FROM GABE

Gabe Kirkwood is one of the team members from Longview, WA, and he left for Uganda January 8. Here is his first email:

Hi one and all! I have arrived safely in Arua, and gotten my money exchanged, and hence the name of this email. The exchange rate is about 1700 Ugandan schillings per US dollar. So, if any of you want to be millionaires, just come to Uganda. I can now say that I know what it feels like to be carrying around a million dollars (uh...schillings rather), hahaha. (now I also know what goat meat tastes like, and how if feels to weave through traffic at unreasonable speeds on the back of a motorcycle)

The poverty here is shocking, and it is hard to know how best to help. I was taken to my friend Godfrey's house yesterday, and the ceiling was barely high enough for me to stand at full height under and the room barely seated 4 people. However he sat me down and offered to buy me a Coke (and would not take no for an answer). I was humbled by his generosity.

The people on the street are very solemn, and don't seem to have much joy. It's understandable when you consider that a large percentage of them have seen multiple genocides and grinding poverty. Despite this we went to church today, and I can't remember ever seeing a group of people more energetic and excited in ther worship, it was a blast to be with them.

Me and Martin start construction on his Nursery/School tomorrow, and he hopes to launch in February. You can pray that his work is well accepted by the Muslims in the area, and for my health, safety, wisdom, and effectiveness.

Take care one and all,

-Gabe

(PS: so far I have seen 1 other white person in the entire city, excluding the YWAMers at church this morning, hahaha. I look like such a tourist with my camera and water bottle, but like I always say, when worse comes to worst it's better to look like a fool than a threat)

"Open up our eyes so blind, that we might find the mercy for the need" -Hillsong United