First day of bible studies!

Afternoon of first day

We are so amazed and overwhelmed with our first day. After lunch we went visiting in the village. The photos are from that visit. Men hold hands with other men. You see Otis with one of the pastors. We have given a few soccer balls so far. We are doing it a little at a time. The most humbling thing was to visit the three wells that service 60,000 people. One is quite muddy and we are hoping to come up with a solution that can make the well hole cleaner, possibly by digging and placing a new pipe. Most people get all their water from these wells. The pastor is so precious. One of my greatest joys today, aside from seeing Andrew and Fabian was to give hymnals to the worship leaders. They had requested some last year. I was able to teach a few new hymns as we sang together on our walking your. I realized that they could not read music and so I sat down with them and was able to start from the beginning with teaching notes, rhythm and time and key signatures. What a privilege to be able to take what has been taught me by others and pass it along. They are very intelligent and talented and just have not had the opportunity. It has been amazing!!!! I wish I had time to tell more!!

First day at Bunga Village!

We arrived bone tired but so happy!! After a good night's sleep we went to visit in the village. At the church they welcomed us with an unbelievable chorus of welcome, drums and dancing when we pulled up. We immediately saw Andrew and our other good friend Fabian. I am pictured with Fabian outside. He was another friend from the choir who played at our home a lot. He is asking about Lucy, and we think he remembers Lucy Banks Smith! Lucy, do you remember him? :). Andrew is pictured with Daniel and the boys. They are both well and so happy to see us!! They had a program for us with dancing and singing and poems. They asked Otis to come up and lead in prayer. He was already overwhelmed with the welcome and of course did a great job. I have wifi here at Buziga so I will try to post from time to time. It may just be pictures. The boys have made friends and are doing well. We will go back this afternoon and start the Bible teaching tomorrow. Thanks for praying!!

We made it to Uganda!

See photos of Ethiopian airlines and the sign for the bathroom! We loved the Ethiopian alphabet and the Ethiopian people who served us. We are now here in gorgeous Uganda waiting on our ride. It is hot but breezy. We all slept more or less on the thirteen hour plane ride. All of our luggage is here. We are so thankful!! We had a close call when we thought we would have to pay $60 extra for each carry-on that was over 15 pounds, but miraculously we went through without charge. Hope to find wifi again soon but you never know! These men are my new friends! They just gave me a new Ugandan name, which they say is a tradition. Namubiro is my new name!

Atlanta Hartsfield!

4:15 in the morning at the Atlanta airport! We have ironman at our back (see photo) and all the luggage and soccer balls checked in with no probem!

Soccer fun ready to go!

We are loading up 60 soccer balls and plenty of pumps thanks to the generous support of many friends!