Holiday Season

Sorry to everyone who is a regular reader, I have been a bit slack and it has been close to two weeks since my last post.
Holidays are on its way, as a result I have found myself having a bit more free time as a lot of my programs are finishing up for the year.
With holidays on I am not doing any classes in the schools, and the Tailoring class will finish up for the month at the end of next week.
One of the film groups have also finished up their film which they are all very super happy about! We are now in discussions on where we want to show the film. The boys want to approach TV stations here, as well as suggesting they play the film in schools to educate youth. This would be a great opportunity to get this group of youths to get up and speak about the film and the things that they learnt about social issues while making it.
The Schoolies team also left last Wednesday morning. It was good to be able to catch up with Johann and Joely Poppenbeck, as well as the team, and say good bye to them. Of course an in depth Theological discussion on the state of the church with Joel P last Sunday afternoon at a cafe in town was in order, always love a good deep talk with that guy!
The Schoolies team also left some dresses and skirts for the girls in the tailoring class, which we are going to hand out next Friday on the Christmas break up. This is going to be a blessed time, and I know the girls will love these new cloths.

We also had an anonymous Schoolies member donate some money towards the tailoring class which has been most appreciated. Farook and I discussed that we will use half of this towards some supplies for the girls for the Christmas break (soap, rice) and a nice meal for them, and then save the rest for an investment in the girls when they finish the course in April next year.

I have also had the chance to meet lots of Agnes family and friends this month, even having a lovely dinner with her foster auntie and uncle (who is the mayor of the local town near here). Her foster family have been so accepting and embracing, and it has been really special to feel welcomed. Her foster Aunt and Uncle in particular seem like amazing people who have spent a lot of their time, energy and money into running a foster home for young people in need.

The last few days here have been very rainy and cold, which has been a bit of a change. I don't mind it but the mud gets a bit annoying sometimes! But I know people are loving the rain for the crops, and people are always giving praise to God for the rain.

Yesterday Farook and I were given a chicken from a close friend of ours. So in African style Farook and I ended the chickens life (sorry chicken) and had a big feast last night with friends. It was a special time, as we laughed and joked and all tried to battle through the mountains of rice on our plates, all while sitting in a leaky room and listening to Ugandan Gospel music blaring through the little radio. What a lovely time of fellowship with my friends here, and while its only little that they have, they always wear a laugh and smile and are not far away from giving thanks to God for everything they hold dear in their lives.

                               

God is here and present as usual. It was great to have one of the schoolies leaders "Pete" give a sermon in the local church last Sunday.
He talked about how everyone is important to the body of Christ, and it doesn't matter what your position is, everyone has a unique purpose and calling. I thought this sermon was beautiful, especially when often it's thought of that a 'Godly' person has to be a pastor. It was all the more special for me when Michael, the farmer of the village of hope, came up to me that Tuesday holding his hand on his heart saying that the sermon was really special for him. Here is a man who never really had an education, and works as a laborer and a farmer, a position not seen here as vitally important or special. Yet he was holding his heart understanding that he is important to God, and the way that he does his work and carries himself can glorify God as much as someone who seems to have a 'higher' position in society.
I continue to love how the name 'Jesus' is so ingrained and knitted into society here. Coming from a place where the name of Jesus can easily turn people off or cause a mocking and sneering look thrown your way, it's nice to see the affection on peoples faces when this great name is mentioned. Jesus is more then a possible historical figure to many people here. Here He is often everything, and at the core of life for everything.
I will leave you with a little youtube clip I have been showing lots of my friends here. Every time I show it to my Ugandan brothers they well up with tears and start talking about how great God is.
Do enjoy and God bless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB835wkz1Tc