Entering Uganda

Hey guys! Wanted to fill everyone in on my first few days in Uganda. Here we go:

Our plane touched down at the Entebbe airport at 11 pm last Thursday night, and following some logistical confusion, made it to the capital city of Kampala by way of bus. We stayed two nights in the city at hostel called The Pacify Bar and Hostel. A great place. I got to ride on a boda-boda, or motorcycle, around the entire city and see the different sights. Very cool! Witnessed our team praying over a girl that they had just led to Christ, another cool moment. We played with the locals in the streets, teaching them the wonderful art of Ultimate Frisbee. Had a meeting with a man named Onesmus who runs all ministry in Eastern Africa. What a wise man he was. The city was great, lots of movement and beauty.

From there we began to make our next journey. We woke up at 6 am and took a 7 hour bus ride into northern Uganda. The north is known for its involvement with the LRA, the Lord's Resistance Army, a group of rebels that terrorized the area for years killing women and men while abducting children to serve in the army. So I was interested on seeing the area. We passed over the Nile River, the longest river in the world. That was great to see, as well as all the baboons that were hanging around it.

Finally, we arrived in Lira where we would be for the next two months. The town seems very similar to the places I stayed in Kenya. We quickly found out that we would have the option to get plugged in to many different ministries. HIV/AIDS care, child development, farming, water sanitation, prison ministry, medical work at the hospitals, and working with street kids. I am looking forward to helping with the prison ministry and the street kids. Both have been heavily influenced by the rebel LRA group and are close to my heart. These kids have no where to stay at night and many have been forced to kill and rape. So many sad stories in the area. But, I'm looking forward to new hope spring up and see restoration take over! We also got to love on 200 poor or orphaned kids for 8 hours yesterday and it makes your heart jump to put a smile on their face.

Overall, we are excited. I am excited to lead this group into the unknown. Having fun and enjoying every second. Praise God.