Abundant Blessings!

We arrived in to Entebbe late (of course) and were pretty much the last ones to pick up our bags - but since all the bags actually arrived, we were not complaining!  We were greeted by at least 20 people at the airport - most of whom were from Kikyusa/Wobulenzi, Pastor Daniel Male's area, about 2.5 hours away.  What a blessing it was to see our friends again.  They greeted the whole team as if they had known them for years.  It was awesome.  By the time we reached our hotel it was around 1 a.m. and we were greeted with no electricity - which came as no surprise.  So, by small flashlights, we tried to find what we needed in our luggage and finally got to sleep by 2 am.

We spent the bulk of Friday in Gganda Village to see Pastors Daniel & Juliet Atwijukire.  We visited with students in the sewing shop, drove to see Daniel's wood shop, brick making business, played with village kids, and enjoyed some fruit with them.  Jessica & Shailynn are naturals with children - they were surrounded everywhere they went.  And Kevin really knows how to keep the attention of the little boys.  Everytime I saw him he was engaging them in games or just listening to them.  Kids are kids everywhere - they all want to know they are important and Kevin is gifted in showing his love for all of them.

What's been kind of neat is the team members do not seem overwhelmed with the poverty that is in their face every moment of the day.  They are all looking for a way to demonstrate love without letting the circumstances get in the way.  Sandy played keep away with the kids, held babies, played the never ending game of pat-a-cake and just loved on the kids.  It's been a joy to watch!  Ashley has been observing (I think it's the teacher in her) while she has played with kids of all ages, held them, challenged them with math problems.  I think she's in her element.....hmmmm.

Mark is playing a very key role behind the scenes - he has captured pictures of the trip in both video and photos.  He has a keen eye as to what will tell the story without words.  He is so patient, insightful, and curious.  We love having him on the team!  It's going to be fantastic to see the SayYesTeam Uganda in action after the fact!
Later in the day Virgil spoke at Daniel's church - Bethel Healing & Deliverance Church.  He preached a great word on the plan and the provision.  Then there was an atmospheric shift in the spirit and the presence of the Lord was there to heal. Virgil had a word of knowledge about pain in the back and several people came forward.  Virgil & Ashley prayed for them and they were all healed!  Then the whole team, including Shailynn & Jessica, came up to pray for those with heart and stomach issues.  They, too, received their healing.  What a wonderful God we serve!

Jessica & Shailynn fell in love with the children in Gganda Village - especially those in Pastor Daniel's church.  Time alone will tell what God is doing in their young hearts; for surely they have already been impacted by the love of Christ all over again!  The girls just told us they would like to go back and stay there for the rest of the trip!

Kevin connected in a big way with a little boy named Ivan.  He just showed us a picture of Ivan crying as we were driving away.  That's what God does - He matches the heart to the cry.

This will have to do for now.  Hope to have pictures in the next post.  Thank you for praying for us.  Please continue.  There is still much to be done as we step into what God has for us each day.  Today we are in Pastor Jonah's church and surrounding areas.