February 25, 2009
There are many privileges that Pam and I enjoy as we experience God’s placement of us in Uganda. One of the most enjoyed and productive is hosting and leading short term mission teams. Monday evening we returned 12 wonderful people from Fairview, Oklahoma, to KLM at Entebbe Airport so they could go home. We lived life with them, here in The Pearl of Africa, for 12 exhilarating days.
The team from Fairview had three primary projects while they were here. First, the men had brought a well drilling bit, from an outfit in Oklahoma City, that has been used successfully in various places on this continent. After researching three locations it was determined that a water well would be dug on Widow Sarah’s farm to help care for the dairy cows there and provide good water to those living around her. The prospect for water was very good. James, a Ugandan, was chosen for training so that he could take the resources and start a business with them, employing several other Africans as well. Such adventures are always filled with challenges and this one was no exception. We discovered that the pipe we purchased, first locally in Jinja and then from Kampala, was so inferior that the treads would break off easily in the couplers. This problem must be remedied before this project can continue to move toward success. While disappointment was high because we never enjoyed water flowing from the well, no one is ready to abandon this valuable empowerment of some nationals.
Secondly, power hand tools were brought from the States (and others purchased here) to assist in the construction of school desks for 500 students at Fountain of Hope School in Bukeeka. Fifty desks were delivered to the school on February 20 amid the shrieks, cheers, and clapping of excited students who have had only benches on which to sit for their long hours of education. A team of trained Ugandans have been working together to complete 52 more desk in the absence of the Oklahoma team. They now have viable, marketable skills and are being paid a good wage for the work they are doing to complete this project. The baton was successfully handed off by the Americans to the Africans and this project can be labeled as extremely successful. 35 more desks will be constructed for younger students because of the generous contribution of the Becky Bryan Memorial Fund.
Lastly, the women on this team were able to bring hope and encouragement to the students of Rock of Ages Nursery School, Fountain of Hope School, the residents of Amani Baby Cottage, the patients of Jinja General Hospital, and the friends, associates, and team members of Next Generation Ministries.
Above the accomplishments of these efforts was the personal transformation the team experienced under the custom made work of the God’s Holy Spirit. They will never be the same. Some of them are already planning on their second mission to Uganda and they will bring others with them so that lives and life will be affected here.
Pam and I were sorry to see them go, but we treasure the many moments we shared as we experienced God together. Thanks for all the great work you did here, Fairview, and God willing we hope to see you sometime in August or September.
Attempting to drill the well
Excited Ugandan children
Soda and pizza after a hard days work
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