Another amazing day. We did get to sleep a little later not meeting til 8:15 and I think it is fair to say we all needed the extra few minutes. Then we hopped on the bus and went directly to Bulubandi. The men immediately stole the only shaded area to set up their construction site. So off the photography team went to stand in the sun with their first class. After one class we were all dead as were the kids. The past two days have rained and today the sun was out in full force. We were hot!! I will continue to say the group has it down to a fine art. But one class of 55 and we were ready to move on to something else. So Haji drove us down to the Women’s Ministry which was not very far down the road. The Women in this group support themselves by making crafts; necklaces, bracelets, mats, hats out of straw and other really pretty items. We sat with them under a mango tree and shared who we were. I am personally so thankful for birth control. Most of these women were mother’s to seven or more children. When Liz introduced herself as being both without husband or kids they all offered her one of theirs! I then told them that I had two kids but no grandchildren. I did mention that both my kids had given me grand dogs and they found that hysterical!! We then looked through the items they were selling. I then had three of the kids who were with us pick out bracelets they liked and bought them for them. They were so excited! I was too! Then a trail of Mzungus (what they call white people here in Uganda) walked single file back to Bulubande.
As we arrived back Bashir (the cook) told us lunch was ready. Again they laid out a beautiful spread of Matoke, Rice, potatoes, papaya, pineapple and a ton of different vegetables. Oh wait, there was also a ton of beans! We all sat together and ate and then went back to work. Emily, a 12 year old on our team was invited to join one of the classes by a new friend so she and I went to a P5 (fifth grade) for some learning! Shortly after coming I was pulled away to help with pictures. It does take four. One to call their names (that was me) and even with my little helper Benjamin the kids all laughed at my pronunciation. The second person straightens their collars, Jen takes the pictures and Liz then records the picture numbers that correspond to the student. As that group continued to take the class picture I got asked to go back into the P5 classroom and teach about the United States. So I talked about the fact that the US had 50 states just like Africa has many countries. They asked questions about climate, whether or not we grew cotton, what we ate, and then came the zinger. I was not at all prepared for this question, especially out of the mouth of someone so young. The question was “tell us about your Pentagon.” I was stunned, and my next thought was I should have paid more attention in school. The teacher (who by the way speaks better English than I do and is looking for a good Christian American husband if you know of any) said what he means is “what can you tell us about 9/11”. I was taken aback… I started by telling them it was my birthday and because of that I remember the day very well. I remember exactly where I was when I heard and I went on to tell how as an American I felt about what happened. You could have heard a pin drop. First, this happened when they were just infants. Secondly, it happened in another country. And yet they were aware. I loved sharing with this class. It was so great to see the look in their eyes and how interested they were. Now having said that, Emily and I were there together. Emily drew the map of the US and she rocked. Every time someone asked a question she added it to the map. We tag teamed right through the lesson.
While all this was going on Josh acquired a new child to sponsor. He and his father came to the school together today to get him registered. This was a really sweet moment. The young boy was so excited and his father was so grateful. Once again, a Mzungu had made a promise and kept his word. I continue to be in awe of the joy these kids demonstrate. Emily has connected so well with the kids. I have loved watching her interact with the children.
So tonight at dinner I was talking about what it felt like to hand out the chickens yesterday at Top Hills. I was telling the team that I can’t remember ever touching a chicken before, except taking it out of the package from HEB. I was surprised how soft they were. For some reason they reminded me of John Denver’s song, “Grandma’s Feather Bed”. With that Glenn starts singing that song. And I’m thinking half the team had never heard of it. But it cracked me up! Love his heart. Actually I love everyone’s heart.
So here is what I’ve learned. This team is a special group. I am so thankful that John and Paige are on our team. Paige keeps telling us she is not good at relationships. And then she blows us away at the way she is building them. She has the most amazing spirit. I can’t begin to tell you how blessed I am to have her in my life. John is just the same. Building the desks today I watched his ability to teach and then sit back and let the Ugandans do it. They accomplished the project. But to watch it all come together with us and them becoming one was just great to watch. I love this country and it’s people. They are so gentle and so kind. It’s still hard to believe that the team only has a few more days together. I am trying very hard to get them to stay the whole time. I really think if they didn’t have responsibilities at home they would all stay in a heartbeat. This country just does that to you. It sucks you in with all its beauty.
Left Bulubandi and stopped in the market so team members could buy shoes for their sponsored children at Phils and to buy fabric so Patrick can make them something. The team urged Haji off the bus and had him pick out some fabric of his own. We are going to have Patrick make him a suit. He was thrilled. We are so excited to give to this man just a little something to express our thanks for all he does for us. What a character. Gotta love him and we all do.
