I'm impressed that some people read every blog. Takes real commitment. Thanks very much. It's encouraging to have comments and see blogs shared. Today's been a day of encouragement. Our day started at Pamba Pentecostal Assemblies of God church at 8.30. We went for 2 reasons, David asked us, and Tom went to PAG in 2012, and Pastor Joseph and Pastor Simon helped him with his research.
They have a great heart for people with disabilities. We arrived as instructed in time for the 2nd service, to find the 1st service only halfway through. David isn't known for accurate time keeping - we should have known. We tried to wait outside, but were hustled into the building and directed to fancy chairs at the front. The leader made a comment about people being late and missing introductions but made us stand up anyway. Tom explained that we weren't sure if we were late for the 1st service or early for the 2nd. There was then a lengthy sermon which was challenging and entertaining. Excellent. This was the English service which helped. The fabulous preacher was undeterred by the escaping chicken (a collection contribution) or small children coming behind him to peer at the Whites.
There were some excellent quotes, including:
'When you pray, God's delay is not God's denial, be patient, He knows you personally.'
'Don't lose your temper, nobody wants it, everyone has a temper.'
After an hour, the service finished, we found David outside, and went back inside for the 2nd service in the local language, Ateso. We sat at the back. There was exuberant praise with singing, jumping and dancing. Then I joined the children. Bizarrely, Tom chose to stay in the service for a repeat of the sermon in Ateso. I had a brilliant time with 75 1-14 year olds (half the children are still in the villages for the school break). The children led singing and prayers, then we had a talk from the Sunday School teacher. I was asked to talk to the children at 3 points in the session. For some inexplicable reason I'd forgotten this would happen. I bottled out the 1st time and stuck to hellos and greetings, 2nd time I managed a story, 3rd time I resorted to songs. Songs proved a great success. Before long everyone was joining in including the young drummer. We had lots of laughs... Until the point where they decided they'd sing 'my' songs to the main church next week and we had to repeat until word perfect - a hot, tiring process.
Tom and David were chatting with Pastor Joseph, then just as we were about to leave, we were led to a table and chairs under a tree and served tea, bottled water, bread, and termites. It was an honour to be served food with the pastor. Ugandans are incredibly welcoming, any hospitality comes with food of some kind. Tom tried the termites first, but soon we were all happily munching and crunching. They were fried with garlic and chilli and not bad! We learnt the lady who prepared them has a business and people come for all round to buy her termites. Collecting them is a laborious, time consuming activity.. And not without hazard. The business made it possible for the lady to build a house and buy livestock. She even gave a pig to the church.
We had a quick turnaround then went to our friend Michael's for lunch. We were served a feast of rice, potatoes, chapattis, cabbage, pork, chicken and smoked fish, and cassava for Tom. During the afternoon, children kept arriving, until there were about 35. It was too hot to play so they amused themselves until Tom produced his tin whistle to entertain them. Finally the awaited moment arrived - out came the 'Par-a-chute'. At maximum capacity, I counted 85 children. I stopped playing when we reached 60 due to risky over-crowding. The flapping silk blew up huge clouds of dust and straw. I can't tell you how much I enjoy watching Uncle Mike in action. He does this because he loves children and they love this single opportunity for organised play in their community.
The parachute is a 'Wightman' model, bought by a family at our church. It came here in 2010 and only has one patched rip. Mike has adapted games I taught him, or he read in books, so they have a Ugandan twist. I love it. This parachute has brought joy to the lives of 100s of children over the years. When you watch shy, barefoot children in ragged clothes shrieking with laughter and delight you can't help but laugh with them.
I'm thinking about commitment tonight... The way Pamba PAG has grown and flourished and cares for people in desperate situations- through the commitment of the leaders and church family. My limited commitment to persevering in my Christian walk or in the work of Global Care. The commitment of the local team here, who work to find ways to support vulnerable children both at work and at home.
Now I'm going to pack, ready for another holiday day tomorrow and the journey to Mbale.
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