Jul 21 2007
Saturday in Lugazi, Uganda
Saturday was a great day. Pete, Jim, Joe, Paul, Michael, and I were picked up by our pastor/host Hudson and he was wearing the most amazing shirt. It looked like it was designed for the Vanagon! We made a 30 minute or so drive to Lugazi, Uganda where Pastor Hudson lives. We began the day with a visit to a children’s home there. These were the sweetest children ever. They met us with hugs and questions. There were about 50 or so children that live there. Pastor Hudson, who is also our host this week, is the founder of this children’s home. He said today that it was not an orphanage, it was a children’s home. He reaffirmed the children that they came to the home as orphans, but became family when they arrived.Â
It was an amazing experience in that these children are being discipled so deeply that they are in fervent love with Jesus. These children didn’t so much perform for us, they led in worship. I have to admit for about 20 minutes of their leading, I wept. They were singing “God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me.â€Â They were singing so strongly and so passionately that the presence of the Holy Spirit soften my heart enough to make me weep. Dana Watson was curious about education here. I found out that many of the Orphanages that World Orphans sponsors are actually homes, schools, and churches all in one. In fact, the orphanages are actually reaching out into the community offering education to the local children who aren’t necessarily orphans. That is the goal of many orphans, to integrate the orphans with the local children. The crazy thing here is many of the orphans live better than the local children with family.
Many of these children came running up with photo albums of their “American†families. These are people who sponsor these kids. It isn’t through any of the big organizations, just a couple from
Missouri who visited here and adopted some and spread the word. I met a little boy whose name is Paul. I don’t know what it was about Paul, but my heart connected to this little guy. He is 12 years old. I have seen a couple hundred children over the past two days, and felt compassion and love for each of them. But Paul affected me differently.
He showed me his bed in a room that housed 12 or more boys. They were all so happy to have beds. They were bunk beds 3 high. They all had one special toy. I have a picture of Paul showing off his stuffed animal. He is such a sweet boy. He reminded me so much of
Jackson in the way he helped everybody. He stood behind our van as we backed out guiding us out. Then he took care of locking the gate behind us as we left. He was full of life and not a care in the world. Praise God for those children.
On the 20 minute drive back from Lugazi, we stopped off at the mouth of the
Nile river to take a tour. I saw my first major wildlife I suppose…not Jim, but a monkey. He was just hanging out on the side of the river. It was so funny because we all pilled on this boat type deal and found seats. Right behind us came a flight crew of women form KLM Airlines. We had a good time with them, I think Pete enjoyed them the most. Jim asked if they were on a KLM calendar. I don’t know what he meant by that (lol).Â
When we left the
Nile we came to the Amman Baby Cottage. Lots of babies. They were being so well taken care of. When we bring students here next summer that will be a place where we will serve. Yes, I did say when Revolution comes next summer.  It was very hard to see those little babies all over the place. Many of them were obviously ill. The day is winding up here with the sun about to set. I finally slept the whole night last night and I needed that! The travel here was pretty brutal. It is almost 11:00a.m. in
Arkansas on Saturday, July 21 as I write this…which makes it almost 7:00p.m. here in
Jinja, Uganda. We are going for supper in a little while.
Tomorrow we will go to church with Pastor David Livingston in at Father’s Divine Love Ministry. The services here usually last over 3 hours. Boy, wouldn’t that go over great at our church?Â
What a great day. Thanks for your responses! I love to read them. Those this applies to, pray about your participation next summer in Mission Africa!!!
Chris thank you from Pat Allen and Norma Robason for setting us this blog! I posted pictures of today on my face book. I can’t figure out how to put them on here…
21 Responses to “Saturday in Lugazi, Uganda”
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Lots of tears at my house today, between yours and Paul’s blogs. It is so much easier to picture you in your new environment after reading your messages.
Say Hi to the Pawpaws for us.
Pat
Jason, it sounds like you are having an amazing time and God is really working through you! I am so ready for next years mission after hearing all of these great things. We miss you terribly…but are ready to hear some more of your amazing storys when you get back…all my love
How amazing God is! Just reading how those kids have touched your life so quickly makes me even more excited about next summer. You must be having the time of your life over there! Keep safe! We all miss you.
For everyone who read this, Jason is also traveling with Paul Myhill, President of World Orphans, who also has a blog that you may want to read if you get a chance. It is www.orphaned-abandoned.com. You should also check out World Orphans website to see how they are ministering around the world.
Sorry! This is the website:
http://abandoned-orphaned.typepad.com/paulmyhill/
Jason & “The Papa’s” - Sounds like the main show at the
Jinja Hilton! What a group! What an adventure! What a mission! We will all be prayerful for your time there and
the trip home. Jason, you are with men who are using their
gifts for HIS service and your preparation!
it is so awesome to hear what you are able to experience. i’m glad you are having such an amazing time and i love that picture of you and the kids. i’m happy to hear that everything is going good and that God is showing you so much. i’ll continue to be praying for you. I love ya man.
Lieutenant Abbott
Cousin Pat Allen sent us the link. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Our prayers are with you. If you see little Paul again, tell him that his brother in Texas prayed for him today that the Lord call him out for special service for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jason - It means so much to hear each day what you have been doing and that all is going well. Tell Jim that I sent his sister a copy of the blog today. They have been keeping up with your progress from the itinerary. All of our family sends our prayers and love. Norma
Hey Jason!! Wow, I am amazed at what God is doing in your life! It is so fascinating how little kids like that can bring out all of your deep compassions and desires to fulfill the needs of others. I can hardly wait until we get to go there; what a great mission field!!!! You are so awesome, Jason! Keep it real! I’ll be praying for you, along with a bunch of other people who love you and like to hear from you!!!!
It sounds and looks like you are having an amazing time…. how can it not be amazing!! Just wanted to let you know that we are praying and thinking about you!!
How do we look at your pictures?
The children just sound so precious. I wish we could be there to hold and talk to them also. Maybe someday we could have a big “general admission” trip to Africa that any interested families could participate in. I can’t think of a better way to educate my children and give them a heart for others.
It is so neat reading all of the amazing things that God is doing in your life right now. I have thoroughly enjoyed it! I am praying for you!
Jason - It is awesome and inspiring to read how God is working in your heart through this trip. We are praying for you. I can’t wait to read your next entry.