Wow, our last full day in Uganda, and what a day it was. It started with an amazing suprise: we drove out to the new orphanage to find that the workers had finished the roof for us! Hallelujah! Such an awesome sight. It feels good to have that part of the building project completed. And we're that much closer to seeing a new home for the Agape children.

We spent the remainder of the day at Ssezibwa Falls with the children. They were waiting for us when our bus drove up and mobbed all around the door again, ready with lots of hugs and warm greetings. I tell you what, that is one experience that will never get old! These precious children are so incredibly loving; they just love to hug and be loved on. We had some Spirit-led and Spirit-filled church under an open African sky with lots of singing, more testimonies from the children, and messages from brother William, Miss Sarah Corson, and the Reverand Father Anthony, who is a very dear friend of William and a large part of the Agape ministry. We finished the service with a special time of prayer during which Mr. Dan anointed each child's head with oil while we all sang and prayed for God to bless and lead each life. Some of these children have been through so much: living in the streets, abuse, going without food, HIV, the death of parents, etc. A couple even have patches of grey hair, which is a very rare occurrence in children that is only caused by extreme stress. To see immense joy on the faces of those who have known true hopelessness and poverty is beyond amazing.

After that we had lunch, followed by three stations of VBS where the children made bookmarks, prayer journals and salvation-bead bracelets. And then an African dance group came and performed some traditional African dances to the beat of drums and singing. The children and some of our team even got to become part of the act. The highlight was the dance-off between Katie & Kevin wearing "goat hair booty-shakers". (I don't know if that's the technical term or not, but that's what we're calling them.) Lots of joy and laughter accompanied the entire afternoon. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. At 6pm they finally had to start herding us back onto the bus. Some of the children just wept, and we cried right along with them. I honestly felt like a mommy leaving all of my babies behind, never knowing if or when I might see them again. How can such a strong bond and attachment occur in such a short period of time? I'm sure I speak for our entire group when I say that our lives are forever changed. We leave tomorrow for a our long journey home, but a large part of our hearts will remain here in Uganda.
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for bringing us here. You did not need us to accomplish Your will here, but You chose to use us nonetheless. We are humbled and so very blessed that You would give us the privelege to come so far to be with our brothers and sisters in Uganda. We praise You for all that You have done and all that You are going to do in and through the ministry of Agape Total Childcare. Amina!!