Rule #24: Tuck your mosquito net under your mattress..

Early this morning, as I was quietly snoozing away, I felt something flutter across my face. I looked up and saw a dark spot on my net. I thought, "Hmm...that looks like a moth, but I better check." So, I got out of my net and got my flashlight. I pointed my flashlight on the net and it was a BAT! Yes, I repeat, a bat! Leslie, you would be so proud! I was so brave.. I didn't even scream. My mosquito net that is supposed to prevent mosquitos from entering, allowed a bat to come in! I wasn't sure what to do because it was on the inside of my net. So, I went out into the front room and woke up Mary Grace. I definitely chose the right person! She came in my room and we looked at it, and then we made a video of me telling the story (We will try to post it, but you have to listen very carefully. I am whispering because it was 4:45 in the morning). Mary Grace wiggled the net. The bat stretched one wing out, but still clung tight to the net. Mary Grace found a cup and a piece of paper. She put the cup over the bat, then slid the paper in between the net and the cup. It started flapping and we both jumped. We opened the door and threw it out of the cup. So..Mary Grace saved me. I pray that she doesn't have rabies now. She even offered to let me sleep with her in the little bitty twin bed before we found a way to get it out. Thank you for loving me Mary Grace!

All jokes aside, our time here in Kagadi has been amazing! Today Dr. Matt taught a seminar for the men of the church on sexual purity. There was a very large crowd. He said they listened intently and asked lots of questions.

While he was doing that, all of the girls, Austin, Matt, and JR went to a Christian school. They have almost 600 students, 60 of them having special needs. They showed us around the school and then we went into the main hall where the children were singing praise songs. It was such a blessing! They were jumping up and down and singing to the top of their lungs. They are so excited about Jesus! The deaf children performed a couple songs for us in sign language. Then Alex and Alexis shared their testimonies with the children. I feel like God was working through these two young ladies. I feel like the students could really relate to what they were saying. Then Jenna, Stephanie, and Katie (a young friend of the Eby's who is here with us) shared the gospel by using a gospel bracelet. Then I prayed for the chilren and several raised their hand saying they wanted to trust in our Savior! Then, some of us went outside and blew bubbles for the children. They LOVED them! They were knocking us over and pulling on our skirts trying to get as close as possible. The other team members had a meeting with the school officials. They shared their needs with us. This school desperately needs our prayers. They have faith that God will provide. Many of the students live on campus, and their parents only contribute money to cover food. Many of the students with special needs are abandoned, and the school is all they have. These children touched all of our lives today. These children, as many of the people I have encountered, have nothing. Yet, they give all they have to Christ. They give out of their poverty. We have all that we could ask or think of, and yet can be reluctant to give. I pray to have a heart of giving like our friends here in Uganda.

A third group (Pastor Aaron, Soren, Daniel, Spencer) went shop to shop to evangelize. Soren and Pastor Aaron had 2 of the 4 people they met to pray to accept Christ. What a joy to leave these precious converts in the hands of our church family here in Kagadi. Pray that we can continue to minister to the people we met today. We know that God's word does not return void.

This afternoon the boys went shop to shop and the girls were privileged to meet with the women of the church. Jenna and Stephanie gave encouraging words to them about being women and their role as women. They also had lots of questions for us.

Then, tonight we had our first crusade. Alex and Soren gave their testimonies and Pastor Aaron preached. I love watching the people o f Kagadi worhip. First of all, they dance like you would not believe! I need to learn some dance moves from them! When someone is speaking, if they hear something they agree with or really like, they shout out, "Amena!" or "Hallelujah!" I appreciate it because they are listening intently..they could sit and listen to the word of God for hours! These people are such an encouragement to me.

Pray for us as tomorrow we will go into a hospital ward filled with HIV patients. We will also have our 2nd annual soccer game with students from a local school. It will be a great opportunity for evangelism during and after the game.

I'm so sorry this is so long. I am just so thankful to see what God is doing here, and I want all of you to know what we are experiencing. I am thankful not only for what he is doing here in Ugandans, but what He is doing in my life as well.

Dad, Mom, Leslie, and Caiden, and the Fuhrmans: I miss all of you! Trust that I am safe. I hope all of you are well and I love you sooooo sooooo much!

In His Hands,
Lindsay (aka Chatty Cathy..thanks Pastor Aaron)