Last days in Uganda and We made it to Spain

We arrived in Spain yesterday after 3 problem free flights. Thankfully, there is only a time change of one hour, so it isn't so difficult to adapt to things here. Rebecca recognizes a fair amount of Spanish words and is learning some new ones. She is enjoying her little friends Marc y Joel and they are loving her like a big sister. It has been good to reconnect with our friends here...it brings back a lot of memories. And it is a joy to show Rebecca where we once lived and worked and for her to meet our friends, too.

On last Saturday we road with Tim out to a remote village, bumping down the pot hole filled Ugandan dirt roads, to find a man named Steven. He lives in a hut with his family of 5 children and wife. Steven is crippled since a bout of polio at age 5. He has gone to the Bible College in Soroti and feels a real calling to minister to the disabled. We went with him to visit various handicapped children. In one family, there were 3 children with brittle bone disease. It is so sad to see how malnourished they are and how they have absolutely nothing to support them or help them in their disabilities. We also went to a hut where there was a 9 year old boy who at age 5 months contracted malaria, which advanced and caused brain damage. This poor boy has to be locked in the hut alone for entire days while his mom goes to work in the fields. His dad left him and his mom with the healthy children and his situation seems so hopeless. The disabled are truly the most neglected and marginalized Ugandan culture. There is such a need for someone to come alongside Steven, to train him, and to help him train these families to care for their children. A lot of you reading this work with disabled children; I would encourage you to pray about how you could help, maybe by going and teaching. Pray for Steven, too, that he will continue to pursue what he feels God has called him, too.

Sunday morning, Easter, I had the privilge of preaching for one of the local churches. I was able to use the sermon that Glen had helped me to prepare, with some modifications to make it work in their context. Thank you all for your prayers; I could feel your prayers! Rebecca and the kids she had worked with sang and did their liturgical dance...it was beautiful. I enjoyed playing the guitar for them. Ugandan children sing so well and they love to sing! I wish you could all have the experience of hearing them.

Sunday after church we went to Sipi Falls. We hiked as a team, spent some time praying and reflecting on our time in Uganda. It was a good chance to wind down and to begin to process all that we have seen and learned. Monday, we headed to Kampala. Tuesday, we were able to enjoy seeing Karin' dream of meeting Rossette come true. It was so exciting that God worked out all of the details so that they could meet. Rosette and her mom both came to Kampala to meet her. We enjoyed the craft market in Kampala, too. I was able to purchase prizes for next years' Ride for Refuge, so hopefully, you'll all begin to think about participating again!

Right now, Karin is quite sick after mistakenly drinking the tap water here. Please, keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery and that she'll be able to have a chance to enjoy her time here.

I better go. I am going to bring Karin some toast, and then we need to eat lunch ourselves. Thanks again to all of you for continuing to pray for us.