PERHAPS A TIME FOR CHANGE…

The day started by going by Phil’s to make sure that Aloko Paul got his medicine and then we dropped Jaimie and Liz back at Musana to work there. They are learning so much talking with Andrea and Pat and they are sharing it all with me. Tomorrow I am going to join them there. I am so excited to spend some time there!! But lets not get ahead of myself. Today Judy and Julie left early to go buy more chickens. This was supposed to be a short excursion but they ended up going to a different location and it was an hour away. So we got a later start than planned. With the chickens in the back of the van we then had to stop at a service station to get the spare tire replaced, as Haji did not want to drive all the way out to Top Hills without a good tire. I have to admit, I’ve never changed a tire with a trunk load of chickens before. The chickens got a little rambunctious and some took a tumble to the ground. Sadly, by the time we got to the school 15 had died! The good news is that the school was going to cook them up and serve the P7 boarders an excellent meal! As some of you know, the drive out to Top Hills is long and bumpy. Haji thinks that with all the twists and turns, and ups and downs, they may have suffocated along the way. All I know is that I was glad Jaimie was at Musana. She would not have handled this well. Her heart is much too soft to experience this type of drama. 

So while there we gave out the Bibles we had promised to the Ambassador kids we had interviewed and we distributed the chickens to the first fruits students. I love the concept of this. A teacher and I went to all the classrooms and asked each individual teacher who the neediest students were that were not sponsored. Based on that information she then selected three from each level that were blessed with chickens. I love the idea of this.

What I didn’t like is that the distribution came from us. I really think we need to reconsider how we do things. As Mzungus we need to stay in the background. Nothing should be perceived as coming from us. We need to help them become self sufficient and every time we distribute something it is seen as coming from the “rich Mzungu”. This does not help in our efforts to make them self sufficient… This is something we really need to give some serious thought to. It is not about us. When we were done with this we left and went to Bulubandi and distributed the chickens there. Again, we distributed them and we shouldn’t be the ones doing this. 

We need to stop being perceived as the Mzungu who brings things. I know I am as guilty as anyone. I love to give. It is who I am. I don’t want us to be looked upon as a source of money only. We should be coming to serve the people. I want us to be a source of God’s love. This way all the children would be loved the same! I really think we need to consider how we do our trips and the way we approach the kids. We need to help them become self sufficient – from the pastors right on down to the kids. Ok, enough of my philosophy for the night. I just need to act on what I think is best for this country and the kids we work with.

I want to help without hurting. I have learned a lot this trip. I have a lot to think about and that is for me a good place to be. I need to absorb all that I have seen and felt and figure out what is best for the people here. I know that my heart wants to help. I just need to figure out the best way to do that without causing harm along the way.

So with that said, I am going to turn in for the night. Tomorrow after Musana we are going into town for some last minute supplies. I have to say, that I am emotionally drained as well as physically exhausted. I think that is true for Jaimie and Liz as well. We have all grown so much and I have loved having them on this trip. I may have lost a lot of my sanity but I feel I have gained two daughters. I wouldn’t trade a moment of the time I have spent with either of them. Tami and Janet you have raised two fine women. You should be very proud of them. I know I am! 

I love you guys.

 

Here are a few photos of the day:

 

 

First Fruits

 

Haji with Liz' sunglasses on

 

 

Me and Rashidah

 

Painting the Dorms

 

My new friend, Gloria

 

 

CHICKENS IN A BAG

The morning started off with a really bad migraine. I got up, showered hoping that would help, went for breakfast, asked for a piece of French toast, took one whiff of it, gave it to Haji and went back to bed. I knew I was not going to be a part of anything at least for the near future. With that I slept until 2 at which point feeling better I called Haji and headed out to Bulubandi. On the way I stopped at the school that Lochoro Evaline (Esther and Evans child) goes to and spoke with the headmaster. She needs a new uniform (hers is torn in inappropriate places) and wanted to know how I could buy her a new one. I also talked about how to fund her education for next year. Even something as simple as buying a uniform is not easy. I have to go to a bank and deposit funds, get the receipt, give it to the school and then they will provide what she needs. So Wednesday I am set to do that. I will also pay the funds (around $20) for her to get to eat lunch at the school every day so she doesn’t have to walk back to the kid’s house and possibly miss some classes. The school paperwork made it seem like it was a Muslim school but as we drove in though the gate there was a Muslim greeting immediately followed by a Christian sign. Turns out it was founded by a Muslim but now is being run by Christian ownership. I was really glad to see that! Evaline and I talked to the headmaster together. I gave the headmaster my email information and asked her to contact me when the new-year began so we could be sure her educational fees were covered.

