Receiving and giving love in Kikondo

Today we began doing eye clinics at Kikondo (pronounced Chikando). It was so humbling to arrive to the singing and dancing of the adults and children, even waving branches as they honored us. For all of us, it was an honor that was reminicent of how Jesus was welcomed upon his arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. As the tarps on top of our vans were removed, covering all the eye glasses and gifts that we brought to share, people came from everywhere to help. Adults, teenagers, even children - two at a time- carrying these heavy bags of glasses into the church, where we set up our clinic. In spite of struggling with language barriers, we served over 100 people, giving prescription, readers and sun glasses to all who came through the clinic. We were so blessed by each person who came, especially the school children in the afternoon. However, the highlight of the day for me was the joy that was expressed by everyone in our group after the clinic ended and we waited for our ride back to the guest house. Music was blaring through the sound system and everyone was dancing, scary enough, even me! It was a beautiful picture of people demonstrating the joy of the LORD as we danced like no one was watching - even though they were! Who knows, you might even find some video on YouTube or Tick Tock as our Ugandan friends were laughing as they captured video of all of us dancing. As we reflected on our day, during our evening devotions, we all agreed that we need to share our joy more fully more often because joy is what people see in us when we are fully trusting God with our lives. We have freedom and confidence to even dance like no one is watching. We look forward to tomorrow and another day of sharing joy with our brothers and sisters in Kikando, as well as helping to deliver relief to those who live on a remote island off of Lake Victoria. THANK YOU GOD FOR FILLING US WITH YOUR JOY! P. Roy