The last time I was here, I had helped with the beginning stages of clearing raw jungle by slashing a machete on Peter’s new land. My second visit highlighted how long it has been since I had been here, as the land has been transformed.
Peter, an amazing Ugandan with a vision to serve a village, established a church and community center, using an existing building until GOD provides the funds to build a new one. I went with Peter, and a few Ugandan, American, and English friends to Kyampisi for a Christmas Eve church service.
We arrived after a winding drive about an hour outside of Kampala. A crowd of children gathered at the church building and we immediately began to decorate two trees that had been propped up in the corners to serve as Christmas decorations. We gathered wild flowers from the fields and jungles and brought them back for the children to place into the branches of the evergreen. Balloons also added color and festivity to the trees.
The Christmas Eve service was an incredible way to spend the evening. As the sun slowly set, Peter delivered a message to the people, had the visitors (including myself) briefly speak to the congregation, and introduced very talented and passionate choirs of children and adults, who sung so beautifully and danced so gracefully.
One each side of me, a small village girl sat. One fell asleep peacefully into my lap, the other held tightly onto my hand throughout the service. When the time came illuminate the church by candlelight as we sang hymns, the little ones spent most of the time exploring the melting and dripping wax, testing all the ways that they could manipulate the forming shapes on the concrete floor.
The service concluded with vibrant songs and celebration, tea and biscuits; with no source of light except for five dozen tiny flames.
Being able to celebrate Christmas with the village, and share in their joy for Christ’s birth is a memory that I will carry with me for a long time. I felt so blessed to return to this land and see the way the community has been united under the love of the LORD.
1 comment:
Sounds like you have spent more time with children, then just with the 6-18 month old children. I am soo happy that you were able to share more than just your time, but your love with the children across the world. God knows that all children need love and many do not get the love they need. Thank God for you and your love.
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