Hello again! It's been quite a while- thank you friends, for your continued support from such a far away place.
Two nights ago, I came home under a beautifully starry sky, and was greeted by my two younger "brothers" (Chafik and Ronnie) they came over to me- each wearing one shoe, and they hugged each of my legs. I had to giggle when I saw each of their other shoes lying at the edge of the veranda, by the door. I partly understood their hesitation to wear both shoes, because they've always just played to their heart's delight without shoes of any kind. They are very fun, and good at being the Lord's instrument for teaching me patience and kindness.
Just last week, our University held elections for the student body. Outside the school's main gate, there were a lot of energetic people trying to gain support for different candidates. After buying a small snack, called a rolex (a tortilla like thing called a chipote, which wraps itself around a fried egg- it's wonderfully tasty), we walked back into the University and I had the great opportunity of climbing a guava tree for the first time. I must say that I was encouraged to do so by the few female students already doing so- and they were certainly surprised to see that I was actually doing it with them.
It has been so fun to meet students in different activities such as this. I've been blessed by a brother from Arua- a northern part of Uganda. He (Pastor Stephen) shares time and prayers with me every once in a while. We first met as he asked me to pray for him (what courage he showed me!), and since then, he's told me stories and testimonies from work he's had in the North among children and families, and now he's teaching me how to play the Adungu (a small harp/drum-like instrument that will surely be played in heaven:)
Next Tuesday, the 31st, our program's students have been given the opportunity to lead the community worship service- including music, message, prayers, etc. The University's theme this term has been Christian maturity, and we are working in different groups to finish planning. I'm on the message committe, prayerfully considering the Lord's calling to me in the way of speaking/ opening His Holy Word before others- we would love your prayers for our unity, and for wisdom as well. I'll report as to how these things work out.
We've been learning primarily about AIDS/HIV as of recently, so our trip last weekend was to Luweero. Our purpose was to visit a Bishop, and a priest from the Luweero Diocese, and to spend time at a family's home. We learned of how these brothers in the Church of Luweero are serving the Lord, and we were priveleged also to attend a Catholic church service (I smile to remember how it was about a 15 minute drive down a red dirt side road to arrive at the gathering). The family we visited were Christians who have chosen to take in 3 other families fighting with AIDS, and often they will invite children from the neighborhood to join them for worship, games, fellowship, visiting- for the sake of growing in Christ and destroying stigma created by AIDS rumors. The Lord's mercy is seen through the actions of this family, and their faith in Him- it was very encouraging, especially after wondering what the right response to the disease would be for Christians.
Being a Christian is something we've been critically analyzing this semester- visiting muslim sites of worship, learning of African traditional religions, colonialism, and discipleship. We just finished the book, "Compassion", and are now zooming toward the book, "Mere Discipleship". My faith is being tested and shaped and purified in the living Lord, Jesus.
Last story for now, encouraging me in my faith: We'd just arrived in Luweero at the Anglican guest house, and I went over to a huge mango tree, to gaze at the almmost ripe fruit when a man on a bicycle named Joseph came over to talk with me. I began to talk with him about the mangoes, and I put my hands out, asking if they just wait for them to fall or something. Before I'd finished the sentence, my eye barely caught sight of the small green mango that fell about 14 feet- straight into my hand! Joseph and I were the only physical witnesses of whatever you want to call what happened. All I know is that it blessed me. May God bless each of you in many ways.
His,
Geoff