Day three

Quite a day today... It's really tough trying to pick the photographs that best describe what we're experiencing. I've put in a few more than usual today.

This morning we witnessed the Grand Opening ceremony for the two-room schoolhouse. The school was built using funds donated through Peace Portal Alliance. Classes began in September, but our visit gave an excuse to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

the school library

The medical clinic, led by Dr. Gerry Roberts, saw 136 patients today. They had to turn away many people at the end of the day -- the people just kept on coming. This was the last day of the clinic. It has been a big success, providing help for people that either can't access or can't afford medical assistance. Here in Uganda people must pay for medical treatment, and the nearest full-service medical facility is 30km away.

Alex, HIV-positive.

About 2pm the rains came. It poured, and then it poured some more, and just like that it was over.

Ross became quite sick today, getting worse as the day went on. Thankfully Dr. Roberts is on the trip. He said it's likely due to some improperly cooked food, and the doc says he should be fine with some rest.

We had the chance to interview Richard Barclay and Michael today for the film we are producing. Michael told us about how he was touched by God to plant this church, how leaders have grown up from within the church to take on various ministries, and about his plans for the future.

Through two families at Peace Portal Alliance, Michael was able to purchase a beautiful hilltop plot of land. The first project on this 10 acres will be a church. The current church is a temporary structure built literally on Michael & Juliet's front lawn. After the church is built, there are further plans for a technical school, sustainable projects for widows raising animals and growing crops, a bible school, guest houses for visiting missionaries, and a full-service medical clinic.

Within walking distance of the property there are 650 families. Of the 3000 or so children represented, two-thirds of them are AIDS orphans. Michael works with these orphans to help them get schooling and provide food, and encourage them to stay with their relatives rather than moving to Kampala. The phrase I heard him say over and over was 'helping them to help themselves.' Sustainable income for the widows through the piggery (built with funds from our church's women's groups), schooling for the orphans through the newly-built schoolhouse (built with funds from a Canadian donor), food for families in need (sponsored by South-Surrey families) and encouragement and advice through Michael are some of the ways these people are being supported.

It came across clearly that investing in this church community represents an incredible value -- every dollar goes into the ground to help those in need, and it's being grown in a way that this community will soon be able to support itself.

Tomorrow we will have a church service. This won't be a 75-minute pre-planned service like we experience at home. Services over the last few days have gone through most of the day... it will be a unique experience.