Worship and Widows in Bukeeka

Today was Sunday and we got to worship at Pastor Robert's large, open sided pole structure in Bukeeka. His youth minister and manager Bosco was already preaching to a half full house when we arrived, and soon there were around 300 people filling the place.

The worship team included about a dozen young men and women who led the congregation in singing and dancing praises with such joy and enthusiasm that it made even contemporary services at my home church seem pretty apathetic. As we worshiped I wondered if the fact that people here have so much more real hardship in their lives contributes to a greater appreciation and gratitude for the good news of Jesus' redemption. Though very poor by economic standards, their cheerfulness as they danced forward to give their offerings demonstrated a richness of spirit.

When it came time for the sermons, Martha, Becca, and Charlie took around 80 children down the road to Fountain of Hope to minister to them with songs, stories, prayer books and the Easter eggs we had brought. Since many children stay at the school over the weekend, the crowd of children doubled to around 160 by the time they were done!

Pastor Ken and I both preached, I on Jesus' superiority to Satan demonstrated in His casting out of a demon, and Pastor Ken on the steadfast love of the Lord. Given the influence of witch doctors and pervasive poverty in the area, both messages were received well. After we spoke, Pastor Robert reinforced both messages and called people forward for prayer before concluding with a song, blessing, and announcements. The people then came forward and greeted us very warmly.

After worship we went to pray with a sick widow nearby. She was in a lot of pain and had a very distended abdomen. Sarah had taken her to the hospital in the past, where she was treated for stomach ulcers, and will follow up to see if she is again suffering from the same problem. We prayed for her and tried to reassure her, as her house was the gift of a previous team and she believes that her neighbors have cursed her as a result, hoping she will die so that they can take her house. Such are the politics of trying to help even one person where poverty is endemic.

Tomorrow we were planning to travel to Nawaikoke, a long drive north east of here, but we just found out that the drivers are calling for a total shut down of the highways, threatening to stone even bicycles moving on the roads, in protest of an extreme hike in the traffic fines levied by the police for traffic infractions. There is a meeting of the authorities in Kampala tonight, but if the situation does not change we will not be able to travel.

Please pray for this situation and we will let you know what happens tomorrow!

Joy in Jesus,

Kirk and the Preaching Passengers