Worship in Training and Song

First off, I would like to mention that Opio is much better.  He is back to his normal self - cracking jokes, making faces, and sneak peeking through my front door.  Thanks for praying!

Secondly, here are a few shots from my past two weeks.

 "Timothy Leadership Training" - TLT

 Serving God in Work and Worship

 It was great fellowshipping and learning with lots of local church leaders!

 Oil of Gladness - we participated in last Saturday's huge praise and worship event.

 I absolutely love singing with and being a part of this choir!!

St. Peter's Cathedral, closer to the end of the night. 

Opio's Clinic Visit

Today my neighbour's helper came over and knocked on my door.  With fear on her face, she explained that 3 year old Opio was very sick and she wanted me to call the mother who was at work.  After a quick phone call, I found out that the mother was called out of town with her job for the day, so she wouldn't be able to come and check on the twin, but she wanted me to take the baby to the clinic. 
Opio looked scared.  When I went to see him, he was curled up on the bed, crying his eyes out.  I rubbed his head for a while and asked him what was wrong.  Normally talkative, he was absolutely quiet.  His twin, Ochen, said that Opio's stomach was paining.  I told Opio I was going to take him to the clinic.  He struggled to get up and put his shoes on.  In the car, he looked like a lost little boy.  Usually while driving he is telling me about trucks and motorcycles and giddy with excitement when he sees a bus.  Today he just sat there, mute and spacey. 
In the clinic, the nurses thankfully knew who he was and did everything they could to help him see the doctor.  I was delighted with their personal skills.  But after seeing the doctor, my heart was burdened.  He never once touched Opio.  He didn't check for a fever, he didn't feel his stomach... he just signed a form and sent him for blood work.  The pin prick of blood came back with no results, but even the nurses said "Oh, he must have malaria, it's just not showing up on the slide yet."  Three bottles of syrup were prescribed - an antimalarial, a cough syrup, and a painkiller.  I went home praying that it was something really simple wrong with my little boy.  Maybe it was constipation.  But I just couldn't believe I was supposed to give this child all these medicines without really seeing a doctor.  Please pray that Opio is okay... it's scary to see the little one so sick, especially when the words are difficult for him to express what is really wrong. 
I was kind of proud of Opio though.  At home he was bawling.  In the car he was whimpering.  In the clinic he sat stoic and dry eyed.  He didn't blink a tear when the nurse pricked him for blood work.  But while sitting alone in a medical room, waiting for the syrups, he began to cry again, with pain taking over his eyes.  As soon as the nurse walked in, he dried his eyes with his kerchief and snuggled on my lap until all the doses were explained.  To me he showed such strength.  Trust me, he wasn't being weak around me, but he was sure being strong around the clinic staff.     

Singing in Spirit and in Truth

Even though I enjoy writing, words can not describe the emotions that pass through my heart when I am able to worship God - especially with people who have become amazing friends and are quality musicians.  For about the past nine months, Oil of Gladness band has met in my home on Friday nights - for singing and fellowship, and just recently, doors have opened for us to do ministry as a group.
This coming Saturday, October 26th we are singing at a big church in Soroti town.  The choir is made up of singers from at least four different churches, and to me, that is an amazing accomplishment already.  I love seeing the churches being united in purpose.  We have now been practising for weeks - learning new songs and blending voices so that God can be glorified.
Last Saturday we were together for at least 5 hours, but that day was not for practise - it was for prayer.  It has been a long time since I have gone to a prayer retreat and wow, it was so encouraging to rest in God's presence.  We spent time confessing sins, praying about worship, getting our hearts right before God, asking the Lord for guidance and provisions for next week's concert, and we lifted each other up to the Lord.  Together we battled through spiritual warfare - knowing that Christ is King!! 
On a fun note, the girls and I have picked out colours for our uniform and designed the dresses and shirts.  The guys have all been measured and at least two tailors are busy at work... so hopefully we will look professional on Saturday.  May the Lord's name be praised!

