Home Again

I just wanted to write a quick not to all, that we made it home! It was one of the best trips I have taken to Uganda, and I have all of you who were praying and standing with us to thank. You guys are loved more than you know!

Thanks Again,

Willie

Orphans, Elderly, & a Wooden Box

So, these past few days have been amazing. On Monday we set out for Migo Village in an area of Uganda called Mityana. I had spent time in this village a few years back, and was really excited to return there. We were greeted by an old friend of mine, Pastor Dan. Pastor Dan runs an orphanage, and is also the village social worker for the Jajas there. We spent the beginning portion of the afternoon getting to know the different aspects of the orphanage, and then set off to the market to buy gifts for the Jajas. While at the market, we all got a good laugh because Eddie got harassed by a drunk Ugandan woman (she kept calling him the king of london)! We left the market and began visiting Jajas! They were so excited to see us, however, seemed to be in really poor health. We spent some time encouraging and praying for them. One of the Jajas explained to us about how she had spent her whole life following false religion, and after she saw the love of God through all the people caring for her through Jaja Life Project, decided to follow Jesus. This woman is over 90 years old, and is experiencing new life in Jesus, how amazing! We were able to spend time conducting an asembly at a village school, and had a KidsGames event! The students loved it and had a great time! Please pray for the Jajas and Orphans in Mityana.

A few nights later we prayed for people to get saved. The next morning we were told one of the JaJas had died. At the funeral 6 elders came to christ in the village. One of them was the leader of the village. He complained about his legs and side hurting so bad that he could not walk w/o pain. We prayed and the pain left. It left so quickly that he got up and started jumping and dancing. People started looking at us because we were happy at a funeral. The pastor stood up and explained to everyone that this was the power of Jesus. Some of his friends were murmering that he was going to be a christian now and would not want to drink with them. Even at the age of 70 God is not done yet. In the morning we trained bible college students and prison ministries how to clean water and gave them talking bibles. At night we trained Pastors in some remote villages on the same. Everywhere we go people thank us and are so grateful for the body of Christ. Pray for the men that just got saved they are giving up years of addictions and friendships for the new life.

This afternoon, after 10 years of sponsorship, I was able to meet my compassion child! We spent the good part of the day connecting with and loving Mark!!! He is now 18, and has grown into a young man with a heart of gold! He is traveling with us to the village on Monday!

Sometimes while we're doing ministry, it's often difficult to tell the difference between work and fun. On the flight here, we met a woman on the plane while we were delirious from lack of sleep and talking to each other with sock puppets. She told us her name was Sarah, and that she was a chef. Eddie then proceded to invite us to dinner at her house, and she agreed!!! It turned out that she planned a large party for us and invited around 40 of her friends and family to eat and dance! We had some of the best steaks of our lives, and the salads made us not want to go back to America! This woman could cook!!! Our plan was to eat food and dance, but God's plan was to set Jaja Life Project up with some great possibilities of support. Sarah has some amazing connections and was excited about the strong possibilities of working with and blessing Jaja Life Project!

It really amazes me to think of all that God is doing in our midst. Tomorrow we are preaching and sharing at the Word of Grace Outreach Church in Kampala. We're also blessing one of the orphanages in Mityana with a sewing machine so they can produce their own uniforms!!! We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us there. Keep us in your prayers, as Monday we are doing a big clothing exchange in Kito Village at the orphan school there. It is so great to live life with Jesus! His love is everything!

This was hilarious!!!

This is a video of one of the jajas! Here name is Kololo, and she is hilarious! Enjoy!

It's Not About Us...

So I've been in Uganda for almost a week now, and it feels like I've stepped back into a life I once knew. I truly love it here. A few days ago we had our first full day in the village, and I am so amazed at what has already taken place. Eddie and I have both preached a few times, and the Lord has touched many lives. The people have been so grateful for the Talking Bibles, as
well as the water systems, and have had a blast with Kids Games. It has been such a joy to see how much these people love the Word of God. I hope to love God's Word with that much zeal. To them, the Word literally is life!

The other exciting thing has been the clothes. We are partnering with a village taylor and making all of the children here uniforms for school. There is also a church in the city of Kampala that is doing a clothing drive so that we can take more clothes to the elderly and adults in the village.

We're planning to do the clothing exchange in a week, and I'm soooooo excited to see the response of the kids. There will certainly be celebration here when that takes place.

We leave tomorrow to love on the people of Mityana. Pray for our time with the elderly and orphans there.

Overall, I am so grateful that God has allowed us the privilege to be here. I have loved my time with Olive, Martin, Caleb, Eddie, and the rest of the team working with us. What a dear sister I have in Olive. She truly has layed down her life for her friends. And I can't even begin to put into words how great my time with Eddie has been. I grow closer to Jesus with every conversation we have. Oh, how I love my brother. In closing, all I can say is that God is soooo faithful!!! His love truly does endure forever.

-Willie

It all begins here...

So, last night Eddie and I embarked on our journey. We probably had way too much fun waiting in lines at LAX! (See video below!) Thanks to our good friend Jane, we've been grubbing nonstop on Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Coconut cookies!

We arrived in London, and have had a great time of food, laughter, and singing with Pat, Dana, and Nolan Fewell! It's been a refreshing start to our travels. Tomorrow morning we jump on our connecting flight to Uganda! Keep us in your prayers, and know that we couldn't do this without the love and support of all of you! Be on the lookout for an update in a few days. I'm super excited to be able to share with all of you the wonderful things that God is going to do in our midst!

And now I sleep.

Peace,

Willie