We traveled back to Kamuli on July 9th and stayed there until the 10th. It was a wonderful to return after such a powerful time last year. God has done some amazing and transformative work in the church and in the community. I was thankful to have witnessed it. Additionally, I got to see some of the children I met last year.
I was thankful for the time we had. First, we arrived around 1am and did a worship and testimony time. This was fun because the interns who gave testimonies didn’t know this was happening…I remember sitting in the front row listening to Mr. Garners introduction about the first individual, and I thought to myself…”this guy sounds familiar!” Lol, it was me. I gave the first testimony to a room full of interns, community members, and cc4god Kamuli members. I testified about the identity that I’ve been given as one of Gods kids and how this mindset has set me free from what the world wants to tell me I am. After the testimonies, Mr. Garner gave a short sermon and then we watched a movie about the story of Jesus.
The next day we woke up, ate breakfast, and had a time of worship and sermon. Some of us also helped prepare for lunch so that we could feed the 400 community members that were there. I remember I left during worship because some of the kitchen staff needed help. I started cutting onions and then I cut cabbage. I hear the worship music end and hear Mr. Garner get up to transition into the sermon time…as I was still cutting cabbage, I heard him introduce my name, as I was the one who was preaching that morning. I had no idea this was happening! I remember feeling a wave of nerves as I put my knife and cutting board away and ran over to the church building. I then began to speak on a short devotional I wrote before the summer about the body of Christ. It comes from Romans 12.3-5, which reminds us that each one of us has a place and a gift to offer. Comparing ourselves with others or trying to compete with someone else only distracts us and can cause disunity.
I was thankful for the opportunity and thankful I wasn’t informed I’d be speaking. Sometimes I can over think and be anxious leading up to a sermon…but this was a nice time and it even helped me see what I was capable of. However, I still have lots to learn and more experience to gain. I’m still starting out as a preacher and excited to keep growing.
After that, some of us played soccer with our KENYA FC team! We played against the village soccer team. After that, the community came together and we all ate lunch, then the internship team left and headed on to Kenya.