Amari, Uganda!

Friday was a great day for all of us. After a relaxing morning playing with kids, the women spent some good time with our Ugandan friend Sarah - she took us through the market and then we ate lunch in her home. We then had to say goodbye to her, as she had to travel back to where she works & goes to university. The guys spent some good time together too, including planning for our Saturday conference with the church leaders and exploring some of the town. In the afternoon, we went and taught at a primary school run by Action International ministries, who African Leadership has worked with before. Our teachers (Molly, Lou Alice, Eric, & Katie G) led our groups through lessons, and then we all joined together in the school yard for a soccer game of the "munos" (white people) versus the students. Then the evening was some good quality time spent in the homes of our new friends from this week. We were served extravegant homecooked meals (including pizza they made us -so exciting!) and just enjoyed sharing life - laughing with (and at!) one another, learning about their culture and history, and listening to stories.
We also prepared some more for our conference today...

Today (Saturday) we helped lead a 3-part conference with church leaders from all of the communities we have been spending time with. After a delayed start ("Africa Time"!!) Randy taught on Grace, Repentence, and living with Mission. We split into small groups for discussion and also shared our worship with each other. We are becoming so attached to these dear friends...it will be hard to leave. We all continue to be amazed at the picture of unity and One Church we share with our Acholi friends here, and how we all fight to learn and live by the same truths, and share the same hopes and dreams.

Tonight should be interesting, as we have learned that "Africa's Top Diva" is taking place at a pavillion next to our hotel. Your guess at what that will look like is as good as ours :)
We're hoping the city noise ordinance goes into effect and we're not kept up all night by the "talent" we will hear! Though we are all taking bets as to what time it will end...

Thank you for all of your comments - we are passing along the messages. We have 2 more full days here in Gulu, then head to Murchison Falls Tuesday morning. So we will try to update once more!

I continue to rejoice in how our team is conquering fears and growing so much together. God is truly at work in this place, and in each one of our hearts.
As Regan would shout... AMARI UGANDA!! ("i love you, uganda")...
marisa & the team :)