Today the pattern
continued of us being challenged by Uganda. Challenged spiritually,
emotionally, and physically. On the note of being challenged physically,
we awoke with excitement to participate in Gulu's first "marathon". Naturally
this terminology concerned us. But when we inquired further, we were told
it was a 5k. No problem. Then we were told it was a 7k. A
little more challenging, but doable. 4-5 long, steep Ugandan roads later,
we learned 7k was a slight underestimation on somebody's part. More on
that later. For those who chose not to run, they had the privilege of
helping deliver a pig to Grace's household. Little did they know, that
they would soon see Grace running off with the rest of the runners in the race!
The runners met near the town square in Gulu, and YT chose to pump
himself up by playing "Eye of the Tiger" to the whole bus.
Brett proceeded to jump off the bus doing fast high knees. This
gave a laugh to our fellow Ugandan runners. Many kids, men and women from
the Koro Farm / Sports Outreach ministry participated in the race.
Amazingly, most of the kids either ran in flip flops or with bare feet.
We were each given t-shirts and assigned numbers. Dennis, our
Ugandan boxing friend, had a self-fulfilling prophecy by wearing the number
one. The T-Shirts had "Freedom 424" written on it. This
ministry raises awareness for victims of sex trafficking and abuse by putting
on races like the one we ran today. The race was to end, appropriately,
at the Christine house in Koro farm, where a haven and recovery center is being
built for women who have been physically or sexually abused. The race
began with a word of prayer, a 30 second drizzle of rain, and then a countdown
to start.
Troy confidently hung with Brett, Dennis, and some of the kids early on....telling himself, "It's just mind over matter." A few miles and hills later, the matter became too strong for the mind. The hot sun baked, and the hills seemed to never end. Some of our friends got picked up and encouraged by those in the bus. Others chose to be a glutton for punishment. Note to self, don't run an 11k if you haven't worked out in months. Yes, that's what the race ended up being, an 11k to the farm. But in the midst of the physical suffering, there was a greater thing happening. The runners were encouraging each other to keep going, and prayers were being prayed over the streets that even 1 person would inquire the purpose of this race and hear about the good news of healing and restoration that is found through Christ. As the last stragglers arrived to the Christine house, the runners gathered to pray together. Brett, YT and CC all gave an encouraging word and/or verse. One of the verses appropriately referenced Hebrews 12:1-3.... this verse speaks to us being "surrounded by a great cloud of witness", which we were and "running the race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus", which we did. It was a rewarding experience for everybody.
We then had a restful lunch at Eloyseus' house, and devoured the delicious food our gracious hosts provided for us. From there we departed to Pagwini village. On the bus ride, YT filled us in on a little personal background he has with this village. The story entails 3-4 years back he and a couple others visiting this remote village way, way out in the brush. They found this hut and spoke with a man named Santino. After sharing the gospel, YT asked if he would like to follow Jesus? The man told YT, "I want to think about it, come back and ask me in 3 days" After 3 days YT and his friends went back out there, and asked the same question. The man said "I have decided to follow Jesus, but not only me, I would like my whole family to know Jesus" YT got to pray for them and share what it meant to be born again. YT also asked if this man would be willing to take on a new name, the name Peter. He gladly took the name. Peter then told him there are other villagers who would like to come to know Christ, and it was a group of 40 additional people. Peter and his family were then introduced to Eloyseus and became church members at the Koro farm. They were discipled and mentored by Eloyseus and team and have since started discipling others at the Pagwini village.
Once we arrived to the village, some of our team looked on in amazement of how much it has grown in the past few years. It used to be 1 small hut and brush, and now it has a soccer field, a daycare, a pig pen and the beginnings of a megakitchen. We were greeted by Christine, who a year ago decided to move from the farm to this village. When she initially moved there, she was unsure. But she has grown to love it and responded with a "Great" when CC asked how she was doing. We were given a tour and then did 2 house visits. The first was to Peter and his household. Peter and his wife faithfully attend church at the Koro farm each Sunday, since his conversion. He shared how he would like prayer for strength to introduce others to Christ. Rodney shared a great word about a man Jesus healed from demon possession who went on to influence all of his village. We then visited an 80yr old woman and her household. She had many children and even more grandchildren. It was a very raw scene of the scarcity they have. To see the children covered in dirt, not fully clothed, and some of them visibly sick was hard to take in. This woman shared with us how she often gets sick and needs prayer for strength. YT was able to share about the blessing of having many kids.
