Day 3 - Sunday...

I'm pleased to record that it turned out mild again today. Indeed, it's so mild that, as far as possible, we are sticking to shorts and t-shirts (apart from Jamie who we suspect will stick to skirts this week to complement his pink lipstick and cerise working gloves). What is cerise anyway? I'm fairly confident it must be some form of kevlar to give added protection to delicate hands, but was surprised that all the girls seem know about it.

It's bizzare to record, but already it feels as though we have been here for days (2 at least). Thankfully, Bex's substantial supply of illicitly purloined sick bags (yet another reason for the revenge of the cabin crew) held up until mid afternoon. From now on, however, I fear Moses will have to focus on cleaning a small panel of the bus more frequently than he would like.

It is wonderful to record that equal opportunities legislation has firmly arrived in Kampala. From now on, any poor soul suffering from low core body temperature and impaired hearing is amply catered for by the Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC). One is assured of a warm, yea stiflingly hot welcome in KPC and the worship is conducted with such enthusiasm and volume that only the completely deaf could fail to be impressed. Actually, it was a wonderful time of fellowship and the preaching was both scriptural and challenging.

Due to time constraints, we had to travel directly from KPC to Lowero. I don't recommend consuiming a packed lunch on a coach driven at speed on Ugandan roads - it becomes unpacked rather quickly!

You may have heard of the work done by a lovely retired Ugandan couple called Sam & Mary Matumba. Together with their children, they have devoted themselves to caring for six local families who have suffered from the ravages of HIV/AIDS. On our last visit, we worked with two of these families to paint their houses (provided by FoL etc, working through Sam).

Sam had transported the children to his house to enable the team to spend time with them all and it was fantastic to see how the children have grown. Most of the afternoon was spent with the majority of the team singing, playing games and chatting with Sam's family and the children. It was humbling to see the joy and contentment in the lives of these young folk, especially considering many of them are HIV +ve. Thankfully, the ARV (anti retro virals) are provided free of charge and they generally enjoy a fairly good standard of health, boosted by the improved diet facilitated through the giving of Christians in N Ireland. I am continually struck by the enormity of the problems facing Africa, and can understand those who are tempted to write off the value of trying to make a small dent in such a huge problem. However, spending a short time with those whose lives have been completely transformed (physically, mentally and often spiritually) convinces me that making a positive impact on even one person's life is the most useful thing we can ever do.

As with all good stories (and although poorly written, this is a good story), there was a lovely twist to the afternoon. A few of the team, including McBlogger, had the rare and wonderful privilege of visiting Kiwoko hospital at Lowero. You should be able to find out about it using Google, but this hospital has strong remarkably strong links with Bangor and I have wanted to see it for myself for several years. What a place! Christ's love is shown on a daily basis to many sick folk in a professional and compassionate way. Please pray the for the continued funding and support to see this work grow in the coming years that his kingdom might be extended.

It is a measure of the quality and perception of the staff at Kiwoko that Rory Wilson (former Bangor GP and currently medical superintendent) had the presence of mind to move to Kampala for the weekend, only returning when he was sure we had left the hospital. Rory passed us by on the Lowero road some 1/2 hour after he had left....

Such is the enthusiasm for church, that the team agreed to be subjected to another hour of reflection, ably led by our resident pastor, Ivan the Terrible. Thankfully, our reflections were not terrible by any means...

I am now surrounded by a crowd of individuals who really should have had the forethought to shower after their day's exertions, so I will sign off now.

Never fear, I will return in due course,

'McBlogger'