Then it was off to Bulubandi. We were going to start the First Fruits program today by giving two hens to the families in the most need. Well this didn’t turn out quite like we planned. Judy had brought with her 200+ canvas bags and so we decided to put the chickens in the bags to carry through the community. Nothing like having chickens hanging on your shoulders.

As we started our journey it soon became apparent that the whole idea had not been communicated very well as the gentlemen who were leading us (the pastors were busy and thus had assigned someone to help with this plan) were in no way stopping and delivering the chickens to those in need. The first several houses were very nice and there appeared to already be chickens in the yard. The question of do you currently own any livestock or chickens was always answered with a no and we had no idea if the chickens wandering around were theirs or their neighbors. That is until the question was answered no and there was chicken feed sitting right there at their feet. Fortunately at this point (about 8 chickens into the process) the skies started to open up and we saw lightening. We quickly decided to scurry back to the school. I am so glad we did as it gave us a chance to re-evaluate how we want to do this again tomorrow. What we have decided to do is to limit it the two schools. This is a 100% change from what I was thinking yesterday. In this way we can know that the kids we are giving the chickens to have never received anything along those lines from their sponsors. We can also look at all the students including the non-sponsored ones and pick the ones most in need, which accomplishes what we originally set out to do. We plan to select 4-5 kids from each grade level and bless them with the chickens. I’m hoping this will work better. I guess I will find out tomorrow. Meanwhile both Jaimie and Liz spent the day at Musana. They spent time making beads with four other women in the craft room. They were really proud of themselves – they made about 30 beads (which in reality does not make even one necklace!) In the afternoon they worked in the donation room organizing all their stuff. In between the two projects they had a chance to eat beans and rice with the teachers. They both loved the day and are looking forward to going back tomorrow. Andrea has told them to bring their toothbrushes, as they will be on latrine duty! That I would pay to see.

For dinner tonight, Andrea, Haril and Pat (Andrea’s mom) joined us at the Mum. The service was not very good (I think they had to go out and catch the fish and chickens) but the company was great. I don’t think we’ve laughed that hard since we’ve been here. And by the way, I would not have been a complete idiot on trivia night. She repeated some of the questions and I actually knew the answers. No one was more surprised than I was! When it came time for praying over our food we couldn’t even get the prayer out because we were laughing so hard. It’s the first time I’ve ever had to use a back up prayer person. I’m so glad God has a sense of humor. We did give Haril several bags of beef jerky and gave Pat and Andrea each a bag of peanut butter M&M’s. It was like Christmas in October. Liz and I still have enough food left over on our snack shelf that we could open a small grocery store.

So now it time to sign off and consider getting some much needed rest. Tomorrow is another busy day. We will be heading to Top Hills and then to Bulubande. I hope all of you are doing well. I love you guys.

This is Liz with Paul Losiya:

This little girl is too cute:

 

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU GET ON ONE BENCH???

Today (October 6) once again started early. I was at breakfast with my computer in hand long before I needed to be there but it was good to have some time to try to catch up. Liz went to bed last night with a headache and woke up not feeling good so we left her at the Mum to sleep. The good news is that when we returned she was watching the Big Bang Theory so I’m guessing she is feeling better. Good news for me as I was really missing her good sense of humor. I did NOT like her not feeling good. The mama in me was coming out…

