Not Your Average Thankful Thursday

Written by Tina

Wow, what a day! We began our morning by saying good-bye to Mary, our World Vision (WV)  Donor Liaison and praying over her as she heads out for her wedding this weekend. It was Mary's first time hosting a team and she was amazing -we are so thankful for her commitment to serving children. Then we were off to the WV Gulu Cluster office for worship & praise with the team. To be honest, there is not a better way to start your day -- Thank You Jesus, for letting us participate in African praise to you! A huge answer to prayer is RAIN -- it is dry season here and one of the most vulnerable for our Ugandan friends -- Thank you for RAIN! Then it was off to see part of the WaSH (Water, Sanitation & Health) Initiative, where we took 2 water walks - one to a dirty water source, where women & children were gathering water for drinking, cooking & washing. The second water walk was to a clean drinking water bore hole, where the jerry cans were literally lined up ready to be filled by even more women & children.  Several team members carried the 50 lb jerry cans; some even carried them on their heads --- we are told that this is one of the qualifications here for being a "good wife". Thank you, Lord for the clean water that we take for granted daily.  Some of my favorite times this week include what I call "car conversations" - today I am thankful for laughter about facts learned about dowries and what it takes to be a good husband or wife in the village --- ask a team member about that? Our afternoon found us at a Women's Savings  & Loan Group that was trained by WV.  We participated in a weekly meeting of the group that offers individuals the opportunities to save, give and loan to other group members -- however, don't be late to a meeting or you will pay a fine!  I am so thankful to see such good stewards being raised up!  The grand finale of our not so average Thankful Thursday happened tonight as we said "until next time" to our WV Gulu partners -- they blessed us with an INCREDIBLE African Dance troupe that performed 3 dances -- the Royalty Dance and 2 dances about courtship -- the 3 dances took 1 hr and 10 minutes and the group is required to know 15 dances! Our sweet Gulu sister, Harriet danced in the finale -- there's nothing this woman can't do! So, tonight our team goes to bed THANKFUL and filled with joyful hearts; many, many stories to share; and incredible respect and love for our Ugandan brothers and sisters.  THANK YOU Lord for connecting and making "Joy Flow Both Ways" (see our team shirts).