Hey everyone!
I've been in Busia about 2 weeks. I can't even put into words this place. But it's incredible! We wake up every morning at 5:30am to go to the church and pray as a team and with other church members. We wear headlamps because its still dark! Little children run out of their huts yelling 'Mzungu!' (foriegner). They are precious. We walk to church – trying not to get run over by bikes and buses, but I cant tell you how many times I've almost been hit ha. Soon after prayer the children from the school next to the church come out to play. We play and teach them about Jesus. A couple days ago my friend and I taught a lesson on the Good Samaritan and they seemed to love it! The children here are by far my favorite part of Africa. I have never heard one of them complain. They are so happy playing in the dirt and running around. Most of their clothes are filthy and have holes in them. They have nothing in the world's standards, but they are so joyful and loving.They are full of life.
Last week we went to the hospital everyday. We went in groups of 4 plus a translator to pray over the sick. The children's ward was especially difficult. The ward was full of sick children and their worried and exhausted mothers and fathers. There would be up to 4 children per bed. We spent time praying and getting to know each family and their story. Everyone we talked to was a believer. The last day we met a guy about my age who had gotten into a fight with someone over land. He looked completely hopeless. After talking with him he gave his life to Jesus. It was a beautiful thing be a part of. Something that I love about these people is their honestly. They will tell you how it is. If they don't believe in Jesus and want nothing to do with Christianity they don't fake it and aren't afraid to tell you. We were also able to give another man a Bible his tribal language. He was so grateful.
Sunday I helped to teach Sunday school. It was about as different from the Sunday school in the US as you can imagine. Boys between ages 5-16 piled into a one room school next to the church. The kids were filthy, hadn't eaten in maybe days, and came in rags. But, they were eager to here what we had to say. They listened intently with glued eyes and ears. Then we fed them lunch. We scooped Ugali (tasteless filler food), cabbage and soup into bowls. They shared with each other and even tried to give us some of their food. One kid, Evan especially captured me. He didn't talk much but we sat and played together until church was over. I later learned that he was forced to leave his home because is father threatened to kill him. The stories of these children blow me away. They have nothing, but are the most grateful and thankful kids you will ever meet.
Yesturday was our off day. We spent the day going into "town", we bought some mango's and pinapple which are soo good here, and they layed out in hammocks with one of our friends from the church.
Tomorrow-Sunday begins a crusade/revival. Please be praying for God's name to be glorified and lives to be changed and for those who have just given their lives to God to grow and experience the fullness of joy in Him.
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Col. 3:2
