There is something magical and mysterious about the country of Uganda. There is a peace about this place that words can never begin to explain, but you feel in your heart as you wander through the wards of the clinic, or through the crowds of children, or through the dark of night that shines with stars and the milky way.
Today we started construction on the Maternity Ward, a separate building which will be a area for expecting mothers and a quiet place for deliveries. We started to construct beams of iron and metal, twisting metal around iron bars and squares of metal wires. If this were the States, we would have skipped this step for machine constructed contraptions and industrially produced results (which probably would have been better than what we did) but at a loss of community and strength of will, not to mention the reliance on one another and on God to supply for our every need.
These beams were then lifted up onto the shell of the building which already stands on the grounds, after which the men used wood to create a support for the concrete which was poured in later in the afternoon.
While it was some hard work, we enjoyed being outside working, hanging out with the little kids and laughing as Scott broke out his iPod and speakers and put on Michael Jackson (along with some other fan favorites). Meanwhile all the Ugandans were probably looking at us saying to themselves “Crazy Mzgunus” (aka: Crazy White People).
As for the goings on in the clinic, Matt and the presiding local Dr. Jon Wekenne have kept busy seeing and treating over 200 people in the first week alone; however, this expected to taper off in the coming days. The entire group has seemed to pitch in at every conceivable position the small health center has had a need for. Many of them who have rarely seen the inside of a hospital are now placing IV lines and caring for several ill patients.
We have also gotten to experience the great adventure of playing futbol with some of the Ugandans today. We get there and there are literally hundreds, if not a thousand, people waiting to watch us play, or better yet, attempt to play. While it was a bit intimidating, it was rather fun to run around, sweat, and get muddy while playing against some amazing players. We had the Mzgunus and a couple of Ugandans against one of the local teams in the area.
While we didn’t win (final score 3-3), we put up a valiant effort. I got to play right midfield (after about 7-8 years of not playing), as Anneka kept up the assault, shooting at lest a hundred shots (exaggeration) and scoring two (with a little help from the goalie). Both Scott and Pfieffer played some amazing soccer, along with Bethany, Kelcie and Geigerman.
Its has just been an amazing experience here in Uganda, experiencing God in these people and in this community. While there have been some struggles, God has provided us with the strength to keep going and the patience to trust in Him. It has been a journey for all of us, both physically and spiritually, and the road keeps on going ahead.
Please continue praying for each and every one of us on this trip. Pray for strength and courage to continue to stay in the fold of God’s Wings. Pray that God changes our hearts to serve and follow him wherever he calls us to serve. Please pray for the people and patients of the Agule Community Health Center, along with the doctors and staff that we have grown to love in this short time we’ve been here, that through love and compassion, healing will take place, physically, mentally and spiritually. Pray for the hundreds of people that have supported each and every one of us in this journey, because without your support, both spiritually and financially, we would not be the people we are, serving this community.
Again we thank you all for everything you have done and still do. We miss you all back home and are looking forwards to sharing this experience with you now and upon our return.
God Bless and PEACE
STKerr (Sean)
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