A brief update

Thursday we started again in the morning at Wentz Medical Center following Doctor Andrew around and helping out with immunizations. Later we went to Mulago Hospital, which is the biggest hospital in Uganda. It was at least twice the size of Children’s Hospital. We were not allowed to do much because they are so strict, but we did get a surprise. Patrick’s brother took us around the hospital and took us to the gross anatomy lab. Guess what we saw there? Cadavers. Yes, at least 8-10 of them were on the tables and cut up. I walked by one of them, looked down and was scared to death! I saw a foot hanging out of a bag! Once again I am reminded why I do not want to go into the medical field.

Friday we went to Katonga Slums. Lauren brought a lot of medical supplies that we could use to help clean up the kids cuts. We spent a lot of time doing that and handing out toothbrushes. We also got to pray over some people and tell others about the Lord. Most of the people we talked to said they were Christians, but there was a lot of evidence of witchcraft. Most of the little children had beads hanging around their waists, which is a sign of witchcraft. The witch doctor will tell the mother that if the beads break it is a sign that the child is healthy and growing, which is a lie because their stomachs expand like a bubble when they do not get enough food, so it really is a sign of malnutrition.

Saturday we went back to Bethany Village, which is an orphanage. This orphanage is set up very well. They have about 150 children divided into houses. Each house has a mother and 15 children. They are given specific chores to do everyday and each house has a garden they have to maintain. When we got there the kids were working in the garden so we spent the first two hours helping them out there. We also helped cook lunch, fetch water from the lake, wash clothes, and play games with the kids. The little kids thought it was funny that in America we do not hand wash our clothes, so they enjoyed showing me how to do that. One thing I really noticed about the kids was their lack of complaining. If someone asked them to do something and they were playing they would immediately stop and go do what they were asked. They never once said, “hold on, I will in a minute” or “no, I don’t want to.” Also, lunch was not ready until 3:30 which is really late, and where American children,( I will admit probably me too) would complain or keep asking for a snack, these kids waited patiently and never said a word about it being late or them being hungry. It was good to watch how patient they were, how much they respected their elders and treated guests.

Also, I forgot to mention that when we were walking to get a boat that morning we passed by someone who was either dead or almost dead. He was lying in the garden and people were gathered around. You never know what you will see in Africa…

Sunday we went to surprise our friends back in Buloba. It was so exciting to see them and see how surprised they were! They did not think that Lauren and I would come back after the team left. Andi always told us to be prepared wherever you are in Africa to speak in front of people.  We got there and Pastor Isaac was like “ we would like to hear a word from our sister Cathy.” We each went up and spoke to the people in the middle of the church service. One other thing… We arrived at the service at 10:15 and they had already started and we did not end until 1:45! A little different than America, huh? These people are awesome! There is no coming to church to be filled for the week and then leave or come to check it off the list as something you feel you need to do. These people WORSHIPED the Lord. Their hearts were turned to Him and fully focused the entire 3 ½ hours on worshiping Him, not worrying about when the service was over. They wanted more.

Monday we went back to Wentz and spent a lot of time in the lab. We learned a lot about the diseases there and saw them under slides. He also showed us how to find out someone’s blood type (Lauren was the donator to this experiment, I avoid needles at all cost.)

 

We are both still really enjoying our time here and are blessed to be a part of what the Lord is doing here. We do miss everyone at home including the food! Thank you for your prayers! It has been more than a blessing to know that all of you are praying for us. The Lord has done immeasurably more than we have expected! Please continue to pray for the people of Uganda especially against the practice of witchcraft, which seems to be the biggest problem here. Also, pray that Lauren and I would have the patience and endurance to finish out these last couple of weeks.

“The twelve gates were made of pearls- each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of the day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty- but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelation 21:21-27