Sunday 21 September 2014

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Unfortunately we lost internet at the hotel yesterday, so the Saturday blog is being posted Sunday morning.

The Thanksgiving event was full of activity!  It started around noon with lunch for many at the center.   We headed over to the tents around 2:00 for the actual program.  It was great to see all of the different ACT groups represented.  There were four tents; one for HOPE children guardians; one for HOPE orphans; one for all Volunteers; and one for the U.S. Team and the Guests of Honor (dignitaries and board members from Uganda).   There was much dancing and music – even some of the U.S. team members joined in at one point.  All of the ACT programs were able to give a demonstration during the program: agriculture, MEP women, and HOPE orphans.  Seven of Karen’s MUSIC violinists performed and did an amazing job.  They sounded great and also looked wonderful in the vests that were sewn for them by Diana Stubig, a member of the last ACT Mission Team.  Thanks Diana!  Both the U.S. and the Ugandan flags were raised and both national anthems sung – the U.S. team being the only nine singing our National Anthem.   And I say nine, not ten, because unfortunately Toni was not feeling very well so stayed back at the hotel all day.  Thank goodness for Cipro, for she is feeling fine today. 

The portion of the program that took up the majority of time was the auction.  This is a very common event in Ugandan culture … they even do it at Sunday church services.  There were many items donated - chickens and goats, spears and drums, clocks, coffee mugs, produce, calendars and more.  It was a very interesting activity to witness – and Dave and Karen got into the spirit and bid on and won the drum.   It will be an interesting carry-on on the flights home.

Many of the orphan sponsors on our team were able to meet and spend a bit of time with their orphans and the orphans’ guardians today!  That was definitely a highlight. 

By the time all activity wound down and we loaded up the vans, we didn’t get back to the hotel until 8:00 pm.  Another late dinner, great devotion by Michelle, then off to bed early.  We are all excited that there will be no need to set an alarm for tomorrow.  Looking forward to a day of rest!


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