I love Sundays

We woke up this morning to the sound of the roosters and turkeys. They we making considerable more noise then normal, I rolled over to check my watch and found out why! We had over slept, but apparently so did the animal kingdom( which in Uganda is your alarm clock) Church was starting in 10 minutes, no time for breakfast or coffee. We threw on our clothes and ran for the gate, only to find that it was still locked.... We are staying at the Catholic church and the person who usually locks and unlocks the gate was already in the Catholic service. We felt trapped and disappointed that it looked like we couldn't get out to go to church.

So we searched around and found that one of the cooks knew where the key was at and was able to let us out. So we hurried over to the church hoping to sneak in unnoticed. FAT CHANCE! Pastor Andrew meet us before we got to the building and promptly escorted us to the front of the church. Talk about embarrassing, however, the same cruel joke that nature played on us this morning it also played on 3/4's of the church. Over the next 20 minutes almost 100 people trickled in, they were lucky and were able to sneak into the back and sit down almost unnoticed. The Pastor then commented on how many people were late and said it must be because of the weather....hahaha.

We were put on the spot and asked to speak in front of the church this morning. We were very well received and felt as though the church members were able to understand our hearts of service towards them. They were excited about working along side us to build a better community here in Oditel.

This next part made my day and brought me to the brink of tears, almost the same way she meet me little Abiro walked in and looked at me almost asking if I would let her sit on my lap, she was wearing the new shoes and dress the Laura and the girls had picked out for her. So I reached out for her and she sat on my lap for the remainder of the service.

It got me thinking about what it must be like to grow up without a father, what needs a little girl like Abiro might have that are unfulfilled. What does it mean to "be a father to the fatherless"? What is it in a father that kids need so much, we can only begin to understand by looking at how our Father in heaven treats us, his children. The things that come to my mind are, unconditional love, grace, protection, peace, comfort and empowerment. So imagine your life without those things, without ever feeling the comfort and joy that comes from having a father who looks out for you, and cares greatly about you. I know that I would find it difficult to smile, just as Abiro does.

I know that it is mothers day, so I am sorry mom for taking a little of the shine off you today. So here is a shout out to my mothers and my wonderful wife. Happy Mothers day, know that I am missing you all very much today. I love you all.

Have a great day and look for away to bless someone around you today.

Luke
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry