Hi, Rachel here. It’s hard to believe that our trip is almost over. The new building is pretty much done and sewing machines and computers should be in in the next few days. The healthcare is busy analyzing their data from the surveys. They get freakishly excited about data entry =) Today, Melissa, Irene (a teenager at STAO) and I went to town (literally and figuratively) buying supplies for the school at STAO. We got 12 dozen exercise books, pens, markers, 2 blackboards, posterboard, chalk and erasers. We’re also hoping to buy some curriculum books before we leave. As I’ve talked to kids of all ages, I’ve been struck by how much they want to learn. When I’ve asked kids what they like to do, more often than not, they’ll say “learn.” When I talk to the teenagers, they talk about school fees and how much they want the money to pay them. Uganda has public education which is “free” but not. In order to attend, students need money to pay for uniforms, books, and other supplies. It’s quite a struggle. Because the STAO school doesn’t charge fees, it is understaffed and lacks classrooms, desks, books, and other supplies. Hopefully our purchases will help STAO teach more effectively.
As Melissa, Irene and I were walking through town, a man yelled to Irene in the vernacular, “You know they’re just going to leave, don’t you?” She laughed as she translated this to us. It’s starting to hit us that we’re leaving and may never see these people again. But I’m realizing that our lives have been forever changed as a result of having met and grown to care about one another. Some of us will be paying school fees for certain individuals God has laid on our heart. Some of us are exchanging email addresses and prayer requests. Early in the trip, I got this image of God standing between me and a Ugandan boy introducing us saying, “Oh Rachel! I’m so glad you get to meet my friend here. I’ve been wanting you two to meet.” I feel like God is so happy that some of his friends in Seattle have met some of his friends in Uganda. We’re now in the process of collecting photos and stories so we can come home and introduce our new friends to all of you. Be excited =)
Thank you for all your prayers,
Rachel
Comments
I love that picture of God introducing you. IT fills my heart with warmth. It is so amazing what GOd can do in just one month. He is so good. I am so excited to know all of your new friends!
Hi Rachel,
It’s Julie from so.CA. It was great hearing how God is working in your heart. I loved the image that God gave you and how you will be introducing your new friends to all of us. I can’t wait to hear you personally share about your experiences. May God cont. to work in and thru you as well as your team. Thank you for your heart to serve God. You & your team will help us get a lil glimpse of life in Africa. Thank you. May God continue to do his work there as you leave and in the people you have yet to meet & share with in the States.
Blessings, Julie
Hi hon, so good to hear from you! You just make me SMILE!
Hey, will you guys be sharing how others of us can come alongside your new friends in Uganda? (paying school fees, supporting the helping organizations, etc.) I AM excited to “meet” them all! Looking so forward to seeing you, too! May God watch over all your hearts as you say good-bye for now and journey home. May He keep you safe and help you to process all you’ve experienced this past month. We love you!
Oh, I sure am excited! Thank you all for the posts and for sharing all of the miracles, joy struggles with us. Can’t wait to see you guys.
For now, Finish out the race–Live it out.
Hey Rachel,
Thanks for writing. It’s always so touching to hear from you. It really sounds like you’ve had an amazing, life-changing experience in Uganda, and I’m so glad you’ve had this opportunity. It’s very cool to hear all the God Sightings, and the ways he’s using all of you to do his work. And also how you’ve been blessed by knowing these precious people–we really are all one people in God’s forever family. I can’t wait to see you. Stay safe, and enjoy your last days in Uganda. We love you & are praying for you.
hey Rachel,
it is so very cool to hear how God has challenged and grown each of you, provided in some awesome ways, touched your hearts with the lives and love of all the kids and people there, used you to touch the people there and so much more! “I will see the goodness of the Lord.” Ps 27:13 despite the hardships of all these children and families, that they will see God’s goodness through you and visa versa. with what you folks have given, may God turn the “fish and loaves” into plenty for the people there! praising God for the work He is doing through all of you! praying for your closing days there. that the seeds of faith that have been planted in both you and the people there continue to grow, drawing you to the Lord and to each other. God bless, Rachel! (and the team!) safe journeys home!