(By: Chris Marshall)
We've had an amazing 1st day in Uganda! Our Mission Team 5 from MN has now turned into Mission Team 28. We are serving with team members from the US, Canada, and Mexico. Ages range from 18 to 60+. We are just getting familiar with each other but we all feel very blessed to be doing mission work here.
I personally had many, many wonderful experiences today. I made several local connections with lots of wonderful people in Kampala, Uganda. The people here are VERY friendly and they are very strong in their faith. I could write a book (already) about the events of today and this experience in general and we've only been on the ground for 24 hours! I know already that I will be the one leaving here feeling blessed.
Tonight I'd like to introduce you to Anna. Anna is the little girl pictured with me in the photo that was taken tonight. Anna's 12 year old brother Peter took the photo. Anna is 10 years old. The same age as my daughter Abby. Anna comes from a family of 8 siblings. They live in a very small home near where we stay. Both Anna and her brother Peter are sponsored by Loving One By One and attend the school that is operated by Loving One By One. Anna's mother fled to Sudan to escape an abusive relationship with Anna's father. It's common in Uganda for the women to work while the men socialize most of the day. In Anna's case her father would abuse her mother, take the money she earned and would spend it on himself. Anna and her 7 siblings are currently being raised by their 18 year old brother.
Anna's situation is sad. But meeting her you wouldn't know that. Her personality shined bright. She was a bright light...bright just like my daughter Abby. When we met tonight she greeted me with her beautiful smile. She shook my hand and properly introduced herself (speaking her last name first then her first name). She gave me hug and then we talked for a few moments about simple things. What I quickly realized is that kids are the same everywhere. They are all the same. The just want to be loved and shown a little attention. I'm looking forward to meeting more children like Anna.
Tomorrow we visit Graceland (the orphanage operated by Loving One By One). I'm excited and looking forward to our visit.
Love and blessings to you all!
Chris
Maureen and Team -
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that you have all arrived to the place that the Lord has called you to serve. Blessings, patience and hard work have gotten you this far with His help. Thank you for the updates and photographs as it is a true joy to see the love and compassion you are spreading and it is being reciprocated. God bless you all on this glorious journey.
Tabetha