We then went on to play a game of handball and soccer with the kids at the village. Handball was a really nice change of pace for those of us who don't play soccer. Team "Fanta", dressed in orange jerseys, took it to YT's team in handball, but we didn't have the some luck in soccer.
We ended the night by scarfing down an excellent dinner and hearing a word from Justin, who has grown over the years to be a strong leader at the farm. We also heard from Annette, who ministers through arts and crafts.
It was a very full day, for our bodies, souls and minds. But a great one that blessed us all.
Troy confidently hung with Brett, Dennis, and some of the kids early on....telling himself, "It's just mind over matter." A few miles and hills later, the matter became too strong for the mind. The hot sun baked, and the hills seemed to never end. Some of our friends got picked up and encouraged by those in the bus. Others chose to be a glutton for punishment. Note to self, don't run an 11k if you haven't worked out in months. Yes, that's what the race ended up being, an 11k to the farm. But in the midst of the physical suffering, there was a greater thing happening. The runners were encouraging each other to keep going, and prayers were being prayed over the streets that even 1 person would inquire the purpose of this race and hear about the good news of healing and restoration that is found through Christ. As the last stragglers arrived to the Christine house, the runners gathered to pray together. Brett, YT and CC all gave an encouraging word and/or verse. One of the verses appropriately referenced Hebrews 12:1-3.... this verse speaks to us being "surrounded by a great cloud of witness", which we were and "running the race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus", which we did. It was a rewarding experience for everybody.
We then had a restful lunch at Eloyseus' house, and devoured the delicious food our gracious hosts provided for us. From there we departed to Pagwini village. On the bus ride, YT filled us in on a little personal background he has with this village. The story entails 3-4 years back he and a couple others visiting this remote village way, way out in the brush. They found this hut and spoke with a man named Santino. After sharing the gospel, YT asked if he would like to follow Jesus? The man told YT, "I want to think about it, come back and ask me in 3 days" After 3 days YT and his friends went back out there, and asked the same question. The man said "I have decided to follow Jesus, but not only me, I would like my whole family to know Jesus" YT got to pray for them and share what it meant to be born again. YT also asked if this man would be willing to take on a new name, the name Peter. He gladly took the name. Peter then told him there are other villagers who would like to come to know Christ, and it was a group of 40 additional people. Peter and his family were then introduced to Eloyseus and became church members at the Koro farm. They were discipled and mentored by Eloyseus and team and have since started discipling others at the Pagwini village.
Once we arrived to the village, some of our team looked on in amazement of how much it has grown in the past few years. It used to be 1 small hut and brush, and now it has a soccer field, a daycare, a pig pen and the beginnings of a megakitchen. We were greeted by Christine, who a year ago decided to move from the farm to this village. When she initially moved there, she was unsure. But she has grown to love it and responded with a "Great" when CC asked how she was doing. We were given a tour and then did 2 house visits. The first was to Peter and his household. Peter and his wife faithfully attend church at the Koro farm each Sunday, since his conversion. He shared how he would like prayer for strength to introduce others to Christ. Rodney shared a great word about a man Jesus healed from demon possession who went on to influence all of his village. We then visited an 80yr old woman and her household. She had many children and even more grandchildren. It was a very raw scene of the scarcity they have. To see the children covered in dirt, not fully clothed, and some of them visibly sick was hard to take in. This woman shared with us how she often gets sick and needs prayer for strength. YT was able to share about the blessing of having many kids.
We then went on to play a game of handball and soccer with the kids at the village. Handball was a really nice change of pace for those of us who don't play soccer. Team "Fanta", dressed in orange jerseys, took it to YT's team in handball, but we didn't have the some luck in soccer.
We ended the night by scarfing down an excellent dinner and hearing a word from Justin, who has grown over the years to be a strong leader at the farm. We also heard from Annette, who ministers through arts and crafts.
It was a very full day, for our bodies, souls and minds. But a great one that blessed us all.
some highlights:
* Dean telling Troy that he would "send him a postcard" after he passed him in the race.
* Dean telling Troy that he would "send him a postcard" after he passed him in the race.
*John's complaint about how he doesn't fare well with the games that put him in
the middle. (during signs)
*The reactions to the Duck Dynasty beard app on Millie and her friends during our bus ride
*All the "ay yai yai yai yai's", especially when CC introduced her husband.
*The reactions to the Duck Dynasty beard app on Millie and her friends during our bus ride
*All the "ay yai yai yai yai's", especially when CC introduced her husband.
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