We've come to the end of our time here in Uganda - today we head out on a 14-hour bus journey to Kenya. It's been an intense few weeks - a VERY good few weeks though.
We've spent much time in smaller villages around the shores of Lake Victoria as well as villages on islands and places in between. We've shared at primary schools, secondary schools, preached and performed at Sunday services, taught and shared at church conferences, been a part of youth groups, participated in a number of short open-air crusades, gone door-to-door, and simply spent time with many children and a number of adults.
We've learned parts of their language, adjusted to the nuances of the culture, stumbled over our own perceptions, been challenged by living conditions, spent at least a whole day sick and wishing the fish smell in the air would go away, and pretty much just allowing our bubble of comfort to burst in the context of a starkly different world.
All have been stretched, all have grown, all have lived to see another day.
That in about two and a half weeks of Uganda. Check out some pics from our time below or by visiting this site: http://picasaweb.google.com/northernwood/Uganda
Certainly there is much more to say and many details I could add, but, I need to leave on a bus in a couple hours. It's enough to say that this has been the journey of a lifetime, for now, there is still a month to go here in Africa!
Check out our team blog for a few more details (providing we get the posts up before we leave)... www.truthbeautyjustice.wordpress.com
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The road traveled has given way to a path undiscovered
I look through tearless eyes on a broken country surrounding this path
It is of little help to look ahead into the deceptive though of what the next turn may hold
The path behind intrigues equally, yet I stumble often looking over my shoulder
There is little choice but to continue looking at where I walk, step by step, turn by turn
And where I walk, I walk not alone, but abreast with seven others
Sometimes pushing one another
Occasionally pulling one another
Often encouraging one another
Needing to simply love one another on one more step
We walk, eternal beings amongst many other eternal beings, challenging mindsets, sharing stories, interrupting our own paradigms, shifting expectations, clarifying our beliefs
This path has brought much - nothing to think the least of, only the most
The path ahead brings as much but I must learn to walk tall living my heart in the path I walk
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Our method of transport the first few days on the islands of Lake Victoria
With some of the amazing kids at Osanidde (oh-sunny-day; it means 'you are worthy') orphanage
Jonathan & Diane in the midst of a skit at a Primary School
Brent and Uncle Michael preaching at a impromptu open-air event
Flat tires on not so nice roads - yes!
Brent, Virginia, and (King) Josiah - wonderful people living in Uganda and serving through Plead the Cause www.pleadthecause.com
Group photo just prior to our departure for our few day holiday in Kampala
