Uganda:  Bruce Fields, Doug & Lynne Hanson, January 2010

Update 1—Jan. 12

Tuesday  9:33 p.m.

Greetings from Uganda. Although I've only been here a few days I feel very connected to the people. Ugandans are very polite, gracious people. They enjoy laughing and singing!  When you shake hands with a Ugandan, the handshake may last 15-20 seconds! We have been warmly welcomed by missionary Reuben Musiime and his staff at AMG International.  We are presently in the middle of the 2010 AMG Youth Camp. Over 200 HS students, some from very poor homes are here in Kampala for one week of Bible study, recreation, and fun! I wish you all could hear these students sing! What beautiful sounds come from their voices as they sing songs of praise of their own and a few I have taught them. By the way, the guitar has been used each day and we will give it away some time next week. Joseph (a 17 year old has been playing it a great deal).  Our 12 team members are getting along fine. I am rooming with Paul Gustafson from the United Arab Emirates. All but three of us are veterans. Other team members are from New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, Mississippi, and of course Georgia. Doug and Lynne are doing just fine and Doug was able to preach to entire group of youth this morning. My turn is Thursday. I just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate your prayers and the financial gifts that you gave to allow me to participate! I believe God has been preparing me for this for most of my life. Even though we see a great deal of poverty we also see God working through faithful Ugandans and visitors to make this place better.  I am staying healthy and excited about the end of camp on Friday and new adventures next week...buying goats, painting churches, home visits,  and dedicating a new medical clinic. Also, giving away a guitar!  Again, my sincere thanks for the blessing of serving our Lord, FBC Gainesville, and the people of Uganda. I continue with God's strength as you pray...so don't stop!   By the way...the weather is delightful!  Every day has been about 73 degrees with a breeze!  Love to all (especially Nancy and the kids)... Bruce

Update 2—Jan. 15

Friday evening  9:15

Today we said goodbye to the 200 high school youth at the AMG Youth Camp.

These bright young people were such a blessing to us! Many made recommitments

to Christ and 7 accepted Jesus into their lives this week. One special 17 year old isJoseph. This young man demonstrated a servant attitdue throughout the camp and has only been playing guitar for 7 months. He is a musical genius and can play a song after hearing it only one time. He will be able to play the guitar that I am leaving when he attends church at Agape Baptist. I am convinced that he will be used by God in some type of musical ministry soon.  He is that good. Joseph and I became very close through the week and he actually led a group of his friends in a song that he had written. I'll have many pictures of Joseph playing the guitar when I return. Today is hump day...last Friday we arrived and this next Friday we will begin our trip home. Now that camp has concluded, we will concentrate on home visits (some in very poor parts of Kampala) and church onSunday.  I don't know if I will be preaching or not...but most probably will take the guitar and sing.  The weather continues to be wonderful and today as a reward for our team we went to Lake Victoria...beautiful!

On Wednesday, we will dedicate the medical facility nearby and it will be a dedication that means much to Doug and Lynne Hanson. The center will be named for Doug's Mom, a very special 93 year old who is very mission minded. Bythe way, if anyone out there has any Scripture or a prayer of dedication, I would like some help. That is my role on Wednesday. Any suggestions?  IF so, label the subject Med Center Dedicationand send it on!  Thank you all for your prayers! We will really need them this week !  Please continue as you go to bed Saturday night...remember we are 8 hours AHEAD of you!  I love you all and I will forever be grateful for your support and prayers!  Doug and Lynne send their love as well!     Blessings!  Bruce

Update 3—Jan. 16

Saturday evening  9 a.m.

