Watoto Church

While we are in Uganda, we are working with Watoto Church. The people there are committed to being Jesus' hands and feet in the lives of everyone in their city, country, continent and world and are a real inspiration. Through them, Jesus renews the lives of destitute women, abandoned and mistreated children, prisoners, sick people and even 'normal' people. =)

There are five church buildings in Kampala, one in Gulu, one soon-to-be in Cape Town, South Africa and one a-bit-later-to-be in Southern Sudan.

The following two pictures are of Watoto Church Central, where we work.

This is the view from the roof of Watoto Church Central showing part of downtown Kampala.

This is Watoto Church West, also in Kampala, where we went for a special Festival of Hope celebration. The Festival of Hope marks the birthday of Watoto Church and celebrates what God has been doing and will do in their communities.

The other day, we drove out to see two of the children's villages that Watoto runs. Along the way, the car had to slide, struggle and climb through a series of wet, muddy ditches in the road. The car barely made it. It was great fun!

This man is building a classroom at Suubi village. 'Suubi' means 'hope' in Luganda and it is the largest children's village that Watoto runs.

It is so beautiful there, and the air is so clean. It feels like the safest, happiest place in the world. Walking through the village brought Julie back to her childhood and she felt very much like playing marbles.

These villages house orphaned children (up to 8 in a house), house mothers, pastors (one per village) and teachers. They also have their own schools and a clinic. At lease one of the villages provides fresh water to the community outside the village.

On Thursday, we saw the very first show of the new Watoto Children's Choir production, "Beautiful Africa". Many of the children from the villages belong to choirs that tour the world telling people how Jesus has changed their lives and encouraging them to get behind the Watoto vision.

All the songs and dances in Beautiful Africa are completely original and are very good. We were blown away! The children obviously love what they do. For weeks, we had been hearing one line from the opening song repeated over and over again as the choir rehearsed. We weren't sure if we would like hearing the whole song, but when we finally heard it, it was amazing. What a relief! =) Seriously, though, if the Watoto Children's choir ever comes to your town performing Beautiful Africa, you HAVE to go.