So off we went to Top Hills for church today. The drive there is long but it is also beautiful. We travel on the red dirt roads through the greenest of sceneries. All along the way there are people; children playing, mothers nursing babies, or cookies, people of all ages working. The great thing is that everyone is outside so we don’t only get to enjoy the beauty but the people as well. It is a photographer’s paradise. No matter how many pictures I get there is always something new around the next bend. I spend every second in the car with my head looking and observing. I don’t want to miss a second of this country. We arrived there at about 9:15 and the Sunday school class had already started. Irene’s husband, Patrick, is the Pastor out there and as you can imagine the little church was full. The first rows were filled with children. So I sat in the first row with about three. Before long, our little bench had six children and me. One little boy just sat and grinned at me. His resemblance to my sponsored child at Phil’s, Adrian, was uncanny. He could have been his identical twin brother. His smile just melted my heart. With the little bit of bench that I had he took my hand and grinned for the remainder of the service, which for those of you who have been in Uganda know can be a while. I taught him how to say “I love you” in sign language and then the little girl next to me started showing me pictures from a picture Bible. Each time she wanted me to tell her the story. I’m not sure the Pastor appreciated this but she may have learned something. I certainly had her attention. The service was really good and his lesson was on bringing Jesus into your heart. At the end he asked if anyone wanted to invite Jesus into their lives and a father of one of our sponsored children (Lee Bowers your child) came to the front and before everyone said that he had been away from the church for seven years and today he was asking forgiveness and coming back to God. It was really a cool moment. The whole community was so excited for him. Yahoo! Then of course, we had the honor of having the girls’ choir sing and dance for us. At the end of the service one of the girls handed Patrick a note and asked if they could sing one more song for us. And so they did…in English no less. I love the enthusiasm with which they sing. Glenn, I love your singing. I hope you are working on those dance movements for when we get back! After the service Jame’s wife cooked us a great meal. So we all sat together and feasted. It was so good! As we were eating I could hear a guitar in the distance and I knew it was not Moses because I could see him from where I was sitting. He was eating with us. When I peaked out the door there was another young man playing the guitar we had given to Top Hills. He is Moses’ first student and I have to say he sounded really good. Moses was really excited about already finding someone to teach and says they have been working together some every day. He even requested a picture of teacher and student. I told him that you, Glenn, would be so proud of both. I also told Moses that as we come back in the future we would like to hear him play for the children as you did. He was very excited at the prospect of being able to do this. Who knew God would work so quickly in passing this skill on. Your work here is taking off.

And so we headed back to the Mum. But not without another adventure to add to the list. What do you get with three Mzungus and a nail? Probably the same thing as you’d get back home… a flat tire. So in the middle of nowhere we pull off to the side of the road. Judy asked if we could stay in the car and Haji, being Haji said yes. I suggested we get out. It is hard enough to use a jack without all our additional weight to lift (no offence intended to Judy or Jaimie… well maybe some to Jaimie!) Out came the jack and every time we thought the men (Haji and Stephen) were close to getting the tire off the ground, the jack slipped. I am telling you it was hot. You could have fried an egg on any one of our heads! Meanwhile, the men were working hard. The three of us pulled the girl card. “Oh, it’s so good to have such strong men around. I’m glad we don’t have to do that, we might break a nail”. Haji just laughed! Jaimie in the meantime is sticking her thumb up trying to hitch hike. It is hard to be in control of this group. Meanwhile traffic is speeding by in the wrong direction and we are trying hard not to get killed. Have to say I’m sorry Liz missed this. I’m sure she would have added a little humor to the situation. When they finally got the old tire off there was a huge hole in it. As they put the new tire on, that had been riding underneath the car all this time; it was practically orange in color. It was so dirty. In contrast to the lug nuts it looked very out of place. The only thing that would have added to this was if a monkey had jumped out of the woods and landed on one of our heads! But alas before long we were “back on the road again!” Then he stopped in front of a man on a bicycle carrying a load of matoke (bananas). I was probably not more than two feet from him when I said, “Can I take a picture of your bananas?” I probably looked as stupid as I sounded. Jaimie was cracking up in the back seat. Fortunately the guy had a good sense of humor, nodded yes, and started smiling. 

