So I think I met Jesus this weekend. Let me clarify that I met a man so dedevoted to Christ and what it means to love people that if you looked past the physical person and time and looked at this man's passion for people you would see the gospel being played out. Oh I'm sure he is not perfect. He would probably attest to that fact. You just see Christ channeling through him. His name is Father Gerrie. He is probalby only in his late 20's maybe 30. He is one of the priests for the Luwerro diocese. He is in charge of the HIV ministry for the diocese. He came to talk to us on Saturday night about what he does and he told soooo many stories of people with HIV and then we got the chance to go to mass with him.
He told us stories of his work in the villages. One story he told was of a group of people with HIV who had been ostracized from their villages (which is the worst thing in African culture- to be ostracized or not allowed to be part of the communityr. Relationships are so valued. They have a saying "I am because we are") He was so sad that the people of the church had abondoned these people that he got down on his knees (a big sign of respect in Buganda culture) then he proceeded to wash their feet to show that he valued and respected them as humans. This is a very big thing in this culture because a priest is so respected and put so high up there for him to do that is such a big deal. He said that these men and women began to weep because it was the first time someone cared to see them as people and not just as a disease. He went on to say that one time in the airport in America some man saw that he had a tag that said HIV+ on his briefcase and got up and moved away. Father Gerrie was so upset about this. He said that when one member of the body of Christ has HIV then all the rest do. We are all part of one body; we all are affected (infected). He had so many other stories. So I will tell you them later.
The mass was awesome too. It was so neat! People were so welcoming and friendly. They sang so much during the service. They only used their voices and two drums. Even though I didn't understand a word of Luganda, it was the best church I've been to in Uganda. Ironically enough, but not surprising it was a one room school house out in rural Luweero. Wtih nothing but benches and a table wit a table cloth, two candles on plastic plates (not the disposable kind) and a crucifix.
I don't think you have to be Christian to see how Father Gerrie has affected this community and all the good that he has done. He desires all the praise he gets because the burden that he carries of the thinkgs has has seen and experienced is so immense. His congregation truely has big needs and he does what he can to help. Many people that he goes to minister don't have the basis necessities.
I have other stories from this trip, but yet again the clock is against me so we'll see what next week brings.
I think I might make buckeyes for my family this week. Oh yeah, I also went to some Sseziwaba Falls this week on Wed- check out the pictures on facebook. Super fun trip too. (I didn't really proof read this one so there might be been a few typos, but what's new :)).
Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.
Debbi