Uganda 2026 Day 8

Uganda 2026 Day 8

Today is our first day of clinic in Rupa. We arrived and set up everything. They have been working hard on the school and grounds with funds people are donating for it. They painted the buildings along with artwork for teaching. Made a rock path with a vegetable garden, and the church has walls instead of just polls and a roof. It was so good to see! Oh, they also have some new desks. They do need the floors worked on though. The floor in the room we used for the pharmacy had a big, deep hole in it. We were able to work around it, but that is harder when you have a classroom full of students. 

For today, I was in clinic church all day. The first half of the day it was Tony, Jodie and I. Both of them shared with the first group of people that came through. This was after pastor Sam gave instructions of what was expected. After Tony and Jodie spoke, the choir girls sang and danced. John Bosco Lokut came at this time to dance and sing with the girls. He started into preaching/testimony from there. Then it was my turn to share the gospel with everyone. As usual, I shared from creation to the cross. I always think it is important to share where sin starts and then why Jesus came. Tony shared after me again and then the girls came up another time. I joined in with them as did Esther’s little sister, Favor. It was so cute because she kept turning and looking back at me with a huge smile. She is adorable! I love her and Esther so much! Pastor John was the next person to preach and the last one before Lunch break. Our team gets food and so do the Karamojung.

After lunch break we did not do children’s church so I went back to adult church. I danced with the kids during the singing of intermission time. This was not the choir group… just kids. They kept laughing at me as I attempted to follow the moves. Even when I thought I was not doing bad. Paloma was able to share her testimony in her native language and then Anna would interpret to English so Mary could interpret to Karamojung. I was so fun to witness the team work within all 3. Tony spoke again after Paloma. He  then gave the mic to pastor Sam to give instructions. These people will not see the doctors today, but will be able to come back tomorrow and go directly to education and then the doctors. 

At the hotel we had dinner and then I went to the room with Anna. While in the room, I received a message from John Bosco that Peace, Patience, and their friend (they are helping interpret here) had come and were in the dining area. So, I grabbed the bag of gifts that I brought with me. When I got there, the boys had left and it was just myself and the girls. We did find stuff to talk about while we waited for the boys to come back. When they were back, I brought out the gifts.  I first gave the physical items. Bookmarks with scripture, bracelets with scripture, a handmade bookmark with autumn leaves from my back yard, and a mini emotional support potato I bought from a teen at church.  Next I gave them candy. I started by opening the package of the first candy and placing it in their hands. I told them they must wait to eat until all had it. I think for most of them it was in their mouth for 2-3 seconds. They were the extreme sour warheads. I told them they did not  need to eat them, but a couple were determined to try. I don’t think any lasted the full time. John Bosco kept saying next time I was going to poison him. I told him he was safe from that because I have spent a lot of money on his school. We all laughed. I was then nice and gave the girls pop rocks to try so they had something sweet. I explained how to eat them and had them eat all at once. They thought they were fun! The last thing I gave them was a bag of cotton candy. The boys had some to get the sour out of their mouths. Later I ended outside and sat next to Richard. We talked about what happened in our lives over the last year. He also told me his plans for his business he is working toward having. I am so excited for him and the day he can really start it. Richard is just trusting in God’s timing and provision for this dream job. I am looking forward to witnessing that day. I finally told him I need to sleep because it was midnight.