Our First Day at Nateete, Near Kampala

Today was our first day of actually spending time with kids at the Gospel of Life Church.  This church is located in a slum area near Kampala called Nateete.  We showed up expecting to see some 30 kids and maybe maxing out at over 100.  We were surprised to see only a handful of them in church.  So my roommate and good friend Doug and I went to the street and started calling on kids to come and join us for some singing and dancing.  It occurred to me to put on my Daniel (from the book of Daniel) costume and Doug did the same.  We went to the street and started telling kids we would be performing a play and told them to go get their friends and pass the word.

This pic was shot during our early session of the Daniel play.  We didn't have a room large enough for the play so we performed next to the church building.

Soon we had some 20 kids following us and we started walking up and down the muddy streets inviting anyone who would listen to join us at the church.  Kids were immediately excited to see two mizungos (white people.  Yes, I am considered white by Ugandans) dressed in funny costumes calling on them to sing and dance along.  Adults were curious too.   By the time we got back to the church we had some 30 kids there.  Our team members in charge of music and dancing began playing music and started dancing, which attracted more kids.  I stayed outside of the church and joined the dancing while remaining outside trying to encourage kids to come in.  As it turns out, our effort to attract more kids was probably unnecessary.  By the end of the day we had well over 300 kids, probably even close to 400.

At the time I shot this picture we had another group of kids doing arts and crafts.

This became a challenge but the type of challenge we would welcome any day.  In fact, we asked the kids to make sure to come back tomorrow and to bring a friend.  Rebecca my wife was surprised we could get so many kids.  The reality is the population in the slums is very dense.

We did our thing, a play, arts and crafts, singing, dancing, and above all, loving the kids.  It was great fun!  I have to tell you about this little girl who reminded me of my oldest daughter.  I was up there dancing when I noticed a little girl attached to my leg.  I was able to move around while she clinged on.  Then I decided to pick her up.  I held her with one arm as I kept dancing and making motions with my other arm.  She was comfortable there and had no problem doing her dancing motions with her arms.  Eventually my arm got tired and I tried putting her down, except I couldn't.  I picked her up from under her arms and lowered to the ground but she stretched her little legs towards me, making it very difficult to make her stand on the ground.  Somehow I managed to put her feet on the ground and she quickly proceeded to climb up on my leg again.  I didn't mind one bit.  She's a beautiful girl and she is full of life.

My little climbing friend -  She is much more beautiful than what the lens captured

Eventually a lady from the church asked me if she could take her.  I said yes not realizing she felt the little girl was bugging me.  Had I known I would have made it clear that I was enjoying every minute of it.  This stopped the little girl.  A few minutes later she found me and held my hand.

I am excited about the possibility of seeing over 400 kids tomorrow, perhaps even 500.  We can definitely use your prayers.  We are so blessed to be here, the kids love the plays, the singing, and the music.  My roommate, who plays the part of Aspenaz, the king's high ranking officer, is a huge hit with the kids.   

The older kids displaying their dancing skills