Last day in Gulu, Wells, Safari Park, Travel Home

Our last day in Gulu...it is a bit bitter sweet, but we are all excited for our last day of ministry. This morning looked a little different. The day before, we had the chance to stop by the first of 6 new well sites that are being drilled over the next few weeks. They hadn’t hit full depth yet, but were close. Before going to bed that night, the team agreed that they all really wanted to experience the finishing stages of a well drilling and were willing to wake up slightly earlier than usual. We were all anxious to see them hit water and waited in anticipation for the big moment where water explodes from the ground into the air!  When the moment arrived, we were all overcome with awe and joy.  Cheers and clapping broke out through our team members and the local villagers.  The Holy Spirit was definitely felt.  Thank you Jesus. 

Not only was the well an incredible experience, but there was also some incredible ministry moments happening as well. David saw a boy with an infected foot limping with a cane. He was off by himself, so David went over to talk to him. He discovered that the boy had no medication to help his foot heal. In Gulu town, we see many older people crippled by similar infections that start out just like this boys, if they could only get the right medication in the beginning, it would save them from a lifetime of disability. So David took the boy to our team Doctor. Upon examination, and with the help of an interpreter, they decided the boy needed amoxicilian and would have to go to a nearby town to get some. They then found the father of the boy and David began chatting with him about his son. Although the man spoke english, due to his hesitation to talk with David, he only wanted to speak in Acholi. But as they began to break down some walls, and the man became more comfortable with David, the man began to become more transparent and eventually would speak in English with David without the need for an interpreter. He and David talked about the boy, the well, living water and eventually the conversation led to the need for Jesus. The man realized how much he needed the Lord in his life and decided right then and there to ask the Jesus to be his Lord in savior!

But before he did so, he asked David to take him to his wife, because he knew before he made that decision, he needed to ask his wife for forgiveness for his wrong-doings. He found his wife in the field and brought her to David and told her of his decision. She forgave her husband but was very hesitant to make the same decision he had because she brewed alcohol for a living. David assured her that God loved her as she was at this moment and for the rest of time and that for her to pray for God to change her life, which would change her family and that God would be very clear and prompt her when it was time to give up brewing. When that happened, she would be ready to do so.  

David left them to return to the well site and a little later the family joined the team as well. We prayed with them and introduced them to the team. It was a wonderful time to rejoice with the family, and the village over the new well and the new decisions made.

The rest of the day was spent back in Gulu-town resting and packing. We had a very early morning the next day. The team had to leave Gulu at 5:30am to make it to the Safari Park in time for our boat ride down the Nile river. 

Our time at the park was wonderful! We saw many animals in the park, even a lion family, including the males...very rare! We saw elephants, crocs, hippos, giraffes, antelope, water buffalos, warthogs, birds of all kinds, giant lizards performing what looked like a crossfit work out, etc...We swam, ate delicious food, and debriefed as a team on our time together in Gulu. We all recognized what a life changing experience this has been for all of us, and we cannot wait to get home and tell you all about it!

We now sit in the Amsterdam airport and will soon be jumping on our next plane back to the states. Please pray for our safe return home and for rest before we all jump back into our normal lives. We will be home around 10:45pm on Monday night. Our flight number is DL3433.

Thanks you all for your prayers, and support during this time. We come back not the same. Uganda and the Acholi people have left a lasting imprint on all our hearts. We know this trip would not have been possible without all of you. So thank you, thank you, thank you!