God spoke to me through the children from Kampala, Uganda, who were touring the Southeastern U. S. this past summer to raise money for a new orphanage facility. As I traveled with them all summer and grew to love each and every one of them, it was difficult to say goodbye. My love for them overshadowed my memory of the last trip. Another way God spoke to me was through Christina Whitworth of Mt. Gilead. She made it difficult to say no. After time spent in prayer, I stepped out in faith and said yes, not knowing how I would get the money, but God provided. Thanks to all of you who contributed to my mission trip, I had the exact amount I needed. I am so thankful that I made the latest trip to Uganda – it was still exhausting, and difficult at times, but God was at work in so many ways.

The team consisted of ten members from Mr. Gilead including Pastor Ted Moody, Christina Whitworth, Reggie Bergeron, Tracy Todd, John Duncan, Todd Thomas, Rennie and Penny Moultrie, Thomas Harris, and Jim Kill; and, one from Central Baptist Church in Warner Robins – me.

Our purpose was to minister to the teachers at Royal Junior School/ Orphanage; evangelize; baptize; work with a new choir; interact with the children; settle some legal issues concerning the new property; and to participate in the ground-breaking for the new school/orphanage.

When we arrived at the airport in Entebbe, we were met by Jalia Kayondo, the headmistress; several staff members; and many of the students from the choir who brought bouquets of flowers to each of us. After an hour and a half ride, we arrived at our hotel in Kampala. It was very hot, and as it was during the rainy season, it rained every day. There is no air conditioning anywhere, only electric fans in our hotel rooms. The city of Kampala cannot generate enough electricity to supply the entire city, so we only had electricity for four hours at a time.

Our days started with breakfast at 7 a.m. and departure for school at 8 a.m. Each school day began with a greeting from students and staff members. Then we were ushered into the school for Morning Glory, a time of worship with the different choir groups performing and a time of devotion given by a staff member or the pastor. It always started our day on such a positive note. It was a blessed reunion, and I was overjoyed to be spending time with them all week.

Six of us taught the Book of James to the teachers at Royal Junior. After the teachers got their students working on a test, we would teach each day for one hour in the morning; and one hour in the afternoon. The teachers were eager to hear and study God's word and looked forward to our time together every day. At the end of the day, all the teachers and team members assembled for Pastor Ted to give a summary of our Bible study for the day. All of us presented the plan of salvation to our students to be sure they had no doubts as to their salvation. As a result, we had three teachers accept Christ. This is significant because it completes the circle among the teachers in that every teacher at Royal Junior School/Orphanage is now a believer. What better way to help shape these children to be the "next generation for Jesus Christ? "

We prayed over meetings taking place concerning the property for the new school/orphanage as well as with the construction team hired to build the new facility. God was at work during these meetings, and everything worked according to His will and for the good of the school. Reggie Bergeron, the music minister from Mt. Gilead, worked with a new choir that will be touring next summer to raise money to finish the current building project and to begin construction on the High School.

This choir is comprised of third and fourth graders and has been working on their routines for a couple of months now. You can see God's hands on these precious children.

We showed the Jesus film at three different locations and had anywhere from 500 to 1, 000 people show up each time. God was definitely there and moving among the crowds. The people were so hungry for the Word they stood for two hours watching this film. They cheered and clapped all during the film every time something good happened, such as Jesus raising the dead, casting out demons, feeding the 5, 000, and His resurrection. As a result of this film, 204 people accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. It was so exciting to witness this and to be a part of God's plan.

On Sunday, we attended church services at the school, a special time of music and preaching. A crowd of over 500 attended the services, many as a result of the Jesus film. It had been raining and it was very muddy, but that didn't keep people away from hearing God's word. This was the highest attendance ever at this church, called Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. Pastor Ted Moody delivered the message, and an additional 20 people accepted Christ. How comforting to know that God is always at work.

Later in the day we had a baptism service at Lake Victoria. There were 130 people waiting for us to get there to be baptized, and with the additional new believers being baptized, we witnessed a total of 245 baptisms. Six of the men including Pastor Ted performed the baptisms. It was truly a blessing to watch God at work again. After everyone had been baptized Pastor Ted came ashore and announced that there was one more special baptism and it was a member of our own team from America. He explained that this person had accepted Christ but had no memory at all of being baptized and could think of no better time or place to be baptized than right now - along with her Ugandan friends.

That person was me. I was escorted out into Lake Victoria by two Ugandan teachers from Royal Junior and was also accompanied by some of the students. As I looked toward the shore, it was a beautiful sight to see the many Ugandans, as well as my team members, there to witness this special moment in my life.

Pastor Ted honored me by performing the baptism and completing the circle in my own life. After many hugs and tears, I was escorted back to shore by two students from the school. As I neared the shore, everyone was clapping and singing "This is the Day." This day, October 8, 2006, will live forever in my heart!

On our last full day, we had the ground-breaking for the new school/orphanage. It was a day everyone had been anxiously awaiting, and it was one more step in this miraculous story surrounding Jalia Kayondo and the Royal Junior School/Orphanage. Rennie and Penny Moultrie from Mt. Gilead have graciously volunteered to reside on the property for the next year to oversee the construction of the new school. What a huge sacrifice for them and a huge blessing for all involved with Royal Junior School and Orphanage.

I am blessed that God allowed me to be a part of such extraordinary work in order to glorify His holy and precious name. I look forward with hope and excitement to my next mission for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.