So Alive!

Many weekends here in Uganda fill up with work, either grading and planning for school, or running errands to prepare for the next week. Last week on Thursday afternoon I was able to go to town to run those errands, and we were mostly caught up with school work. It was so exciting when school was over on Friday, realizing that we had some free time ahead. 

On Fridays we end our school day a bit earlier than other days, so we decided to take our kids to the nearest pool for some fun family time. 

There was a group of kids from another children's home at the pool. Zeke and Ezra made some new friends and had a blast! Esther and Elijah were busy swimming laps. I sat with a woman who works for that organization, and she helped me work on my Luganda verb conjugations. I actually really enjoyed that time. David ran a quick errand for some supplies related to building our house. When he returned, he got in the pool with the kids and sent them flying. 

Once Zeke's lips were blue with cold and his hands were thoroughly wrinkled, we decided to head home. On the last Friday of each month we have a missionary team game night. This month the Gwartneys were hosting. We had a great time with many laughs with our team. 

After game night, Katie and Cody Fox came over and the four of us stayed up late talking, laughing and watching a video. We are so grateful for their friendship and partnership in ministry! 

Since the Foxes live off campus, they spent the night here rather than driving their motorcycle home late. (Driving at night is hard even in a car with rough roads and no street lights.) In the morning we had a big breakfast together before I went to my Luganda lessons. 

After my class, we decided to go up to the site where our house is being built and visit with our neighbors. Our neighbor, Esezza, was weaving a mat out of palm leaves. Esther and I sat and talked with her and watched her work. It was fascinating. I am hoping I can buy a mat from her to put in our new house. While we were learning Luganda and mat weaving, the boys went with Katende to go explore a bit. They enjoying walking among the small farms/large vegetable gardens, and walked down to a spring. Ezra described the area around the spring as "so alive." We  spent a little more time visiting with neighbors and spoke with a friend I have been getting to know for several months. We invited her to church and she agreed to come!

Just as the water from the spring made that area "so alive," we also saw on Sunday how Jesus can bring new life! This Sunday we had several new visitors at Light of the World church. After the time of praise and worship, the pastor asked the visitors to stand and introduce themselves. One man introduced himself and said he had come because he wanted to be saved. He had heard that God can bring new life when you are dead in sin. He wanted God to come and change his life! So Jonathan walked outside with him as the service continued and our new brother prayed to be forgiven and made right with God through Jesus. 

Jonathan preached from 1 Corinthians 13 about love. He also talked about 1 John and how we can love because of the love we have received from Jesus. After he finished the sermon, Big David, our other Ugandan pastor, said that if anyone wanted to talk about receiving the love of Jesus, they could come talk to one of them after the service. My friend who was visiting stood up and walked forward right then. She also prayed with Jonathan today! 

I am so thankful for the work God has been doing here in Buundo! He is bringing people into his kingdom! He has given new life to my friend and this other man! I am so thankful to be able to see how God is at work making Buundo "so alive." Mukama yebazbwe! (Praise The Lord!)