Kamuli Village

Kamuli Village

We are back with the Stephensons in Kampala, tired, wet, muddy, but also the most blessed. Today we dedicated the Kamuli Central Community Church of God. The people of the new church met us early in the day, and we set about meeting with them in groups of men, women, and children. Through the generous donations of our friends, we were able to leave them with many gifts: shoes, shirts, socks (which went to the soccer team), and toys of every kind.
After we were able to fellowship with our groups, it was time for the dedication of the new building. Because of rain this week, we were unable to actually meet in the church building, but in a large tent just next to it. We knew it was time when we heard of the sound system, “check 1, 2….amen!” (The tech in me was so excited for them).
We entered the tent the honored guests, amid much praising, singing and dancing. We took our honored seats at the front of the congregations (facing them!), and the celebration began. Pastor Moses began to speak a powerful message of dedication for all that God has given them, and it was translated to those who did not speak English. Songs of praise were sung, and it was such a joyous time!
Then it was time to move to the church building. As we moved, the congregation was dancing, singing, and whooping praise to God. As we cut the ribbon, the excitement increased even more with clapping and praising God for His blessings.
We moved to the platform area, and the pastor of the church, along with Carl, prayed a prayer of dedication over the building. But what was as amazing as all of this excitement and praise, was what was going on around the outside of the building. Since rain had slowed the construction, work was going on even as the building was being dedicated. Work on scaffolding, workers mixing concrete, workers that were literally hanging in the rafters stopped their work during this time. These are people whose only association with the church is that of employment. Imagine their thoughts as they witnessed the movement of God through the body of believers. It was an amazing moment.
We returned to our tent service where we heard from various officials of the area, and then it was time for more celebration. The youth of the area presented a drama about the effect of AIDS that included interpretive movement, music, and singing. There was also a group of dancers that performed for the congregation.
Then it was time for our group. We presented the song “How Great is Our God” to the church, and it was well received.
The keynote speaker of the day was the Minister of Urban Development for Uganda. This is something that rarely happens. He spoke with many moving words, commending the Stephensons and the Kamuli church for working to share the Word of God with others.
After the ceremony, we walked through the jungle to the pastor’s home for dinner. Everyone has been most gracious with what little they have, and they are all so happy to see us. It is very humbling to be a part of this experience.
A three hour ride home, and here we are, ready for the next village. Anxiously awaiting what God has in store for us there!
Fred for team 2

As Fred has shared, our day of dedication was wonderful but for my part I will speak of working with the children. Those of you who are teachers, imagine working with a group of 40 students (that were supposed to be 25 but I’m used to that by now) that range in age from babies carried in their siblings’ arms to teenagers. Add to that fact that these are children who have NEVER attended school. Throw into the mix a “school” that consists of 4 benches in the middle of a field with no grass (a.k.a. mud) and the hot sun (or a monsoon rain) and you can imagine our first experience ‘teaching’. Oh, and your students don’t speak
English (I mean, really DON’T speak English) and there you have it!

Thankfully there were many more plusses than minuses because we were greeted with 40 beautiful, smiling faces who were eager to see what these crazy white ladies were going to do next! We had a beautiful translator (Rehaina I think although I’m not sure of the spelling) and she was a joy to work with. I found out that Rehaina was a former Muslim who was converted recently and had been a teacher for 2 years.

We shared the Kansas book that Brenda and Jill worked so tirelessly on and then played BINGO with three groups. We used macaroni for the BINGO holders and had to make sure to tell them not to eat it! The BINGO cards had pictures from the Bible and it was really gratifying to see our little students gazing at the pictures to match them on their boards. Getting them to yell “BINGO” was difficult at first but once they got the hang of it they didn’t want to stop!

As Jill, Alexis, Cassie and Olivia prepared for the next activity I led them in some songs. Actually Rehaina and I did that! Then it was on to making ‘tambourines’ with macaroni and paper plates. When they started shaking them and singing we knew that a special connection had been made!

We ended that session with bubbles and the parachute. That was a big hit and I’m sure they will enjoy the parachute (since Jill presented it to Rehaina at the dedication service) for many years to come.

I do have to mention our afternoon session. We were told that we would begin around 3 o’clock and that this group would be bigger – around 40. Of course I told Jill and the others that we should expect at least 60! (I’ve learned!)

We began with the Kansas book and this time asked if they had any questions. We had some funny ones (1st question was “where is your husband?” directed to me. It was nice to be able to say that he was with me this year in Africa!) At this point I want to mention that we had squeezed all of the children and benches in the shade of a tree because this was the hottest part of the day!

Next on the agenda was a story about Jesus calming the storm and all of a sudden the wind began to blow! (Great timing right?) Next we felt some raindrops but had experienced that before so we continued on. All of a sudden, rain came pouring down and our students rain home (I believe Rehaina shooed them home!) So, class was dismissed!!! Okay, all my teacher friends – have you ever got to go home because it rained! LOL

After that we ran to the van that was left (the other one had left with Colleen, Fred, Clint and Heather going on TAPP visits – visiting Aids patients) and poor Matt almost made it to the van but did a beautiful slide, not into home base but into the mud! We sat in the van while the rain poured and after it stopped Moses tried to back the van out but it was stuck! Oh, and while we were waiting, several very silly people ran out into the rain to ‘play’. I won’t mention their names (Joanie, Cassie and Olivia) but suffice it to say I’m sure they were the talk of the village!

The men who were working at the church came to try to push the van out and it took many tries. We finally climbed out of the van but found out later that they wanted our weight! When the van was free of the mud we ended up walking to the main road in the mud. I mention mud a lot because I seem to be spending a lot of time in it. And water! Oh, well, this is the rainy season, right?

We were finished for the day after that and went back to our ‘motel’. I have to comment on our accommodations because they were much nicer than we had anticipated. Our group stayed in an enclosed type of hostel where we had access to Western toilets (one of my personal favorite things) and cold showers – another wonderful asset! Fred and I were even fortunate to have a deluxe suite with a private bathroom (sink, toilet and shower) which we shared several times with Matt, Clint, Joanie, Jeannie, Grant, Jill and others for the sink – Carl and Greg. We even had evenings with technology!

As I type this breakfast is being served but I haven’t made it down yet and this is going to be a busy morning! We have been ‘shopping’ for treasures at the Stevensons’, our child of Promise (Jordan) is coming and more craftspeople will arrive soon! Plus we have to pack for a 4 day trip and get our totes ready for more teaching/home visits/services. So, I better wrap this up. I do want to say one more thing – our first day we were able to see our 2nd child of Promise, Recheal. What a blessing to see how much she has grown and learned. She wrote her ABC’s and numbers for me and she has only been in school for about 8 months!

We won’t be able to post again until Wednesday night but know that we are in constant contact due to Fred’s technology. We love you and miss you all! Know that we are where God wants us to be!
Team 2 and Valerie