With the completion of our succesful youth camp, we switch our focus today with "home visits."  These are visits to some very very poor places of living by some of the students who were fortunate to attend the youth camp. Some of these teenagers live in poverty. I saw some extremely depressing places today but I also saw many happy children happy to see an unusual sight... white people!  We provided rice and soap to the families of 14 youth (moms and children...no fathers). The morning visits were the most difficult with open sewers and very little living space. Still, the hosts were proud to welcome us into their "homes" where we talked briefly and then had prayer. During the afternoon, we visited in a more rural area complete with goats, chickens, and gardens. Again the children flocked to our bus and with Doug Hanson's balloon tricks and my juggling, we kept them entertained! I haven't seen that much dust and filth ever in my life and I can assure you we were very tired when we returned to our rooms....that's were I experienced a "shower" of blessing. Tomorrow I will attend Word of Life Church with 1/2 of our team where I will teach an adult SS class and sing.  The other 1/2 of our team will worship at Agape church where I preached last Sunday. The Ugandans really enjoy worship, they dress up in their finest, sing for about 45 minutes and then the preaching (complete with many Amens!) begins. All in all, a very celebratory service!  Next week, more home visits, painting, and on Wednesday, we dedicate the medical clinic that will be in honor of Doug Hanson's mother and her many years of mission work. She is the one who encouraged Doug to come here last January. So continue to pray for us this next week. I am staying healthy and amazed at what I have discovered here....very difficult place to live and visit but God is at work here among these beautiful and friendly people.  I will be praying for you tomorrow afternoon late while you all are beginning to worship and you please pray for me late tonight when I will be waking up ready for a great Lord's Day!   I send my love and appreciation for your faithfulness in sending me here to do God's work!  Bruce

Update 4—Jan.  17

Monday   8:40 p.m.

Well folks, today was incredible!  We traveled by bus out in the "bush" about 40 miles to Namugoga.  AMG International  has a children's center there and we actually did 17 home visits where we visited many of the children and their families. The countryside was beautiful (rolling hills) with plenty of crops (bananas, coffee, etc). We drove on many dirt roads that reminded me of my Mississippi childhood.  As we would arrive at the small dwelling deep in the jungle, children would arrive instantly (the bus grabbed their attention) and Doug would begin to entertain them with balloons and I spent time juggling for them while the rest of the team presented the families with rice, soap, and other gifts and had a prayer.  Many of the Africans actually bowed to us as they received the gifts. We were also able to buy some goats and were able to see many of them!  (Somebody tell Peggy Hall!) Some of the goats bought last year have already reproduced and many more of the children are healthy because of the goat milk. With the money given, we have been able to purchase over 20 goats!  Thank you!  At 10 a.m. we had "tea time" back at the chidlren's center and then around 1 p.m. a delicious meal straight from the garden! Watermelon, potatoes, rice, greens, and an interesting peanut butter sauce used as gravy!  YUM!  The Ugandans were so excited that we actually ate and enjoyed their food. All in all, it was a very exciting day making a difference in the lives of some very special people!  To God be the Glory!  Tomorrow the ladies will be meeting most of the day with some of the young girls in the program and the men will be busy with painting at the AMG center. Wednesday is the dedication of the medical clinic. I hope to have some pictures (prints) printed by Sunday so you all can see most of what I have experienced!  Again, thanks for your continued prayers!  Doug, Lynne, and I believe that we have remainded healthy and fit for work because of your daily prayer support. Please say a prayer now as you read this!  Update on Joseph...the 17 year old who will be playing the guitar that I leave here.  I saw him on Sunday and before I left him, he pulled out his watch and gave it to me. It is the custom of these people to give back and we have been told not to refuse their gifts. This watch probably cost Joseph a great deal of his money but he is so very thankful to be able to play his own instrument. He is like a son to me and we have promised to stay in touch after I return. No doubt he was the one God had in mind to receive the guitar! Love & Blessings to you all...we are praying for you as well!  Bruce

Update  5—Jan. 19

Tuesday  5:50 p.m.   We arrived back at the hotel early this afternoon after an evaluation with the Ugandan male leaders at AMG headquarters.  (The women met with the female leaders elsewhere). The main need is for male leaders to be good godly role models for all of these children that we have seen because there are very few fathers in the families. Many men here leave their wives and children and many men have died of AIDS. Therefore, the few men in the churches and at AMG have to step up and provide positve Christ-like love constantly.  Most of these men volunteer their time all day on Saturday and in church on Sunday. Please pray for them as they seek to provide.  We spent time today encouraging them and praying for them.

