TESTIMONIES of some of our visitors

God loves surprising us!

It has always been my desire to go to Africa, but the Lord knew that it would be in February of 2010 and that it would be Uganda where to he leads me. My whole journey was a wonderful present full of surprises and a great start for this year.

Right after the beginning of the new year in China, I started my trip in Peking and with stop over’s in Dubai and Addis Ababa I finally arrived in Entebbe. The sun was shining, the sky was bright blue, just like Lake Victoria, the ample green of the plants and the red earth complement one another, and the lively picture of the street made it perfect. From the first moment here I felt very comfortable in Uganda and actually not like a stranger.

In the land of hope we lived in the African Village, the Hotel of VfA. My room was in the “Gorilla-hut“ and it really felt like holidays. On the first morning I woke up early and enjoyed my first African sunrise, alone in the peaceful silence in front of my hut. The view of "our" tree and the wide landscape behind was really pleasant and refreshing each morning again!

A ten minute walk through the compound leaded us to House Shalom, where at seven o'clock our morning devotion took place. We and the stuff started the morning with time worship, prayers and a short but clear message. This companionship with the other people and the Lord was real refreshment and a blessing every day new and it made us starting the day on the right way. It always reminded us how beautiful it is that we live and for what reason.
Thank you & Hallelujah!

Our group of sponsors was with seven people quiet small but also variegated: India, Austria, USA, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Germany and China. Despite all differences, we soon got familiar and grew together to a close alliance. „Mama“ Erika took care of us with much love and provided us a diversified program. Starting with a walkabout trough the compound and the visitation of the constitutions of VfA, a language course in Luganda with teacher Grace, a visit in the pottery, different worship evenings and a „cultural“ evening with Ugandan dances, and even a two days trip to the prayer mountain with time of silence, the visit of the Bujjagali- Falls and a shopping tour in Jinja. Our days were filled and therefore passed by fast. Actually one should add one week more, to assimilate all the experiences and to spend some more time in the children homes or other constitutions.

Meeting our sponsor children was really special. It is a precious present when you meet a person, who you only knew by a picture, in real life. But I actually felt at once connected to Sarah and I was happy that she received all my letters from China. Since Sarah attends the Primary School in the Land of Hope we could see each other often and after a first time of shyness she came to trust me, especially when we spent time alone. During my time here she also had birthday, on the same day like Maria Prean, on a Sunday. Everything was perfect! We had a lot of fun together and even though I'm now far away again, it is a different feeling thinking of Sarah. I'm looking forward to her next letter, and I wonder if she will addresses me with my real name or the common „dear sponsor“. And of course I hope it was not the last time I visited her.

Another experience, that one shouldn't miss, was the service in Glory Church on Sundays, where people from VfA and from the surrounding villages. Also here the worship is leaded with great dedication. We also had the opportunity to go with Pastor Ambale for „compassion“, where we visited five families in need of the church and got to know some of their life. This encounter and exchange with these brothers and sisters has moved me deeply, and I won't forget this impression easily. We got confronted with real material poverty, which of course touches you. Facing these poor living conditions you gain a correct perspective concerning the pretended problems of one's life. Prayers and worship songs made each visit complete and created comfort and hope on both sides.

A different kind of highlight was our three- day safari tour in the Murchison Falls- National park, together with our wonderful driver David. There we could experience the wonders of God's creation from close up. In the savannah out of the car: different kinds of antelopes, monkeys, eagles, buffalos, lions, elephants and giraffes. And on the boot on the Nile: crocodiles and hippos and in the rainforest while walking even chimpanzees.

The best thing, that I now miss the most, is the companionship which I experienced, the joy and warmth. It is not often that I see so many happy faces in one place. God blessed me richly trough this experience and I took a part of Africa in my heart back to China.  Somehow I'm convinced that this was not the last time I've been there. I'm curious, what the Lord plans for me.

I think that, when we learn to love to be surprised and become flexible, then we will experience what wonderful things God plans for us. When we let him do more in our lives, he will show us more of his character. And that’s usually different, than what we can image in our daily life.

All I can say is, that you should let yourself getting surprised and visit Vision for Africa :-)
WELCOME! Or NSAYUSE OKUBALABA!

Sabine Wang, Peking/China