After a little break Jaimie, Liz and I headed to Phil’s house. We saw Caroline Amulen who had heard we were in town and came to the kid’s house in hopes we were there. She hasn’t changed one bit. It was great to see her and talk to her for a while. We spent time with all the kids and watched as little Adrian pushed a wheelbarrow around the yard. I sat in the back with the girls talking about school. Poor Jesca (the matron) was telling me about her daughter, Jennifer who was sick and in the local “hospital”. She was so sad. So as we left we offered Jesca a ride to see her daughter. When we got there she asked me to go in and so I did. Poor Jennifer was lying in bed asleep. I asked if I could pray over her and so I did. She woke up and when she saw me she gave me the beautiful smile and thanked me for coming. She is as beautiful as ever. I felt so bad for her seeing her so sick! But I was so glad I went in. Then we went into town to find more Oreos. Some things are just worth the time! It took two supermarkets but we did find “the worlds best biscuits” but not before we almost got killed crossing the road. Haji said we were so bad at this that he actually moved the van so we wouldn’t have to cross back. But coming out of the store we didn’t see him. Even though we heard a whole chorus of “Jaimie’s” coming from the boda boda drivers we kept on going. Finally we heard a familiar voice calling her name and looked back to see Haji just laughing at us. He is such a character and so much fun! 

So another day ends and I am hoping for a good nights sleep to get ready for another busy day. I want to thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. Liz and I are going to eat Oreos. Bet you wish you were us!!!

Really! Who wakes up this early?

The alarm went off this morning really, really early. By really, really early I mean 6 am. The breakfast area is supposed to be up and running at six but when we walked in there was not a sole in sight. The lights were not even on. So after waiting a while we went back to the room and got good ‘ole American oatmeal and dug in! But breakfast so early in the morning just means our stomachs start growling by ten o’clock. Our day started at the market – not at all like any market most of us have ever been before. Bicycles with huge baskets on the back carrying chickens and goats. I’m amazed at how many chickens they can stuff in. They ride down the street to the market with little chicken heads poking out I imagine yelling, “save me, save me”. They sell (auction) chickens, goats, sheep and cows along with all kinds of vegetables. The market was a good distance from Iganga and we took a friend of Julie’s, Peter, so he could pick out non-diseased chickens. Interestingly, he bought all hens. This way they can produce eggs right away and they said there are always roosters around. And you know what happens when the roosters find the hens! She did not elaborate but we all got the message loud and clear. We also got the proper paperwork and because of we are Mzungus they required everything to be done “according to law”. So this group of chickens will be distributed first and then more will be bought for the remainder of the first fruits program. I am glad we will not be returning for that adventure though I am very glad we got to see the market in full swing. It is another side of Uganda I have now been privileged to see. After purchasing we proceeded to put all 50 hens in the back of the van and drive off with them where we deposited them with Peter for the weekend.

We all had the honor of getting some of the chickens out of the van. Though they were tied together at the feet the first several I picked up were really feisty and they practically turned themselves upside down to peck me. I was afraid I was going to drop them and at that point I wasn’t sure I really cared.

 

 

 

Then we left and went into town and did some shopping for the kids. The best find of the day was Oreo cookies and chocolate vanilla swirl ice-cream. I didn’t eat the ice-cream but the Oreos were good. I was sorry my mom taught me to share. Just as I opened the package Haril drove by and I gave him two. Then I offered Haji two. Coveted as they are I did share. Then we ran into Pat, Andrea’s mother and have arranged for them to come to the Mum and share dinner with us Monday night. What a blessing they have been. We are now back at the Sol Café getting ready for lunch. I love this place both because it supports Musana and because their chicken is so good! After lunch we are going to go by Julie’s hair salon so we can see it. I’m excited to see what she has as I’ve never had to opportunity. Then off to the Mum where I hope to spend the afternoon putting names to pictures so I don’t have to spend the next month at home trying to match them up. (Update: I got very little of this done. The option was pictures or a nap. Somehow the pictures did not win out!)