    I saw Joseph once again today and may see him on Friday before we leave. Each time I see him I see so much potential because of  his willingness to serve. He is looking forward to being at the AMG center this Saturday and at Agape Church on Sunday so that he can play the guitar. I am already praying about the best way to provide for him a guitar that he can keep at his home. More about that when I return. The guitar I am leaving will be left at the AMG center to help young people learn to play. Joseph is so good musically that he is ready to lead music in his church but needs his own guitar.  I told him..."God will make a way."   Tomorrow (Wednesday) we leave early in the morning for Jinga which is 2 hours east of Kampala. Our first stop will be for  the dedication of the medical clinic that was completed just a month ago. Doug Hanson's 93 year old mother provided the funds for this clinic so you can imagine how proud Doug and Lynne will be during the dedication. We are told that many of the local ministers and politicians will be present along with many of the AMG sponsored children who will receive medical care there in the future. After the dedication, we will make more home visits in the area. On Thursday we will do some sightseeing including a view of the headwaters of the Nile River. Friday will be pack up, wrap up day and then the long wait until we leave for the airport Friday afternoon and then departure from Entebbe at 9:55 p.m. to Amsterdam. Arrival in Amsterdam Saturday morning and then to the good ol USA and Atlanta Saturday afternoon!  I am really looking forward to seeing all of you FBC Gainesville folks on Sunday and hope to have plenty of pictures and stories to share.  Please continue to pray for us...we still have plenty of ministry and travel to do!  Love and blessings to you all!  I will pray for you early on Wednesday, although when you meet for prayer meeting...I'll already hopefully be asleep! Will try to send one more update on Thursday or Friday!  Bruce

Update 6—Jan. 20

Wednesday  5:40 p.m.
Greetings from the banks of the Nile River.
We are in Jinga at a lovely spot overlooking the Mighty Nile!
Beautiful!  Earlier today we all participated in the dedication of the Medical Clinic at the  AMG  Children's Center. Doug Hanson's 93 year old mother Mindy provided the funds for
the center and it was named in her honor. There were many dignitaries there including the local mayor, pastor, and even the bishop! The children sang and did some native dancing. All in all a very moving ceremony. Doug told the story of how his Mom saved $ through the years for something just like this. She continues to volunteer at the AMG office in Chattanooga and is thrilled that more children will be healthy over here. It was the highlight of the trip!  We are now at a nice resort overlooking the Nile, will do home visits in this area tomorrow (over 300 children sponsored here) and then return to Kampala
tomorrow afternoon. Friday is pack up wrap up day and then to the airport Friday afternoon to prepare for a 10 p.m. flight to Amsterdam!  For all of you FBC Gainesville folks, I will pray for you before you have prayer meeting, By 6 p.m. your time, I hope to be sleeping!  Love and prayers to you all!  God has blessed us today with beautiful weather and a meaningful time at the clinic dedication!  Bruce

Update 7—Jan. 21

Friday  11:45 a.m.

We have packed up and we are now at AMG Headquarters...A bit more shopping to do before we head to the airport at 6 p.m. Flight is at 9:55 p.m .  (KLM) and arrival in Amsterdam sometime Saturday morning.  We depart for ATL and hope to be home sometime Saturday afternoon. Pray for us as we make connections that there would be little delay in us coming home.  See you all soon!  Love to all, Bruce

Final Update--Jan. 24

Sunday morning  4:55 a.m.

   The FBC Romanian Mission Team worked tirelessly to frame the roof and ceiling in one day! Then, the purlins were nailed to support the heavy red clay tile roof. Now ‘dried in', the interior partitions were completed ahead of schedule allowing the team to install all the drywall and exterior doors by the end of the week. This was miraculous teamwork!

   During the evenings, the team played and encouraged the orphan children and quickly made friends with many of the youngsters.

   Deserving some well-earned time off, on Saturday the team visited a nearby village nestled in the mountains. These poor people streamed out of their homes to meet our vehicles loaded with gifts from First Baptist volunteers. For months, women of the church knitted scarves, cut and sewed flannel blankets, and colleted dental equipment and toys to be distributed to the townspeople. The reception was overwhelming as team members frantically sized clothing, sought to place the right toy with the correct child, and prayed with grieving parents who had recently lost a son.

   On Sunday, the building was dedicated to God with an international service led by Dr. Murphey. Over 100 local members witnessed the event.

   Following the departure of the team, Doug Hanson remained on site to insure that the project was completed and on October 23, all interior furnishings were completed.

   The memory of an extraordinary trip to Jdioara, Romania, prompts praises and gratitude to a loving God for the opportunity to serve him on foreign fields. The light of Jesus shown in all those team members who traveled in faith shines brightly both here and abroad.