard but are more than willing to share what they have. Many times their sharing will result in some future lean meals for themselves. 

So there will be much to to over the next couple of weeks. Some of the main items will be setting up for showing the Jesus Film multiple times, dispersing the toothbrushes, and getting cost estimates for piping the water to needed areas, the construction and installation of a cement pad, water tower and holding tanks, as well as a solar pump.

Remember, you cannot take it with you but you can “Send It Ahead.” 

Of course we need funding to sustain these programs for these children but above all else we covert your prayers: for the children, for the teachers, for Pastor Lewi as he administers all aspects of the school, that we would find favor with businesses and organizations we have to deal with, for health of the team members that come to help.

If you can help we have a way for you to donate to these children’s needs. Go to www.watchtherefore.tv click on the donate button at the top of the page and please make sure you designate your tax deductible donation to the “Send It Ahead” program.  If you would like to further designate your gift to one of the programs, simply add “water”, “teachers”, or “food” after the “Send It Ahead.” While you’re at the web site please click on the Send It Ahead button at the top of the page to look for more updates and photos from the school.