FROM STEVE

Hello from Uganda!

It is now Monday night here, approximately 10 pm. We had a full day of working at the Kampala Church. The Kampala church is the main church in the dove ministry of churches (44 in all). But don't think that the building is a glamorous structure with stained glass or any sort of large altars and carpeting.

The main church is really a structure made of wood and is lined with papyrus reeds. while it has windows, there is no glass and the structure is a bare concrete floor with wooden pews. The Ugandan people spend hours (not an hour and a half) in services.; these services consist of a time of worship (a long time) which includes music by piano, drums and loud, loud voices. Lots of dancing and jumping are an integral part of the worship time.

After a time of testimony, in which people are invited to come forward and "share the good things God has done for you"--and many people do, then the preaching begins. Sometimes there are two messages.

Today, Monday, some of us worked forming the foundation for the new Kampala church which this time will be a building of brick and mortar. Like all other days, it is very humid and though it was not that warm, it was very, very sticky. Others of us spent the time in the Kampala church clinic. The clinic consists of a very small entry way and a space about 6x6 for the physician to see the patients. Most of the cases we saw today were for congestion, eye irritation, open sores and wounds, sexually transmitted diseases and fever.

The Ugandan people are very patient and were very thankful for anything they received.

Once again, traveling through the streets of the city is an adventure. The streets are very crowded with cars, mopeds and pedestrians. The pollution in the city is terrible, it is very dusty and the air is filled with burnt diesel. The combination is stifling.

Still, the people more than make up for the inconveniences. For the past few days we have had no water during the day--i get up at 5 am to take a "shower" which consists of a trickle coming from the faucet. The room is a square, barefloor concrete room with a door to the bathroom and one to the outside.

The food is largely boiled potatoes, beans, bread and some form of meat.

While I am very tired, it was very rewarding working and serving the Ugandan people who are plagued with destitute surroundings, yet have a joyful heart.

Steve

PRAYER CARD #5

Here are pictures from our home as Steve and the girls packed donated medicines.
These are just some of the meds being distributed in Uganda.