Yesterday, to catch you up a little we spent the day at Top Hills. We stopped at Phil’s first so we could give Aloko Paul his medicine. We are so medically inclined we have them marked at pink, white and BIG. That is how we tell them apart (Tamara you and Kari would be proud!) The drive to Top Hills is a long one but the countryside is beautiful. It is so green mixed with the red dirt roads – I just love looking out the window. Again, I have to say some of the potholes would leave you in China if you fell in. There really isn’t much but green between Iganga and there and I love watching Haji avoid the holes even if it means driving on the wrong side of the road. We arrived to do several projects but it seemed all the classes were in testing and so we sat under the tree and talked. Eventually a few of the younger kids came out and we started to help them write thank you letters for their gifts of goats, chickens or money. In my case, I loved doing this with them. I had a great opportunity to talk to them (although I did get help from one of the pastors to translate) and found out so much about them. I had them giggling and felt like the relationship became so much more important than the letter. Because they were young they loved coloring and drawing the pictures. Sponsors as you read these letters know they are very appreciative of all you do. I explained that you help them to go to school. They poured their hearts into coloring and we had great time writing. I wish each of you could meet your child. They are so dang cute. Picture after picture I take and still I wish I could take more. I want to bring home every smile. And capture every personality. I want to save it in a bottle so I can pull it out when I most miss this country which I know will happen as soon as I lift off from the ground.

Jaimie and Liz were in charge of picture taking. They only had one class left – P7 (middle school seventh graders). All those boys thought they were so cool that older girls were taking an interest in them. The pastors were getting a kick out of watching. All we could hear from the distance was a bunch of laughter, both from the Mzungus and the class. Wish I could have been a fly on the tree to hear what was actually being said. They did ask a boy to help them with pronunciation of names and from what I understand he rocked. So before we could hardly say “Jack Rabbit” they were done. Such an efficient pair! Meanwhile we were continuing to write letters with a new group of kids. I sat with Ronald this time and he knew everything about every child. I would ask a question and he would answer. He finally told me they all were his neighbors. I must say I was impressed he knew everyone so well!

 

Note the frog in the hair...I probably now have warts.

Now I am in my room at the Mum alone for the first time in three weeks. I have done something I said I would never do. I have sent Jaimie and Liz into town on their own. They are meeting a young man from Phil’s to do a little shopping and to enjoy some time to talk. I can’t believe that I sent three 20-somethings on their own. What they don’t know is that I have Haji spying on them and keeping them safe. They were so excited to get some alone time to chill and I trust all three of them with my life. I hope they have a really good time. They are buying Emma some futbol shoes (he has been asking me for some for years) and hopefully will also find some shin guards for his poor legs. They are also looking for shoes for Masiat and for little Rashidah at Top Hills. It’s been a long time since I’ve sent a pair of youngsters off by themselves. Tami and Janet are you worried yet??? I can’t wait to hear all about their adventure(s). I know there will be more than one!!!

At lunch today we started talking about our return trip to Kampala next week and all the cool things we could do along the way. Jaimie, not surprisingly, mentioned bungee jumping in Jinja. I talked to Haji and he said it was along the way so if this is something she would like to do we could stop for her. He asked me if I would do it. My immediate reaction was no. But I just might be crazy enough to try it. I’ll have to look at it first and see if I’m brave enough to do something so dumb. I’m not sure following Jaimie’s example is something I should strive to do. J We are also thinking of stopping at the zoo in Entebbe. It is a rescue zoo and now that Liz and I have seen the Pittsburgh zoo it sounds like something we should consider. Haji has asked if we go if he can come in and see the animals too. I guess we are not enough entertainment for him. So as we wind down to our last week there are many things to still do and people to see. Jaimie and Liz are going to be spending some time working at Musana next week and are very excited about that. Judy and I will be going to Bulubandi, Top Hills, working some with the Women’s Ministry and anything else that the pastor’s feel needs to get done. Tomorrow we are headed to Top Hills for church. I have never been there so I am very excited. I love worship in Uganda.

Good news! Jaimie and Liz both came home alive and so excited. Haji actually let them drive. And you thought I was nuts. He is like a grandfather with these girls. Anything they want he gives them. There is even a picture of him in the passenger seat. He does look scared to death!!! And then he went around the round-a-bout in circles without any prompting from either of them. They think he is awesome. But then we all know he is. He is like a little kid always pulling pranks. His favorite is blowing his straw cover at one of us. Sometimes he hits us and then he just attempts to look so innocent. Sadly, for him, he can’t keep a straight face for longer than a second. Patrick joined us for dinner tonight and Judy, he brought the shirt you asked him to make. I paid him 50,000 shillings which he said you had agreed to. Paige he also brought the placemats and napkins from the fabric you bought. He said there was only enough fabric to make six of each but they are beautiful. The great news is that the total cost was only 24,000 shillings; 2,000 for each as apposed to the 10,000 at Bulubandi. I had planned to have some more made at Bulubandi but for that price I have decided to have Patrick make them instead. They turned out really nice and I will bring them home! 

