A visit from GOD

We had the HUGE blessing of purchasing medicine and supplies for the ‘poorest of the poor’ in Uganda!! After visiting Tooro School, on a rainy night, we headed into town to the pharmacy to spend the money from the MANY donators from the USA. Idah and Milton discussed our needs with the pharmacist and we were able to get many boxes for elephantitis (sp), malaria, worms, eye drops-spending about 2 million shillings ($1,000) It was such a joyous moment to see what we were able to do because of the generosity of others!! We visited a general store to buy household items for Paul and Teresa, an elderly couple we met last year. I had told Joe and Betsy that we would find a couple who we could especially bless with their donation AND WE DID!! Their little hut will now boast of a new mattress, sheets, and blanket, a mosquito net, as well as pots and pans, dishes and cups, large stirring spoons, soap, a tarp, Vaseline, and a mirror!! All costing about $115!! We delivered their gifts the next dry morning and they were waiting near their home when we came carrying the items in a long caravan walk! The donations were spread out on the bright blue tarp for them to see. Paul was quietly ecstatic as he gazed upon the merchandize. Teresa came out from inside her hut to sit near her husband. Her physicially disabled granddaughter crawled out to join them. One of the items they were most excited about was the mirror brought from the states! Paul exclaimed that he had not seen himself for 10 years and hadn’t realized he had grayed. He constantly laughed as he touched his features! Giggling, Teresa also was surprised at her appearance. We reminded her how beautiful we thought she was wearing her new blue shawl. Angie had gotten a straw hat from the widows at Tooro School and she decided to give that to Paul! He was thrilled!! Looked at himself in the mirror and smiled!! As a special gift, we entered their crowded hut and gave them 50,000 shillings, more money than they have ever had. AND BECAUSE OF THE GENEROSITY OF OUR CHRISTIAN GROUP, PAUL PROMISED THAT HE WOULD RETURN TO CHURCH AND BECOME A NEW MAN IN CHRIST!! This nearly brought our team to tears!!! They felt like they had been visited by God himself!!!

We drove to our next scheduled appointment to visit Anna’s family, Betty, whose house GFR had built. As we unloaded from the bus, the children and adults gathered around. We strolled through the village to her home. As introductions were being made, I noticed Antwon and his mother sitting with the other children. I was excited to see his smiling face. When I approached them, ‘Mommy’ kept thanking me for being involved in his life. Later I was able to give her the supplies to repair the wheelchair, some clothes and 40,000 shillings ($20). She was so very grateful. They reciprocated with a delicious-looking pineapple.
I also had the honor to meet with Gloria and her grandmother who cares for her. Her elephantitis (sp) seems to be worse, but she is taking the medicine which was sent from the Alternative Classroom! I had some photos to show her in which she smiled. I had a few gifts and also gave them 40,000 shillings. ($20) I just pray that her infections in her legs which smelled terribly will be healed and that she will continue with her education. The Alternative classroom will stay involved next year which thrilled little Gloria.
The last meaningful festivity we attended was the ‘ribbon-cutting’ at Harriet’s GFR house from last year We toured her old home which was very small and devastating disrepair! GOD PROVIDED FOR HER NEEDS! Harriet had been chastised by her own community being so poor. She had not been able to go to church for 6 months because she had no clothes, only one set of clothes! People teased her that she must be wearing a uniform!! She also made a pair of shoes from tires and she also was teased. It was only after she met Milton Tusingwire (GFR field director) that she was able to get the sponsorship her family deserved. She expressed her gratitude so eloquently!! We were entertained with singing and dancing which was fun. Each of us was presented with homemade gifts. We were honored to be there and the people were genuinely pleased that we had come.