I have had a chance this year to get to know the Pastors and that has been awesome. I love Haji and his sense of humor fits right in with the team. I saw him tonight for the first time without a hat – he has no hair. He has threatened to cut off Jaimies and add it to his head. So tomorrow we head back to Bulubandi to finish our work there. Wish all of you could be here with us. You would love every minute of what this country and these kids have to offer.
To my family I miss you bunches. As I’ve said for years, I love you all the way to God’s house and back times infinity plus one.
Here are a few more cute kid pics:
As we arrived back Bashir (the cook) told us lunch was ready. Again they laid out a beautiful spread of Matoke, Rice, potatoes, papaya, pineapple and a ton of different vegetables. Oh wait, there was also a ton of beans! We all sat together and ate and then went back to work. Emily, a 12 year old on our team was invited to join one of the classes by a new friend so she and I went to a P5 (fifth grade) for some learning! Shortly after coming I was pulled away to help with pictures. It does take four. One to call their names (that was me) and even with my little helper Benjamin the kids all laughed at my pronunciation. The second person straightens their collars, Jen takes the pictures and Liz then records the picture numbers that correspond to the student. As that group continued to take the class picture I got asked to go back into the P5 classroom and teach about the United States. So I talked about the fact that the US had 50 states just like Africa has many countries. They asked questions about climate, whether or not we grew cotton, what we ate, and then came the zinger. I was not at all prepared for this question, especially out of the mouth of someone so young. The question was “tell us about your Pentagon.” I was stunned, and my next thought was I should have paid more attention in school. The teacher (who by the way speaks better English than I do and is looking for a good Christian American husband if you know of any) said what he means is “what can you tell us about 9/11”. I was taken aback… I started by telling them it was my birthday and because of that I remember the day very well. I remember exactly where I was when I heard and I went on to tell how as an American I felt about what happened. You could have heard a pin drop. First, this happened when they were just infants. Secondly, it happened in another country. And yet they were aware. I loved sharing with this class. It was so great to see the look in their eyes and how interested they were. Now having said that, Emily and I were there together. Emily drew the map of the US and she rocked. Every time someone asked a question she added it to the map. We tag teamed right through the lesson.
While all this was going on Josh acquired a new child to sponsor. He and his father came to the school together today to get him registered. This was a really sweet moment. The young boy was so excited and his father was so grateful. Once again, a Mzungu had made a promise and kept his word. I continue to be in awe of the joy these kids demonstrate. Emily has connected so well with the kids. I have loved watching her interact with the children.
So tonight at dinner I was talking about what it felt like to hand out the chickens yesterday at Top Hills. I was telling the team that I can’t remember ever touching a chicken before, except taking it out of the package from HEB. I was surprised how soft they were. For some reason they reminded me of John Denver’s song, “Grandma’s Feather Bed”. With that Glenn starts singing that song. And I’m thinking half the team had never heard of it. But it cracked me up! Love his heart. Actually I love everyone’s heart.
So here is what I’ve learned. This team is a special group. I am so thankful that John and Paige are on our team. Paige keeps telling us she is not good at relationships. And then she blows us away at the way she is building them. She has the most amazing spirit. I can’t begin to tell you how blessed I am to have her in my life. John is just the same. Building the desks today I watched his ability to teach and then sit back and let the Ugandans do it. They accomplished the project. But to watch it all come together with us and them becoming one was just great to watch. I love this country and it’s people. They are so gentle and so kind. It’s still hard to believe that the team only has a few more days together. I am trying very hard to get them to stay the whole time. I really think if they didn’t have responsibilities at home they would all stay in a heartbeat. This country just does that to you. It sucks you in with all its beauty.
Left Bulubandi and stopped in the market so team members could buy shoes for their sponsored children at Phils and to buy fabric so Patrick can make them something. The team urged Haji off the bus and had him pick out some fabric of his own. We are going to have Patrick make him a suit. He was thrilled. We are so excited to give to this man just a little something to express our thanks for all he does for us. What a character. Gotta love him and we all do.
I have had a chance this year to get to know the Pastors and that has been awesome. I love Haji and his sense of humor fits right in with the team. I saw him tonight for the first time without a hat – he has no hair. He has threatened to cut off Jaimies and add it to his head. So tomorrow we head back to Bulubandi to finish our work there. Wish all of you could be here with us. You would love every minute of what this country and these kids have to offer.
To my family I miss you bunches. As I’ve said for years, I love you all the way to God’s house and back times infinity plus one.
Here are a few more cute kid pics:
I remember calling you to wish you a happy birthday and being interrupted by a news flash about a plane crashing into the world trade center...that was the beginning. But, it was still your birthday!
ReplyDeleteYour blogs are terrific, dad loves having me read them, and I enjoy doing so. Continue to have the terrific time you've had so far. Be safe, eat well and know that we all miss you.