The days are short and long...

This has definitely been one of the busiest weekends of our trip! Saturday, Davey and I went to Bible Baptist’s (the church/school where we teach) AWANA club. Yes, they have AWANA in Uganda. It was really interesting to see what was similar to the USA’s AWANA clubs, and what was different. (If you don’t know what AWANA is, think of a VBS or Backyard Bible Club)
Sunday was several church services for me, and man, the doctrine here is really, really bad. One of the missionaries told us that well-educated missionaries don’t come here anymore, and the need for good education is huge. Satan is really taking advantage of the lack of knowledge. It’s really sad to see, especially when I am one of those who is well-educated who could go to Africa long term.
Oh, and on Sunday, I went to a tiny, struggling church where I was very welcomed. It was probably the best service I’d been to yet (doctrinally). They give me and the one other visitor gifts, “not gifts of money, for we do not have any,” the pastor said, “but we give you the gift we have: the word of God.” The copy of the New Testament was printed on cheap paper and wasn’t a superb translation, but the gift pierced me to the heart. Here I was, a “rich” white American, and they were offering me the one gift they could give, and what a rich gift that was.

Strangely, though, with such a need for education here in Uganda, it’s become a big-time idol. People look to education as something that will save them, instead of to Christ. Uneducated Christians are looked down upon.
Today I was at Bible Baptist School almost all day, and man, I LOVE those kids. I taught sore reading classes and sat in on Religious Education classes as well, and got in a big discussion over lunch about whether or not it was okay to eat animals forbidden in the Old Testament, animals torn apart, or “evil animals”, like snakes. Yup. It was intense. Oh, and lunch…aaahhhh…they feed you SO much here, and it’s rude not to eat it all. But I don’t think I’m eating for a week after that meal…
I’ve decided to come home on Friday, as scheduled. There were several reasons for both going and staying, and the going won out. One of my favorite teachers at BBS asked me again today to stay the summer, and it was hard to explain to her why I couldn’t. And really sad, because I want to stay.
Teaching today was great, and afterward I taught them games and they fought over who got to hold my hand and rub my “soft arms.” I taught them “high 5” games, and I think I’ve started a new fad. lol.

Yikes, I have to run. Time is short and tasks are many. I leave you then, in the love of Christ.

Christina