but joy comes in the morning

today was incredible beyond words. i'm not sure how i can even begin to write about today but I have never been so moved. there was a lot of crying and even more praying. we had plans to visit the only known elderly home where the older people who have no one to take care of them live. its rare for ugandans to live past their 50s and the only reason for family to not take care of their elders themselves would be if there was no one left living to take care of them. this home is also where handicapped people of all ages will get dropped off. what we encountered could not possibly have been prepared for. there is a annual pilgrimage currently underway for the Christians who were burned alive here in Uganda back in the 1800s. people from all over Africa travel by foot to visit this martyr's shrine once a year. hundreds of people were staying at the elderly home outside to rest until they continued the rest of the way. we were expecting to hang out with some old folks, pass out some goodies, and then pack up and go but we ended up staying longer than intended and being moved beyond what we thought possible. the people actually staying at the home ranged from old and healthy to young and handicapped. there were a few that were severely mentally and physically handicapped who appeared to be suffering from diseases like cerebral polesy. one girl named doris was laying on a mattress on the floor on her stomach unable to move much. sherry knew her and showed us how she liked to sing. she started, "baby Jesus, baby Jesus" and doris joined in with her, "I love you, I love you. you are my saviour, you are my saviour. everyday, everyday." by the end of the song, all of us around her were crying. how beautiful for this girl who can barely move and speak to be singing her love for Jesus. I couldn't even process it, all I could do was cry. after sherry walked away, I sat down with doris and told her she was beautiful and just stroked her arm. how precious. I have such a soft spot for the disabled. guess God knew what he was doing when he called me to the medical field. after that I walked around and visited some others a lot of them were blind so I came over and held their hands, prayed wit them, passed out whatever I had, and then kept going. some talked with me, like the man who was paralyzed from the neck down but painted with host mouth. some didn't say much but one man in particular really stood out to me. he was this little old man quietly sitting in him chair. he had a girl with him who was watching over him. I said hello and noticed he was blind so I grabbed his hand to shake, hold, whatever he wanted. he was still quiet but was shaking my hand and saying things in his language that I didn't understand. after a minute or so I was goin to leave but first, I handed him a gift. now this may seem like it was something fancy or spectacular when I tell you how he reacted but it wasn't. let me tell you, that man flew up from his chair and started shuffling in little circles, stomping, and yelling his thanks. I've never seen someone so excited and grateful for anything. ready for what I gave him? a canvas bag. a small, flat, st patrick's school canvas bag for him to keep. how excited should we all be for the things we're blessed with? he lit up and even the girl was excited to see him so excited and starting translating for me so I could understand what he was saying. wow. ok and there were so many other people that we got to pray for and talk to and just touch spiritually and physically, as simple as holding a hand in need. and then there were tons of others outside! we talked and prayed with others on the pilgrimage and played with the kids. we painted finger and toe nails, girls and boys. we had an unreal experience that was overwhelming and divine. now, on to the second part of the day.