First week in Uganda

Dear Readers, this is Leslie. Much has happened since we arrived in Uganda. From Tuesday to Friday, the North Central team of Jim Risk, Nancy Harbron, Steve Kenney, and me, along with Isaac Sanyu and Francis from Kampala church, visited Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Park. Highlights include being charged by a wild elephant and later, our van being surrounded by 50 plus lively baboons (we have videos). Friday we drove to Kampala and met new church friends. To exchange currency we did so at a Michelin Tyre [sic] store (aren't all Michelin Tire Stores so hospitable?). On Saturday we ate breakfast in the hotel lobby. They bring hot milk and you use a teaspoon of Sanka per cup. Sanka's very popular.

Speaking to the Women of Grace about the hospitality of God.

Later I spoke to the Women of Grace group about the hospitality of God; how God, since Abraham and Sara, has worked through the foreigner, the stranger and through the marginalized. And as a counter cultural movement in the heritage of Abraham, our history as Christians also carry the designation as foreigner and stranger. And so it was especially poignant for me as a foreigner to speak about the experiences of foreigners and sojourners of God. But our little team from NCCOC are not strangers for it is clear that we have true fellowship with the Kampala church. It also was ironic to speak to such hospitable people about hospitality. But my aim was to give their works a framework within the story of God; that small acts of hospitality are really loving acts to Jesus; that a glass of water in His name has spiritual impact; that because he first loved, we too love. I presented the women with a poster, 'Welcome to the Table of the Lord,' a reproduction of a painting my friend Brenda Brown made for me. Nancy presented many gifts and enjoyed many reunions.
Our team had lunch at Seth's house and spent several hours in great conversation with Seth, Terzol and Blaza Blaza, young men from the congregation. Jim had his picture taken with a 200 year old tortoise and happily interacted with 7-year-old John, a little boy from the congregation whom we brought along with us. All enjoyed our time together. 

Steve Kenney teaching in Ganda about the four legs of a table.

In the family life class, Steve spoke and conversation was stimulating as our two cultures discussed challenges families face. We are looking forward to a new week and many home and new church-plant visits.