something long overdue

Hey everyone, long time, no blog. Sorry it's been some days between entries, attempting to blog in Uganda is a little different from American fare. Between power outages and an unpredictable schedule(generally speaking) It's been difficult to get a finished entry out there. Enough of that part, hopefully here comes the good stuff. We were gone Tuesday and Wednesday to a village called Kamwenge and another place called Fort Portal. Both are relatively near the border of Uganda and the Congo. We are in Kampala, which is in the middle of the country, at the southernmost point, bordering Lake Victoria. In Kamwenge we visited families that GFR sponsors, as well as some that are living at a level of poverty that is hard for Americans to fathom. We were definitely away from the masses. One woman we came across was a widow from conflict going on in Uganda right now (military) she also had four children and no place to live. Hopefully GFR will allocate the resources necessary to provide some immediate help for her. Another village we visited had several people there who suffer from elephantiasis, which is very painful, but is relatively inexpensive to treat. So it was gratifying to be able to provide antibiotics for those in need. We visited two schools, one middle school, one preschool, both with stories that really touch your heart about the suffering that is not uncommon here. The second day in Fort Portal we visited a village that has been drastically affected by AIDS . There was a choir of over 125 kids who had lost both parents to the virus, singing to us about their experience, and minutes later singing about how they lowe Jesus! Talk about blown away! That particular day we were painfully made aware of how lack compared to resources was overwhelmingly imbalanced. You find yourself wanting to do more to help these people, who are a humble, grateful, and spiritual people. Yesterday we visited a mother who is blind and HIV positive with three children. You could see that even in the condition she is in, that the presence of the Lord is with her. Today's visit was the most gratifying so far. We went to an area known as Namyoya, where there is a pastor that GFR sponsors and a recently constructed church and pastor's home is located. A lot of children reside in this village, so really enjoyed the fellowshipping as well as helping with some of the construction work,(moving bricks) So nothing glamorous, but certainly necessary. Tomorrow(Sunday) we are going on safari in another region of the country. We will have the opportunity to visit the Blue Nile, and apparently the waterfall there is fabulous. I look forward to relaying what this experience will be like. Thru all the things that have happened here, truly God has been at work here. I feel like the people here have ministered to me more than the other way around. Until next time, Peter