Guess this is all for today. Looking forward to a good nights sleep and another good day tomorrow. Can’t believe we head for home a week from tomorrow. We miss our team. You guys were a great group and I am so thankful for each and every one of you. To my family… in case you are wondering, I love you all the way to God’s house and back times infinity plus one! May God bless you all.

 

 

ANOTHER BUSY DAY IN PARADISE…

This morning started with us returning to Bulubandi to finish up pictures and to have the children who got gifts from their sponsored families to write thank you letters. This was such a neat image… actually both pieces were. Judy was sitting with Julie under a tree with the kids who were writing their sponsors thank you letters for the gifts of goats and chickens. They were all so focused on what to say and their handwriting was perfect. Penmanship was one of the few subjects I use to excel in, and they really put me to shame. They were so thankful for all that you had done. Meanwhile Jaimie, Liz and I were in search of the Nursery kids so we could complete all the school class pictures. Bridget, who is the head English teacher (and speaks better English than we do) walked with us. As we walked into the classroom the entire class stood up and greeted us. Bridget then led them in song; Old McDonald Had a Farm, and one other nursery rhyme. Then she asked us to introduce ourselves and do a dance. So being the first to introduce myself, I did just that. I boogied my little heart off which started the whole class laughing hysterically. Then it was Jaimie’s turn and she cheated. She asked the class to show her how to dance. She literally wimped out. And then Liz just tried to ignore the instructions. But I called her out and she politely declined so we started singing “Mary had a little lamb”. Imagine my surprise when they knew all the words. A few refrains of that and I think they realized we couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket and decided we should begin with what we had originally set out to do. So all the kiddos filed out and we started to take pictures. Jaimie, Liz and Bridget have this down to a fine art. I just sat and enjoyed the kids handing each one a letter that one of the second grade classes I visited had written to the kids. 

Judy stayed at the school to finish up there while the three of us went into town to eat lunch at the Sol Café, a restaurant managed by Musana. I had the best chicken I’ve had since I’ve been here – good ‘ole grilled white meat! Then we went to a grocery store where Liz graciously bought brooms and mops for Kakombo, both for the nurses who live out there and the clinic. After watching them clean their rooms we are hoping this will make it easier for them all. We also bought Bibles for all the kids we did the interviews with for future sponsorships. As I mentioned earlier we had them read their favorite passage. After reading they were asked if they had a Bible. They all said no. When asked if they would like to have one, and if they did would they read it, they all enthusiastically answered yes. And so today we bought each of those children one that we will give them before we leave. It was a clear example of lack of communication today however. We kept asking Haji where we could find a mop. He kept telling us in the Bible store. We knew this wasn’t right and he was adamant he knew he was correct. We finally figured out he thought we were saying map. A light went off with all of us and we all had a good laugh. We had a really good conversation with him today about his background and his faith. He is such a good man, and so good to us that we want to make sure we honor him in the same way. We asked him if it was hard driving all our teams of Christian groups. He said that no. God was good and we all got along. We asked if he had time to do his prayers and he said yes that when working God allowed him to save those prayers for a later time. He is so open to anything we ask. Which makes for really good conversation.

After leaving there we went by Phil’s kid’s house to pick up Aloko Paul to bring him to Jinja to see the doctor. We arrived early and had a chance to run by some of the shops again and then came to the medical center. This was an interesting adventure. Jaimie was confident she knew the way. Haji was sure she didn’t and kept stopping to ask people along the way. He finally gave in and followed her directions, which to his surprise led right to the front door. Sadly, when we got here the doctor had already left so we were left to see his nurse. After asking a series of questions and quickly examining his ears she called Dr. Charles and gave a brief report. Based on her analysis he said he would come back and see him if we could wait 30-45 minutes. Paul reported that his ears had been hurting, and draining on and off since 2008. When the ears drained drops obtained over the counter would be put in. He said he has lost some of his hearing and that when they are draining he is in pain. Paul is so shy and bashful. I had an earache a few months ago and I can tell you they hurt. So now we are in the doctors office waiting for him to arrive. I am so praying that he will have a solution to resolve the problem. No child should suffer for so long without anything substantial being done. He is such a sweet child and it really breaks my heart. So we are patiently waiting. Aloki is eating beef jerky, Liz is sitting on the floor.

