This morning we went to the church that Josh and Mandy generally attend and where we went some of the time last year. So we were welcomed as old friends by Pastor Francis and a few of the people there. Josh has started a Children's ministry there so all the kids leave after the singing and offering just like most of our churches in the USA. They have improved some in the use of their small keyboard as accompaniment to singing but it still seems to decrease the natural rhythm of their singing.
Friday we had our first marriage Bible Study group. We had 7 people attend. Most of them are married but only one woman was there since the others were home or in the village taking care of the children. This changes some of what we had planned to do since we had hoped to have the couples talk about what was learned and how the lesson would impact their marriage. However, the discussion was better that we expected since Ugandans are not used to talking part in a discussion especially when the white people are leading it and they think we are somehow experts. All the questions we expected came up in this first lesson - dowry, sex before marriage, number of children and others.
Saturday we helped sort a large number of donated items into smaller amounts to be distributed by a couple churches. That was a big job and good to have finished. John, Tim, Josh and Matt played some 2-2 basketball and found out they are not in as good of shape as they all would like. But it was fun. Matt is a young man who is visiting on a vision trip to see if he wants to spend a year working with the team here in Soroti.
Tomorrow we are going to Sipi Falls for a couple days. This is a park near Mbale where you can do some hiking. We will be going with Tim and Angie and their kids. The temperature is supposed to be cool because it is in the mountains.
That's all for now.
5 comments:
It was good to catch up with what you guys are up to through your blog. I would love to see pictures when you get back!
We may be in Africa soon too-- our court date in Ethiopia was on Friday; we have not heard if everything went well, but if so, we hope to travel within the next month.
Blessings on the next couple of weeks!
Kelli and Mark
Dear John & Barb,
It was good to read your blog tonight and catch up on your work. We certainly have some more specific things to pray about.
Several people at the wedding asked about you and were interested in the reason you were not able to come. Your boys represented you well.
Give our greetings to Henry & Linda when your paths cross again.
Love, Diane & Martin
Thanks again for your updates. Take it easy with the basketball games. I am not sure how many doctors in your area can repair titanium elbow hinges. I guess they could always "Google" the procedure on your laptop. Skype surgery, perhaps?
Hey, John and Barb --
Sounds like you are doing some great work there! It is exciting especially to hear about the Karamoja area opening up to a new peace!
Give my greetings to all-- look forward to (hearing and seeing) more! Know that you are in our prayers.
Jodi
It is good to hear you folks are there and interacting in the community. Your marriage class sounds interesting. I enjoyed talking with our Sudanese guys about family stuff. I used to create future scenerio questions, like, "What would happen if their wife got sick and couldn't care for the family?" "Who would cook for her and the kids?" or "What would you do if your teenage child, who attended an American school came home with an American boyfriend?" They definitely had opinions and let me know what would happen. I would explain how we might react here in the United States. I don't know if it was a "young adult male" reaction, but they would usually end up laughing! It was fun and I really miss that connection. You folks will be in my prayers that God will open up communication and hearts. Thanks for the updates.
Judy J.
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