Jambo
(Posted by; Cameron Bohls, Beta Beta PC, Spring 2011)

It’s our last full day here in Uganda, and boy was it a busy but rewarding day. This day was faced especially with a lot of fatigue and tiredness for me and for the whole team. But we knew that it was our last day to minister to the people of Bukaleba, and to do the work that God had set out for us. It turned a slow breakfast into a motivated day for us all. I especially prayed for us to not lose strength in Him as we went out.

It was our last day of painting and everyone was in the final stretch mode. We got to the secondary school classroom much earlier than previous days and finished painting the last two walls very quick. Next thing we knew we were putting the last final touches of red trim on the windows and was cleaning up the room. Now I can’t speak for our team and I am in no way a professional painter, but many of the teachers and students came to the room to see the work that we had done on the two classrooms.

Now today was not only the last day for us but was also the last day for our good friend Jackson who was heading back to his wife and child around mid-day today. He has been with us the entire trip and has been such a blessing for our team. I know that everyone on the team got really close to him and didn’t want to say goodbye. He was Ryan Andrews and my translator for our church service on Sunday, and has been so encouraging and a light for us this entire trip. I don’t think Jackson could read this right now, but I want to write it anyways: “Jackson thank you so much for serving with us and taking the time to be with us on our trip, your joyful heart and encouraging spirit lifted me and made me feel welcome. I hope to always remember you and one day see you in heaven or sooner”. Christopher and I were privileged to interview him for the next video I’m making. At one point I asked him how has it been working with us and he responded “I love you.” Nearly touched my heart when he said it too, for the feelings are likewise. Once we ate lunch after painting we presented a Ginkgo Brotherhood Award to him for his friendship and service to us, and said our goodbyes and just like that he was gone to be with his family. I was so blessed to have served with and to know him.

As lunch was over we headed to the orphanage one last time to see those babies. Going down to the guest house and seeing that orphanage always humbles me knowing that our fraternity doesn’t have to be used to give God the glory to serve these kids, but He did and being a part of that is so unspeakable to me. I’m stunned every time I hear them sing to greet us. This time it was “Kumbaya my Lord”, which was just another reminder of what I think heaven will be like when we are all together. It was great to play with these kids one last time before we went to our Crusade in the village of Bukaleba. As always it was hard to part from them. I will always be touched by the life that is coming out of that place and the glory that God still has to exhibit in further years in the orphanage of the Bukaleba project.

As we approached the village I read over some verses for our program we were doing at the church plant. We decided to do some of the skits from last year’s trip and since I was a part of that trip, the team thought I could explain the two skits well. When we saw the soccer field where the Arise Africa staff had set up, there was again a huge crowd there with many children waiting to greet us. The worship was loud and the villagers were dancing. Since it was our last day we knew we had to go all out. I prayed for our energy to be at an all time high and for the message to resonate among the people. Our skits were very well acted and I had a great opportunity to share how Christ should be followed and how he saves us from the stickiest sins. Rob then presented a profound gospel message and asked for people to be saved. Some even got in front of Rob and fell to their knees as they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It was such a beautiful picture of how we should approach the throne of God. It was picturesque with the sunset and large clouds rolling in as these men were on there knees. The clouds came in, and it started to rain a little bit, so we headed back to the guest house rather quickly.

Once we arrived back in the guest house we were surprised with the guest of …GODFREY whom we hadn’t see in a couple days. Dinner was running late so I had the idea to show Godfrey the documentary of last year’s trip on my computer. It was such a joy to see the look on his face when the video was over, he responded with, “I think you have a calling”. He had no idea how that made me feel with that being my passion to make documentaries. Some how the documentary brought conversations of the history of Arise Africa International and its origin and future. Talking with Godfrey was so neat to see the work that has been done and the work yet to be done here in Bukaleba. I’m so glad for our partnership with their ministry. Seeing their goals and accomplishments makes me so proud of the God we serve and the work he has allowed through Arise Africa. The more I talked to him the more passionate I get about this country. A year ago I prayed that God would give me a way to come back. Now that opportunity has almost come to a close and I couldn’t be more blessed. I am so grateful for the time spent here with new experiences and new friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. Till then we will be back in the states on Friday!!!

-Cameron Bohls
Beta Beta Pledge Class (Spring 2011)