Harvesting Soles

Sorry this post is later than usual. We stayed late at the job-site to finish as much of the roof as possible and then we had an African BBQ under the stars. It was the best meal we've had yet, but it was later than usual. After that we were all exhausted and went to bed.

Anyhow, regarding today's title: It is not a spelling error! While Kiley, Sue and I (Nicole) were harvesting sweet potatoes yesterday, we happened to dig up soles to some old shoes. Hence the title: "Havesting Soles", since truly our hope is that we are not just havesting sweet potatoes, but that our group is leading souls to Christ as we share our time and our work and our hearts with the workers and neighbors of the job-site.

I cannot believe that our time at the job-site is completed!! Props to our roofing team: Glen, Nick, Kevin, Barry, Tom, Darryl, Katie, and many of the Ugandan workers who spent long hours working on the roof of the new school. It is 2/3 completed and it looks awesome! The administration building is completely painted inside and out, and the glass has started to be installed in the windows. All of the sweet potatoes that William planted have been harvested. While we are all so pleased with all that has been accomplished, we are dying to see this entire project completed. Truly it will be a place of blessing not just for the orphans, but for the entire community in Mukono. It is hard to leave the job when it is not entirely completed!

Our relationship with the workers grew to be a sweet fellowship throughout the week as we shared our love for Christ Jesus with one another. We have thoroughly enjoyed the people of Uganda and their beautiful language (Lugandan). So I figured I would give you a bit of a sampling:
Hello mugandawange! Olyotya? Jendi. Tukwagala and tujjakusubwa. Osumaluddwa. Yesu yebazibwe! Amina!
Interpretation: Hello brother and sister! How are you? I am fine. We love you and we miss you. But you have been delivered. Praise Jesus! Amen!

We also experienced the customs of an African funeral yesterday. There was much more traffic at our job-site yesterday as many people came to mourn with Mama Maria. We were able to contribute a bag of beans and a whole wheelbarrow full of sweet potatoes for Mama to feed to all of her guests. Tim even helped dig part of the grave for her son in order to come alongside these people and show our sorrow for their loss. Many of our group attended the funeral service during which both William and Miss Sarah Corson were asked to speak. From what I understand, Miss Sarah preached a good sermon that William interpreted for her. Truly, the Lord is amazing to have allowed this event to occur while we were there, so that the name of the Lord Jesus would be shared with many more lives than would have happened otherwise. Yesu yebazibwe!

Today we will visit William's garden and we will go to the city of Jinja to see the Nile River and shop for some Ugandan souvenirs. It is almost time for breakfast! I will write more later. Blessings from Team Agape!!