This past Tuesday, I helped 3 field visitors from Anderson Univ. in Indiana, visit our Africa Gospel Church at Katale, about half an hour outside the city of Kampala. The ladies, Diana, Amy and Liz, were visiting one of our current Volunteers in Action (VIA), Karli. However, Karli got sick-o (sorry!) and so the offer was made to continue with the plan they'd made to visit Pastor Wilson and the church, school and area there.
The field had been left some items to distribute to school children, so we took the opportunity to give out reusable bags for carrying their groceries, school items, or other things. The ladies also gave the school a soccer ball (called football here), which they were very happy with!
We toured each of the elementary classrooms (the school so far goes to grade 6) and were warmly welcomed by all. We then had lunch with the children, and afterwards, we went with Pastor Wilson to visit some of the church elders who live nearby. Giving them each soap and a bag of sugar, and simply greeting them and thanking them for their commitments to the Lord, both visitors and those visited really were encouraged!
In the "nursery" class (age 4).
Above and below: meeting school children.
In a classroom- notice the hand made (and very detailed) posters. There is no "education store" here where people can purchase the variety of school supplies we have in the USA. But Ugandans have done a terrific job of creating teaching-posters anyway!
Above: Young ones waiting for lunch. Stuart is the teacher. He is married to Miria, one of our Africa Gospel Church Pastors, who is in charge of a local church as well as overseeing island ministries education.
Below: The ladies pose by the school sign, along with Pastor Wilson, our host for the day.
When you have no running water, this is a typical way to wash before a meal.
Above: Our lunch was rice and beans, plus posho (corn flour ground up then made into sort of mashed potato-looking food).
Below: the school kitchen and the lovely cooks!
Walking through the local "village" area.
Above: Greeting a church elder. This woman is married to a local chief. For a living, she sells charcoal, the most common fuel used for cooking.
Below: Another church elder and part of her family.
This is Pastor Wilson and his dear wife, Grace. He is the Katale pastor. Both do a wonderful job of ministry as they faithfully serve the Lord!