Amazing Grace Orphanage - Adjumani Uganda

We made it up to the orphanage two days ago, after a long bumpy road trip by a rented van. We crammed some of our luggage and all the people into the van, and shipped the rest of supplies up by a lorry. We made it up safely, although we did loose some luggage on the road at one point when the back of the van popped open.

The kids and staff here are doing well. I played the music video that I made for them last time I was here on the iPod that I brought, and the kids watch it and listened to their music until the battery died.

Yesterday we went to a Sudanese wedding in the local church here. It was several hours long, and we came a bit late, but were ushered up to the front as the honored guests. Nate went to work taking pictures, and we enjoyed the celebration and new friends. We went to church in the same building this morning. All of the kids here at Amazing Grace attended church here.

Our plan is to head up into Sudan on Tuesday. We'll be taking the big blue lorry up North carrying the kids (all 26) and the luggage to the sister orphanage, St. Bartholomews.

We've had relatively good health so far. Josh was out some yesterday trying to recover from Stomach issues. The weather has been pretty hot as well.

The region is making good progress currently. There are still lots of UN and other NGO cars and trucks around the region, but many of the displaced people's camps are emptying as the people return home in anticipation of the peace talks occuring in Juba Sudan between the LRA rebels of Uganda and the government. Still, on the ground there is a general mistrust of the process and people have one foot in Sudan and one foot in Uganda as the various peace talks continue and the countries rebuild.

It's so wonderful to be back here at Amazing Grace! The beautiful kids are growing up, and the staff have done such a wonderful job of providing a secure home with love and discipline where the kids can mature. We played a soccer game the other day with all of the boys (and Meri), all of us are felling the soreness today. Nate played soccer with his camera wrapped around his arm, and the lens fell of partway through the game. One of the kids tapped him on the back and handed him the dirty lens! He's taped it back together with duct tape.

Thanks to all of you who've been supporting Amazing Grace. The kids are really grateful for the assistance, and are happy to find a home for these past 3-10 years. In 2002 when I visited the kids had one outfit each, many had skin rashes, and they were always on the verge of starving. Today the kids are all healthy and full of energy. The Amazing Grace kids are the stars of the local football (soccer) team.

We'll be conducting interviews and double checking profiles at Amazing Grace this afternoon. Lyla is working on plans for assisting the leper colony in Sudan, and treating minor illnesses and issues with the team and orphans. Josh is preparing and advent lesson for the time in Sudan. We'll be without internet access in Sudan for the next week, so I'll write more when we return.

Please continue to pray with us!

* Pray for the peace talks between the LRA and Government that the people will have rest and new life after war

* Pray that our team will be humble and gracious as the heat, illnesses, and new culture confront and challenge our perceptions.

* Pray for the orphans of Amazing Grace, that they will grow up loving God and loving their fellow neighbors, and that they will be the honest and upright leaders of tomorrow for Sudan

* Pray for Susan and Ezbon as they continue to face poor health each day

* Pray for our journey to Sudan that we will be safe

* Pray that our week in Sudan will be a huge encouragement to the leper colony, the staff and kids at St. Bartholomew's, and the widows.