Great Stories

Hello Everyone,

Well I was in the middle of this blog when we lost power, and with it, the majority of what I had written. I did have an amazing day on Wednesday, then Thursday was amazing, and tonight we showed the Jesus film in acholi for the community in our compound. Needless to say, you will be getting the abridged version of the past few days, but hopefully you get the jist of it. Here is what I had started to type, and then the rest. Thanks.

What an amazing day!!! Today Auntie Cassie and I had off, and Uncle Francis told us about an ice cream shop in Gulu that also served coffee. After a great run in the moisture filled air(it rained last night, and left the air cool and refreshing), I had a shower (first time in a while), and we headed out for a nice walk. We went the opposite way we normally go, and walked past the borehole, and in a new direction. We eventually made our way back into Gulu, and found the shop Francis had talked about. Its called Cafe Larem, and I was ecstatic to see a sign that said espresso. We both order lattes which were amazing. I'm sure that it was just because its been so long (don't worry Bill or Greg). We also ordered yogurt and granola. Cassie had vanilla, but I had strawberry, and was pleasantly surprised to find it had fresh bananas in it as well. What a great lunch, and we followed it by having some great mocha ice cream.

The best part of the day was our conversations with an elderly man names Charlie, and a young couple named Liz and Chad. Charlie, a retired teacher from the Chicago area, was leaving the next day to head home. He and a group of retired teachers set up an organization to help children prepare for the exit exams from primary school. He comes to Uganda for a month once a year, and really enjoys it. Before Uganda, he and his wife spend three years teaching in Istanbul. He just didn't want to sit around and do nothing with his final chapters in life. He wants to go out with his boots on (that one is for you Chris). He also travels a lot with his daughter. Jumping on the back of trucks for transportation, and visiting gorillas, and having lots of adventures along his journey. Thats the kind of father I want to be. It doesn't always take traveling the world. I just want to make memories, and memories that last with the kids here, not just with my own in the future.

Chad and Liz are a young couple who gave up good jobs, to join a group called AIM (adventures in ministry), and go on the World Race. They travel to eleven countries in eleven months, working with various ministries along the way. Sometimes having to find places to live and eat, and sometimes find projects for the ministry they are teamed up with. What an amazing couple. I almost laughed when they asked me what I was going to do when I get home. Instead of answering I asked them. We all agreed..............not sure, but confident God will lead us. Two great stories, and so glad to have heard them both. I don't want there stories, but I want to write/live some that will inspire people to do the same.

Thursday was amazing too. The short version is the Mike, Cassie and I rode an hour and a half to an old slave trade fort, called Fort Piticho. There are a few building still standing and the scenery is amazing both there and the drive there as well. We had a great time walking around and taking lots of pictures(you will have to wait till I get home to see most of them), and just taking it all in. One of the most impacting sites was a large rock shooting into the air for about thirty feet. The top of which many slaves were forced to climb, and were then pushed to there death. Human beings have done some pretty incredible things...........but we have also done some unbelievably terrible things.

We then decided to climb a hill about half a mile away. It took us a while to get there because we had to trek through the bush. It was so worth it. We stopped partway up to have a banana and some water, and were surprised by some spider monkeys at the top. It was great to see them, but they weren't so thrilled about us. We climbed down the back side, and then walked a trail past some huts, and found our way back to the fort. What a great day.

Today we spent preparing for the movie tonight, and it went really well. We had about three hundred people and children, and although it went really late, everyone seemed to really enjoy it. It was the Jesus Film in Acholi. Several children came up for prayer, were very sincere. I got to play with a lot of them afterwords and I was thrilled to have the twins from the waterhole there. They remembered that I am Opiyo too. Another great day. Ready for bed.......but looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Love and miss you all,

Joe