kopango?

kopango = "how are you?" (you would say "kope" - "i'm fine!")

We are all well and loving life here in Gulu. We have had 2 very full days and no time to get to the internet (which honestly is kinda nice) but didn't want to keep you all waiting any longer :)

After 3 very long days of traveling (including a quick site of Ethiopia - more to come on that on a blog from Lou Alice!) -- we finally arrived into Gulu Monday night around 10:30 -- thanks to our 2 drivers, Jackson & Sylvester, who will be with us all week. Pastor Geoffrey and his fellow leaders and pastors were patiently waiting for our arrival to have us over for dinner. We ate a wonderful (quick) home-cooked meal by Geoffrey's wife, Jennifer, and then proceeded to our hotel - the Pearl Afrique. I was surprised how nice it is! We have had (mostly) hot running water, power, and delicious meals. (though the power did go out in town today - the internet cafe is running on a generator!)

Yesterday (Tuesday) we spent with the community of Layibi - led by Pastor Gabriel. We helped teach the nursery kids, saw their bakery business they are training the women in (and ate a ton of wonderful baked goods!!) and spent time with their fellowship groups. It was amazing to just do life with them for a whole day. We also went to Gulu Central Prison and joined the prison ministry. We were all blown away with how powerful that time was and the FREEDOM these prisoners had in the Lord. It was very moving for our whole team.
Last night was our first night of sharing our highs and lows, and we are really starting to come together as a team. It's so fun to see the different skills and strengths we all bring. Please keep praying for our unity and that we would all be confident in the gifts God has given us.

Today (Wednesday) was spent with Pastor Jefferson in the village of Laliya. We learned of their Village Heath Team (VHC) which was wonderful for our nurses (Katie W & Sarah) and Laura D (who is going to Physicians Asst school) and we also attended an adult literacy program. It's amazing how simple things like learning to read & write can change the course of their lives. We were served a traditional lunch of rice, beans, casava, vegetables, & beef -- all eaten with our hands!! I think it was the first no-utensil-meal for most of our team :) Our afternoon also included the guys playing "football" (soccer) with the village boys (and the new balls we donated) and the girls teaching the little girls songs (and them teaching us!). Another wonderful day spent with a life-giving community.

We are all talking about how incredible it is to worship and fellowship with Believers on the other side of the world who love the same God we do and rejoice and hope for the same things we do. It is such a beautiful picture of community and family, and how we really need each other to show us different parts of God. Everyone on the team has done a fabulous job of getting up and sharing testimonies and stories with our new friends.

We will have a more relaxed night tonight, and eat dinner with our Ugandan friends Sara and Peter who a few of us met here in 2008! (they say hello to the 08 team!!)

So far, besides a few rumbly tummies from grease & too many baked goods yesterday, we are all healthy - pray for our bodies to rest well and be strengthened to be fully present.

More to come soon... THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS - WE FEEL THEM!!

Love to you all...
marisa & the team :)