Dr. Charles came and saw Aloko. He examined him and then asked if any of us were nurses. When we all said no he explained it in really simple layman’s terms, “One ear is sicker than the other”. The good news – we all understood. He put him on Augmenton (?), a fungus medicine and Tylenol to be taken for the next seven days. The total bill was 45,000 shillings which is less than $25.00. Amazing! He was so gentle and so good. So we will return next Thursday to see how he is doing. Afterwards we ate at the Source Café and watching Aloko eat something other than posho and beans was pure joy. We then dropped him back off at the kid’s house and came back – getting back to the Mum around 8! Another full day. I’m sad to report that we missed trivia night but then again that might have been a blessing. None of us have had a single moment to keep up with a single world event in the last few weeks so we probably would have embarrassed ourselves to no end! Besides taking care of this child was much more important. Unless they asked us what room we are staying in at the Mum we probably would have failed! And so another day ends. Sleep will be in short supply and then another wonderful day will begin.

LUNCH UNDER A TENT

Today started with a trip out to Idudi to meet Andrew Wambi, a pastor who has started a school and church. He is not a part of Tree of Life but he is mentored by our two pastors, Wilson and James. Andrew did not know we were coming but he was so accommodating and thankful we had come. He first shared with us how the school came about and then led us to the school so we could meet his students and the teachers. The kids came out and sat so quietly. The school is only Nursery through P4 so the faces of the kids were all so stinking cute…AGAIN! Seems they get cuter every day! He had five of the kids who are a part of their choir sing for us. What sweet voices they had. Then unbeknownst to us Andrew took us to the new farm they had bought to build their new school on. To get there we drove down roads that barely qualify as roads. The van barely fit between the bushes. He was so excited about this piece of property and what he was planning to do. Afterwards we were blessed to go to his house and meet his wife and two children; his two year old daughter Faith and his 3 month old son, Israel. In between all this, we went and visited with Rehema and her extended family. Danny, this is the young girl you told me about whose father just recently passed away of AIDS. Her mother had already died previously and this precious 5 year old is now parentless. It was a sweet, but somewhat awkward moment. I told them that we were there as an extension of you Danny. We prayed over the family for strength and let them know that people half a world away were praying for them. But we also felt that we were imposing on their grief. Rehema’s sister came in wailing. I asked Andrew if it was appropriate for me to go to her. He said yes and so I did. I held her for quite awhile and let her cry for her loss. And then we started talking. She told me about her family and her children. The sadness she felt was so raw. My heart just broke for her. Death is so common here and yet the loss is felt just as strongly.

When we came back to the Mum Jaimie, Liz and I came to our room and just sat under our mosquito net and relaxed. We talked about things we had done in life and about how this trip was impacting us. We then decided we were hungry and so we ordered spring rolls. They were delivered right to our room and so we proceeded to eat lunch under our make shift tent. They were yummy – in fact the best food I’ve had at the Mum yet. Haji continues to eat fish and chips unless he changes it up a little and has chips and fish!

