Clinging to His Hope

Today was a long day, experiencing both ends of the emotional spectrum. Banana pancakes became banana egg porridge when the cookie sheet on the electric burner, failed as a griddle. Tasty just the same and no one complained about the new dish for breakfast.

The children put on their best clothes and we loaded 26 people in the 7 passenger van... and if that wasn't enough and I can tell you it was, we added 3 live chickens to the fun. Shopping for Sunday dinner took on a whole different meaning when we watched the boys chase chickens around the as they roamed free. Once caught, their legs were bound and they got to lay in the back of the vehicle. I realize I have just made vegetarians all over the world cry foul. But when in Uganda...

We spent 3 hours in Kakira today, dropping off and picking up children as they visited the areas they are from. Against the wishes of a few house holds and with great caution on our side. Tiny Regina had no desire to stay, thinking perhaps she was being returned to live or maybe she just felt very unsafe there. Daphine and Moreen's grandmother was again so very grateful for what Janet has done for these two. Even though every household had been notified of visitation day, several places were completely empty leaving the child to wonder why. We have the same questions. These are truths we cannot explain or justify or understand, but facts just the same.

We picked up lunch from a woman in the village who cooked chicken and chips for take away...AKA fried potatoes and fried chicken together in a lunch baggy tied at the top. We headed to our hotel and ate, then opened the suitcase of pool necessities and handed out bathing suits, otherwise knows as "swimming costumes". Thankfully there is a child's pool with water only about 24-30" deep. Still, two lost their footing and went under right away causing us to sit right down and try to keep track of 19 children and our two cooks. Inflatable and styrofoam rings helped us all have a little bit more security. It took about 15 minutes for the first ones to start eyeballing the regular pool. Floatation rings were required but I was still compelled to get into the unheated water to swim beside them, just in case.
It was two hours of cheering, laughing, splashing and squealing and memories for all of us. We packed a slip n slide, so perhaps we will get that out in the next day or so.


 They packed up and headed back to their home, wet, tired and still excited about this new experience. It doesn't make up for the emptiness many of them felt in the village, but I pray they know that we travel this far and come to spend time with them because we believe they are so very valuable, regardless of what they experienced today, God sees them and loves them. Tonight I pray His love trumps the pain, but from personal experience, I know its not that easy. There are people in our lives who should love, care for and protect us, cheer us on, sacrifice for us if necessary and plan for our futures. When it doesn't happen the wound is deep and life altering. But God... he is in the business of healing, of covering, comforting and restoring. Pray this is the case for at least these 19. We couldn't stand it if there weren't this perfect HOPE, neither could they.