A Call for Help

A man I met during last year's youth conference preparations called me and asked him if I would meet him in the school offices just up the street from my home.  I couldn't quite remember who he was, but the youth conference was a good starting point.  So I arrived at the school at one to find two people in the principal's office, waiting for me. 
The man introduced me to the pastor of a small church that is running inside the school.  The church has maybe 8-12 children on a Sunday and they are looking for some training, but the call was for another occasion.  They pulled out an invitation - where kids from the surrounding neighbourhoods were all being invited for a Children's Day on November 2.  The Pastor talked about how the kids were really important in a church and they felt this day would be really important for door-to-door evangelism and church invites.  As I was holding the invite, excited about this up-coming day, I awaited the reason for my call to help.  After a few more moments of chatting, I finally heard these unexpected words:
"Karen, we are dreaming of this big day and we know that the children are key, but we just have no idea what to do with children.  We heard that you work with children and leaders.  Can you please teach us and be with us during that Saturday program?  Please help us to fill the hours between 9-4."
Wow, that's a fun task.  To walk alongside a church and teach them how to get excited about children's ministry and guide them in all the things necessary to pull off a fun day - Bible stories, games, snacks/food, singing, music, memory verse competitions and more.
Our first real planning meeting will kick off tomorrow.

Back to Humble Askings

Last month I was asked by my team to assist TECDEFO (Teso Children's Development Foundation) in finding sponsorship or funding in Soroti town.  Why?  Because Soroti is my town and I know lots of people there.  Of course I wanted to assist some wonderful/passionate Ugandan men, so that they could continue to run a program that looks after vulnerable children and teens.  In particular - Street Boys.  My only problem... I am not a fan of fundraising.  I was scared out of my mind to ask my own friends, churches, and family members to support me on the mission field.  Now I had to go to businesses and churches in Soroti town.  And I was nervous. 

Seriously, I prayed.  Lord, is this the task you are calling me to?  Yes.

I met with the TECDEFO leaders and we decided that the churches were the best place to start.  The need was/is 300,000 UGX/month - for food, soap, tutoring costs, etc.  That's not so much in western standards - $120/month, but we were finding that western funding comes and goes and it would be so much more beautiful if the churches in Soroti pulled together to love the least of these.

So, a few days ago, we started journeying to churches... and today I am coming home in shock.  The money is not yet completely raised, but churches are excited.  They want the street boys to come and share in their churches.  Two churches already offered monthly pledges and one put cash in the hands of TECDEFO.  I am so proud of God's church.  There were no denominational walls. 

What amazes me the most is how God divinely set up each appointment at the various churches!  One pastor I met at youth camp the week before - so he was happy to have me come in and share with him and his church leaders.  Yesterday we went to one of the big churches in town, and the vicar asked a ton of questions.  Little did we know that the visitor sitting in the office, listening to us describe the ministry to the street boys, was a pastor of another church in town and he was just waiting for us to drop by his church so he could support us too.  God is so good. 

It will be a delightful thing to see all the money raised through the local churches here.  The Teso people sharing and caring for the kids on the streets.  I was so stretched, and I just thank God for each step of the journey. 

It also reminds me once again how humbled I am to be serving in Africa because of my church family and friends back home.  The Lord reigns!

What remains is to follow up with the churches.  But also, almost every church suggested that we get some time on the radio - to make the community aware of the need and also inform the people as to why these boys are even living on the street in the first place.  Please, together let's pray that these boys will come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ and have their lives transformed.  May they truly find freedom!

A Neighbour's Suggestion

Before Kid's Camp, I told my neighbour girl that I had to prepare at least three Bible lessons on the theme "I Belong to Jesus".  Early the next morning she knocked on my door, handed me this paper and said "This is what I came up with."  This young lady is such a blessing to me.  I love talking/sharing with her, and teaching her as much as possible while she is home for a break from boarding.  Oh to be 14 again, soaking in knowledge!

"I Belong to Jesus" - Kids Camp

For three full days, 130 kids flocked to the church and participated in Kids Camp.  It was a great way to finish off another term break.

 Games were played

 I don't have a picture of it... but I led both musical chairs and tug of war... these kids are serious in their games.  The Tug of War was the best - especially since the girls were super strong.  The boys were furious when I grabbed the rope, since I equal 3 men they say.

 Valuable lessons learned after the games.

 I was also in charge of registration - everyone had to wear a name tag - with a specific colour and letter - according to their age and Bible study group.

  Every morning I led the time of Bible study - the story of Pentecost, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and David and Jonathan were the ones that fit this year's theme of "I Belong to Jesus"

 On the last day, the kids had a long "Amazing Race" around town - filling out puzzles and memorizing Scripture as they made their way to heaven.  Part way up the rock into heaven they were greeted by Captain Salvation.

 In heaven - neither shall you hunger, nor shall you thirst... the kids found juice and biscuits waiting for them.

 I was acting the role of Jesus and this year I had two angels assisting me in heaven

The kids enjoyed the mountain top experience before heading back to church for closing ceremonies.

Once again, I made great friends and I loved working with even more churches and individuals to pull off a successful camp.