Bwana Yesu Asifiwe!

Hello all,
Still loving Uganda!! I have started my placement, in other words my work.  It has changed from what I had set out to do, to what I have actually chosen to do. What I am doing is 3 different programs ( I know busy busy ) but the first one is the Evangelism Team.  This is by far my favorite thing to be a part of.  What we do is visit prisons,hospitals ( I don't do that one) , schools and street ministries. Oh my goodness, it has caught my heart.  I wasn't planning on doing any of this but I had nothing to do one day and asked the Leader Masui ( Matthew in Muzungu talk) , if i could come with them to the Prison.  He said of course but that I would have to prepare a 15min preach. For some reason this didn't stress me out that bad.  I had all the preparation one could need to preaching whilst I was on Outreach. So the following day we went to the prison and split up into 2 groups, one to the women's prison and the other to the mens side.  I breathed a sigh of relief when he said the 1. he was going in my group and 2. that we were going to the women's side.   It was so inspiring to walk in and see the women prisoners come in( some with children) in their yellow jumpers. I felt so at peace and knew this was something I was supposed to do while I was here. When I left I asked the leader, Masui, if I could join the team full time and he responded with "Yes! we have been praying for more people to join the team." That was just more clarification on this was the right choice. Then the following week, We went to the mens side. This is by far my favorite, which is ironic because being the only white,blonde girl in miles of the prison, you would think I would feel so uneasy, but it as the exact opposite. I walked in through the multiple gates to go through the courtyard.  Yes, I noticed them staring but didn't care. As we walked up the stairs to the hallway where they host the church service, I was just soaking in what an amazing experience this is for me.  afterwards I was still blown away by how in love I was with this ministry.  And just this past monday ( yesterday) a group of four of us went back to the prison, but this time we went to the condemned area, aka Death row.  Besides the color of their uniform you would not know that these men were in this area.  The way that they worshipped the LORD, is so inspiring. They are 110% in love with the LORD. It made me get God chills.  We danced with them, sang with them, and prayed with them.  I shared a word God had put on my heart.  And then after it was all finished I got to know some of the men.  Wow! That is the only word I have to say about it all. So glad I am doing this.  But also, being a part of the Evangelism team entails going into different communities and preaching the Word of the Lord to those who have never heard it before.  So, that is what we are doing the week of the 13th, we are going into the town of Mutai and having a week long outreach there.. Before we leave , we have to prepare and by prepare I mean get skits and dances ready for us to perform for all of the people.  Oh my goodness, I have not enjoyed learning a dance that makes me look funky more in my life. I will try and video it so you guys can see what I am talking about :)
      The 2nd program I am working with is called VTS ( Vocational Training School), which is where we enroll girls who were unable to complete their school because of reasons beyond their control.  In most cases, that is not enough money for their school fees. We are going to be teaching them practical skills such as sewing, baking, planting etc. I am going to be running the sports program and helping with the baking program. which I am excited for because that means proper cooking such as cakes,cookies,pies,burgers and pizzas! ah so good!
       hmmm I am trying to think of what has happened that you guys would enjoy hearing about.... o0o0 fun fact my parents come out in exactly 4 weeks and 4 days, which is exactly 32 days, but who is counting right??  I cannot put into words how excited I am! It is going to be the best 2 weeks ever, I cannot wait to show off my parents :)
     That is all I can think about at the moment... but that doesn't mean that nothing is happening because things are definitely occurring on a daily basis BUT nothing blog worthy...catch my drift??  I will post another in about a week or so with new and exciting adventures. ie. my outreach in mutai o0o0

until next time,
Tess
p.s. my title is 'Praise God' in Kiswahili
p.p.s. I am trying to organize a type of fundraiser to raise money for Kiswahili Bibles. When I was at the mens prison, I looked around while sitting amongst the men, I noticed that so many of them didn't have a Bible to read. These men could further their faith so much more if they had access to Swahili Bibles so that they are able to read in their native tongue. If any of you feel from God that is right for you to donate money so that we could provide Bibles for these men, please contact my father, Russell Jones, who is the one who can directly put money into my account for these Bibles. The bibles themselves are about $10 each bible. Thank you so much! love you all.