Summer Team Update #2: “Really, this is part of the harvest.”
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.†Proverbs 16:9
This past summer, I was part of a 15-member mission trip to Uganda, for my fifth time. As of May 24, I was not planning on being part of this team, but for me, “He shall give you the desires of your heart,†from Psalm 37:4 was a promise and God doesn’t always “bring it to pass,†but as we “commit our way to the Lord,†and “trust also in Him,â€(Psalm 37:5) we are able to “rest in the Lord,â€(Psalm 37:7) for He wants to bring about the best for our lives. I began to ask God to secure a ticket for my flight, which meant that I had to leave Philadelphia on June 19. If He did, I would know that this was part of His plan, and if he didn’t I would be satisfied with His plan.inflatable toys for kids
What I witnessed this summer is way too much to put on this website, but there is no doubt in my mind that I was exactly where God wanted me to be. Some highlights were:
Busega
–Family reunions, with two Busega boys from Steve’s home back in 1980.
–A visit to one of the Busega boys’ village, a four-hour drive away. Villagers had heard stories about us for thirty years, but weren’t sure if they were real or not.
Ntenjeru
–Four nurses and a pharmacist prepared to administer help to those in need, which meant we had over 400 patients to see in three days.
–Four medical students from Omnimed.org in the United States who we did not know came to the clinic doorstep and asked if they could help us. They came back every day.
–A patient came and described a buzzing sound in his head. Diagnosis, according to some around him: “This man could be crazy!†A medical student shined a light into his ear, asked the nurse for tweezers, and discovered the patient was not crazy! He pulled out a bug that was encapsulated with many different things that had gotten into the man’s ear because he sleeps on the ground.
–The medical clinic, a four-room facility which has faced “red-tape†since being completed in 2009, officially opened the week after we left with a nurse who sees paying patients and is thus able to keep the pharmacy stocked with supplies. Many patients walk up to two hours for treatment.
–Carpenters explored land possibilities, costs and materials for building and met with an architect in preparation for our next project, a Resource Center, but only if God will provide.
Mpgune Village
–Ten months ago I saw classrooms made out of clay and dust-covered boards, which resembled chicken-coops with dirt floors and easel-type chalkboards.
–“Out of the dust†a new school has risen, and a village of 75-80% HIV/AIDS-infected men and women has become vibrant again, buzzing with children and women ready to learn.
–Bricks and mortar, a new block of classrooms, teachers quarters for living, a kitchen and two classrooms with no dividing wall that becomes the village church on weekends, all built with love.
–A latrine with many bathrooms and a hand-washing station outside. The government wants to use this latrine as a model for building other latrines in Uganda.
I have many stories to tell, but I’d like to finish with a quote from Pastor Kefa Sempangi, who oversaw the work at the clinic at the church where it is located. He said, “You don’t have many people who will show up, but the people keep seeing many of you return. You come as the Bible tells you, planting a seed, waiting for harvest—really, this is part of the Harvest! You are putting a hand around us.â€
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