I leave Uganda changed. I leave wanting to make others feel the love of Christ as the people of Uganda made me feel His love. I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for this wonderful experience and pray that He will give me an opportunity to return.
--Edie
Much like handmade clay bricks baked in the hot Ugandan sun, my role included working with the construction crew under the intense heat to complete the exterior and interior brick walls for the new Girls' Home at the HUM complex. Here I found the work difficult but rewarding as each day the Ugandan construction crew collaborated with the "Muzungu" laborers.
Typically, I worked alongside Alex most of the week. Alex was the mortar mixer, and he passed his knowledge on to me so that after two days I was capable of hand mixing mortar right in step with the experienced Ugandan crew. As the days wore on and our gloves wore out, I found myself bonding with these men. Our backgrounds and cultures are vastly divergent, but hard work translates no matter the barriers. Our camaraderie grew as my efforts paced with their work load, and I was drawn to Alex as I learned more of his difficult life.
A sturdy young man of 18, Alex is a believer and the father of two boys, Elvis and Davis. A third child is on the way, carried by his young wife, Samantha. While at the work site on Tuesday, Samantha came and I had the opportunity to meet her briefly. Though our introduction was quick, I was instantly greeted by a shining smiling face. As is the custom, Samantha shook my hand while on bended knee. Her unexpected visit was to reach Alex for some money to provide for the guests that dropped by their home visiting Alex's sister Lydia. According to Alix, Lydia had recently returned home after a few months away for treatment of HIV/AIDS at a hospital. As is the case in much of Uganda, the extended family lives under one roof, and Alex has been unable to build his own family home on the land provided by his father.
On the crew I also met Mike, a tall, slender, yet muscular laborer/brick mason. Mike spoke little English, so our bond was mostly through enthusiastic greetings. On a couple of occasions our paths crossed on the dusty roads of Kamonkoli. Even while away from the work site, Mike would always give a two-handed, over-the-head wave and bellow a hearty "Hey, Chris!"
Another was Johnny, one of the most skilled masons. Johnny was possibly the most physically imposing and intimidating crew member, but this initial impression would prove to be in error. On Thursday, our team's last construction day, I received the greatest African embrace and appreciation from the rugged Johnny. The team's servant attitude and apparent love for Jesus enabled some softening of the hard men.
Our final interaction culminated with a shared feast of two freshly slaughtered goats and many local fixings. All had their fill, complete with ice cold Cokes and Stoney's, the local ginger beer, for which many on the team developed a taste and craving. The completely non-alcoholic beverage's taste cannot aptly be described, rather it must be experienced, as it is with all aspects of this ministry in Uganda.
The impact for the eternal Kingdom and the ongoing ministry in Kamonkoli always remained the main focus for the team, all while actively working to encourage believers and alleviate physical suffering. Jerry completed Thursday's feast with a clear Gospel presentation to all the Ugandan workers in a group setting. Pastor Charles translated as the team prayed that the Holy Spirit would open the hearts of these men to see their need for the Savior, Jesus.
Pray for the Ugandan people. Pray for HUM. Pray for Orphan's Heart. Pray for your involvement. Ask the Lord to use you for His glory in fulfilling His will in a great and marvelous way!
--Chris
STATUS OF THE GIRLS' HOME WHEN WE ARRIVED
STATUS OF THE GIRLS' HOME WHEN WE LEFT
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