Day 9: Blog Post by Dustin

Day 9 - Wednesday, July 15th, 2009, Posted by Dustin

Today was our third day working at the construction site.

Today, we read another letter from one of our most avid blog readers and responders – Brenda (and her family)! Thank you for your encouragement for having feet fitted with readiness to spread the gospel. We know you are enjoying the blog, but we can’t wait to tell you all our stories in person!

Once we arrived at the work site, we could see that about 85% of the rebar frame work was completed. We were excited to see that part almost done and that we would soon be able to pour the concrete over the rebar framing. Here are some construction highlights:

• There wasn’t a whole lot to do when we first arrived except for bending rebar or tying the squares to the rebar. Most of us jumped right in to help wherever we could. Eventually there was no work to be done after the wire ties ran out.
• More bailing wire arrived and we were quick to cut them into the proper lengths. This job was done in no time as there were many hands available.
• Long wooden planks were the next supplies to arrive. We moved them off the truck and into piles of the same width. These planks were to be used as the forms so we could pour concrete onto the rebar framing.
• The last of the rebar and rods needed to complete the rest of the rebar framing arrived. Burt, Dustin, and Becky jumped on sawing the rods into their required lengths with Grace, Valene, and Aeri making the squares. Soon after, it was time to return to the hotel.



After resting and eating lunch at the hotel, we headed to Ngora Secondary School, the co-ed high school where Grace teaches Literature. When we got there (as was the case at all our events so far), the whole school seemed to already be seated and ready for us. Maybe you can estimate how many kids were there from the pictures. We just knew that there were a lot.



Once the equipment were set up, we started the program. We looked around and noticed that the YCVM band hadn’t arrived yet. Uh-oh, I guess it would just be us in the program. Some highlights:



• Ben gave an awesome testimony about how God has used the little gifts in his life to serve God and how a lot of these seemingly little things led him to where he is now (married to Aeri, and serving on a missions trip in Uganda). It was perfect for the high schoolers. Even Pete was impressed.
• Another “how-do-Ugandans-pronounce-Burt’s-name” episode occurred and after the kids were asked to repeat his name, instead of the usual “butt”, “boat”, or “boot” answer, we just got “whats” and “huhs”. However, when Aeri spelled his name out, they seemed to get it and pronounced it correctly.
• The YCVM band showed up at the exact time they were to present and they were excellent as always. The headmistress and one of the teachers even got up and started dancing with the band as the students laughed and cheered them on.
• More Burt: Burt gave his testimony once again, but also led the students through the drama. He really led them through with detail, and we were sure they understood.
• At the end, an altar call was made, and praise the Lord that even more students than yesterday took the step of faith to commit or recommit their life to the Lord. Amazingly, four teachers even took that same step of faith to roaring cheers from the crowd. We are still in awe of how little we do can affect so many youth to accept God as their Lord and savior.
• We met one of the YCVM sponsored children —- Raymond!



We were also able to drop by the Ngora Girls Primary School to visit another YCVM sponsored child —- Jessica! She is 12 years old and probably around 5’4” already.



Afterwards, we went back to the hotel, unfortunately, without electricity. I don’t think it mattered much since we were all exhausted. Another day in the books.

Prayer Requests:
• Pray for continued health and rest for the team.
• Pray for the Ngora Secondary School students that committed or recommitted their lives to the Lord.
• Pray for all the vulnerable children and youth of Uganda that the YCVM ministry is trying to reach out to.

Answers from Day 8 Blogpost Questions:
1. Who is the lead for having the most mosquito bites? Aeri has taken the lead, though there are murmurs of use of performance enhancing drugs.
2. Who is called “ecokon” which means pastor? Dustin.
3. Who made a friend with a praying mantis? None other than bug-man Pete.
4. Which newlywed couple was swarmed by a band of high school girls? Valene and Dustin probably because they look like high schoolers.
5. How many girls from Ngora Girls’ School answered the altar call? D. Over 100. Praise God!

Questions for Day 9
1. Who was chosen to hammer in the first nail for the wooden forms?
2. Who was scared by the creature in the picture below and ran away like a girl?

3. What is the worst thing about not having electricity at the Northeast Villa Country Resort?
4. Which YCVM team member has an older sister who gave a testimony at Ngora Secondary School? A. Grace B. Silver C. Patrick D. Emmanuel (Emma)