The Village people!

Here we are at week 2, already! This week a group of 16 of us are going to live in the village. Although we have a huge concentration on the city of Kampala, the new addition to the EAC program (well, over the past year or so) is the village where the Empower-A-Child training center will be. My understanding is that when a company purchases land in Africa they usually kick out the tribes, villagers, families living there. Well, Empower-A-Child took this as an opportunity to share with them the gospel of Christ, find out what their needs are, and help bring those to this area. You can see more about the training center at the EAC Website!

There's a lot of work that needs to be done on the land, in addition to helping out the families! There are termite hills taller than me, and stronger than cement, that need to be knocked down. We also have to pull up stumps from big trees from the area. The land needs to be cleared to make way for the foundation. Because it will cost so much to pay for the equipment, gas, getting to and fro (although it would help immensely with time and energy) EAC Staff decided the best thing to do was to save money by having the MST's (Mission Support Team) serve in the village, alternating every other week! We will also, like I said, go around the villagers and help them around their houses, play games with the children, teach them about Jesus, and what I'm looking forward to most of clearing out a well for the people to drink clean water!

This week is our turn! The group that went last week came back and told us lovely stories of using the squatty, exhaustion, being grossed out by so many things, but being completely humbled by the experience. There was a struggle with us wanting to take them away and give them the luxuries we knew of, and questioning how on earth they could be happy, but reminding themselves that this is their way of life. The most we can do is love them and respect them! I'll post pictures and videos as soon as we get back so you know what life in the village is like. We will be back Friday afternoon and if we have internet I will post pictures, updates, and everything then! If we don't have internet in Kampala I will do it as soon as it turns back on.

Prayer requests:

-Our team in the village. We will have new members, just arriving today, who will join with us! My prayer is that this will be a learning experience about God, his promises, his love and just having fellowship regardless of the circumstances!

-Please pray for me: the 2 week curse is upon me. Last year everyone got sick at week 2. I'm starting to have bad upset stomachs (and issues I won't get into that come with that). Pray for rest and health!

-Pray for Craig: he's still not doing well. He is on crutches now, with swelling in both legs (knee and feet). Just pray for God to intervene, that he would speak clearly for Craig to know what to do.

-Pray for the EAC as they lead us this week!

Praises:

-Everyone who has left and come, has done so safely! That is a huge blessing!

-Friendships being built: I think it's intimidating for everyone to come to a new place, but God is faithful and the people here are like brothers and sisters!

-Praise to the team last week who did so much work and set the path for our team this week!

See you in 1 week :) xoxox