Monday, July 6, 2009

We're in Uganda...and Alive!

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the lack of posts...but if you wanted consistency you should have sent us to Calgary and not Uganda!

We are here and we are all well. I am happy to report that our one 'sick' person recovered amazingly well and we all arrived ready to roll.

Friday was spent at the ten acres...they pulled the kids out of school and they were all lining the side of the road clapping to greet us. Then they treated us to 1 hour of dancing and singing for our welcome. It was great, but some of our team who did not sleep well on the plane were stuggling to stay awake near the end! The rest of Friday was setting up tents, touring the 10 acres that will be called 'home' for us...and then playing with our Children Home kids.

Saturday was our chance to spend with the kids as they will be in school during the week. I was so proud of our team and how they all jumped into things...initiating with the kids-playing soccer and other games, holding them, visiting them in their homes....it was great to see!

Sunday was Church...for three hours. The team introduced themselves, Tikvah & Pat taught children's Sunday School, Brent & Paul A taught the youth, Pastor Paul preached...and all of us learned the meaning of 'dancing before the Lord'! In the afternoon it was time with the kids. Canada has yet to win a game of soccer, so we'd ask for your prayers for that.

Sunday evening we had our first official team meeting. It was so encouraging to hear some of the thoughts and reflections from our team....people have already been impacted and it has only been the 'prelude' to our two 'work weeks'.

That began today. Two teams left for Care & Compassion visits after loading their van up with fruit trees, food, blankets, and live chickens and pigs!!! (How's that for a truly 'African experience'?!?). This will be a significant but challenging day for those two teams as they face some of the stark realities of poverty--both material & spiritual...please pray for them). Two other teams are at work painting the new children's eating shelter that has just been constructed and helping the house mom's with thier work. One sub-team got a 'laundry lesson' and started at the children's clothes....I suspect none of them will take their washing maching for granted again.

Tomorrow the teams switch projects.

One impacting thing that we have heard already is how significant it has been for our Church to be in partnership with Peace Portal Uganda for so long....it was expressed in several different ways...and we are beginning to see a new level of trust and openness in a place that is used to seeing Westerners drop in and then disappear...never to be seen again. That's encouraging!

Parents, your youth are doing great! They all say 'hi' (actually that's not true because they didn't know I was coming here...but I'm sure it would have been true if they had known). Seriously, they really are doing well and you would be proud of them if you could see them. Now, don't stress out about this next part...

After five years of coming to Uganda and actively searching for a live African snake...I finally saw one! I ran to tell the others and by the time I came back it was gone! But I saw one nonetheless. FYI...there is a spray that they put around the 10 acres that keep snakes away (just to help you get to sleep tonight).

Grace & Peace to you all,

PPAC 2009 Team


Here I sit at an internet site in Mpigi. I just spent 2 hours waiting in line at the bank to exchange money. When I got to the front a guy went in front of me and paid a bribe to the guy working so he could cut the line...some things are really different here!

3 comments:

  1. We are so glad to here that all is going well and that the team are adjusting and being accepted. I'm sure today was a big eyeopener to how a huge part of the world lives and how fortunate we are. Of course our PPAC team are the best - who would have thought any differently. Prayed for you in church on Sunday - Go team go!!! Did any paint go on the walls in the shelter and please don't tell me that Jon had to do the wash!!! Talk to you later.
    Vel Kinnie

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  2. Thanks for the update Scott. I admit that I've become obsessive about checking the Blog numerous times a day... I'm sure no other parents would be doing the same thing:-D

    Lydie, Beckham and Paisley dropped by the office today after VBS. They're doing great. They all say hi...(actually that's not true, but I'm sure they would have if they'd known I was going to write)

    We continue to cover each of you in prayer.

    Go in His strength, grace and compassion.

    Blessings.

    Lynn Canby

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  3. Hey Tracey and Scott, missing you at VBS Trace, but wanted you all to know how incredible it was today for us to hear those kids in Uganda singing to our kids at VBS, truly amazing, I think all the leaders had tears in their eyes. and Scott I think our family is interested in coming on the family team, just can't stay away after hearing those voices this morning. Wishing we were there with you, praying for continued strength and peace as you reach out to the community of Mpigi! love to you all
    Sherri Anderson

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