Today we went to the Kiwumulo orphanage (meaning “resting
place”). Our friends and translators, John and Winnie, work there with the
children. We learned there are 244 children who attend for school, but only
88 who are actual orphans living there. 5 of these loving, ecstatic children
are HIV positive. John works specifically with those infected kids and Winnie takes care of
the young children. The huge compound has classrooms separated into grades
(referred to as primary 1-7) and they actually look very similarly to the ones
back home in America, except for the cement floors and wooden benches. They had
houses for the children, separated by age and gender, and even some skill
training buildings (such as sewing, carving, etc.)
After the tour, we all gathered in
one of the bigger classrooms and were told the children have been practicing
songs and dances for us. It was amazing! They were full of such hope and joy.
Their songs were about Jesus and marching forward in life because with God,
everything was going to be okay. They added our individual names as they sang
about how welcomed we were and how happy they were to have us there. Harry even
got up and joined their dancing in front of everyone! They loved that!
After we left the orphanage, we
went back to the Butebi village. Dennis had brought a bag of LifeSavers candy
and John helped us pass them out to the children. They loved the sweets and
were very thankful. As for their culture, the children are taught to kneel down
in front of adults as a sign of respect and gratitude. It shocks us every time! Harry and Ed are making great progress on the medical clinic and even when we
are not there, a lot of work is being done but the villagers we have hired. Every day, there seems to be more
and more workers joining. Harry is making a point of teaching and encouraging
the workers. He wants to make sure they know he approves of their work and is
seeking their approval in return. The women held another Bible study in the
Butebi Baptist Church and this time about 40 women attended. Sue led and shared
her testimony once again and some village woman stood and shared their
testimonies too. Winnie said it was very possible some accepted Christ for the
first time!
It was a great day and although it
rained again, we pushed through it. We arrived back at the hotel dirty and
smelly, but satisfied with the days work. The hours pass by so quickly and
before we know it, it’s evening. Every night after dinner, we sit together and
share our personal experiences throughout the day. We are learning much from the
locals, from each other, and from God. Everything is going great so far!
P.S. The Entebbe airport is still withholding our medical
bag. Please continue praying.
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