We left for Jinja Saturday morning and spent three days in that community and surrounding villages. During this time, we opened three jjajja (grandma) houses. These houses help improve the lives of jjajjas who often care for 10+ grandchildren in small huts that fail to keep out rain and rats. The first was in the village of Kikondo (chee-CONE-doh) where we dedicated a house for Jjajja Alice. This house was sponsored by Vivian Nieman and Dorothy Hampton in honor of their mother - what a wonderful gift that will certainly make a difference in Alice's life. She even has an indoor wash room! We traveled to Danida for our second dedication where Jjajja Merida Bweguyidwa received a house with three rooms - one for her and her grandchildren and two for her to rent. This will allow her to make an income to support her family. The third and final dedication took place in Kaliro where we dedicated a house for Jjajja Feludasi Mukyala. For those who know Reverend Moses Abasula, this is his mother-in-law so this was a very special dedication for Colleen. Jjajja looks after about 12 grandchildren but has over 30! One of her older granddaughters explained how rats would bother her grandma in the night and she did not feel safe bringing her or her children to visit. But this new house will keep jjajja safe and allow more family to visit.
Each dedication was a wonderful celebration filled with singing, dancing, and shouting in praise and thanksgiving. Each jjajja we visited was at least 70 years old with much physical pain in their bodies but this did not stop them from dancing and singing with joy. After Annette, Colleen, Deb, and Nik spoke about the jjajja and the house being dedicated, a plaque was revealed that gave thanks to the sponsor and told the date of dedication. We then entered the house with more shouts and songs, and a bed was put together and made with sheets for each jjajja. At least one jjajja had never had a bed before. She had never experienced sleeping off the ground, away from rats and pests, on a cushion covered with clean sheets. This was a special moment for each jjajja and for us as well. It's difficult to describe with words the rejoicing and celebration that these houses brought to the jjajjas and their communities. Non-believers witnessed these celebrations and praises as well, and they saw how God is at work even in their community. God's love was in abundance and He received all the glory for these houses that will change lives in Kikundo, Danida, and Kaliro.
On Sunday, we split into two groups and headed off to lead Sunday services. Nik, Alex, Sue, Caleb, Janice, Jim, and Greg went to Danida; and Michaela, Emily, Deb, Lizzie, Kelsey, Shelby, and Denise braved the open waters of Lake Victoria to head to Kikondo via boat. Janice led worship at Danida, while Kelsey led at Kikondo. The congregations loved our worship, and although they didn't know what we were saying, they joined along in making a joyful noise. One woman at Kikondo loved the worship so much, she asked for our song book so she could learn the songs, and we happily obliged.
Deb and Nik were the preachers for their respective churches, and they both brought down the house with an incredible message of forgiveness; a topic that many people in the villages struggle with because they have been wronged by many people in their lives. The churches were filled with choruses of "Ameena!" and "Hallelujah!" as we worshiped and read scriptures. It was extremely humbling to see how much joy we brought as we led service, especially because many of us were experiencing some anxiety at leading a service for people who don't speak our language. Alex, Sue, and Caleb led an impromptu Sunday school class in Danida for about 50 kids crammed into a small space. Alex told the story of Daniel and the kids shared worship songs. When asked if any kids had questions for the visitors, several children quizzed them on some books of the Bible... Let's just say the pressure was on and the Sunday school teacher, Lydia, had to whisper some answers.
The services were definitely not possible without the divine intervention of the Lord, and we know that everything that took place was not by us, but as purely the work of the Lord!
On Sunday, we split into two groups and headed off to lead Sunday services. Nik, Alex, Sue, Caleb, Janice, Jim, and Greg went to Danida; and Michaela, Emily, Deb, Lizzie, Kelsey, Shelby, and Denise braved the open waters of Lake Victoria to head to Kikondo via boat. Janice led worship at Danida, while Kelsey led at Kikondo. The congregations loved our worship, and although they didn't know what we were saying, they joined along in making a joyful noise. One woman at Kikondo loved the worship so much, she asked for our song book so she could learn the songs, and we happily obliged.
Deb and Nik were the preachers for their respective churches, and they both brought down the house with an incredible message of forgiveness; a topic that many people in the villages struggle with because they have been wronged by many people in their lives. The churches were filled with choruses of "Ameena!" and "Hallelujah!" as we worshiped and read scriptures. It was extremely humbling to see how much joy we brought as we led service, especially because many of us were experiencing some anxiety at leading a service for people who don't speak our language. Alex, Sue, and Caleb led an impromptu Sunday school class in Danida for about 50 kids crammed into a small space. Alex told the story of Daniel and the kids shared worship songs. When asked if any kids had questions for the visitors, several children quizzed them on some books of the Bible... Let's just say the pressure was on and the Sunday school teacher, Lydia, had to whisper some answers.
The services were definitely not possible without the divine intervention of the Lord, and we know that everything that took place was not by us, but as purely the work of the Lord!
Later that afternoon, we were treated to another work of the Lord's, the Source of the Nile River. We took a boat right to where Lake Victoria feeds the Nile River. We heard some trivia: Lake Victoria is the second largest lake in the world, and the Nile River is the longest river in the world. Several of us took pictures of the beautiful, peaceful lake/river, depending on where we were.
Monday morning, the group took off for Kaliro to bless another jjajja house (see above). After blessing the new house, the group was invited to the church in Kaliro where we split into four groups: women, leaders, youth, and children. The women's group started by talking about forgiveness but became a community conservation in which, by partnering with Phoebe (a church leader in this area), there was more back and forth with the women. The leader group shared testimonies back and forth that reached both a personal level and a ministerial level. The youth group covered a myriad of subjects, however by the end they had formed a new youth group that will meet regularly! We pray that they stay faithful to the group and the youth will continue and grow in their knowledge of God. The children's group did story of Daniel, sang lots of songs, and then broke off into different activities (parachute, soccer, bubble, etc.). Some of us were taught a new game, Rice or Meat! It was a short time, but filled with many blessings for all who were there!
In all the churches we visited, we had a goat presentation which is more of a goat project. We gave goats to members of the church, but when their goat produces it's first female they are to pass that baby goat onto another member of the church or community. Thereby, giving forward the blessing they have received because as we have said this weekend it is not our money but God's.
We returned today after an action packed weekend. We ate a little cafe in Kampala for lunch and then split our separate ways. Some of us decided to get a little shopping in before we take off on Safari, others visited Heritage, and some went back to rest and prepare for Safari.
Blessings,
Mzungu Bloggers
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