Day 4: House of Joy Christian School (Friday)

So, Friday we visited a school way out in a far village with over 300 students from all over the place. We brought Dum Dum suckers and the children loved them! When we first arrived, the preschool kids surrounded us and took our hands. The children were very fascinated with our hands and skin. Its so funny! While Kayla and I were hanging out with all the children, Scott and Bill sat with the teachers of the school and gave them some pointers on teaching. They were very grateful for the help and encouragement. After that, we played math games outside with the kids. Kayla lead all the fun. It was a total blast!! For lunch we had posho (like really thick grits) and beans. It was a real "Uganda" meal so they say. After lunch, boys and girls were separated and we were able to share our hearts with the groups. Kayla and I were able to sing to the girls, share our hearts with them, and just give them love! After we spoke, Aimee preached a powerful message of healing and forgiveness that touched our hearts. Then, the young girls circled up, sang a powerful song, and then we prayed. It was so amazing and so powerful! I would like to go back to House of Joy very much! It was a wonderful visit to the school. Those children were so lovable and it was a wonderful opportunity to go and visit. I can't even fully explain in this blog everything that occurred. Later in the evening, we went to RezLife church where Scott and Bill began their Basketball Clinic. Many young men and a couple of young ladies showed up to learn teamwork and courage that is a part of basketball! It rocked:) Kayla and I loved some of the kids that lived nearby. It was the best! Fellowship time is wonderful:) Love the children here so much. And the people! Its wonderful!

Alright, language time: 

Jende meaning I'm good or I'm fine. If you ask anyone here how they are doing, they will answer with fine. It's different:) 

God bless you all! Nkwagala nyo!

Saturdays adventure: The Adamson Four play basketball and bless the ladies in the community

Day 3: Mulago Hospital (Thursday)

For me, this day was the hardest day for me. We went to the biggest hospital here in Uganda and the conditions are like none I had seen before. We prayed for children and their families in the Neuro Childrens ward and then we went and prayed with every child in the infectious diseases ward. Many of the children had malaria, pneumonia, high fevers and so on. The list was endless. It was packed solid in that ward. I met thirteen year old Latisha who had a serious heart condition and couldn't leave. There was a three month old baby, the firstborn in her family who had pneumonia and had been at the hospital for more than nine days. Almost all of the childrens mothers were there. Quite a few of the mothers told us that after their child got sick, their husband or their childs father had abandoned them. One of the things I remember most is the smell that clung to everything. A smell of uncleanliness, urine, and sweat. It was awful. The best thing about going there was the fact that we had the chance to hand out a ton of toothbrushes and toothpaste to the children! The smiles on their faces and the gratefulness of their parents was just wonderful! After the hospital trip, we came back to RezLife Church and taught the kids games like tag and Mr. Shark in exchange for language lessons. Speaking of which, its time for your language lessons! I think we will go with my moms favorite color today:

Kyilagala (pronounced cheelahgahlah) meaning green

Love and miss you all!

Up next: The Adamson Four visit House of Joy Christian School

Day 2: Bethany Island

Today we travelled across lake Victoria to the island called Bethany where we were shown around by Raymond. We trekked across the entire island village, got a tour of the school, clinic, and the community farm. It was so cool! As we were walking, a young boy came up to me, grabbed my hand, and continued walking with me. What a heartwarming instance! While we were on the island, we met a group from a church in Austin, Texas who was on the island to help paint the school and helping out the teachers! It was just a fabulous day and the shine was bright in the sky! Lake Victoria is amazing (everyone should visit Africa and then visit an Island school/hospital because its all pretty fabulous:).

This evening, we watched Courageous at RezLife Church. What a powerful movie! After the movie the Dad half of the Adamson Four spoke on what being a good father meant to them. We hope it made a difference. After the whole service, we met most of the young people who were very polite and super funny:) They all made me smile! Can't wait to see everyone again tomorrow! It was a great day:)

On tomorrows agenda: The Adamson Four travel to Mulago Hospital!

Day 1: Mumford Family Homeschool

Hey Everybody! We would first of all like to let you know that we made it to Uganda safely. Thankfully, everyone is awake and feeling quite well. Today we visited the Mumford home where "math fun" was all we had! The Mumfords have about 15 kids that they take care of and love. All of the kids are homeschooled and needed just a little extra help with their math skills. From fractions to tough Algebra problems, the kids (both boys and girls) were challenged. There were lots of laughs and three hours later, a lot of the kids had gotten through many pages in their math books. While I was there, I met a young girl (whose sweet sixteen is Friday) named Jenneth. She showed me all around their gorgeous and very large home, told me a little about her story, and picked me a flower before I left. She told me how grateful she was for our help with her math and gave lots of hugs. It was quite a blessing! Just driving through some of the villages and seeing the faces of the people is just wow. Its also kinda fun to watch very smiley people walk their giant horned cows down the middle of the road and then smile and wave like crazy at you. What a great thing to see! (Pictures at a later date)

Before we went to the Mumford home, we spent most of our morning at Pastor David and Aimee's home sorting through all the donations we received and chasing around little Aviana (David and Aimee's adorable three year old). We have also been blessed with the help and company of fourteen year old Anita! We all worked together this morning to see where each of the donations we got will go. Its been so much fun! It's been a blessing already being here even though its only been one day. Can't wait to see what else the Lord has! (More pictures later)

On tomorrows agenda: The Adamson Four are traveling to an Island Hospital!

Prayer Requsts for the Uganda Trip 2013

Here is just our list of prayer requests for our trip! Thank you to all our prayer warriors out there!

1. In general, pray the the Holy Spirit prepare the hearts of the people we will be speaking to and spending time with. Pray that the Holy Spirit give us just the right words to say so that we can serve the people well.

2. Men's Conference - pray that in this short time that we would quickly develop relationships with people so that we can speak into their lives as needed. Pray that we would have the opportunity and courage to speak boldly about difficult issues as needed.

3. Kayla and Bethani - pray for opportunities to serve the young women in special ways and that they can speak the truth in love as they serve.

4. Basketball - pray that God would use the context of basketball to share the Gospel and to show kids/youth/men what it means to be a Christian that is an athlete.

5. Schools - pray that God would quick show us the need so that we can serve the teachers/students of Uganda well. Pray that in the short time that we have, we can make a difference and provide any support/resources needed to help them teach well to the glory of God.

6. Hospitals/Clinics - thank God that we can come boldly to the throne of grace and ask anything of our Father in heaven. Allow us to serve as needed to the glory of God.

7. RezLife Church - pray that God would allow this ministry to be used in exactly the way the God desires it to be used.

8. Us - pray that God would change us - that we would see the world as God sees it and that we would be aware of opportunities to serve.

9. Health - pray that God would keep us healthy and energized during the trip so that we can serve.

Welcome

Hello everybody! Welcome to the blog that will follow adventures abroad starting with a trip to Uganda that's starts, well, tomorrow! The Adamson Four (Kayla, Scott, Bill, and Bethani) will be leaving from Minneapolis Airport and flying eighteen hours to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. The team will be there for two weeks and they are very excited to see what the Lord has for them!

I would like to take the time to explain why this blog is called "While They Are Sleeping". It is titled as such because while the people in Africa are sleeping, all of us here in the United States are wide awake, praying and thinking about them. We are thankful for all of the support that the Adamson Four will have awake while they are sleeping. Thank you all!

We will be posting updates as often as we can with photos and stories of all God's goodness! Thank you all so much for your support:)