After a long 24 hours of travel...we made it - safe and sound!!! Thank you, Lord!!!
Well, all I can say is that nothing could have prepared me for what I have experienced in the last few days. It is a struggle to find the right words to describe or capture it all - I don't think it is possible.
The sights were overwhelming on the drive from the airport in Entebee to where we are staying in Kampala. The level of poverty was really difficult to see - so many people who have SO little. Such sad faces...so much need for the very basics of life... I wanted to take pictures to remember what I was seeing, but I ended up not taking very many because I was so taken back. It seemed surreal. It is one thing to hear about places like this - it is completely different to see it firsthand. A portion of our team (not me) were escorted into town last night to exchange money. The stories that they shared about what they saw were so hard to hear...
We went to a place in Kampala today where children who commit crimes, etc... are held while they await their sentencing. There were over 150 kids - mostly boys and a few girls. We spent time introducing ourselves, singing with them, sharing the Gospel message, making salvation bracelets, and just hanging out. We were also able to share juice and a few cookies with each of them. The kids loved getting their pictures taken, getting hugs, and just talking with us about our lives and theirs...God made us all with the desire to feel special and loved, and these beautiful children are no different. I'm sure they don't realize that they gave us more blessings than we gave to them today.
Tomorrow we are headed to a facility where children (mostly boys) from places like we visited today go after they receive their sentences. Pray that God's light will shine through the whole team and that they will experience the love of Christ.
My heart is aching terribly, but full at the same time. Spending time with the children today was bittersweet. Trusting that God is in control and His ways are better than mine...
I will try to post again soon. (The Internet is REALLY spotty and so we'll see!) Thanks for your prayers!
(Check Facebook for pictures...hopefully - if I can get it to work!)
In His love and AMAZING grace,
Stephanie
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