friday in kampala

enjoy the following update from the team via an email from pat: 

i will insert some pictures (mostly from the trip in 2006) along the way to help you put faces with names...

"hello again from Kampala, our last night here before we head north early in the morning for Lira.  Today was a very busy day for the team.  We started with breakfast, then we gathered together to share what we have learned so far.  Our prayer was to focus on our goal here in Uganda.  The goal of encouraging God's people here and spreading His gospel.  We sang songs and had a time of prayer at the hotel.  

To the market this morning.  Jimmy's brother Cornelius helped us bargain for gifts. 

 

After lunch we visited KPC (Kampala Pentecostal Church) - where we listened in to the Watoto childrens' choir practice.  We met joseph who will be accompanying us to Lira.  He left after our meeting to visit a new church plant in Gulu.  

joseph with craig

Then we met with pastor Chris and his wife Heather.  

Heather gave us incredible news about the Watoto choir (they have been asked to perform at the opening of the Olympics in Beijing), and the orphanage in general (www.watoto.com.)  

Pastor Chris spoke to us for about 15 minutes.  A few excerpts:  our mission in Uganda will be fruitful because God has called us not to do everything but something.  We should not be overwhelmed by the barrage of needs but to focus on what God has called us to do.  He reminded us that this is not our work but God's work.  

Frank will go with us in the morning.  He was unable to make the meeting this afternoon.   

gibson with frank

We traveled in eastern Kampala to the Banda slums, the largest of Kampala and "home" to refugees from the north, to meet with the widow Jeninah. 

 kathy and christine, with jeninah

Jeninah is one of the widows the church decided to support as a result of the last trip.  She and her deceased husband Ben were called to move to and minister to those in the slum. Today we were able to see God's faithfulness to Jeninah in providing for and enabling her to continue to serve.   She hosts over 80 widowed women from war torn northern Uganda.  With the church's support Jeninah is able to devote her time to this ministry.  The women make jewelry together, pray, and read the bible.  It is a great support group for these women who have left their homeland.   Today we saw the fruits of Redeemer Charleston's support of Jeninah.  What a blessing it was.  

Just when the day could not get any better, we finished the evening at the home of Jimmy's brother Cornelius where we were welcomed in traditional Ugandan style and grace.  

cornelius with jimmy and christine

We feasted on the sweetest pineapple, mangoes with the peelings on, and sugar cane.  Then, we were greeted with Ugandan tea and an address from Cornelius, the elder of his clan.  We met Jimmy's sisters, nieces, and nephews.  

Tomorrow we head to Lira.  We head 'off the grid' as there will most likely be no way to e-mail.  we will have our phone with us for emergencies.  the group is excited about what awaits and eager to see God's work in Lira.  thank you so much for your continued prayers.  

Redeemer in Uganda"