Day 3 - Oct 31 - Home Visits and More!

Today continued with more opening ceremonies presentations from the preschool children, and traditional Ugandan dance about marriage. We did three home visits today. First home visit was with a family with a song who was mute and had malaria in the past causing some mental disability. He was one of their five kids; two of the others passed away. Despite this they were singing and dancing and very happy to invite us into their home. We talked about their home life and what they do for income and prayed for them. The second home was with a younger lady and she was taking care of her deceased brother's two kids who where now orphans. Similarly as at the first home, we talked about her life and prayed for her. Later in the afternoon Bill and John went with Moses to meet Alex, Bill's sponsor child, this was a very impacting moment for Bill, as he shared with us. Unknown to the team, Alex's aunt had just passed away, which made Bill wonder if he would be able to meet his sponsor child.

We showed half of the videos from Northgate to their sponsored children today. Paul #1 and Moses translated to the families, while Jenni recorded their responses back to the NG family. We also showed pictures that the team took and that blessed them very much, especially when we showed some of the videos we took. Rita spent the afternoon in her element crocheting with up to 20 women, we even went throughout tea time without seeing her. We gave David (FH Staff, and the coordinator of Awana) the new Awana kit today and he was very happy to see the colored lines, as apparently they have not been able to find them anywhere in Uganda. We spent all afternoon playing games around the new square with the most popular game being where players were blindfolded and tried to throw coins into a bucket placed in the middle. Boy did the kids cheer when someone got a coin in the bucket. But they also laughed if you were off your aim! Diniz, Jordan and Chris Another blessed day for the team! For more photos and stories, visit our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/144311065603626/?fref=ts or search 'Northgate Baptist Church: Destination, Marare.

Day 2 - Oct 30 - "A Name like no Other"

Update from the team:

We started the day with a hearty breakfast. It gave us energy to face whatever God had planned.

Today was not about our plans, God took over and we had a blast. The FH staff introduced themselves and we had devotions Gen 11: 1-9, they taught us a song in their language and there was a test. \we failed but had fun anyway. Then it was off to the village on a bumpy road, we will never complain about our roads back home. We were met with the same enthusiasm from the children, parents and staff as the firs

t day. What an extreme blessing, always smiling even under tough circumstances. We have much to learn from the people from Marare. We were given our Marare names which we will share on the sharing night at church when we get back. We were then taken aside for some tea, eggs, and peanuts, then they gave us a tour of the village. It was amazing to see the progress, they are so grateful for our love.

We then had lunch back at the office and then came back where the ladies went to work on the crocheting and weaving. The ladies made a beautiful table doily. Gary, Bill and Diniz split up with 3 VSLA groups to ask questions so we can plan some teaching. What amazing progress, these women are so eager to grow their businesses for themselves and their community. We learned a lot from each other. Next our young men and unexpectedly Jenni, went out to work with the children in Awana. Jenni was assigned to a pylon to give kids direction where to run to and found herself emersed in doing exercises and songs with preschoolers. What a trooper, this was definitely Gods plan. Our young men, what can I say. Four young quite men became vibrant men teaching and leading children in song and in games. God used them today in a powerful way. It definitely was a burning bush moment. Pastor John found himself involved in taking pictures of all these activities and then surrounded by children as well.

We ended the day with wonderful supper back at the FH office and spontaneous worship of, Power in the blood. A perfect ending to our day. Blessings from Marare.

Day 1 - Sky high emotions in Marare

And so the team made it safely to Marare! Praise God!

They arrived late in the day today, and spent a couple hours in the village during day light. This message from the team describes the atmosphere and emotions pretty well: "Greetings from Marare. Our team arrived safely after 2 days of travel. Our hosts in London were absolutely amazing opening their home to us and taking us on a tour of London. Paul and Janice poured out their blessings and made us feel like family. London was amazing and we enjoyed the sites, yet our hearts longed to be with the people of Marare. We arrived late in Entebe at 11:00 pm and were met by Moses. It was a very exciting and emotional meeting. The team stayed at the guest house in Kampala near the FH office. We had a good night sleep, breakfast and then drove to Mbale where we dropped off our things at the hotel. The team were all pretty weary and tired by the time we got to the hotel. That all changed as we entered the village but before we got to the school. These people have nothing compared to us yet seemed to be far more content.

The Marare greeting at around 4PM to 5:30PM raised everyone up. Tears of joy and a sense of wanting to be great to them in return were just a few of the emotions. There wasn't a dry eye on our bus and any tiredness was gone, revived by the people. What amazing love, genuine and true. I have never seen anything like this before. Tears flowed freely as these people, God's people, thanked each and everyone back home through the Marare team, for their love and support. Thank you for your continued prayers and love. We can't wait to see what God has in store in the coming weeks."

Miracle #1 occurred already. Gary (this year's team leader) advised that there was a change in customs upon arriving in Uganda. "We arrived in Entebbe at around midnight as planned. Going towards customs, we realized they are using hand scanners for fingerprints to enter the country. Of course this was an issue for Bill. But would you believe the agent waived him aside when everyone else needed to be scanned. No problem for God, but a very surreal sense of his provision." For clarification -- Bill no longer has fingerprints due to years of working with carbon paper as a professor.

Where God guides, He provides!

Wow, a year later, and this year's team has reached their financial goal! We give all thanks and glory to God for guiding and leading and providing! We also thank Him for moving in people's hearts to give and support our relationship with Marare. Our team events this year included so many different things, as God kept providing opportunities, and we felt we needed to try them out. They included the 'Remember Marare' silent auction, the 'Parking stint' at Comfort Heating, snow shovelling with SAGE, our annual Garage Sale & More event, Capital City Clean Up at 2 Safeways, and the infamous 'Run to Africa', along with regular bottle drives through the year. In addition, this team's support came from letter writing to friends and families, and from our church family. This team feels blessed! Often, we believe God can provide, but we doubt that He WILL. We're on Year 3! On October 26, this team of 11 departs for Uganda. I can't wait to hear the progress since last year's team, and also to see the transformation that occurs with our team, and within Marare! We know God will be working, and to see Him moving so strongly in Marare is a huge testimony to us in North America! Romans 10:14-15b reads "How shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" Each team member has listened to the prompting of that still, small voice from God. They feel privileged to be a part of God's plan for teaching, and for the opportunity to grow in their faith lives. On Sunday, October 21, this team is being commissioned to go, make disciples of all men. Pray that their hearts are open to that, to changing and transforming themselves, and to continue to listen to that still small voice as they serve.

A brief review of our relationship with Marare