Victory Highway: Day 2 (Dot Did It!)

What an awesome day it has been for our team! Just sit back and imagine yourself here with us as you follow our paths.

Don Rogers was the Graduation Speaker at a nearby Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. He was accompanied by Don Willis and Lyle Roloson. Two men were graduating from an intense rehabilitation program. One was named Emmanuel. Emmanuel's words were a bright shining testimony to God's goodness in leading him from his years of darkness into light. This is what he said: "I'm happy to stand in front of you and acknowledge Jesus. I had spent 10 years as an addict. I had a lot of trouble. I had to visit a mental hospital. I ended up at Rehab Center of Kampala (Uganda). They did a good job but they missed out on something. They didn't talk about Jesus. I ended up back at Square One - addicted again. The hospital couldn't take me away from addiction - nor could the center. But the Lord has been good to me. He connected me to this center. I want to thank Jesus - however much I tried it was Jesus that was the answer and what I was always thirsting for. Now I have the strength to say I cannot return to that addiction. I have a security through Jesus."

Emmanuel's mother came from Uganda for the graduation and commented that she didn't at first recognize her son.

In another corner of our world there was laughter and squeals of delight as some of us played with the children. Duck, duck, goose, relay races, follow the leader and many ball tossing games were enjoyed. Mary Lou had a delightful time with several of the children as they recited their verses and as she was telling them the story of Esther, they would just burst out with more details. They are so bright and know their Scriptures.

In the afternoon five of our team along with Amy and Mama Kigen (Rhoda Teimuge) went on visits to homes. We had such a good - and tasty - time as we saw how the women were blessed to use the skills they had learned at ELI's Training Center. You would be amazed to see the ovens made of mud and being three layers high. In the bottom are baby chicks in an incubator-type tray. On the next layer is the wood which heats the oven and on the top is the oven where food is prepared. Of course the chicks must be kept warm in order to live so there is constant work to this.

After enjoying chai in the first home, sharing encouraging words and having prayer, we went to the home of Esther, a wonderful hostess who had set up a nice little area under the trees where we chatted. Her entreprenauring is just amazing to see. She has baby chicks in the same type of oven as well as some older chicks and one pen of nice big healthy chickens which she will sell to help keep her children in school.

More astounding to me was that Esther also baked spectacular rolls and queen cakes (another skill she learned at ELI's Training Center). As a matter of fact, she had 15 packages of rolls on the coffee table in her home. We were humbled as she poured water over our hands and handed us a towel and then served us rolls. Delicious doesn't begin to describe them. We brought back all that were left for everyone to enjoy at dinner.

In another corner of our world was Grant and Bob making clotheslines for the orphanage so they don't have to hang clothes on the barbed wire fence to dry. The plan is to have lower lines that the children can use and higher lines for the women.

Bob and Jean were delighted to see a friend Bob had made on his last trip to Tanzania over a year ago.

Wayne has been busy going to town and getting supplies to help with his repair work. He's attempting to fix many thing (including vehicles) around the compound.

We all heaved a sigh of relief as the last action packer arrived! When you think that we came with 23 action packers and suitcases and nothing was missing, it is truly a miracle!

Tomorrow we will help with four Sunday School Classes and Pastor Ted will be preaching after the "Victory Choir" sings.

We love you and will be praying for you and covet your prayers for us. We are learning so much!

P.S. Tomorrow Lyle will become Goliath for the children. He has a green garbage can shield and a tree and aluminum foil spear. Now I'm only hoping that David's slingshot works (because I'm David...) Ted will be our reader. Doesn't that sound like fun???