It only takes a spark of “hope” to ignite a flame of passion. Today our team was blessed with a boat ride across Lake Victoria and then a boda boda ride (motorcycle) up to Bethany Village. Bethany Village is the orphanage started by African Renewal Ministries (ARMS-a ministry of Gaba Community Church).
This part of our trip is always a blessing to me as I’m reminded of what can happen when ministries put their egos and competitive natures aside, partner together, for the greater-good for the life of orphans and the glory of the Lord!
Seeing the smiles of the children running around during a class break, eating their morning poo shoo (porridge), laughing and playing tag, is such a blessed reminder of what “childhood” should be. It provides a vision of hope and possibilities for the ministry God has for Bweya Village/ Mercy orphanage.
After we finished our time at Bethany, we returned to the guest house for lunch and visited Wentz Medical Clinic, another ministry of ARMS. They provide such an amazing outreach to the community. It is there we delivered 27 mosquito nets for distribution. Dr Martin, the physician at Wentz, as well as an ekissa board member, will provide a net for a child as they present to the medical clinic and receive a diagnosis of Malaria. There was a Canadian nurse volunteering at Wentz for 2 weeks. She mentioned that all she had seen was individuals with Malaria. This nurse shared she has volunteered in several locations in Africa and that Uganda has by far the highest level of Malaria within all of Africa. 320 children die everyday in Uganda with Malaria. This is a serious diagnosis that is avoidable with the right prevention. Thank you to all who generously donated financially so that we could assist with this need.
Following our visit to Wentz, ekissa held its’ first Ugandan Board of Director’s meeting. I was excited about the enthusiasm from the board and am excited to see how God moves. He continues to do things far greater than I could ever hope or imagine. I’m so thankful His ways are not my ways, nor is thoughts, my thoughts because mine are incredibly limited.
Our team ended our day with attending an all night prayer/ praise service at Gaba Community Church, which began at 11pm. This is the most amazing experience…to see the freedom in which they worship! The North American church is missing something! We need to become more “active” in our worship as “worship” is actually an outward expression of who Christ is as well as an expression of appreciation for all He has done.
We are about to complete our time here in Uganda as we will have some time for shopping and a meeting on Saturday, and then worship on Sunday. Sunday evening following worship we will begin the long trek home. Please pray for continued stamina in health. One of our team members (Michelle) is actually not feeling very well this evening.
Thank you for your participation in ekissa and this mission trip. You have support us through your participation through prayers, finances, etc…, and we humbly appreciate your support.
Blessings!
Sarah
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