Hello family and friends,

This morning we had an amazing experience at Nateete Prayer Center. To get there we drove through some dusty dirt roads and finally arrived at the church where we were welcomed as brothers and sisters. A new experience for many of us was dancing vigorously throughout the service. We had the opprotunity to introduce ourselves to the congregation and  shared a song we had prepared. (We learned we are better athletes than singers compared with the choir of the church) We heard testimonies from the members of the church as well as two from our own team, Nikki, and Tyler. Nikki spoke on her own experience of fear and the transformation and confidence God provides. Tyler shared how God does not restrict suffering but promises that one day the struggles will end. The blessings and hope of heaven is so much greater than anything we encounter on earth that all things can be overcome. The pastor of the church spoke on how powerful words and faith can be when asking such an omnipotent God.

After coming back and receiving lunch at the hotel we embarked out to the slums of Nateete where we visited the original location of Sports Outreach International  (SOI). We were able to hear about the work that SOI is doing in the lives of three individuals. One boy, Paul, had previously been removed from school and a coach from SOI, Willis, has taken him as a mentee and worked with Paul to place him in the SOI home and remove him from dangerous influences. Two sisters we met (sorry we don't recall their names) were finishing their "high school" curriculim and hoped to become a lawyer and a pediatrician.

While touring through the slums we saw homes built with tin roofs, dirt floors, and trash scattered throughout the area. The children that lived there were extremely joyful and welcoming as they walked beside us through their homes.

Ending today we ask for prayer for Paul, as he is testing to be re-admitted to school and hopes to find a home with SOI. We also ask that you pray for the two sisters as they prepare for their tests to graduate from "high school". Lastly, we ask for continued prayer for our journey as it has only just begun and for the people we encounter to have the opportunity to share the gospel and God's love through our own stories.

Love Aroma Uganda 2016

(Jacob and Joelle)