Sunday, July 24, 2011

Day 2

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100
 
I haven't had a lot of time to process all of the things I am experiencing in Uganda. Everything around me is different from the surroundings I am used to. However, one thing is the same: the human need for love and hope and the joy that can result when those are experienced.. Today we went to Return Ministries for worship and ministry. It could have been easy for me to be emotionally consumed with the conditions in which the children live in the area, the things they do not have, and the shear number of children who live in extreme poverty in this village.

However, it was evident that Return Ministries is reaching out to their village with the love and hope of Christ. It was a privilege to serve alongside the staff and Pastor Samuel today, playing with the children, doing activities with them, playing sports, and helping serve them rice and beans. Seeing the smiles of the children, seeing them sing and dance, and  being able to love on them was a true joy! So thankful for this opportunity to serve there today.

Tomorrow we will be in a very different setting. We will be with close to 200 children and teenagers who are in a prison. Although they are wrongfully placed there, the are being ministered to and we will have the opportunity to play with them and serve them as the Lord leads. I had the privilege of briefly speaking tonight with the counselor who is working with some of them. I expect this will be a very difficult day for the team and I appreciate prayers as we spend the day with them. 



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