Our First Day in Nakabango

We just arrived back at the Sunset Hotel in Jinja after our first day in Nakabango! It was wonderful!

We received our usual warm welcome and were surprised that a nursery school for ages 3, 4, & 5 had been started on the property. Thirty-four children are learning their ABC's from 4 teachers. They were absolutely precious and we're so excited that they have taken the initiative to begin these kids' education. The families of these kids can not afford the school fees at other schools, so they are being allowed to attend for a minimal fee. The teachers are currently only being paid $20 per trimester - $60 per year.

We heard the report from the Chairman of the congregation and were happy to hear and see that the roof, doors, & windows were on the sewing center and it is complete. Significant progress has been made on the carpentry shop and John and Bill worked with the men on building trusses today. There were several alterations in plans as the day went on but everyone is confident that it will be finished!

We did several projects with the kids today including fabric painting, bubbles, and friendship bracelets. As always, our limit of "one per kid" rapidly flew out the window and I was happy to see several kids with 7 or 8 bracelets!! They were thrilled.

Some of the team worked with the women on some new jewelry projects that we had created using a lot of the beads that they make out of paper. Several of us wore examples and the women were very complimentary - that was fun!

We had lunch in the village and spent a couple of hours in the afternoon just playing with the kids. I truly believe all of our team members, both rookies and veterans, had an amazing day. God was truly in this place!!

By the way, we had tilapia on the banks of the Nile last night at the Hotel Triangle. Several ordered the fillets, but ALL received the entire fish. And I do mean entire fish. Some ventured out of their comfort zone and ate it anyway. Others ate a lot of french fries for dinner.

We're back in Nakabango for the next 2 days. We had a lot of internet problems this morning I make no promises about future posts, but will do my best.

All of us send our love to family and friends and so appreciate you giving us the chance to have this experience.