Alero Cuku - part two
Thursday - July 1. We headed after breakfast to the church where we had a sweet devotion time led by Tammi and worship led by Brian Johnson. A long time friend of RH’s Uganda teams, Jonah, greeted us at the church and spent the day with us. Before we headed out, and since it was just our team along with the GBCC volunteers, we wanted to spend a bit of time praying for one another. Tressa and Mary were fight a little cold, and few others wanted prayer for various things so we gathered around them and prayed. It never ceases to amaze me at how God shows up, cares for each of us in unique and specific ways…and that we get to be apart of it. phenomenal. Knowing what the day ahead was scheduled to look like, a few people were feeling inadequate or tired from a restless nights sleep or whatnot and Jesus covered each person with reassurance, comfort, and truly blessed them in ways that are hard to comprehend. All that I know is that the way we came into the devotion/worship/prayer time and the way we left it after experiencing the hand of our living God on us were two totally different things. He never lets us go without His provision. He is so predictable in His faithfulness. Not sure why I ever question it. Guess that’s why He is God and I am not. whew.
After some sweet prayer time, we left for Alero Cuku again. We were bringing a large tent for some shade, so Larsh and Bryan C. went with the truck to go ahead and set it up. With all the volunteers, we needed a few more seats so called the truck back to pick up Ralph. We set out for the village. Its about an hour and 1/2 drive and stunningly beautiful. Upon arriving to the site, we noticed that it was completely empty. A far cry form the hustle and bustle of yesterday’s medical outreach. hmmmm we were a little nervous that nobody would show up. Not only that, but, uh, where was the truck? They left before us and …oh wait.. they arrived about 15 minutes after us. confusing. Apparently Allen (driver) and Justice (another volunteer) decided that this was a good time to go pick up a package, deliver it, host a ride for a few ladies, drop them off, go get some cement, drop them off, get some gas and….sure, why not go pick up poor Ralph that was waiting for them at the church, then grab some roasted cassava. Gotta love the pace of Uganda. In spite of the set back, they had amazing conversations with the two guys from GBCC and that ended up being some of their highlights of the day.
With the tent now there, they began assembling it and several men, women and lots of children came to check out the haps where we all were. While most of the guys set of the tent, several of us shared the roasted cassava, played with the kids, and chatted. Toby was in the midst of many, many children blowing bubbles for the them as they laughed in delight. Timory and Tristin were busy making pipe cleaner wands and bracelets to hand out to the kids in the bus. We had some snacks and began the days programs around lunchtime. Ralph, Brian Johnson, Joy, Tim, Mary, and Bryan C. were on the adult bible teaching team while everybody (Brian J. also helped lead the kids in song, too) else helped host a mini-VBS for the kids of the village. There were around 50 or so adults that came for the teaching time as they sat under the tent in the heat. The RH team taught through the prodigal son parable, prayer, pressing on through trials and suffering, the joy set before us in Phillipians, and forgiveness. All were believers and half way through Kelsey came up with tears in her eyes and urged us to stop and pray for those that were there. So we did. It was a sweet time of interceding for our Ugandan brothers and sisters.
Meanwhile, VBS was going strong. Bammer led the charge and acted as emcee. She was amazing, of course. Brian J. led the kids in worship with hits such as “Pharaoh, Pharaoh” (props to Janelle here), Wi-Polo (an ugandan favorite) and others. The kids loved all the hand motions (more props to Tammi for her VBS expertise) and singing. So fun. To loosen them up even more, Tressa and Bryan Larsh were “tricked” into copying some dance moves and then sitting on a wet sponge in front of all the kids. “High-larity” ensued. Some wands (straws with different colored curly ribbon coming out one end) were passed out to the very polite 100+ kids sitting under a wooden shade structure. The Taber girls helped pass them out to the eager awaiting hands. More songs were sung praising the name of Jesus as they waved the wands to created a sea of moving color. very cool. Before they left to play some games with the kids, they were led in many rounds of “bung-a-low” curtesy of Tristin Taber. ‘cuz…her hands are high, her feet are low and this is how she bungalows…go, baby, go. And yes, Timory, perched atop a bench, led it all by her lonesome with as much sass as anybody could ever muster. Fun games were played and then the entire VBS relocated to the school that was across the road. Tammi worked the evanga-cube while Mindy taught the kids the gospel message. Upon hearing it, at first just a brave few, then many hands were raised as the kids asked if Jesus would become their savior. Again, priceless. To end the VBS time, each child made a salvation bracelet with leather string and some colored beads that were strung on it to symbolize sin, death, the blood of Jesus, being made new, and new life. When the kids were asked an hour or so later what the beads meant, each one recited exactly the meanings. These are pretty amazing kids, and God is even more so. What a great time. Afterwards, some toys and clothes were handed out to the villagers where we were met with the shril “yai, yai, yai” from the women asa they showed their joy and appreciation. We prayed for the village and sadly had to head back to Gulu town. Today was awesome. Everybody loved it.
The ride home incorporated lots more singing, laughing, chatting and rejoicing in what God had done that day. We ended the day with some pretty incredible pizza (oh yes) from a restaurant in town and lots of Stoneys, Cokes and waters. A day that we can unabashedly say “this is the day that the Lord has made! and i will rejoice in it”. Can’t wait to see what is in store for us the remaining days in Gulu.