We then went to the kid’s house this afternoon to see the kids. Tomorrow we are headed to Jinja to take Aloko Paul to a doctor to look at his ears. He’s been suffering from ear infections for years and Jaimie is passionate about getting him looked at. So we are picking him up at Phil’s tomorrow and heading in. We had sweet Moses Okere translate for us so he would not think we were taking him to nowhere land tomorrow. We will all head to Bulubandi in the morning to finish up some things and then Judy will stay behind to finish what we don’t get done, and then will work with Julie in the afternoon. In the evening we are all heading to Sol Café for a Current event trivia game. I am sure I will not win… but I am going to give it the good old college try. Tonight when I get back to the room I am going to cram!!! If anyone knows anything that has happened in the past week or so worldwide, an email would be helpful. But only email me. The rest of the team is on their own!!! I wish I could communicate better with the little boy I sponsor at Phils. He has looked so sad these last few times I have been there. He always comes to me with a hug but that huge smile of his has been missing. I did have Moses ask if he was feeling OK and he said yes. So next time I go I will be trying to get to the bottom of it. He just is making me sad cause he is sad. Debbie and Greg if you are reading this, I have bought him a Ugandan soccer outfit (shorts and a shirt) to give you for him to wear on his flight home. I have no idea what size to tell you so I bought something I am hoping will fit him. He loves soccer so I thought it might be appropriate. He really hasn’t grown much since last year. Still as cute as can be. I just need to see his smile. I am missing that spark that he has! We left there and drove back out to Musana to see if we could find Haji’s camera. He thought he had left it there last night. As we got close to the school we ran into Haril. He very kindly got out of the car that was taking him into town and went back with us. We had a great time talking with him. He was telling us of his first trip to America…Colorado in the winter. Hearing him tell us of the layers of clothing he had on, I couldn’t decide weather to laugh or cry. I hate to be cold. So I could definitely sympathize. To deal with a new culture and be freezing at the same time – not sure that was fair. He was talking about the moving doors, the size of the malls, the grocery stores and that they have everything in them; it was so interesting for us to hear Haril talk about adjusting to culture from another perspective. Now we are back at the Mum waiting for dinner. They are back on Uganda time though my stomach is on US time. I am hungry!!! So I am ready to eat and go to sleep. I am serious about trivia facts. I will be forever thankful for any emails that may come my way. And in all seriousness… I will NOT be sharing. Just for once I want these young people to think I know something!!! I love you all. Sue

DAY OF REST THEORETICALLY

Today (Oct 1) was designated as a day of rest. I’ve waited a long time for today… to sleep late, lounge, do nothing. But this is Uganda and I should have known that schedules are meant to be broken. We did sleep later than usual though our phone abruptly rang very loudly at ten a.m. to announce that if we didn’t show up soon we would miss breakfast. As many of you know, I am not a morning person, so you would be proud to know I did not bark into the phone. I kindly told the person on the other end that we would NOT be coming and rolled over and went back to sleep. I did wake up shortly afterwards and sat outside (it was a perfectly beautiful day) and started labeling all the kids names to pictures we had taken. Jen Taylor took at least six of each child, so as you can imagine I only made it through one and a half classes. At one Steven and James came by to discuss our schedule for the next two weeks. They are so good about taking care of us. We invited them to join us for lunch and today I ordered Egg fried rice. It was actually really good. Beats many of the places in SA. Haji, in case you are wondering, ordered fish and chips; as opposed to the fish and chips he has ordered every night since we’ve arrived!

At four we left for Musana, a school started by three young ladies out of Colorado. Two have since returned to the US and one, Andrea is now here and has married a wonderful Ugandan by the name of Haril. They graciously had invited us to dinner where they served Ugandan burritos. Somehow Uganda has the best guacamole ever!! We sat and talked to them for several hours learning about how they have made their school such a success. I am so excited for Liz. When she eventually moves here she already will have a wonderful friend. She is really sweet (unlike Liz) and the two of them will really enjoy having one another to bond with. She commented that she has no social life so she does keep up on current events. In fact on Thursday we are going to the Sol Café (a restaurant that helps support their ministry) for a game of trivia. She has told us the questions will be current events. I tried to bribe her to give me the questions ahead of time but to no avail. I really wanted Liz and Jaimie to think I was smart!! Then one day next week we are going to take them to dinner. Her mother was here visiting so we had a chance to talk with her as well. One thing is for sure. They all know we are crazy but they all know we love the people we are here called to serve. 

I have formed a really special relationship with the Pastors this trip, especially James and Stephen. We have joked and kidded but also touched on some really important issues. I have sought their advice and what they have told me has been great. They are just good people. So is Haji. We are very much interested in their thoughts and opinions and so we inquire and are learning so much with what they share. Life long friendships are being made. 

With that I am going to sleep. Tomorrow we are going to see Andrew Wambi. I have never met this man but have been looking forward to this moment for a long time. To my family I miss you guys so much. Seester, I miss our daily conversations. It is just not the same. I love you all.